momplex with Scottie Durrett

I talk with Alexandra Wyman, a mom, author, podcast host, and pediatric occupational therapist who became a single mom after losing her husband to suicide just four days before their second wedding anniversary. Alexandra shares how she spent years following the “checklist” for a perfect life—college, career, marriage, house, kids—and how it finally felt like everything had clicked when she met her husband and started a family. When he died by suicide, that entire vision disappeared overnight, and she was left grieving not only her husband, but the life, identity, and future she thought she was supposed to have. We dig into what grief really looks like behind the scenes: Feeling like a shell of a person and having almost no capacity.Letting the smallest things be enough—sometimes just getting out of bed or giving her one-year-old a bath. Finding an anchor (for her, it was her son) as a reason to keep going, even when nothing made sense. Alexandra talks honestly about the social side of grief—how some people you expect to show up don’t, how others quietly check in with simple “thinking of you” messages that mean everything, and how little we’re taught about death, estates, and supporting someone through profound loss. We also explore the inner work she’s done: Untangling people-pleasing, outcome-controlling, and long-held feelings of abandonment and low self-worth.Learning she didn’t need a partner to “complete” her; her wholeness was already within her. Blending neuroscience (understanding what grief does to the brain) with spirituality (leaning on her “spirit team” and a bigger sense of purpose). As a mom, Alexandra is now focused on raising her son to be grounded in who he is, instead of seeking validation from others. She’s shifted away from the idea that kids’ behavior defines a parent’s worth, and instead sees parenting as a mutual learning process where both parent and child are growing, regulating, and healing together. Out of her experience, Alexandra created: Her book, ⁠The Suicide Club: What to Do When Someone You Love Chooses Death, ⁠written as the handbook she wishes she’d had.Her podcast, ⁠Forward to Joy, where she shares tools and stories ⁠about grief, healing, and finding meaning after loss. This conversation is for any mom whose life doesn’t look the way she thought it would, who feels like she’s rebuilding from the ground up. Alexandra reminds us that grief isn’t linear, joy isn’t off-limits, and it’s okay to move forward in baby steps—one small act of living and loving at a time. Connect with Alexadra's podcast here. Scottie was honored to be a guest on Alexandra Wyman’s podcast FORWARD TO JOY, continuing the conversation around grief, loss, and how moms survive, find joy and balance. 🎧 Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scottie-durrett/id1688936836?i=1000746976317 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's another honest, raw conversation. This time with Lauren Degolia, a fellow mom and the self-proclaimed Chief Expansion Officer. Together, we unpack the often-unspoken challenges of motherhood—burnout, postpartum depression, toxic work experiences, and the external pressures moms face. Lauren shares her journey, from surviving ovarian cancer to navigating a demanding corporate career and how astrology became a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing. We talk about the importance of understanding our subconscious patterns, listening to our bodies, and embracing vulnerability—sometimes even learning to ask for help. Lauren’s insights on the sun, moon, and rising signs offer a practical way for moms to check in with themselves and foster self-acceptance. Ultimately, this episode is about supporting each other, embracing our unique journeys, and committing to self-mastery. You’re not alone, Mama—together, we can grow, heal, and reclaim our confidence. Connect with Lauren Degolia here: https://www.laurendegolia.com/, IG: https://www.instagram.com/lauren.degolia/, Host of Corporate F*ckery: https://pod.link/1825913559 Connect with Scottie here: https://scottiedurrett.com/, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottiedurrett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottie-durrett/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I welcomed Melissa Armstrong, whose journey from childhood trauma to holistic healing is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Listening to Melissa recount her experiences—facing family adversity, surviving a school shooting, and enduring the devastating loss of her brother—reminded me how resilient we can be. As she described how the compassion of ICU nurses inspired her to become one herself and later transition into holistic health, I was struck by her courage to keep healing and help others do the same. We talked about the realities of “mom life,” the hidden effects of trauma, and how symptoms like brain fog and anxiety often go ignored. Melissa shared practical, accessible steps like mindful breathing and EFT tapping, which I believe will truly empower our listeners. Her reminder that healing is a choice and that we’re never alone will stay with me. I’m honored to share her story and these transformative tools. Melissa had a chaotic and traumatic childhood that was marked by parental addiction and abuse, surviving a school shooting at 15, and witnessing her brother's tragic death at 18. These unresolved traumas manifested into severe physical symptoms, leading her to explore alternative healing methods. Over more than 20 years, she transitioned from a career in nursing to becoming a Trauma-Informed Functional Health Practitioner. Today, she empowers women and their families to heal their mind, body, and spirit with root-cause healing through the mind-body connection, somatic work, nervous system regulation, lab testing, lifestyle changes, and nutrition. She firmly believes that healing is always possible. Connect with Melissa: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I tuned into my higher self and spirit guides to share five guiding themes for the year ahead. I talk about releasing the extra pressure we carry, trusting the natural timing of things instead of forcing outcomes, and widening our focus so life feels richer and more balanced. I encourage opening up to new voices and experiences, and learning to both receive guidance and co-create with it. Along the way I offer simple practices—breathwork, walks, small morning rituals—to help you reconnect with your intuition. The episode is an invitation to move into 2026 with more ease, clarity, and wholehearted presence. Shed what isn’t yours to carry — release burdens and responsibilities that drain your energy. Stop forcing outcomes — trust timing and let things grow on their own. Expand your focus — look beyond tunnel vision and re-balance attention across life’s “pie slices.” Welcome new sounds/channels — be open to new ideas, people, books, and perspectives. Be a receiver and co-creator — listen to your intuition, receive guidance, and let support show up. Get your personalized reading for 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a mom, I know the holiday season can be overwhelming. We're constantly juggling expectations from family, social media, and our own hearts, trying to create the perfect experience. In this episode, I share my journey of learning to set boundaries and protect my energy. I've realized that people-pleasing and trying to make everyone happy only leads to resentment and burnout. I want to help moms understand that it's okay to prioritize themselves. Setting boundaries isn't about being difficult; it's about clarity and self-respect. Whether it's limiting event time, choosing what conversations to engage in, or saying no to peer pressure, these small steps can transform the holiday experience. The most important lesson? By taking care of myself, I'm not just helping myself - I'm modeling healthy behavior for my children and breaking generational patterns of self-sacrifice. Book Your Clarity Reading here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sari Rose Barron, LMFT, is the Founder and Director of SoCal Individual, Family, & Trauma Therapy, a group practice dedicated to trauma-informed care. An EMDR Certified Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Sari is a nationally recognized expert in trauma who trains clinicians across the country. She’s also the creator of the Parenting Connected Community, where parents find practical tools, real support, and a little humor to get through the hard moments. Known for blending deep expertise with warmth and honesty, Sari makes complex topics feel human, relatable, and doable. We explore the emotional rollercoaster of raising teens, discussing how our own nervous systems and past experiences impact our parenting. Sari shares incredible insights about staying connected when kids are pushing us away, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, validation, and creating a safe space for our teens to express themselves. We talk about handling difficult behaviors, the impact of social media, and why it's crucial to regulate our own emotions before approaching our kids. Sari even introduces her innovative AI parenting tool, offering support for moms navigating these challenging years. It's a raw, honest conversation about staying connected during one of the most challenging phases of motherhood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I share a personal journey of self-discovery and the importance of trusting myself. After experiencing a friend's devastating loss, I realized life is too short to chase external validation through Instagram followers or perfect holiday performances. I've learned that what truly matters is being present, listening to my body, and honoring my own feelings. The pressure to be a perfect mom, to say yes to everything, and to meet society's expectations is exhausting. Instead, I'm choosing to protect my peace, redefine success on my terms, and show my kids that it's okay to prioritize your own joy. Every "no" creates space for a meaningful "yes," and by taking care of myself, I'm teaching my children the most important lesson: you are enough, just as you are. Join me LIVE to Reset & Recharge⁠: ⁠https://scottiedurrett.com/high-vibe-moms-preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices