Medium Lady Talks: Burnout Recovery for Millennials and Mothers

In episode 137 of Medium Lady Talks we continue the How to Take Care of Yourself series, I'm joined by surface designer and illustrator Devon Bennett of PencilsnParsley. Together, we explore how making something just for the joy of it — no fancy supplies, no pressure — can be a powerful form of creative self-care.

Devon reminds us that you don't have to be an artist to start creating. You don't even have to look at your finished pi...

This episode originally aired April 10, 2024. Enjoy Episode 98 of Medium Lady Talks!

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Welcome back, listeners! Today I’m solo on mic exploring a question that's inspired by a text chat I had with a friend: "Is your burnout preventable?" If you've ever found yourself plagued with exhaustion, resentful of all the things out of your control, and down the path to truly crippling physiological symptoms, this episode is for you.

Su...

Episode 136 of Medium Lady Talks is a refreshingly honest and hilariously real conversation with my two best friends, Sarah and Emily. We share a candid conversation about taking medication for mental health. One of us is a routine queen when it comes to her meds, one of us is a little chaotic (but loveable!), and I’ve taken mental health medication during two meaningful chapters of my life. Together, we open up about what it reall...

In episode 135 of Medium Lady Talks, Erin shares five meaningful ways to celebrate yourself as part of the ongoing "How to Take Care of Yourself" series. Inspired by her recent 42nd birthday, Erin makes the case that celebrating yourself isn't indulgent, it's necessary for sustained well-being.

• Celebrating yourself is a practice, skill, and mindset that contributes to your susta...

In this third installment of the "How to Take Care of Yourself" series, Erin explores how curiosity can be a gentle, accessible tool for wellness that doesn't require a life overhaul. Whether you're ready to embrace change or feeling too depleted to add one more thing to your to-do list, this episode offers simple ways to replace judgment with curiosity.

• Why we def...

Many people struggle to recognize their own needs, especially when they’ve been conditioned to prioritize everyone else first. In Medium Lady Talks, Episode 133, host Erin Vandeven explores why naming your needs is the first step to sustainable self-care—and how to start, even when it feels impossible.

💡 This episode covers: ✔️ Why it’s so hard to identify personal needs (hint: it’s not a personal failure) ✔️ How burnout and car...

In Episode 132 of Medium Lady Talks Erin shares the first episode in the new self-care series “How To Take Care of Yourself”. The first item on the list is one that most people definitely struggle with - saying yes to help that’s offered. This isn’t just about asking for help, which is naturally hard enough and makes many of us feel vulnerable and out of control! But there are many people in our lives who offer help or who are very...

Hello, hi! This week’s episode is a bit of a vulnerable off the cuff episode - I have a few things weighing heavy on my mind, and all of it surrounding the frustrations we all experience around the effort of taking care of ourselves. My hope is that this episode represents a "kick off" of a new series of content designed to help us all consider the smallest most useful and accessible ways of taking care of ourselves today, so we ca...

This episode aired in February 2023, and yet I feel like our challenges with enjoying ourselves are being tested now more than ever. I hope you enjoy this episode from the archives! I'll be back next week with a fresh episode!

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Hello, hi and welcome to another episode of Medium Lady Talks! In Episode 97, we're delving into a topic that's close to the hearts of many burnt-out millennial mothers: the pursuit of genuine enjoyment...

Hello, hi! This week’s episode is an authentic and open episode with my guest Ashlie Daigle, otherwise known as the Cheerbrarian. Ashlie and I have been “kindred spirits” both in the kind of content we like to share with the world, as well as our outlook on life and our enthusiasm for giving advice. Despite that identity and persona, Ashlie gets real with her current mental health struggles and how hard it is to reconcile the part ...

Hello, hi! I’m so excited to welcome today’s guest to the show. Anna Przy! Does the phrase “It’s called manifesting… look it up…” or “You better Keep it up Cutie” sound familiar? Anna Przy is most recognizable for her short form social media videos that involve a bathrobe, her front yard, and no shoes. Sometimes featuring an old vacuum and some high kicks you’ll often see Anna looking up at the sky and politely appealing to the cos...

Hello, hi and welcome to the first interview for Season 5 of Medium Lady Talks! In this episode, I chat with Helen Schrute and Christina Cohen, therapists and hosts of the It’s YOUR Birthday Podcast. We’re talking all about friendship, partnership, trust and navigating the messy middle of life with your bestie by your side.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, you’ll hear more from my guests about: - The incredible story of their indi...

Medium Lady Talks is heading into its fifth season! Five years ago, I started creating content—on Instagram, on this podcast, and in this incredible community. Over time, I’ve learned so much, not just about content creation, but about self-care, burnout, and the evolving nature of identity as a mom and a creator.

In this episode, I’m sharing five key lessons from five years of content creation—the hard-won truths about sustainabil...

Hello, hi and welcome to the final episode of Medium Lady Talks for 2024! As we look ahead to 2025, I’m sharing a new and impactful approach to guide your personal growth: choosing a need of the year instead of a word of the year.

In this episode, I explore why focusing on your needs can help you take more intentional and meaningful action to support your emotional and mental well-being. Plus, we’re spinning the “Wheel of Needs” to...

Hello hi!

The holiday season can be magical, but let’s face it—it can also be overwhelming! In this episode, I’m sharing the five (and a half!) things that are helping me feel like myself and move through the busiest time of year as mindfully as possible. From favourite apps and comforting habits to traditions that warm my heart, these small joys are saving my season.

I’ll also share a wildcard favourite that surprised me, plus one...

Hello, hi!

Why is having fun so hard sometimes? As moms, we often find ourselves stuck in caretaker mode, struggling to reconnect with the joy of play—whether it’s for ourselves or with our kids. In this episode, we’re talking about fun and how stepping out of your comfort zone can bring more laughter, connection, and lightness into your life.

I’m sharing unique, low-cost (and even free!) ways to have fun, both solo and with your f...

Hello, hi and happy holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… time for the fourth annual Cozy Christmas Reads episode! This episode is special because Jillian and Erin are joined by two additional guests, Stephanie Cunningham and Ali Oppenlaender. The four women come together yearly (previous episodes are linked below), to share each year’s picks for a cozy Christmas read. 

If you’re ready for this year’s edition, just hit...

If you're new to Medium Lady you might not be well acquainted to a hallmark practice of mine: mindful monthly planning. I have been monthly planning for over 5 years, and I can genuinely say it has allowed me to feel more like myself, to capture more fun in my life, and to give me a sense of personal growth and meaning that I wouldn't find from my work or relationships.

I hope you enjoy this repost of Episode 82!!

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Hello, h...

Hello, hi! I can’t seem to stop talking about guilt - but  I PROMISE this is the last I’ll say about it (at least until 2025) . The thing that continues to remain problematic and troubling for so many women, the thing that gets in our way is that we’re always feeling bad. If we’re not feeling bad we’re avoiding the things that make us feel bad or managing the feeling to get rid of it. What if there was another way? Today’s episode ...