The WandHERwild™ Podcast: Intentional Living for the Modern Mother by Wanderwild Family Retreats™
By: Monica Virga Alborno
Language: en
Categories: Education, Self Improvement, Kids, Family, Parenting
The WandHERwild™ Podcast with Monica Virga Alborno, founder of Wanderwild Family Retreats™, is a show for modern mothers reclaiming their wild, living with intention, and redefining fulfillment while raising a family. Here, we explore mindful motherhood, conscious parenting, feminine rhythms, and the power of self-discovery through honest stories, soulful conversations, and practical tools you can bring into everyday life. Whether you’re seeking connection, inspiration, or a reminder that you’re not alone, WandHERwild is your invitation to slow down, come home to yourself, and reconnect with the intuitive mother within. wandherwild.substack.com
Episodes
51. Beyond Candy: Reconnecting with the Soul and Origins of Halloween
Oct 27, 2025Halloween was never meant to be about fear or fright. It began as a sacred time of reflection, rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
In this heartfelt solo episode, I invite you to slow down and reconnect with the deeper meaning of this season. Together, we explore how honoring our ancestors, cooking with seasonal ingredients, and spending mindful moments outdoors can help us return to the soulful essence of Halloween.
Through ancestral altars, storytelling by the fire, and simple family rituals, I share ways to bring presence and meaning back into this time...
Duration: 00:10:3450. The Illusion of Control: 9 Questions to Help You Let Go
Oct 20, 2025We hear the word surrender all the time, but what does it actually look like in practice?
So often, when life feels uncertain or heavy, our instinct is to tighten our grip and try to control everything around us. But what happens when we learn to surrender in real time in the messy, unpolished, everyday moments of letting go and allowing life to move through us?
This isn’t a highlight reel or a quick fix. It’s about releasing the illusion that we can control outcomes and learning to trust what’s unfolding.
In t...
Duration: 00:19:3349. What It Really Means to Live Extraordinary
Oct 06, 2025What does it truly mean to live an extraordinary life as a mother? I reflect on the heart of intentional living and share how beauty, presence, and purpose can be found in the everyday rhythms of family and nature. To me, extraordinary isn’t about chasing society’s idea of success. It’s remembering that our planet itself is extraordinary, and that choosing presence over overwhelm is how we step into our truest path.
I also share what it has been like preparing nearly 50 conversations for our WandHERwild audio event, reopening the membership community after our summer pause...
Duration: 00:08:0548. Intentional Living During the Holidays - Audio Event
Sep 22, 2025I know how heavy the holidays can feel—the pressure to do it all, keep up traditions, and somehow stay calm and joyful for our kids. That’s why I created the Intentional Living During the Holidays Audio Event, a 4-day gathering designed for parents who want to slow down, simplify, and truly enjoy the season.
Inside, I share conversations with incredible women who speak to mindful motherhood, conscious parenting, grief, anxiety, and what it means to be emotionally present for our families. We talk about everything from the “watering can” metaphor for self-care, to practical grounding practice...
Duration: 00:24:4547. How Five Questions Transformed My Intentional Living Journey
Sep 18, 2025After thirteen years in a corporate career I found myself exhausted mentally, physically, and spiritually. My body was sending signals I could no longer ignore. What I came to call “expired energy” was the nudge I needed to finally step away and realign with what truly matters.
In this episode of The WandHERwild Podcast we talk about the five guiding questions that have completely reshaped how I live with intention. We explore what it means to create safe emotional spaces for our children, how to balance deep work with intentional rest, and why living with alignment feels so d...
Duration: 00:20:0246. Color Outside the Lines: Why It's Okay to Break Some Rules
Sep 11, 2025As moms, we spend so much of our lives coloring inside the lines, following the rules, meeting expectations, and keeping everything “just right.” But what happens when we finally give ourselves permission to color outside the lines? In this episode, I share why breaking some rules is not only okay, it’s essential for creativity, fulfillment, and showing our kids that life doesn’t have to fit a perfect mold.
I open up about the early art class that shut down my confidence, how I rediscovered creativity through journaling and community, and why I believe creativity will be the futur...
Duration: 00:18:2045. Transforming Postpartum Care Into Beautiful, Functional Support for Moms With Courtney Boylan
Sep 08, 2025Motherhood cracks us open in ways we never expect, and postpartum can feel like one of the most vulnerable seasons of all. In this conversation, I sit down with Courtney Boylan, founder of Le Lolo, a postpartum essentials brand created to remind mothers of their beauty, strength, and worth. Born out of her own struggles after birth, Courtney’s mission is to transform the clinical, sterile side of recovery into something supportive, soulful, and yes, beautiful.
She opens up about the fear and overwhelm of those early weeks, the imposter syndrome that still visits daily, and the le...
Duration: 00:28:5244. Raising Kids Abroad — Why I Chose Expat Life as a Mom
Sep 01, 2025What does everyday life look like as an American mom raising kids in Norway? In this soulful episode of The WandHERwild Podcast, I share my 14-year expat journey that began in Kuwait and Angola and eventually led my family to Bergen.
I open up about Norway’s 8 to 4 work culture that values balance and family time, my children’s Montessori-style forest school, and the surprising tradition of outdoor naps even in freezing weather. I also talk about the social systems that support families, such as public healthcare, tuition-free education, and government stipends that help balance high...
Duration: 00:34:2443. Simple Ways to Declutter and Let Go of Perfection with Sarah Horgan
Aug 28, 2025What if the pressure to do it all perfectly was the very thing holding you back? For Sarah Horgan, kindergarten teacher, mother, and host of Simple + Intentional, a stage four cancer diagnosis became the catalyst for redefining her life. What began as survival turned into a journey of self-love, simplicity, and bold, intentional living.
In this conversation, Sarah shares how she let go of perfectionism and people-pleasing, embraced decluttering as a path to freedom, and found grounding through meditation. She reminds us that “done is better than perfect,” and that saying no, simplifying, and choosing authenticity are not...
Duration: 00:32:1542. Astrology: Your Child’s Moon Sign Explained
Aug 25, 2025Every child has a unique birth chart, and at the heart of it, their moon sign reveals how they process emotions, connect with others, and feel most supported.
In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, I share how astrology can become a powerful tool for conscious parenting during the back-to-school season. I walk you through the four elements — Earth, Water, Fire, and Air — and explain how each one shapes your child’s emotional world and what they may need most as routines shift:
🌍 Earth signs need grounding and connection to nature 💧 Water signs are sensitiv...
Duration: 00:16:5441: Birthday Reflections & 3 Heartfelt Reasons to Join a Mom+Child Retreat
Jun 03, 2025In this birthday-themed episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica shares a reflection on personal growth, the themes and lessons that each year of life bring, and how this birthday is inspiring her to prioritize longevity. Go on a journey—from wild teenage years to rooting into family life—and reflect on your own themes and lessons. This episode is also a gentle call to step into your next chapter with clarity, connection, and care.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* How each birthday year carries its own lessons and themes
* Why longevity and...
Duration: 00:07:3240: We Want Your Opinion While Shaping This Community
May 29, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica shares an open conversation reflection on reconnecting with movement, creativity, and the community’s evolving needs. She invites listeners into the vision for Wanderwild Family Retreats and Wand(HER)wild —from retreats and virtual events to conscious travel services—while asking what kind of soulful support you’re truly craving right now.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* Creativity and movement can happen together—ditch perfection and honor real-life inspiration.
* The Wand(HER)wild podcast is evolving—more structure, more guests, more depth.
* Monica i...
Duration: 00:19:4339: Matrescence, The Missing Word Every Mother Needs to Know
May 27, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica sits down with Matrescence guide and writer Kate Seaton to explore the transformative journey of motherhood. Together, they unpack the meaning of Matrescence, the power of telling your motherhood story, and why honoring this rite of passage is essential for healing, connection, and self-understanding.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* The word Matrescence (the transformation a woman undergoes as she becomes a mother) validates the complex shifts that occur during motherhood.
* Kate’s professional pivot from brand strategist to mother story guide was inspired by...
Duration: 00:32:1738: Redefining Family Travel, A Mindful Approach to Planning Summer with Intention
May 22, 2025In this special episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica leads a reflective workshop on Mindful Family Travel—encouraging listeners to plan summer trips with intention, presence, and purpose. Through journaling prompts and quadrant-based reflections, she invites families to explore their desires, design meaningful travel experiences, and advocate for personal joy alongside collective connection. Note that this episode is a playback from a LIVE workshop and it has been edited for brevity and privacy of those who attended in real time.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* Why mindful family travel begins with intentional reflection
... Duration: 00:14:2137: Pilates, Purpose & Postpartum Strength, Reclaiming Your Body and Energy with Tommie Burch
May 20, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica is joined by wellness leader and retreat facilitator Tommie Burch to explore Pilates Fusion, intuitive movement, and reclaiming your strength within motherhood. From post-pandemic pivots to practical self-care, this conversation is a reminder that feeling strong—physically and emotionally—is a powerful act of self-love.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* Why movement is more than physical—it’s a pathway to mental clarity and emotional regulation
* The importance of intuitive fitness and choosing modalities that meet you where you are
* How Pilates...
Duration: 00:36:2836: Post-Mother's Day Reflections & Advocating for Yourself as a Modern Mom Craving Space, Ease, and Sanity
May 16, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica reflects post-Mother’s Day with realistic gift giving ideas designed to support—not overwhelm—moms. From spring cleaning services to solo time and self-advocacy, it’s a refreshing conversation about what mothers actually want: ease, presence, and practical joy. Perfect for any season of motherhood, and any time of the year. Even though Mother’s Day has passed, it’s a reminder to advocate for what you need throughout the year—whether it’s your birthday, baby shower, or summer break with kids in tow.
Key Takeaways From the Episode...
Duration: 00:14:3135: Time MOMagement & Motherhood Rhythms: Reclaiming Time, Presence & Self with Marisa Lonic
May 14, 2025Are you a mom juggling all the roles—career, caregiving, self-growth—and craving more balance? In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica chats with mom of four and time management coach Marisa Lonic. Together, they dive into how modern mothers can reclaim their time, reconnect to their true pace, and tap into intentional living through "Time Momagement." You'll walk away with a fresh sense of clarity, inspiration, and real tools to support your growth as a mother and woman. Whether you’re navigating a new season, shifting careers, or trying to breathe amidst the spring-to-summer chaos, this e...
Duration: 00:25:4034: A Cacao Circle to Reclaim Your Wild Essence & Sensuality Through Heart Opening Presence
May 06, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica is joined with Cacao Circle facilitator, Ana Gioia, guiding listeners through a cacao circle meant to brighten and bloom with Beltane. Through sensory meditation, nature recollections, and feminine reflection, you’re invited to listen in and reclaim your own wild essence and sensuality through heart-opening presence.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* Pause for a sensory meditation and breathing reset
* Learn the heart-centered benefits of cacao in motherhood and ceremony
* Reflect on nature memories and how flowers connect us to the divine fe...
Duration: 00:36:4033: Raising Conscious Kids in a World of Noise: Trusting Intuition, Seeking Truth, and Connecting to Nature
May 01, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica shares heartfelt reflections recorded from her backyard the week of Earth Day. Using the movies Idiocracy and Don't Look Up as jumping-off points, she explores how disinformation affects our society — and why it's critical to teach our children to seek truth, trust intuition, and stay deeply connected to the natural world.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* Why staying connected to nature is a revolutionary act
* Teaching kids critical thinking in a world of misinformation
* How to navigate differing opinions respectfully
...
Duration: 00:14:3032: Healing Through Breathwork: A Mother’s Journey to Reconnection and Renewal with Lucia Oliveira, Pause Breathwork Facilitator
Apr 29, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica is joined by wellness leader and breathwork facilitator Lucia Oliveira. Together, they explore how challenges like postpartum depression, business loss, and a parent’s health scare led Lucia to discover the transformative healing of breathwork. This episode is an inspiring guide for mothers seeking reconnection with their inner light, emotional healing, and deeper embodiment in motherhood through breath.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* The importance of embodiment practices in overcoming emotional hardship
* Different types of breathwork and their benefits for mothers
* Ho...
Duration: 00:32:3631: Energetic Home Cleansing Ritual for Moms, Clear Stagnant Energy and Align with Seasonal Flows
Apr 25, 2025Feeling the weight of lingering energy in your home? In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica shares her transformative experience with an energetic home cleansing ritual. This episode invites listeners to reconnect with their space, release stagnant energy, and embrace seasonal shifts. It's a grounding reminder that sacred rituals can spark powerful changes—without the overwhelm of deep cleaning.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* A gentle, powerful home cleansing ritual rooted in seasonal rhythms
* Tools you can use (but don’t need to use!)
* Permission to do it your...
Duration: 00:06:4630: Life After Quitting My Job & All Of Our New Travel and Mindfulness Services For Families
Apr 22, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica shares life seven months after leaving her high-powered engineering job to pursue a soul-led life. She reveals updates on Wanderwild Family Retreats and Wand(HER)wild offerings—mother & child retreats, private family retreats, family travel planning services, and digital events for moms—inviting mothers to reconnect with themselves, family, and nature through conscious community and aligned travel.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* How Monica restructured her life post-corporate for more presence and clarity
* Why Wanderwild Family Retreats and Wand(HER)wild are evolving and...
Duration: 00:13:2829: Rituals with Kids & Reflecting On My Personal Experience This Full Moon
Apr 17, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica shares a full moon ritual she created with her young children, using moon water, intention setting, and a simple altar. Designed to inspire moms to tune into nature’s rhythms and create magical, meaningful moments at home, this episode is an invitation to deepen family bonds through monthly lunar rituals.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* How to create a full moon ritual with young children that’s both fun and meaningful
* What moon water is and how to charge it with intention
...
Duration: 00:09:0228: Mothering Without a Mother with Sarah Harmon, Licensed Mental Health Therapist and Founder of The School of MOM (Mothering Ourselves Mindfully)
Apr 16, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica is joined by Sarah Harmon, Licensed Mental Health Therapist and Founder of The School of MOM (Mothering Ourselves Mindfully) and The Parent Wellness Group, for a conversation on mindful mothering and mothering yourself. They explore self-compassion, nervous system regulation, sacred feminine energy, and healing the Mother Matrix. This empowering episode invites mothers to slow down, tune in, and redefine motherhood from the inside out.
Sarah opens up about her personal experience with a family mental health crisis and how it became a catalyst for her work. She...
Duration: 00:35:1927: Breathwork - Renewal & Release Pause For Moms Amidst The Chaos
Apr 10, 2025This episode offers a gentle guided breathwork experience from a recent Wand(HER)wild virtual breathwork experience. Monica is joined by friend and Pause Breathwork facilitator, Lucia Oliveira, inviting you to pause, release what no longer serves, and open to renewal. Through affirmations and deep presence, this short practice reconnects you to your breath, your body, and the cyclical rhythms of change.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* Experience a calming, soul-centered breathwork ritual
* Release tension, old stories, and emotional clutter
* Anchor into seasonal shifts and new beginnings
* Reconnect with...
Duration: 00:06:3326: 4 Outdoor Activities For Busy Families This Spring
Apr 08, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica shares an honest reflection on navigating motherhood’s chaos. Recorded outdoors at her home, she offers four easy, screen-free spring activities to connect as a family while embracing the mess. With vulnerability and inspiration, this episode invites moms to find magic in the little moments and reconnect with nature this spring.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* Embracing chaos as part of the motherhood journey
* How contrasting lifestyles can offer unexpected clarity
* 4 outdoor, screen-free spring activities to reconnect as a family
...
Duration: 00:11:1625: Cycle Syncing, Natural Rhythms, and Tuning Into Your Body's Needs with Functional Health Practitioner, Stefanie Adler
Apr 03, 2025Are you truly listening to your body? In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica talks with Stefanie Adler, a functional health practitioner and nutritionist, to uncover the power of hormone balance, gut healing, and cycle-informed living. Stefanie shares her personal journey of overcoming digestive struggles and fertility fears, offering practical strategies to connect with your body and optimize your well-being.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* Breaking generational health patterns
* How hormone imbalances impact intuition
* Cycle-informed living for more energy and alignment
* Why detoxing from social media +...
Duration: 00:19:2924: Shedding Layers: Eclipse Season, Snake Energy, Transformation, & the Wild Feminine
Apr 01, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica shares about themes of release and renewal, inspired by a recent virtual breathwork experience that led her to embody the snake—an ancient feminine symbol of shedding, rebirth, and inner transformation. Inspired by eclipse season and the energetic call for release and renewal, she reflects on what it means to let go of outdated layers, reconnect with your power, and step into alignment with your truest self. You’ll also learn why 2025, the Year of the Wood Snake, holds powerful themes of emotional depth, creativity, and soul-aligned progress—and how to...
Duration: 00:08:0823: Womb Wisdom: Discover Your Inner Knowing As a Mother
Mar 26, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica shares a soul-nourishing excerpt from the Sacred Connections Cohort that explores the sacred connection between motherhood, intuition, and the womb space.
If you’ve ever felt lost, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, this conversation will remind you that the deepest answers already live within you.
Learn how your womb is not just a physical space, but a spiritual and creative portal—an intuitive anchor for decision-making, creativity, and presence in motherhood.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* The womb as a po...
Duration: 00:06:3722: How Our Multicultural Family Celebrates Spring: Honoring Easter, Ramadan, Passover, Earth Day & the Spring Equinox
Mar 24, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica shares how her multicultural and multi-religious family celebrates the season of spring by weaving together global spiritual, religious, and earthly traditions. With personal stories spanning from rural New Jersey to the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and now Norway, Monica offers a deeply reflective and intentional look at spring as a time of renewal, remembrance, and reconnection.
Whether you're raising a multicultural family or simply seeking new ways to deepen your family's spring rituals, this episode offers inspiration for meaningful and inclusive seasonal celebration.
Key Takeaways...
Duration: 00:11:0621: Superheroes & Stereotypes: Breaking Gender Roles & Raising Empowered Kids, A Conversation with Guests Stephanie Trzaska & Tara Geraghty
Mar 19, 2025In this episode of the Wand(HER)wild podcast, host Monica brings together Stephanie Trzaska, an intuitive life coach and spiritual guide, and Tara Geraghty, a certified coach, author, and TEDx speaker. They have a conversation about traditional gender roles, superheroes, and the societal expectations that shape our lives. They share personal stories and discuss how they are raising their children to be empowered and resilient. The discussion also touches on the influence of upbringing, financial independence, and the importance of nurturing empathy and emotional expression in children. The episode wraps up with practical advice for parents on fostering...
Duration: 00:54:1720: Akashic Records, A Compass Within, HER Newsletter Roundup, Personal Stories from Monica
Mar 17, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, host Monica shares her personal journey of accessing the Akashic Records during a pivotal time in her life, reflecting on the deep transformations it brought about. The episode explores themes of self-discovery, trust, and spiritual growth, while offering listeners opportunities to connect through virtual events, breathwork sessions, and personal interactions. Monica also highlights recent podcast episodes focusing on impactful travel experiences and the insights they provide.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* Monica shares how opening her Akashic Records offered profound insight and spiritual clarity during a...
Duration: 00:09:5319: Listen In On A Virtual Cacao Circle, Take A Heart Opening Pause, & Receive An Invitation to Lunar Eclipse Ritual
Mar 12, 2025In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild podcast, Monica shares a bird's eye view into a virtual cacao circle, where participants are guided through mindfulness exercises and setting intentions while emphasizing gratitude, connection to nature, and the heart-opening qualities of cacao. The episode concludes with an invitation to join an upcoming virtual event for deeper engagement and support.
This Virtual Cacao Circle was led by Ana Gioia, Women’s Circle & Ceremony Lead of Wanderwild Family Retreats.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* Cacao as Medicine: More than a trendy superfood, cacao carries ancient wi...
Duration: 00:14:5718: Messages From Naxos, WFR Newsletter Roundup, Personal Stories from Monica
Mar 10, 2025In this episode of The Wand(her)wild Podcast, Monica shares stories of her travels to Naxos in 2019, which inspired the inception of Wanderwild Family Retreats’ newest offer, Private Family Retreats. She talks on her meaningful experiences on the island that led to the idea of personalized retreat experiences for families. Monica also offers insights into the unique features of these retreats, including holistic wellness, forest school-inspired childcare, and cultural immersion. Additionally, listeners are invited to connect through various events, summer retreats, and community offerings detailed within the episode. With heartfelt reflections, Monica offers a space for genuine connection an...
Duration: 00:08:0117: The Impression Of Your First Travel Experience, Conscious Travel, and Private Family Retreats, Personal Stories from Monica
Mar 05, 2025In this episode of the Wand(HER)wild podcast, Monica discusses the impression that your first travel experiences can have and how they shape our lives. She shares her own journey that led to a life of extensive travel and expat living. Monica introduces Wanderwild Family Retreat's latest offering of private family retreats, designed for friend groups and multigenerational families. Additionally, she reflects on the values and lessons she hopes her children gain from travel. The episode aims to inspire listeners to consider their own meaningful travel experiences and the impact they wish to have on their families through...
Duration: 00:30:2516: What Makes You A "Good Mom", Personal Stories from Monica
Feb 20, 2025In this episode of the Wand(HER)wild podcast, Monica shares her personal journey on redefining what it means to be a 'good mom,' challenging traditional norms and emphasizing emotional authenticity, self-care, and community support. She shares inside information on the Sacred Connections Cohort, a program designed to foster deeper connections between mothers and their children through themes like self-development, intuition, and astrology. The episode also addresses changes in the podcast structure and highlights upcoming community events and opportunities for engagement.
Key Takeaways From the Episode:
* How early media and generational norms shaped Monica’s...
Duration: 00:30:0315: Audio Event Preview, Sacred Connections & How To Explore Unique Synergies between Mother and Child, Inside Intentional Living for Moms Event
Feb 04, 2025In this episode of the Wand(HER)wild the podcast, Monica and Carolyn share their conversation from inside of the FREE Intentional Living for Mothers Audio Event happening February 3rd - 7th. In this conversation, Carolyn talks about the sacred connections between mothers and children, highlighting how these bonds can be both nurturing and challenging, ultimately fostering personal growth and healing. Carolyn also discusses the role of Human Design as a tool for understanding parent-child relationships and dynamics. The episode concludes with actionable steps for deepening these sacred connections with your children and resources and workshops to get your...
Duration: 00:24:1314: How My Daughter's ICU Experience Inspired Our Intentional Living for Mothers Audio Event, Personal Stories from Monica
Jan 30, 2025In this video, Monica shares about an upcoming audio event focused on intentional living for mothers, taking place in real-time February 3rd to 7th. Monica reflects on the personal trauma that inspired this event and emphasizes its accessibility for all mothers, regardless of financial or geographic constraints. She discusses the planning and collaboration with various speakers, highlights the key takeaways from their conversations, and explains what participants can expect. Additionally, details about participation, including live and recorded sessions, workshops to create community, and the option to purchase extended access for 365 days if you miss the live event.
00:00...
Duration: 00:15:1313: Grieving & Loss as a Mother, Personal Stories with Monica & Carolyn
Jan 22, 2025*Trigger warning* This episode speaks about death and loss. Monica & Carolyn are not trained in grief work or counselling and are speaking from personal experience. Please feel free to skip over this episode if it doesn’t feel aligned for you right now.
In this episode of Wander(HER)wild the podcast, hosts Monica and Carolyn speak about their emotional journey of navigating grief and loss as mothers. They share personal stories of significant losses, including traumatic experiences with their children and the passing of close family members. The conversation touches on coping mechanisms, the importance of se...
Duration: 00:47:3712: Behind the Curtains of Wand(HER)wild
Jan 08, 2025In this episode of the Wand(HER)wild the podcast, Monica and Carolyn reflect on the accomplishments of Wand(HER)wild over 2024, including the growth and deepening connections within their Members Space community. They discuss the heartwarming support among members and the transformative effects of their workshops and rituals focused on motherhood. Looking ahead to 2025, they share exciting plans, including the Soul Manifesting Series, bi-monthly live guidance calls, a cacao ceremony, and the upcoming Sacred Connections Cohort that explores human design and astrology. They also reveal the Intentional Living for Mothers audio event, featuring conversations with 30+ thought leaders in...
Duration: 00:36:5311: Soul Manifesting and Intention Setting, A Peek Inside Our Soul Manifesting Series
Jan 03, 2025In this episode of Wand(HER)wild the podcast, Carolyn introduces a special segment from the Soul Manifesting Series led by Monica within the Members Space. This seven-part program offers audio- guidance to help women connect deeply with their hearts and souls to manifest their dreams. Monica shares her personal story of manifesting significant changes in her life, from studying engineering to living abroad, and the tips she has used over the past decade. She emphasizes the importance of persistence, trust, and community support in the manifesting journey. Listeners are invited to join the Member Space community for a...
Duration: 00:16:3810: Wintering, Slow Living, Embracing Seasonal Rhythms as a Mother, Personal Stories from Monica & Carolyn
Dec 23, 2024In this episode of Wander(HER)wild the podcast, Monica and Carolyn discuss the importance of slowing down and reflecting during the winter season, especially for mothers. They share personal experiences of dealing with the cold winter in Canada and Norway, discuss the concept of 'wintering' and offer guidance on how mothers can embrace stillness amidst the holiday rush. The episode also emphasizes celebrating accomplishments and setting intentions rather than resolutions for the new year. The conversation is filled with tips on creating space for reflection and presence while navigating motherhood and the external pressures of society.
...
Duration: 00:38:379: Navigating Cancel Culture as a Conscious Mother
Dec 11, 2024How can we teach our children to think independently, stay compassionate, and speak their truth—while doing the same ourselves in a polarized world? In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica and Carolyn explore cancel culture from the perspective of motherhood, community, and mindful self-expression. They share their own experiences, including Monica’s global perspective as an expat and reflections from their private Wand(HER)wild community channel.
Key Takeaways From The Episode:
* Cancel culture can inhibit meaningful dialogue and growth
* Modeling respectful disagreement teaches kids emotional intelligence
* Glob...
Duration: 00:30:348: Self Love Revival And Body Image As A Mom with Tommie Burch, Wellness Lead At Wanderwild Family Retreats & Founder Of Balance By Tommie
Nov 27, 2024In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica and Carolyn have a conversation with Wanderwild Family Retreats Wellness Lead, Tommie, to discuss what it means to revive your self-love as a mother. They discuss some tangible ways to move through feelings such as shame and guilt while our bodies are changing as mothers. They touch on personal journeys of forming a new relationship with their body and their body image as a way to find acceptance for their whole selves. Tommie's story echoes both the challenges and triumphs of reviving self-love and she offers inspiration to mothers...
Duration: 00:44:517: Internal Dialogue, Self Talk, & Creating Mental Space As An Overwhelmed Mom
Nov 10, 2024The holidays can be magical—but also incredibly overwhelming. In this week’s episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica and Carolyn dive deep into the internal dialogue that shapes our experience as mothers, especially during the busiest season of the year.
They explore how our inner voice influences the way we show up—emotionally, mentally, and energetically—and share simple, soulful ways to shift self-talk, reclaim time, and move through the holidays with more grace and ease.
Whether you're feeling stretched thin or just craving a softer way to experience this season, this conversa...
Duration: 00:34:496: Mindful Travel with Kids: Packing, Sleep & Safety Tips from Monica's Morocco Adventure
Oct 27, 2024Have you ever dreamed of traveling with your kids but felt held back by fears of sleep disruptions, logistics, or safety concerns? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica and Carolyn dive deep into mindful family travel—how to make it more meaningful, stress-free, and empowering.
Monica shares her recent solo trip to Morocco with her daughter.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
How to embrace mindful travel and avoid the tourist trap mentality
Overcoming fears around traveling with kids (sleep schedules, health concerns & more!)
5: The Witch Wound, Self Empowerment, Confidence, & Being True To Yourself
Oct 10, 2024As the seasons shift and we move into the darker, more introspective months, there’s a deep call to look inward, embrace our truth, and step into self-empowerment. But for many of us, something holds us back—a lingering fear of judgment, of taking up space, of fully owning our power.
In this week’s episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, we dive into The Witch Wound—a deep-rooted, inherited societal fear that has shaped the way women express themselves for centuries. From the historical witch trials to the modern-day struggles of confidence, visibility, and self-expression, this con...
Duration: 00:37:214: Somatic Movement, Self Guided Yoga Practice, With Guest Jessica Sechoka, Communications Lead At Wanderwild Family Retreats & Wand(HER)wild
Oct 03, 2024Life is a constant flow of transitions, and in this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, we’re diving into how to navigate change with confidence and reconnect with ourselves through movement.
Monica shares her decision to leave a 13-year engineering career to follow her true calling, while Jess discusses her shift from childcare director to holistic motherhood support. Alongside Carolyn, they explore how somatic movement and self-guided yoga can help mothers process emotions, release stress, and reconnect with their bodies.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
* How to embrace major life transitions wi...
Duration: 00:37:493: Embodying Intentional & Intuitive Motherhood, A Journey to Presence & Connection
Sep 20, 2024How do we navigate motherhood in a way that feels aligned, intentional, and free from external noise?
In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Monica and Carolyn dive into the journey of becoming intentional and intuitive mothers. They share how they moved beyond overwhelm, reconnected with their inner wisdom, and created daily rituals that bring more presence and connection into motherhood.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
The difference between intentional and intuitive motherhood
How to strengthen your intuition as a mother and trust your gut feelings
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Duration: 00:42:392: From Perfectionism to Presence, Carolyn’s Journey to Self-Healing & Deconditioning
Sep 17, 2024Motherhood is more than a transition—it’s an awakening. In this episode of The Wand(HER)wild Podcast, Carolyn shares her journey of self-healing, shedding perfectionism, and learning to live and mother more intuitively. From her early years as a competitive figure skater and high-achieving student to navigating anxiety, burnout, and personal transformation, her story is one of resilience and deep self-awareness.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
From Perfectionism to Presence: How Carolyn’s early conditioning led her to high achievement—and later, burnout.
The Role of Anxiety as a Wake-Up Call: How stre...
Duration: 00:44:421: From Corporate Success to Feminine Awakening, Monica’s Journey to Creating Wand(HER)wild
Aug 22, 2024Motherhood has the power to awaken us to a deeper version of ourselves. In this first episode, Monica shares her personal transformation—how she moved from a corporate career in a Fortune 500 company to embracing a more intentional, intuitive, and feminine way of living through Wanderwild Family Retreats and Wand(HER)wild.
Monica recounts her journey, from her upbringing on a multi-generational dairy farm in the U.S. to her extensive career in the energy industry, where she held management roles, traveled to 80 countries, and volunteered at a youth shelter in Africa.
Key Takeaways from th...
Duration: 00:42:05