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PODCAST

Mama Merit Badge

Krista Olynyk and Samantha MacKinnon

Yapping at the intersection of motherhood and ambition. A podcast for moms doing their best (and sometimes their worst) while juggling kids, careers, businesses, and the chaos of family life. Hosts Samantha and Krista—two black SUV moms from Southern Ontario—hand out imaginary badges for the messy, hilarious, and wildly human moments of modern motherhood. Expect real talk, zero judgment, and the occasional snack hidden in the pantry. New episodes every Wednesday.

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

00:21:42

Crafts, Chaos & the Magic We Keep

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/12/24

This week kicks off our pre-recorded holiday mini-episode series, airing through Christmas, New Year’s, and the first week of 2026 — short, honest conversations designed to meet you right where you are during the festive blur.In this episode, Krista and Samantha talk about the joy and the chaos of December. From evolving traditions and abandoned expectations to crafts that look better in theory than practice, they reflect on what Christmas really looks like as moms — messy, meaningful, and rarely

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00:20:10

Burnout Isn’t a Badge & Other Truths

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/12/17

This week, it’s Krista’s turn in the hot seat as we continue our mini-episode series with a rapid fire round of the same questions we ask all of our guests.Krista reflects on what self-care really looks like in a season that feels loud, busy, and unfinished. From wanting her roots done to needing accountability, emotional support beverages, and permission to coast, this episode is a candid look at navigating motherhood, motivation, and personal growth without pretending everything is under

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00:23:46

Systems, Style and Staying Sane (?)

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/12/10

This week’s episode flips the script — it’s Samantha’s turn in the hot seat for a rapid fire round of the questions usually reserved for guests. In this shorter, behind-the-scenes conversation, she reflects on how motherhood and ambition coexist, what efficiency really looks like in this season, and why she’ll always choose quality over quantity in both life and work.From ClickUp hacks and clutter tolerance to evolving personal style and the myth of balance, this episode offers a candid look at what

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00:45:05

Toddlers, Tickets & The Art of Letting Go

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/12/03

This week’s episode has it all — choir recitals, broken wrists, parenting chaos, and The Sims 2. Krista and Samantha are in full December mode, juggling end-of-year work, family schedules, and a few laughable detours along the way (including Sam’s speeding ticket while wearing a hat that said slow down).Samantha shares the joy and chaos of completing her choir recital — from nearly crying mid-performance to the family cheering section that took up half the crowd — while Krista navigates life with a

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01:03:21

Black Friday, Budgets & the Business of Gift-Giving

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/11/26

This week, Krista and Samantha cover a little bit of everything — from Black Friday and fashion to ADHD, business strategy, and holiday prep. It’s a full-circle conversation about personal growth, clarity, and how both hosts are navigating a busy season while trying to stay present (and maybe look good doing it).Samantha shares reflections from her birthday week — new outfits, intentional business planning, and what’s next for client engagement and growth. Krista opens up about ADHD and

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00:58:27

Showing Up As You Are with Puja Malhotra

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/11/19

This week, Krista and Samantha sit down with Puja Malhotra, founder of Roop Creative Agency, for a conversation that gets real about the intersection of motherhood and entrepreneurship.Puja opens up about the messy middle of trying to balance personal growth, family life, and the demands of running a business — and how the glossy narratives of “doing it all” rarely match reality. She shares how she’s learning to rewrite her story, show up as she is, and find meaning in the work that actually lights

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00:54:31

Community, Clarity & the Courage to Pivot with Luz...

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/11/12

This week, Krista and Samantha sit down with Luz Perez Brown, a multi-passionate entrepreneur, community builder, and military spouse, for a conversation about what it really means to build a life-first business in the middle of constant change.Luz shares how frequent relocations, motherhood, and entrepreneurship have shaped her approach to ambition and growth—and why reflection has become her favourite business strategy. From creating community wherever she lands to redefining success on her own

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00:56:12

Whimsy, Work, and the Weight of the Holidays

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/11/05

This week, Krista and Samantha unpack the mental load of the holiday season — from Halloween hangovers and early gift planning to the nostalgia and chaos that make this time of year both magical and maddening.They share personal updates on parenting through October (the unofficial hardest month for families), the joy and exhaustion of community events, and the ever-present pressure to create “whimsy” while holding everything else together. The conversation weaves between family traditions, marketing

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00:56:00

Betting On Yourself with Janelle Nelissen

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/10/29

This week, Krista and Samantha sit down with Janelle Nelissen, brand strategist and founder of Sage Creatives, for an honest and expansive conversation about what it means to be ambitious after motherhood—and how the journey doesn’t always look like the plan.Janelle became a mother just weeks before the COVID lockdown, and what followed was a deep reckoning with identity, postpartum depression, and the pressure to perform. They talk about how success shifts in the wake of major life changes, how

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00:53:32

"One and Done, On Purpose" with Maddy Aucoin

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/10/22

This week, Samantha and Krista are joined by copywriter and messaging strategist Maddy Aucoin for a conversation about ambition, burnout, and choosing a life that feels good—not just productive.Maddy shares her experience finishing her Master’s degree at 37 weeks pregnant, launching her business in a pandemic, and intentionally deciding to be one and done when it comes to kids. They talk about the lack of support for student parents, navigating social media as a creative business owner, and the

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01:00:00

Sleep-Deprived and Still Building — BTS of Business...

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/10/15

This week, Krista and Samantha are deep in the thick of it—sleep regressions, toddler chaos, and the kind of parenting fatigue that makes you forget what day it is. They share real-time reflections on what it means to grow a business when you’re already maxed out, and how clarity can come even in the messiest seasons.In the midst of it all, Krista offers a behind-the-scenes look at her group program, Design Your Dream Wedding Business—a space built for wedding pros who want to feel more confident,

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00:51:18

From Cancer to Clarity — Emily Anderson on...

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/10/08

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of cancer, diagnosis and treatment, recovery, grief, and the emotional impact of navigating illness as a mother and business owner. Please listen with care.This week, Krista and Samantha sit down with Emily Anderson—a photographer, mother of three, and cancer survivor—for a powerful conversation about vulnerability, identity, and trusting yourself through life’s hardest seasons.Emily shares how her cancer diagnosis changed everything—from how she

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01:05:06

Friendship, Fatigue & the Social Life We Miss

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/10/01

This week, Krista and Samantha unpack the tangled web of parenting, social life, and adult friendship—and how those things rarely play nicely together in the same season. They talk about the pressure of social obligations, the real mental load of making and keeping friends post-kids, and how Lucky Girl Syndrome shows up in both motherhood and mindset.There’s reflection on parenting fatigue, post-COVID social anxiety, and the nostalgia for a time when making plans didn’t involve three calendars and

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00:56:51

Sick Days, Snack Nudes & the Mental Load (As Ever)

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/09/24

In this week’s episode, Krista and Samantha are knee-deep in the realities of parenting while sick—and trying to hold it together when everyone in the house is under the weather. They talk through the mental load, the flexibility of running their own businesses, and the quiet craving for a day where no one needs anything from them.There’s also conversation around community building, client engagement, and why a thriving space doesn’t have to mean doing the most. Plus, they sprinkle in some book

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00:47:41

Adulting Is Hard, Parenting Is Wild & Everyone’s Lying

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/09/17

This week, Krista and Samantha are in the thick of it—navigating the chaotic trifecta of adulting, parenting, and trying to have a social life. They swap stories about managing health appointments, sleep-deprived parenting, and the wild world of raising kids who lie with confidence.There’s honest talk about discipline vs. values, family routines, and the tension of balancing what you believe with what actually happens in your home. They also touch on marketing strategies, social media messiness, and

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00:55:55

September Chaos, Hormones & Hot Takes on Taylor Swift

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/09/10

We’re back! In the Season 2 premiere, Krista and Samantha dive into the full-body shift that is back-to-school season—where to-do lists get longer, routines get tighter, and life admin takes centre stage.They talk through the tension of transitioning out of summer, the mental and hormonal chaos of September, and the constant juggle of parenting, business, and health. There’s reflection on parenting milestones, evolving business offers, and the pressure to be “productive”—plus a little escapism via

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01:07:11

Summer Rhythms & Sabbatical Dreams

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/07/30

In the Season 1 finale, Krista and Samantha dive into the layered realities of summer—from the literal heat to the shifting dynamics of parenting, work, and personal growth that come with the season.They reflect on seasonal preferences, family routines, and the joy (and anxiety) of gaining independence as a parent when your kids start spending more time away. There’s also conversation around shopping habits, travel hiccups, summer camps, and what it actually looks like to take a sabbatical when

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01:03:33

Confidence, Kids and The Power of Self-Talk

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/07/23

This week, Samantha and Krista dig into the layered conversation around self-esteem, body image, and confidence—both for themselves as mothers and for the kids they’re raising. They talk about how positive self-talk can shift your perspective, the quiet harm of societal expectations, and why celebrating the small wins really does build confidence over time.The episode weaves between friendship chats, book club updates, and even a bit of reality TV commentary, but always circles back to the deeper

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00:57:51

Parenting in the Heat: Humour and Hard Talks

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/07/16

This week, Samantha and Krista dive into the emotional rollercoaster of parenting in the summer months—from the simple joys of family outings to the more complicated lessons that come with children’s big feelings (and their own).They share personal stories about navigating grief and loss, reflect on how modelling behaviour teaches children about boundaries, and discuss the balance between assertiveness and kindness—both in parenting and in life. Humour weaves through the heavier moments, reminding

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01:11:35

Lipstick, Loot Bags & Launch Plans

Mama Merit Badge ·

2025/07/09

This week, Krista and Samantha bounce between summer parenting chaos and business growth lessons, proving once again that snack plates and strategic planning can (and do) coexist.They dig into the reality of decision fatigue, the art of launching with intention, and why sometimes, a swipe of lipstick is the only prep you need for a big call. The conversation flows from kids and technology to the evolving world of birthday parties, with honest takes on social dynamics, gratitude, and whether loot

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34 results

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