472: When the World Feels Heavy, Try This // Shannan Martin

472: When the World Feels Heavy, Try This // Shannan Martin

Author: Cloud10 March 16, 2026 Duration: 41:39
Last week, I found out that one of my kids' teachers unexpectedly lost her husband in a car accident. She's in her early 30s with a toddler, and when I was telling Ryan, I just started to cry. I don't often cry, so it surprised both of us a little. The truth is, I was crying for her — and for all of the heaviness that has been building in my heart for months. The political division, the international conflicts, the injustice — it has felt like a lot lately. My teenage son sometimes says to me when we talk about hard things, "Mom, why does life have to be so hard?" And I tell him, "I don't know, Buddy. But you're right — and I also know that it is beautiful too."This week's guest is Shannan Martin, bestselling author of the brand new book Counterweights, and she has a practice for holding both of those things at once. In this episode, you'll learn: 💜 Why Shannan writes down both the weights AND the counterweights every night — and what happens when you hold them together on the same page 💜 Why Shannan (a self-described introvert) pushes herself to gather people in her home regularly — and the surprisingly low bar she sets to make it actually happen 💜 The tiny silver fork that has become one of her most treasured daily rituals (you'll understand when you hear it) For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: March 30th is 3 in 30 Day — and this year I'm celebrating by highlighting YOU! Share your favorite episode and its impact at 3in30podcast.com/tellrachel before March 20th, and your message may be woven into a very special episode. Related Episodes: 424: When LIFE Doesn't Turn Out as Planned // Jessica N. Turner 401: How Radical Gratitude Can Change Your Life // Dr. Tanmeet Sethi 390: Living with Grief without Losing Yourself // Shelby Quinlan Sponsors: Shopify: It's time to turn those "What Ifs" into ✦[CHA CHING]✦ with Shopify today. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/3in30. BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy. AirDoctor: Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code 3in30 to get up TO $300 off today! AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, plus a 3-year warranty—an $84 value, free! Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Motherhood often feels like a constant juggling act, leaving little time for lengthy advice or complicated strategies. That’s the exact gap that 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms fills. Each episode is built on a simple, powerful premise: delivering three practical, doable takeaways within a half-hour. Host Rachel Nielson, who brings her perspective as a mother, teacher, and writer, understands that a busy parent’s brain is already full. She curates conversations and shares insights that cut straight to what’s useful, focusing on real-world application over theory. You’ll hear discussions rooted in the daily realities of family life, covering everything from educational activities for kids and navigating family dynamics to personal well-being amidst the beautiful chaos. This isn’t about adding more to your to-do list, but about finding smarter, more peaceful ways to manage what’s already there. The tone is consistently encouraging, aiming to replace overwhelm with a sense of capability and even magic. Tuning into this podcast feels like a coffee chat with a knowledgeable friend who leaves you with clear, actionable steps-not just more noise. It’s a resource for any mom looking to gather concrete ideas for parenting, personal growth, and creating a more harmonious home, all within the span of a daily commute or a folded laundry pile.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms
Podcast Episodes
396: How to Help Your Teen Live a Better Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:33
Do you have a teenager who is struggling, floundering, or fighting with you constantly? My older sister Sarah had a few rough years in high school. My parents worried about her a lot. But then, Sarah found a new story -…
395: What to Do if Your Teen is Exhausting You // Andee Martineau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:33
I recently taught a free masterclass all about mom rage. Toward the beginning of the class, I asked the women in attendance to share something that makes them feel angry on a regular basis. One mom shared: “Feeling rejec…
390: Living with Grief without Losing Yourself // Shelby Quinlan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:56
Living with grief can feel heavy, dark, and confusing. It's a time when it's easy to lose ourselves. Grief looks different for everyone, and if you are in the middle of grieving, my heart aches for you. I have experience…
389: I'm a Seasoned Mom. Is SAM for me? // Wanda Opitz, SAM Alumni [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:29
I always get asked who my Self-Assured Motherhood program is designed for - young moms? moms with young kids? stay-at-home moms? My answer is always emphatically: it’s designed for all moms! SAM is for all mothers - all…