Mom Halo

Elise Devlin is a social worker and bioethicist who spent about 20 years in hospital work, starting in oncology and palliative care. She saw how much healthcare can't reach, so she left the public system to build a practice that could: Breathe Therapy and Wellness, in midtown Toronto. It brings mental health therapy and physical care together under one roof, because stress lives in the body too.
Alana asks Elise the question her clients keep asking: why do I feel burnt out, sad or angry when everything in my life looks great on paper? Elise explains why that guilt is unfair, why hitting the wall isn't failure but the limit of being human, and how thousands of micro decisions a day wear moms down. They talk about social media's perfect closets and miracle vitamins, where we hold stress physically (it's probably not your mattress), and how Breathe works with teenagers, university students and young athletes who are scared to admit they need help. Her closing thought: stop confusing gratitude or achievement with well-being. Both can be true at once.
──────────────────────────────TIMESTAMPS──────────────────────────────00:00 Welcome, and meet Elise Devlin00:30 From hospital social work to Breathe Therapy and Wellness06:03 "Why do I feel this way when everything looks great?"09:42 You haven't failed, you've hit a human limit13:10 Micro decisions, functional freeze and running two marathons14:45 Social media, perception and performance21:54 Where we hold stress in the body26:09 Every client treated as an individual28:14 Inside the space on Avenue Road31:26 The team: therapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, massage, skin35:45 Teens, university students and young athletes44:04 Final thought: gratitude isn't well-being
──────────────────────────────CONNECT WITH BREATHE THERAPY AND WELLNESS──────────────────────────────Website → https://www.breathetherapy.caBook an appointment → https://breathetherapy.janeapp.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/wearebreathetherapy/1905 Avenue Road, 2nd floor, Toronto
──────────────────────────────ABOUT MOM HALO──────────────────────────────Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood: the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.
🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.
Website → https://momhalo.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/
#MentalHealth #Burnout #MindBodyConnection #MentalLoad #Therapy #TeenMentalHealth #Toronto #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Coach Chris Smits has spent more than 30 years in high-performance training, working with over 200 NHL players and Olympic athletes. Elle Daftarian came to fitness in her forties, after careers in events, beauty and desserts. When COVID closed their Toronto gym, they took their community online with an eight-week challenge that grew from 18 people to 150 in three months. Today it's Forty Forward, coaching for busy women through perimenopause.
Alana is seven weeks into their eight-week 35+ Metabolic Reset Method, and she brings Chris and Elle into the studio to unpack why it works. They explain why nutrition is the biggest lever, why structured training beats random workouts, and how dumbbells, bodyweight and progressive overload at home can outperform a fancy gym. Plus: what gym businesses don't want you to hear, the mind-muscle connection, why they keep clients off the scale, and Elle On-Demand, their custom AI nutrition coach built on 500+ of Elle's recipes. Their message: you're not broken. Perimenopause changed the rules, so your strategy has to change too.
──────────────────────────────MOM HALO LISTENER OFFER──────────────────────────────Apply for a free discovery call with Coach Chris and mention Mom Halo to get a free recipe book with 100 high-protein recipes. → https://fortyforwardcoaching.com/coaching-application-9481
──────────────────────────────TIMESTAMPS──────────────────────────────00:00 Welcome, and meet Coach Chris and Elle02:14 From a COVID workout challenge to Forty Forward04:05 Why they focused on women and perimenopause06:07 Inside the 35+ Metabolic Reset Method08:23 Trained, not entertained09:38 Accountability: the support most programs skip11:22 Alana's experience, seven weeks in13:15 Their superpower: keeping it real16:24 1,000+ transformations, and why home beats the gym18:01 Simple equipment and progressive overload20:54 What gym businesses don't want you to hear22:04 The mind-muscle connection25:19 Small wins, peak weeks and planned recovery28:48 No injuries, and being coachable30:55 The power of community33:31 Why people keep their fitness private36:43 Why they keep you off the scale38:31 Body composition, muscle and "I don't want to get bulky"42:38 Elle On-Demand, their AI nutrition coach48:45 Final advice: you're not broken50:22 Where to find Chris and Elle
──────────────────────────────CONNECT WITH FORTY FORWARD──────────────────────────────Website → https://fortyfwd.comApply for a discovery call → https://fortyforwardcoaching.com/coaching-application-9481Elle's free recipes → https://fortyfwd.com/blogs/elles-recipes-1
Coach Chris on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/coachchrissmitsTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@coachchrissmitsElle on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/elledaftarian
──────────────────────────────ABOUT MOM HALO──────────────────────────────Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood: the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.
🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.
Website → https://momhalo.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/
#Perimenopause #WomensFitness #StrengthTraining #MetabolicHealth #Nutrition #ProgressiveOverload #FitnessOver40 #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Why do some kids pick up reading on their own while others struggle for years? Ruth Rumack, founder of Ruth Rumack's Learning Space and creator of The Yak Pack decodable comics, has spent three decades working one-on-one with kids who learn differently. She joins Alana to explain why reading is so hard for the brain, what phonological awareness is and why it predicts reading success, and why knowing the alphabet song isn't the same as knowing the sounds.
Ruth walks parents through the Ontario path from psychoeducational assessments to IEPs and IPRCs, the early signs worth watching for, and why behaviour is the tip of the iceberg. Plus: why what looks like lazy is often anxiety, executive functioning and the "neurospicy" kids who think differently, the shame and comparison kids carry, and why learning needs a safe space. Her message for parents: drop the guilt, find the right support, and don't count your kid out.
──────────────────────────────TIMESTAMPS──────────────────────────────00:00 Introducing Ruth Rumack01:03 From teachers college to her own learning space03:11 Thousands of students, and now their kids04:47 Why Ruth created The Yak Pack comics09:04 Why is reading so hard?11:18 Phonological awareness: the early predictor13:03 Letter names vs. letter sounds15:15 Learning differences: more of it, or better at naming it?18:43 Psychoeducational assessments, IEPs and IPRCs23:47 Quiet girls, masking and stigma24:38 Shame and comparison25:41 What Ruth sees when a struggling student walks in29:42 Early signs to watch for33:07 Behaviour is the tip of the iceberg34:45 Tips for teachers: what looks like lazy is often anxiety38:03 What is executive functioning?41:34 Is executive function weakness genetic?44:05 Celebrating neurospicy kids46:19 Creating a safe learning space49:30 Parent guilt, and never counting kids out50:41 Where to find Ruth and The Yak Pack54:17 Outro──────────────────────────────MOM HALO LISTENER OFFER──────────────────────────────30% off Academic Assessments at Ruth Rumack's Learning Space for the Mom Halo community. Enter code MOMHALO in the referral box on the intake form.→ https://ruthrumack.com
──────────────────────────────CONNECT WITH RUTH RUMACK──────────────────────────────Ruth Rumack's Learning Space → https://ruthrumack.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rrlstoronto/
The Yak Pack Comics → https://yakpack.rumackresources.comFree sample → https://rumackresources.com/product/yak-pack-comics-free-sample/Amazon.ca → https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=yak+pack+comicsInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/theyakpackcomics/
──────────────────────────────ABOUT MOM HALO──────────────────────────────Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood: the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.
🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.
Website → https://momhalo.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/
#Literacy #LearningToRead #LearningDifferences #Dyslexia #ADHD #ExecutiveFunctioning #Phonics #Neurodiversity #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Parenting

Why do so many moms feel overwhelmed, even when everything looks fine from the outside? Amber Sperling, registered social worker and founder of Marsha Care, joins Alana to talk about the overwhelm, disconnection and birth trauma she sees every day in her practice, and why some women only realize years later how deeply their birth experience shaped them.
Amber shares her own two very different births, what social media gets right and wrong about motherhood, and small things that make a real difference: putting a timer on your scroll, texting a real friend instead of sending a reel, a 10,000 lux light for the dark months, and asking your doctor about iron, thyroid and vitamin D. Plus, a look at Marsha Care's upcoming workshops and Connected Beginnings, a six-week virtual program for moms in their third trimester.
──────────────────────────────TIMESTAMPS──────────────────────────────00:00 Introducing Amber Sperling and Marsha Care01:19 Why moms are reaching out: overwhelm and disconnection02:52 Social media: a snapshot, not the whole story05:55 Strategies for overwhelm: timers, intention, real connection08:27 What is birth trauma?14:43 When birth trauma surfaces years later19:11 Matrescence and the rose-coloured picture of motherhood22:10 Breastfeeding: the part nobody prepares you for26:23 Capital T trauma and finding perspective29:12 You decide how long each chapter is30:19 Adding something in: mom groups, movement, light therapy32:15 Iron, thyroid and vitamin D: ask for the bloodwork34:49 Upcoming Marsha Care workshops and Connected Beginnings40:38 How to reach Amber and Marsha Care's accessible care model41:50 Final message: you are a good enough mom42:39 Outro
──────────────────────────────CONNECT WITH AMBER SPERLING──────────────────────────────Website → https://marshacare.caEmail → info@marshacare.caInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/amber.sperling.rsw/
──────────────────────────────ABOUT MOM HALO──────────────────────────────Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood: the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.
🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.
Website → https://momhalo.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/
#MaternalMentalHealth #BirthTrauma #PostpartumSupport #PerinatalMentalHealth #Matrescence #MomOverwhelm #PostpartumMentalHealth #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten? Independence Skills That Matter, with Melissa Markus
Melissa Markus has taught kindergarten in the public school system for over 14 years. She is a mom of three, the creator of The Kindergarten Mom on social media, and the author of the new children's book Confidence in Kindergarten. In this episode she explains how to get kids ready for the big first day, and why self-help skills matter more than knowing letters and shapes.
We talk about what parents struggle with most, from toileting to separation anxiety, how Melissa wrote her book in the notes app on her phone and found her illustrator on Fiverr, and what she learned teaching an integrated kindergarten program in a children's hospital. She also shares how she grew her account, why being silly is the best classroom management tool, and the backpacks, markers, and lunch containers she recommends.
Key takeaways:- Independence and self-help skills come before academics: shoes, backpack, lunch containers, toileting, sitting through a story.- Practice these skills at home, at a calm time, not while rushing out the door.- Hype up kindergarten: visit the school, talk about friends and the playground, and let your excitement be catching.- Bring learning to life through play, drama, and silliness. That's what kids remember.- Pick gear your child can open and close alone, whatever the price.
──────────────────────────────TIMESTAMPS──────────────────────────────00:00 Introduction to Melissa Markus01:58 From teacher to children's book author04:13 What parents struggle with before kindergarten06:08 Why independence and self-help skills matter07:47 Inclusive classrooms and her hospital teaching years09:55 Growing The Kindergarten Mom on social media13:02 What's next14:54 Favourite classroom activities and experiential learning17:00 The power of silliness and play18:51 Common parent questions and misconceptions about independence21:06 Advice for first-time kindergarten parents23:05 Tools and gear Melissa recommends31:09 Confidence in Kindergarten and where to buy it32:57 Closing thoughts
──────────────────────────────CONNECT WITH MELISSA MARKUS──────────────────────────────Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenmom/TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thekindergartenmom
──────────────────────────────RESOURCES MENTIONED──────────────────────────────Confidence in Kindergarten (book + skills checklist) → https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1067502033Also available at Indigo.ca, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-MillionHer gear picks: Pottery Barn backpack (largest size), Crayola washable markers, Sistema and Bee Box lunch containers, Thermos water bottles
──────────────────────────────ABOUT MOM HALO──────────────────────────────Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood. The messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.
🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.
#Kindergarten #KindergartenReadiness #ParentingTips #IndependenceSkills #ChildrensBooks #TeacherMom #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Professional home organizer Stephanie Haghani has seen inside more overflowing basements and toy closets than she can count — and her diagnosis is refreshingly simple: most of us don't lack systems, we just have too much stuff. In this episode, Stephanie shares practical strategies for decluttering, managing kids' belongings, and building a home where everything has a place.
 
We talk about the consumer culture that keeps our homes overflowing, why minimalism is hard but worth it, how to teach kids organizational skills early, and the emotional work of letting go of sentimental items. Plus: the first small step to take if your house feels out of control (hint — grab a timer and one bag).
 
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TIMESTAMPS
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00:00 — Introduction to Stephanie Haghani and Her Expertise
00:36 — Common Household Challenges Faced by Busy Families
02:15 — The Importance of Decluttering and Being Intentional
04:10 — The Cultural Influence of Consumerism and Overbuying
06:12 — The Challenges of Minimalism and How to Approach It
08:43 — Managing Kids' Belongings and Teaching Responsibility
14:00 — Transforming Problem Areas Like Basements
22:11 — The Future of the Home Organization Industry
35:42 — First Steps for Starting Your Decluttering Journey
43:52 — How to Find and Work with a Professional Organizer
 
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CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE HAGHANI
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Website → https://neatandtidywithstephanie.com
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/neatandtidywithstephanie/
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/neatandtidywithstephanie
 
──────────────────────────────
ABOUT MOM HALO
──────────────────────────────
Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.
 
🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.
 
Website → https://momhalo.com
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/
 
#HomeOrganization #Decluttering #Minimalism #ProfessionalOrganizer #MomLife #HouseholdSystems #TidyHome #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Jay Rosenzweig has built a life at the intersection of law, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and advocacy — and in this episode, he brings all of it to the table. From growing up inspired by his family's entrepreneurial spirit to leading a global executive search firm and championing women in leadership, Jay shares hard-won insights on risk, purpose, and what it really means to lead.
We talk AI breakthroughs, health innovation, the art of balancing a dynamic career with fatherhood, and why — in Jay's words — the real wealth is learning to cherish life itself.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 — Introduction to Jay Rosenzweig03:47 — Navigating Leadership in Uncertain Times05:29 — The Intersection of Art and Business08:56 — Entrepreneurial Journey and Influences12:22 — Taking Risks in Entrepreneurship17:06 — Supporting Women in Leadership20:24 — The Evolution of Women's Representation24:11 — The Role of AI in Business and Health31:41 — Fatherhood and Parenting Insights40:48 — Outro
CONNECT WITH JAY ROSENZWEIG
Website → https://www.jayrosenzweig.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rosenzweig_company/
 
ABOUT MOM HALO
Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.
🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.
#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #WomenInLeadership #AI #HealthInnovation #Philanthropy #Fatherhood #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Amy and Regan built Hela Nutrition from the ground up — developing a clean, plant-based protein powder and collagen products that actually taste good and deliver results. In this episode, they share how they formulated their products with gut health in mind, navigated retail expansion, and built a brand rooted in trust and transparency.
 
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a health-conscious mom, or just tired of supplements that taste like chalk, this conversation is packed with practical insight and inspiration.
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TIMESTAMPS
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00:00 — Introduction and background
02:03 — Inspiration behind Hela Nutrition
05:19 — Formulation and ingredients
08:17 — Customer feedback and usage
11:22 — Collagen benefits and retail presence
14:22 — The importance of pure ingredients
15:29 — Expanding into the US market
17:33 — Navigating the entrepreneurial journey
20:13 — Building a supportive community
21:33 — The importance of gut health
25:08 — Creating trustworthy products
26:00 — Connecting with customers
30:18 — Outro
 
──────────────────────────────
CONNECT WITH HELA NUTRITION
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Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/hela_nutrition/
Website → https://helanutrition.com/
 
──────────────────────────────
ABOUT MOM HALO
──────────────────────────────
Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.
 
🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.
 
#PlantBasedProtein #MomHalo #Helanutrition #GutHealth #CleanLabel #FemaleFoungers #WomenInBusiness #HealthSupplements #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Jessica Baker has planned more bar mitzvahs than she can count, and she's seen it all — from shoestring budgets to six-figure productions. In this episode, Jessica pulls back the curtain on what it actually costs to throw a memorable bar or bat mitzvah, why the industry has exploded, and how to make a celebration feel authentic instead of just expensive.
Whether you're deep in mitzvah planning mode or just curious how these events got so elaborate, Jessica's insider perspective is candid, practical, and refreshingly honest. 
──────────────────────────────TIMESTAMPS──────────────────────────────00:00 — Introduction to Event Planning and Jessica's Journey07:16 — The Evolution of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs13:25 — Understanding the Costs and Expectations19:05 — The Special Nature of Events and Overcoming Anxiety24:06 — Differences in Boys' and Girls' Parties27:04 — Navigating Bar Mitzvahs: Boys vs. Girls29:27 — The Evolution of Party Themes32:05 — The Shift in Party Planning Dynamics34:46 — Creative Freedom in Event Planning38:08 — The Role of Trends in Modern Celebrations42:23 — Cell Phones at Parties: A Double-Edged Sword46:13 — The Importance of Ethical Planning51:55 — Outro
──────────────────────────────CONNECT WITH JESSICA BAKER──────────────────────────────Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jessicabakercreative/
──────────────────────────────ABOUT MOM HALO──────────────────────────────Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.
🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.
Website → https://momhalo.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/
#BarMitzvah #EventPlanning #MomHalo #MitzvahPlanning #PartyBudgeting #BatMitzvah #JewishCelebrations #MomPodcast #Motherhood #PartyPlanning

Gabe Diamond is the co-founder of True North Sports Camp, and he's spent years watching sports shape kids into confident, resilient, well-rounded people. In this episode, Gabe breaks down why specializing too early can actually hold kids back, how team sports build life skills no classroom can replicate, and what's driving the surprising resurgence of baseball in Canada.
Whether you're a sports parent trying to figure out how much is too much, or just someone who believes in the power of play, this conversation is grounded, practical, and full of heart.TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Introduction to True North Sports Camp02:29 — The importance of sports in child development05:27 — Parental commitment to sports07:45 — The case for multi-sport participation11:12 — Concerns about physical education in schools14:39 — Encouraging well-rounded athleticism16:55 — The resurgence of baseball in Canada21:54 — Cultural differences in youth sports26:11 — The role of parents in sports participation28:54 — Closing thoughts on sports and youth development33:39 — Outro 
──────────────────────────────CONNECT WITH GABE DIAMOND──────────────────────────────Website → https://www.truenorthcamps.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/gdiamond87/
──────────────────────────────ABOUT MOM HALO──────────────────────────────Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.
🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.
#YouthSports #MultiSport #MomHalo #ChildDevelopment #SportsParenting #PhysicalLiteracy #Baseball #TeamSports #KidsHealth #Motherhood