Just Us Gals

Send us Fan MailIf your kid is managing an allergy, this episode is for you! Elysia Macdonald, Jess's big-sis and published Author of Gluten Freedom: A Complete Guide to Navigating a Gluten-Free Diet for School-Aged Kids joins the Gals to share her family's journey after receiving her son's life-altering celiac diagnoses at just four-years-old. Elysia opens up about the day-to-day realities of managing a strict gluten-free lifestyle -- from school lunches and birthday parties to creating a safe home environment alongside her daughter, who isn’t celiac. She shares practical tips for navigating food allergies, along with the emotional side that’s often overlooked: helping kids feel included, confident, and safe as they learn to advocate for themselves.Whether you’re newly navigating a diagnosis or deep in the day-to-day, this conversation is packed with insight, honesty, and support for parents figuring it out as they go.Elysia's book is available for purchase on Amazon: https://bit.ly/3QCqLxoElysia also shares her favourite gluten-free recipes on her Instagram @glutenfreedom.kids.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Jess and Heather learn that when it comes to reading, the early years matter. Literacy experts Alyssa and Ashleigh from Bloom Literacy share the early milestones to watch for, red flags parents shouldn’t ignore, and fun, practical ways to build literacy skills at home starting in the early years. The Gals also chat about Kindergarten readiness, how to engage kids who show little interest (ahem, Jess's youngest) and the link between oral speech development and literacy. This episode is packed with research-backed practical tips that will set your little one on the path of success.Find Bloom Literacy on Instagram @bloomliteracy.yeg or online at: bloomliteracycentre.com and keep and eye out for their summer camps in Edmonton! Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailParenting doesn’t come with a manual, but what if it came with a little magic and a lot more self-trust!? In this episode, Amy Wiebe, founder of Unbound Motherhood and author of OLEA The Magical Sleep Fairy, shares her refreshing approach to parenting that blends imagination and Human Design.Amy talks candidly about the challenges of motherhood and the quiet loss of joy that led her to create a sleep fairy that kept her boys in their beds all night and gave her back a full night’s sleep, and her sanity (talk about magic, right?!)The Gals also chat about her unique parenting approach that isn’t widely talked about — Human Design.Amy explains that understanding your kid’s wiring and energy type can help parents adapt their communication, expectations, and routines to better meet each child’s individual needs. Throughout the episode, Amy emphasizes listening to your instincts, tuning into your child, and using personalized support as a way to parent with more confidence and clarity.FREE to listeners: Amy has offered up her 18-page report to help you understand your child’s human design and the “Bedtime Reset” 100% FREE. Visit www.unboundmotherhood.com to access it!Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Unbound Motherhood02:40 Parenting Wins and Losses05:42 The Sleep Fairy Concept11:17 Implementing the Sleep Fairy17:04 The Impact of Imagination in Parenting18:51 The Sleep Fairy Concept22:45 Human Design and Parenting26:21 Understanding Individual Needs30:06 The Importance of Self-Discovery33:51 Imagination and Bedtime Routines37:35 Practical Applications of Human DesignThanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailIt’s no secret that kids come with A TON on stuff and the chaos is…. constant, to put it lightly. If you’re tired of living with hairties on the kitchen table, playdoh in the bathroom and mail stacked so high it rivals the leaning tower of Pisa, this episode is for you. Krystee, owner of Sparx Organizing, gave us some tips on how to create organization systems that stick. From playrooms, to the kitchen, laundry room and more, we learn the best hacks to create systems that everyone in the family can follow. And if you’re already intimidated reading this wondering, “but where do I start”, we address that too! We talk about: how to declutter for the holidays and make room for new toyshow to address the clutter traps in your homehow to avoid task paralysishow to get every family member in on the actionwhat are age appropriate expectations for your kids and more!We’d love to see your before and after photos if you apply any of these tips! Be sure to tag us and sparx on Instagram @justusgalspodcast @sparxorganizing Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailThis episode is for all the moms who have accepted dark circles and their 2017 makeup routine as a mainstay in their lives… aka US. Kerris Yarmuch, owner of KLY Beauty, lets the Gals pick her brain about everything beauty (seriously, we mean everything). From advice on looking fresher for school drop off and how to use retinol, to overall makeup and skincare tips and what looks and products are trending right now. Kerris goes over her must-have products and highlights what treatment to try if you want a little refresh without diving into fillers or Botox! Heather also gets the ultimate hack on how to conquer her stubborn dark under eye circles and Jessica learns how to give her lashes a little more 'va va voom'.This episode is loaded with real, practical advice to not only help make you feel more human, but to empower you as a woman! We dive into aging skin, why less really can be more, and how to update your routine without the overwhelm. Thank you Kerris for your expertise and for freshening up our makeup and skincare routines. This episode isn't about a makeover, it's about the glow-up <3 Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailThis week, we're talking feeding kids and creating healthy habits! The Gals dive into the realities of raising healthy families especially during sugar-filled seasons like Halloween. Their guest - mom, nutritionist and toxins specialist - Brooklynn Heck from Purely Healthy, joins them to talk about the impact of food choices, video games, and modern lifestyles on children’s health. They discuss how to read food labels, spot hidden toxins, and make informed decisions without losing balance or fun! Brooklynn also shares her insights on organic eating, staying healthy on a budget, and practical tips for busy moms who want to create a positive relationship with food for their kids. We end the episode with some rapid-fire questions where Brooklynn shares what she thinks is the most “underrated snack”.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailThe Gals sit down with Registered Psychologist, and mom of two, Amy Wilson to answer their burning question: How do we keep our kids from becoming people pleasers?Amy not only answers that question but also unpacks the 'why' behind people-pleasing, leading both of us to some major “aha” moments about how we developed those tendencies ourselves.We also dive into gentle vs. attuned vs. ’90s parenting, breaking generational cycles, how to handle those tricky toddler tantrums and "neuro-spicy" kids. But above all, the biggest takeaway from this episode was it’s okay to have feelings.We recorded this episode about a month before airing it, and I (Jess) can honestly say the parenting tools Amy shared have stuck with me and I’ve been using them on repeat ever since. We hope you find this conversation as valuable as we did <3 Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailThis episode dives deep into a topic that hits close to home for so many: infertility. Whether you’re on your own TTC journey, have faced infertility, or want to support someone who has, this episode is for you. You’ll hear from three incredible women—blogger Linda Hoang, Jess’s sister-in-law Ruth, and our very own Heather—as they share some of the hardest chapters of their lives.Together, we talk about:How to show up as a supportive friendWhy opening up about struggles can make a differenceThe emotional toll of waitingTakeaways and even some secrets for navigating the fertility clinic processEach woman’s journey looks different, but each ends with pregnancy ❤️Linda: After nearly a decade of trying and many heartbreaking setbacks, she and her husband welcomed a baby boy, who was conceived naturally against all odds!Ruth: After three years of trying, IVF helped give her the new name, "mommy". She’s now soaking up life with her sweet 7-month-old.Heather: Faced with secondary infertility, she started to accept life as a single-child family, until her third and final round of IUI proved to be successful!Episode guide:Heather kicks things off at the startLinda shares her story at 13 minutesRuth continues the conversation at 54 minutesThanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailThis week the Gals sit down with Dr. Stephanie Liu (aka Dr. Mom). She’s a mama, family physician, clinical university professor and overall boss, and talks about the the simple ways us busy moms can optimize our health as we age, which includes setting ourselves a bedtime!Yes, we dive into the power of sleep, the truth about fibre, the real effects of stress and why that girls night is more important than you would think. She also shares her tips on how to combat the desire kids have to watch YouTube and that short form content that is so addictive and harmful.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailER doctor and mom of two, Dr. Shazma Mithani, joins us for an educational conversation on parenting, health, and what families really need to know right now. From the resurgence of measles in Alberta to the risks of antibiotic overuse, we dig into the health headlines shaping our kids’ lives. We tackle the impact of mis- & dis-information online and Dr. Mithani shares practical, no-nonsense tips for keeping kids healthy as we head into back-to-school season. We also end the episode with a fun round of Medical Mythbusters! This is a must-listen episode for every mom out there!Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, supermom Tara Watson opens up about life with 12-month-old quadruplets and a three-year-old daughter. She shares the real challenges and joys of raising multiples, how she and her husband made it through the exhausting newborn stage, and the delicate art of giving each child the attention they need. Tara also dives into the nature vs. nurture debate, along with some of the anxieties that come with watching four little ones grow up side by side. She explains how letting go of control helps keep her in control and the art of keeping a tight schedule.  And for all you fellow moms of multiples, don’t miss her sanity-saving tips and the strategies that made the first year a little easier.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with the beloved Jillian Harris — one of Canada’s most recognizable and relatable moms. Jillian is known for her candid honesty and infectious energy and chats with the Gals about the real and raw sides of parenting, sharing both the joyful highs and the emotional challenges that come with raising a family in the public eye.Jillian reflects on the loss of her furry family member, Nacho, and how she continues to help her kids navigate grief. We also got the first look at the newest addition to their crew, the adorable Churro. Jillian dives into her life-changing self care journey, and how she’s juggling wedding planning, work, and motherhood.We end the episode with a lightning round (motherhood edition) and learn that Jillian Harris really is as lovey and sweet as she appears online.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailThis episode is for all women who menstruate! How much do we really know about our periods? Turns out, most of us were never taught how to actually read the signs our body gives us every month — and no, a period app isn’t telling you close to the full story.In this episode, Crisia a fertility specialist and owner of Cycle and Flow, teaches us how powerful cycle charting can be for both fertility tracking and avoiding pregnancy naturally. She dives into why cervical mucus is a woman's superpower, breaks down what’s happening hormonally throughout the month, and explains how the menstrual cycle shifts postpartum (plus how breastfeeding plays into it).We also explore infertility and discuss what up to 30% of women may be unknowingly doing wrong when trying to conceive.This episode is equally as informative as it is empowering and will leave you feeling like a low-key superhero after learning everything your body can do!Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Global News Anchor and proud boy-mom Lisa Dutton joins us to share her parenting journey with her 11 and 16-year-old sons. We dive into the realities of raising kids in a digital age — covering everything from when to know your child is ready for a phone, to the risks of social media, an online presence and SO much more.Lisa gets real about screen time, video games, and how to have the hard conversations with kids. She shares the underrated power of simply saying “no”, and how she keeps her connection strong with her family amid the chaos of work and life.We absolutely adored this conversation and walked away with so many practical tips on being a more intentional, present parent — and we hope you do too.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailHeather and Jessica are joined by an AI-savvy mom, Jessica (#2), for a lively chat on how AI can help lighten the mental load for busy moms. They share practical tips on using tools like ChatGPT to meal plan, manage schedules, and even plan a Taylor Swift-themed birthday party in under three minutes. Heather also reminds listeners of the importance of trusting your instincts—and taking the opportunity to talk to your kids about stranger danger. The gals dive into how to craft the perfect AI prompt, the importance of setting digital boundaries, and how tech can simplify—but not replace—intentional parenting.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailThis episode is LOADED with awesome parenting hacks as we dive headfirst into the confusing (and conflicting) world of Instagram parenting. Jess takes us on a tour of her never-before-seen saved 'Parenting' folder (these posts must've been saved for a reason, right?), listeners share their parenting tips that actually work for them, and Heather finds some truly unhinged and savage hacks you need try! Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailFor this special Mother’s Day episode, we brought in the real experts—our moms! Say hello to Debbie and Karen (yes, we made the obvious Boomer mom name joke). Between the two of them, they raised seven girls—Debbie raised four, Karen raised three—and somehow they’re still live, laugh, loving us after all these years.We’re diving into what raising strong daughters really looks like, how they survived the torturous teenage years, and what wisdom they hope we’ll pass on to our own kids. Trust us: it’s part heartwarming, part hilarious, and 100% honest.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailMedia personality and toddler mom, Stephanie Massicotte, joins the Gals this week as they get real about the wild ride their bodies took during and after pregnancy and how they're learning to love their new physiques. From new rolls in new places, to boobs that now double as stress balls, nothing’s off limits. The Gals chat 'bounce-back culture', body dysmorphia, boob jobs, raising confident girlies, what you should really say to a pregnant woman (spoiler: it's a lot simpler than you think), and the ins and outs of raising human babies and fur babies.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with Jess’s 100-year-old Oma for a heartwarming and eye-opening conversation about what parenting looked like way back when. Without a parenting manual (or Google!), Oma shares timeless wisdom, tough love, and surprisingly modern takes on motherhood today.Jess and Heather reflect on the biggest takeaways from Oma’s stories, including the power of letting kids make mistakes and why trusting yourself as a parent matters more than you think.Whether you’re navigating parenthood now or just love a good story from someone who’s seen it all, this episode is packed with perspective, warmth, and a whole lot of love.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with Baillie Scheetz, host of Talking Scheetz and Social & Content Producer for the Edmonton Oilers, to dive into the raw, unfiltered reality of postpartum life. New Mom Baillie shares the unexpected challenges that no one really prepares you for, like the emotional rollercoaster of breastfeeding, the true depths of sleep deprivation, and the baby items that turned out to be completely useless (plus the ones that are actually worth it!).We also share some tips on how to save money on a new baby and share practical ways to support new moms without adding to their mental load.Whether you're a new parent, expecting, or a seasoned vet looking to relate, this episode is packed with honesty, humour, and the kind of insights you won’t find in the baby books.If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to leave a review and share it with a fellow mama! We’d love to hear from you, slide into our DMs on Instagram @JustUsGalPodcast or email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on YouTube as Just Us Gals.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailThis episode touches on all the ways relationships change after having a baby, including Jess losing a group of long-time gal pals, and Heather seeking counselling to mend her marriage. We discuss what we could've done differently, what we learned, and the hacks that can help maintain a friendship when you're under the fog of a new baby. Jess talks about her eye opening experience with a psychic and Heather shares all the ways in which she's trying to make new mom friends. This episode will have you laughing, crying and rethinking your approach to your own relationships, whether they need a revamp or not.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!

Send us Fan MailWelcome to Just Us Gals! We're so excited to have you here. In this intro ep you'll learn who we are, our wins and losses for the week, get our origin story (which dates back to 2018) and get a couple surprise visitors. Please go easy on us, we're new at this, so expect a few growing pains along the way.Thanks for spending time with us, ladies! If you enjoyed the episode, we'd love for you to leave a review and share it with your other gal pals. We always want to hear from you! Weigh in on the conversation, or share your own wins and losses this week. Email us at [email protected], find us on YouTube (Just Us Gals) or follow and slide into our DMs on Instagram @justusgalspodcast!