We’re jumping right into all things podcasting in this week’s episode of Pivot Ball Change. If you’ve been enjoying the first few episodes of the show, this is your friendly reminder that ratings and reviews truly make a difference. I break down how long it actually takes reviews to show up on Apple Podcasts and why they matter more than you might think, especially for newer shows.

I also take you behind the scenes of how this episode was recorded while we’re on winter break, with my kids and husband home full-time. It’s a real-life look at what it can take to create content as a working mom and why flexibility isn’t just something I talk about — it’s something I actively live out in both my life and my business.

In this episode, I share what the back-and-forth can look like as a podcast editor and why my schedule has to stay flexible depending on when client content comes in. I explain why Pivot Ball Change primarily works with moms and how flexibility is one of our core values, not just for ourselves but for the clients we serve. If you’re balancing business, motherhood, and creativity, this part of the conversation will feel especially relatable.

One of our clients released a new episode this week that truly hit home for me while I was editing it. I share which episode it was and why I wish a conversation like that existed when I was navigating my own secondary infertility journey. I also get candid about losing a client and why it’s an important reminder that you won’t win everyone — and that doesn’t mean you’re failing. Plus, I share a very exciting announcement for the Pivot Ball Change network and introduce you to our newest client and why I’m so excited to be editing this show.

If you’ve ever wondered what “good” podcast numbers actually look like, I pull back the curtain and share my own download numbers so far, how they compare to my Instagram following, and the other marketing tools I’m using to grow the show. I also talk through my plan for 2026 and what I’m hoping to experiment with to increase downloads. You’ll hear about all the ways you can work with us at Pivot Ball Change in 2026 if starting a podcast is one of your goals, including transparent pricing, services, and what I’m personally aiming for with this podcast next year.

I also dive into a listener-submitted question about the fear of starting a podcast and worrying about what other people will think. I share my honest thoughts on navigating that fear, why it never fully goes away, and how learning to move forward anyway is often the most important part of the process.

To wrap things up, I cover this week’s three F’s — food, fashion, and fun — and decided to switch things up by adding a fourth F: fiction. I share some of my favorite books from 2025, along with a few that didn’t quite live up to the hype. I talk about one habit that’s made a huge difference in how I approach food and feeding my family, along with a favorite crockpot recipe that’s perfect for busy weeks. And for fashion, I’m here to remind you that an all-black outfit will always be a classic.

Let’s Connect!

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Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

Happy New Year’s Eve! This time of year can feel exciting, but it can also come with a lot of pressure—to reflect, set big goals, and start fresh all at once. In today’s episode, I want to remind you that you don’t have to do any of that. If goal setting feels like just one more thing on an already full plate, you’re allowed to opt out. And if you are craving something simple and meaningful, I share a gentle vision exercise toward the end of the episode that I’ve returned to many times throughout my life and always find impactful.

I start the episode by sharing what we’re doing for New Year’s Eve this year—including the honest truth about how long it’s been since my husband and I have actually gone out together to celebrate. We’re spending the day at Sundara Spa in Wisconsin Dells, WI, and I’m sharing what I recommend you do (and don’t do) if you ever visit for the first time. We’re also heading out with friends for dinner and a night on the town, and I share the restaurant we’re checking out plus other ideas if you’re ever planning a night out in the Dells.

I also dive into the reality of a 14-day break from school and daycare. If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids busy over a long break, I share what we’ll be doing—from library trips and children’s museums to indoor waterparks at local hotels. I also talk about something new I’m trying this year with our kids’ Christmas presents that I’m hoping buys us a little extra entertainment.

Toward the end of the episode, I walk through a vision and goal exercise that invites you to dream without restrictions. If you plan to listen along, try to be somewhere you can write your answers down. I’ve listed the questions below so you can come back to them anytime.

• If you had no restrictions, what would you do? If you had all the time in the world, didn’t get paid, and your experience and education level didn’t matter, what would you do?
• What does it feel like to wake up every morning energized by what you do? What does that look like?
• What does your ideal day look like?
• What is the most important to you? What do you value most?
• Where do you live? The city? The country?
• What type of home do you live in? An apartment? A house? A cottage on a lake?
• Who lives in this home with you? Do you have children? Pets?
• What does your community feel like? What kind of groups are you a part of? Do you lead any of these activities?
• Do you volunteer any of your time?
• Do you work? If so, do you work from home? In an office? Part-time? From the beach?
• Do you travel? For work, pleasure, or adventure? Where do you travel to?
• What type of lifestyle do you live? Do you surf? Practice yoga? Create art? How or what do you do to take care of yourself?
• How do you spend your free time?
• What are you grateful for? How do you express this gratitude?
• Who do you really want to be?
• What do you really want to have?

And remember—if all of this goal setting feels like too much, take a step back. Give yourself permission to not do it. Be thankful for what you already have and what you’ve already accomplished, and don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself as you step into the new year.

Let’s Connect!

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/

It’s Christmas Eve, and if you celebrate, Merry Christmas! In this episode of Pivot Ball Change, I’m sharing a cozy, behind-the-scenes chat that blends podcasting tips with real life, holiday traditions, and a little festive fun.

In the first part of the episode, I break down the podcast hosting platform I recommend, where to find your podcast analytics, and why I’m asking for your feedback on this show so I can continue creating episodes that truly serve you. I also share simple lighting tips for podcast reels that I learned from one of our clients, a holiday podcasting strategy to reduce your workload during a busy season, and the recording platform I use and recommend to all of my clients. We also talk about what podcast editing tools can and can’t do, why human editing still matters, and exactly how long your podcast intro should be and what it needs to include.

Then I shift into real life outside of podcasting. I recap our son’s sixth birthday party, what went well, how I created the invitations, where we found decorations, and where we chose the easy button. I also share two mantras that help calm my anxiety when hosting people in our home and talk about something I tried for the very first time that felt surprisingly freeing.

I walk you through our Christmas Eve traditions, how my husband and I divide and conquer gift responsibilities for our boys, what we get each other for Christmas, and how we intentionally end the night so we can slow down, exhale, and remember what the season is really about.

We wrap things up with the three F’s: fashion, food, and fun. I share what I’m wearing for a fancy birthday dinner, a brand that’s currently catching my eye, how I’m hosting my own birthday party and bringing new friends together, my favorite restaurant recommendation in Wisconsin Dells, WI, a party recipe that was a hit at our son’s birthday, and the card game my family loves to play around the holidays. Bonus points if you’re a fellow Sheepshead player - let me know!

Let’s Connect!

Follow Pivot Ball Change on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/

Visit Pivot Ball Change’s Website: https://www.pivotballchange.com/