Coffee + Crumbs Podcast

Bedtime: the struggle is real. Today we’re talking about how we handle the end of the day—who’s in charge of the routine, what tricks we use to keep our kids sleeping as long as possible, and what creative stunts our children can be found pulling at the 8pm hour. We all commiserate over sleep deprivation during those newborn months and April shares her personal philosophy on how getting your baby to sleep is kind of like meeting someone’s pit bull. We hope this conversation makes you smile and reminds you that you are not alone in your bedtime trials! Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!  To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

At Coffee + Crumbs, motherhood is what brings us together, but how did we get here? On today’s episode, we discuss whether or not we always wanted to be mothers, what those conversations looked like with our partners, and if we’re “done” now. You’ll learn who used to play pregnancy by stashing pillows under her shirt, who dreams of having a Home Alone sized family around her Thanksgiving table, and who never thought she’d be a mom but had a change of heart. Stick around for a big announcement during the second half of the show … well, a few big announcements, actually! Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

While we may still be hitting the pool daily and enjoying ice cream all-too-frequently, we can almost hear the school bus rambling around the corner. Today we’re talking about all things back to school: packed lunches, first day of school traditions, the carpool situation, and more! Plus, April shares some tips for getting off to a great start with your child’s teacher and it does NOT involve a mason jar (phew!). We also come up with a million dollar business idea so if you’d like to take MUber to Shark Tank on our behalf, please be our guest. We hope this conversation gets you excited for the coming school year and maybe even inspires you to start a new tradition. Don’t forget to stay tuned to the very end to hear this week’s slow clap from listener MeLoni! Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!  To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support pag

Today we’re wrapping up our mini-series on how to have important conversations with your kids, and, well, this one is going to make you blush the most because we’re talking about SEX. Our guest today is Kristen Crichton, a marriage and family therapist and professor of human sexuality at William Jessup University. Kristen packs a punch in this conversation, reminding us why this dialogue should start at birth—because the greatest enemy of sexual wholeness is silence. Plus, she reminds us that we need to be the ones to tell our kids sex is fun and also teach them to respect Mom and Dad’s locked door. We hope you leave this episode feeling empowered to make the most of every opportunity and every curious observation! Remember: if you need to practice saying body parts without blushing or giggling, this makes an excellent Girls Night In. For more on this topic, be sure to head to our shownotes for a comprehensive list of book recommendations from Kristen. Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more i

While our homes may have been overtaken by Cheerios and Legos, we still have dreams of their potential. Today we’re talking about all things home decor: how we define our home style, where we like to shop, what room we’d love to make over if we won the lottery, and some of our worst home decorating flops. Plus, Indiana tells us about her prized golden armadillo, and Ashlee shares why she’ll never buy another rocking chair off Craigslist. We hope this conversation leaves you feeling inspired to channel your inner Joanna Gaines, right after you make the kids pick up those Legos … again.   P.S. Don’t forget to head to our website and check out the mood boards we created in the show notes today!   Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!   To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

Continuing our mini-series on how to have important conversations with your kids, on today’s episode we tackle how to talk about tricky people. Sam Sutherland—a social worker with more than 10 years of experience working with schools and social welfare organizations—joins Indiana and Ashlee to share her expertise on this topic. In this conversation, you’ll learn why it’s best to use the term “tricky people” over stranger danger, five rules to teach our kids by the time they’re five years old, and some general tips for how we can empower our kids to trust their instincts. Plus, we talk about Sam’s stance on sleepovers, the difference between secrets and surprises, and why she’s never afraid to be the bad guy. We hope you leave this episode feeling equipped to have this conversation with your kids, and possibly implement some new strategies to help keep your family safe.      Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave

To Pinterest or not to Pinterest—that is the question. On today’s episode we’re talking about all things birthday party! From big themed bashes to simple parties at the park, we cover invitations, menus, gifts and more on this much-requested topic. Plus, Indiana reveals the full name of Chuck E. Cheese (who knew he had a real name?!), and Ashlee goes on an accidental rant about her deep hatred of goody bags. Whether you’re an overachiever, underachiever, or fall right in the middle when it comes to birthday parties, remember: all kids really want is cake. Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.  

As part of our debut mini-series on how to have important conversations with your kids, today we’re talking all about race. Latasha Morrison, founder of beabridgebuilder.com, joins host Indiana Adams and Coffee + Crumbs writer Melanie Dale to educate us on how to approach this topic with our children, and how to lead by example in the quest for racial unity. Tasha also speaks about the difference between diversity and racial reconciliation, the difference between being color brave and color blind, and how we can equip our children to speak up when they witness an injustice. We hope this dialogue inspires you to start having some conversations about race in your home, if you haven’t already. Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

Join us for today’s episode as we reflect on our love/hate relationship with exercise. We may as well have titled this episode, Fitness: This is How We Don’t. You’ll hear Ashlee share about the first and last Bikram yoga class she ever took, find out the real reason Indiana takes up new exercise hobbies (hint: shoes are involved) and cringe along with us as April shares her horrifying yet hilarious ballet class fail. You may not walk away with many practical tips from this episode, but maybe your abs will get a work out from laughing? We sure hope so. Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

Let’s hear it for the dads! On today’s episode, Kevin Madsen (hilarious host of the HeyDad podcast) joins us to talk about all things #dadlife. We discuss the cultural shift taking place in modern day fatherhood, dad stereotypes that drive Kevin nuts, and why men need good friends just like women do. Plus, Kevin shares an encouraging word for women who want to empower their husbands to lean into their roles as fathers. As you know, we only have a man on our show once in a blue moon, so we hope you enjoy this extra-special Father’s Day episode! Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

On today’s episode, we’re chatting about all things summer vacation. From flying with babies to surviving epic road trips, we hope this conversation leaves you feeling better equipped next time you head out of town with kiddos in tow. In this episode, Ashlee shares her secret for keeping kids quiet in the car, Indiana reveals her deep-seated love of all things Disney, and everyone has a good laugh over April’s travel motto: Eat, Pray, Prime. (As Melanie Shankle would say—put that on a t-shirt.) Happy summer travels! Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

On today’s episode of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, we approach a topic that every mother has likely faced at some point: loneliness. In this honest conversation, we unpack why motherhood in particular feels so isolating sometimes and ask ourselves, how can we be good friends even when we feel lonely ourselves? Whether you’re new to motherhood altogether, or a veteran mom who hasn’t found her tribe yet, we hope you can relate to this vulnerable conversation and walk away inspired to put yourself out there. Plus, you’ll get to hear how Indiana and Katie (our podcast producer) met over a very glamorous matchmaking scheme in the middle of Costco. If you only get one thing from this episode, let it be this: even in your loneliness, you are not alone. Can you relate to this conversation? Who are the friends that keep this season of motherhood from being lonely for you? Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on

Ever wonder how other couples manage to have a regular date night once kids enter the picture? Today April, Indiana and Ashlee chat about the complexity of making date night happen with kids running around. You’ll hear how the concept of ‘date night’ has changed from pre-kids to post-kids, how they make childcare work, what makes for a great date, and of course, what makes for a bad one as well. Plus, April shares about her ‘stay-in date night clothes’ and you’ll get to find out what bizarre thing Indiana and her husband did for a cheap night out back in college. Whether your ideal date night includes a four-course meal at a hip restaurant or eating takeout on the couch, we hope you feel encouraged after this episode to plan a date night of your own this month!  Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support

On today’s show we talk with proud Texan, veteran blogger and New York Times bestselling author, Melanie Shankle, or as you may know her, Big Mama. Melanie was one of our most requested guests last season so we were thrilled she was able to share her hilarious, raw, and beautiful view of motherhood with us. Find out where the nickname Big Mama comes from, what lie both she and April are guilty of telling their pediatrician, and laugh along with us as we reflect on the myriad mundane moments that make up a life of mothering. Disclaimer: you’ll also learn what the tweens today consider “oldies” on their playlists—and it’s gonna make you feel old. Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

Today we’re talking about something close to all of our hearts: the art of gift giving. We share the good, the bad and the downright ugly gifts we’ve received, and we also share our philosophy on what makes a good gift (hint: it’s not about the money). In this episode we offer tips for how to come up with a great gift when you’re stumped and we laugh about the curse of being a gift-loving girl married to a man who just doesn’t get it. Plus, you’ll hear all about that one time Indiana’s husband gave her a nose hair trimmer. Join us and laugh along as we unpack the art of giving gifts, Coffee + Crumbs style. P.S. We’ve linked our favorite gift-giving sources and more gifts we love in the show notes today, so check them out! Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

“Exhaustion has become the social norm among busy women. And let’s admit the hard truth, we often find ourselves glorifying those busy schedules, giving ourselves a pat on the back when we squeeze one more commitment into an already too-packed day, and admiring others who seem to handle the juggling act as if they were a professional in a three-ring circus.” On today’s episode Indiana talks with Shaunti Feldhahn, author and social researcher, about her latest research-based book, Finding Rest, and the practices science says we should make a part of our daily lives in order to become more rested women. Listen as they unpack the lie we believe that keeps us from rest and don’t miss Shaunti sharing one simple thing that has been scientifically shown to improve 89% of relationships within 30 days ... Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, h

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about all things meal planning! Can you guess who geeks out over meal planning, who couldn’t get dinner on the table without her kitchen gadgets, and who would rather just serve cereal for dinner?! You’ll also hear Indiana show off her French skills and break down what on earth ‘sous-vide’ means, while April describes her “old school” meal planning techniques. Plus, Ashlee shares about that one time she went to McDonald's in the middle of the night while she was pregnant and destroyed the evidence before crawling back into bed. Whether you’re a meal planning pro or cereal enthusiast, we hope you find laughter and grace in our “fed is best” motto for this episode. Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

“You don’t have to be blooming to be growing.” Oh, how encouraged we are by these words from Ruth Chou Simons! On today’s episode Indiana and Ashlee chat with Ruth, artist, photographer and mom to six boys, about her initial calling as an artist, her current blossoming career and what life looked like in the waiting in between. We talk about what it looks like to cultivate hope in the midst of the mundane, uncertainty, and creative setbacks. Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

What do you do when your baby stops napping? (Tip: cry is not the answer.) In the first of our brand-new “This Is How We Do” episodes, Indiana, April and Ashlee share how they carve out time for themselves each day now that their kids are older. Quiet time, rest time, play-by-yourself-away-from-mommy-time … whatever you call it, this is when momma gets a much-needed break. Plus, you’ll learn why Ashlee is still hanging on to her baby gate, why Indiana doesn’t keep toys in her kids’ rooms, and the magical “adventure treat” April hands out to keep her kids busy. Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

When was the last time you and a friend had a conversation that got really vulnerable? Come to think of it, when was the last time you had a conversation with a friend about anything at all?! In today’s episode Indiana chats with Jamie Ivey about the necessity of friendship, the value of vulnerability and how to be a “safe person” for others. Tune in to hear what Indiana does to make Jamie (almost) cry and stick around for Jamie’s encouraging word for mothers of young children. Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes! To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.