Ep. 84 - Finding Me Again: Reflections on Wellness, Divorce & Alcohol with Amanda Vlastas

Ep. 84 - Finding Me Again: Reflections on Wellness, Divorce & Alcohol with Amanda Vlastas

Author: Local Moms Network June 23, 2026 Duration: 28:08
Moms, we all get swallowed up by motherhood sometimes, right? It takes practice and intention to create space for both of our identities: woman and mother.Today, we sit down with one of our own moms, Amanda Vlastas, who curates the site West University Moms, in Houston, Texas. Amanda has been part of The Local Moms Network for nearly a decade, building the site and raising her two boys all at the same time.Amanda’s sons are tweens now, and she’s grown a lot, too. She’s an open book about years spent getting back to herself following divorce, sobriety, and a shocking health scare. Hear her reflections about:* how diving into work helped save her during her divorce* rediscovering herself in the quiet of not having kids around all the time* mold poisoning in her home and the long process to detoxifying* how a single Dry January kicked off an alcohol-free future–and why’s she’s never going back* the mentors and self-help books that boosted her journey of reflection and changeTo learn more about Amanda follow @westuniversitymoms and check out westuniversitymoms.comFind us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory

Hosted by Demetra Ganias-a writer and mother of three who’s navigating the same daily realities-MomCast is a conversation from the trenches of modern parenting. This podcast, from the Local Moms Network, moves beyond simple tips to explore the nuanced, often unspoken layers of family life, culture, and society that shape our days. Demetra guides honest talks with both leading experts and fellow moms who get it, tackling questions about child development, personal identity, and the balancing act that rarely feels balanced. The dialogue here is less about perfect answers and more about shared understanding, offering perspectives that resonate whether you’re in the car line or stealing a quiet moment. It’s a space where the complexities of raising kids intersect with everything else, acknowledging that motherhood is as much about the world we’re preparing our children for as it is about the snack currently ground into the car seat. Tune in for a genuine, sometimes messy, but always connecting look at this defining chapter. You’ll find a sense of community in this podcast, a feeling that someone is putting words to your own experience, making the journey feel a little less solitary and a lot more seen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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