The Thoughtful Advocate

EP 43: Baby Shower Ideas 2026: Sustainable Party Favors, Intimate Celebrations & Top Games (Diaper Pong, Kahoot)

Planning a baby shower in 2026? Discover why small, intimate baby showers are trending and get sustainable party favor ideas that guests actually use! In this episode of Thoughtful Advocate Podcast, I share our second baby shower experience including popular games like diaper pong, Kahoot baby trivia, and baby food guessing. Learn why bear themed parties are hot right now, how to do a successful diaper raffle for multiple diaper sizes, and sustainable alternatives to wasteful party favors including soaps, seed packets, and plants. Perfect for second time moms, baby sprinkle planning, or anyone wanting an eco friendly baby shower with deeper conversations and less overwhelm.
What You'll Learn: ✨ Why intimate baby showers (under 25 guests) create better experiences ✨ Trending 2026 baby shower games: diaper pong, Kahoot quiz, baby food guessing ✨ Sustainable party favors guests won't throw away (soaps, seeds, plants, edible treats) ✨ Bear theme baby shower ideas and decorations ✨ Diaper raffle strategy for getting multiple sizes (not just newborn!) ✨ Benefits of small vs large baby showers for second pregnancies ✨ How to make party planning less overwhelming

EP 42: I Felt Like I Peaked in High School: Navigating Your 20s Quarter Life Crisis

Thrived in high school but struggling in your 20s? You're not alone. Real stories about career anxiety, comparison, and finding your path after university.
Welcome to the Thoughtful Advocate Podcast, hosted by Elizabeth Teo. If you graduated with honors but can't find a job, if you're watching everyone else succeed while you feel stuck, or if you're questioning every decision you've made, this podcast is for you.
Elizabeth shares her honest journey from being a straight A student at University of Toronto to struggling through internships, depression, and the harsh reality that prestigious degrees don't guarantee success. Topics include quarter life crisis, underemployment, career anxiety, toxic family expectations, co op vs traditional university, creative freedom in corporate jobs, isolation in your 20s, and mental health struggles.
Perfect for anyone in their twenties navigating career uncertainty, relationship challenges, comparison culture, and the overwhelming pressure to have it all figured out. Because 70% of young adults experience a quarter life crisis, and nobody talks about it enough.
New episodes share real experiences, research backed insights, and practical advice for surviving and thriving through your twenties. Subscribe for honest conversations about what it's really like to be a young adult in 2025.

EP 41: 35 Weeks Pregnant Update: Scheduled C-Section, Maternity Leave & Getting Organized | Third Trimester Reality

Join me for an honest 35 week pregnancy update as I share my experience preparing for a scheduled c-section, the relief of finally being on maternity leave, and how we tackled our chaotic bedroom. I'm discussing the differences between spinal blocks vs epidurals, the science behind third trimester fatigue (your blood volume increases 50%!), why multitasking while pregnant is so draining, and how visual clutter actually increases anxiety according to neuroscience. Plus, I share tips on cooking with a toddler, finding the best board books at the library, and why organizing before baby #2 has helped me breathe again. If you're a working mom, pregnant with your second baby, or preparing for a c-section, this update is for you.

Ep 40: How Having Kids Changed Our Marriage: Real Talk About Postpartum, Sleep Deprivation & Relationship Struggles

Does having a baby change your marriage? YES, and we need to talk about it more. In this episode, I share our real experience of how our relationship changed after having our first child, backed by psychology research on marriage after kids.
What You'll Learn: ✨ Why your first child is the hardest (and why no one can prepare you) ✨ The science behind marriage satisfaction drops after babies (67% of couples experience this!) ✨ Real talk about postpartum depression, C section recovery, and dysphoric milk ejection reflex ✨ How sleep deprivation affects your relationship (new parents lose 109 minutes of sleep per night!) ✨ Role distribution struggles and how we overcame them ✨ Why you miss each other even when living together (the shift work reality) ✨ How to keep dating your spouse when you have no time ✨ Breastfeeding challenges and pumping depression (my honest experience)
Our Story: John and I have been together for almost 11 years, married for 3. Everyone said marriage would change us, but it actually made us stronger. What REALLY changed everything? Having our son Ace. The first 4 months were the hardest, and if you're going through this right now, you're not alone.
If you're questioning your relationship after having a baby, wondering why date nights disappeared, or feeling like something's wrong, this episode is for you. Overcoming these obstacles and learning to parent together can make your bond STRONGER.
Topics Covered: marriage after baby, postpartum depression, new parents relationship struggles, sleep deprivation with newborn, breastfeeding challenges, role distribution in marriage, date night ideas for new parents, first child hardest, parenting together, relationship after kids, c section recovery, pumping depression, dysphoric milk ejection reflex, marriage communication, keeping romance alive after baby
💬 Drop a comment sharing YOUR experience! What surprised you most about your relationship after having kids?
👍 Like this video if it resonated with you 🔔 Subscribe for more real talk about marriage, parenting, and mental health 📱 Follow @thoughtfuladvocate on Instagram
#MarriageAfterBaby #PostpartumDepression #NewParents #RelationshipAfterKids #ParentingTogether #MarriageTips #NewMom #Motherhood #HonestParenting #MentalHealthAwareness

EP 39: Are You Too Nice? The Truth About People Pleasing, Trauma Response & How to Stop

Welcome to the Thoughtful Advocate Podcast. I'm Elizabeth Teo, and today I need to tell you something that took me years to admit: being "too nice" almost destroyed me.
For most of my life, I was the person everyone could count on. The friend who dropped everything, who never said no, who was available 24/7. I thought I was being a good person. Turns out, I was just being a doormat, and people took full advantage of it.
In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing three painful lessons that changed my life:
Lesson 1: Why being too nice and passive invites people to take advantage of you (and the psychology behind it)
Lesson 2: The exhausting reality of people pleasing and its roots in childhood trauma and insecure attachment styles
Lesson 3: Why you can't fix people no matter how much you care, and the difference between supporting versus enabling
I'll walk you through my own story from high school to now, including the wake up moment that changed everything. You'll learn about the "fawn" trauma response, how childhood patterns follow us into adulthood, and practical steps I took to finally start setting boundaries.
If you've ever felt completely drained, scared that people won't like you if you say no, or frustrated watching people ignore your advice, this episode will help you understand why and show you how to break free.
Topics covered: anxious attachment, self sacrificing schema, trauma response, emotional boundaries, self care, breaking people pleasing patterns, childhood trauma healing
Subscribe to the Thoughtful Advocate Podcast and follow me on Instagram @thethoughtfuladvocate for more content on mental health, personal growth, and breaking toxic patterns.

EP 38: 2 Under 2: My Honest Thoughts Before Baby #2 Arrives | Mom of Two Reality Check

Baby number two is coming and I'm sharing everything I'm thinking and feeling before our lives change forever. If you're pregnant with your second baby, wondering what it's really like having two kids under two, or preparing for a toddler and newborn at the same time, this episode is for you.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
🤱 Second Baby Reality Check
What it's really like preparing mentally for baby number two
How having experience with one baby changes everything
Why I feel more confident about baby cues, sleep routines, and staying adaptable this time
👶 The First Sibling Meeting
My excitement (and nerves) about bringing my toddler to meet his baby brother in the hospital
What to expect when your toddler meets the newborn for the first time
Tips for preparing your first child for a new sibling
❤️ Emotional Preparation for Two Kids
How your heart expands when you have a second child
The nostalgia of looking back at newborn photos before baby arrives
Processing the bittersweet feelings of your first baby growing up
😰 Real Fears About 2 Under 2
Managing a mobile, energetic toddler while caring for a newborn
C-section recovery challenges when you can't lift your toddler for 6 weeks
Losing mental recharge time and how it affects mood, patience, and relationships
Double the diapers, laundry, and baby gear (the reality no one talks about)
Leaving the house with two car seats, diaper bags, and all the stuff
💪 Coping Strategies That Actually Help
Why asking for help is essential (not weakness) when you have two under two
Planning extended maternity leave so both parents can be home together
Using a babysitter to prevent burnout
Having family support nearby and why it matters
Taking advantage of nap overlap for self care and recharging
🌸 The Silver Linings
Anticipating sibling bonding and watching them play together
Having a spring baby means more outdoor time, park trips, and fresh air
Understanding baby basics from experience (sleep training, feeding cues, diaper changes)
More family support systems in place this time around
Perfect for:
Second time moms and pregnant with baby number two
Parents planning to have kids close in age
Anyone considering or preparing for 2 under 2
Moms recovering from c-section with a toddler at home
Parents looking for honest, real talk about the challenges and joys of multiple kids
Topics Covered: Two under two tips | Second baby preparation | Toddler meeting newborn | C-section recovery with toddler | Managing two kids under 2 | Second time mom advice | Sibling bonding | Extended maternity leave Canada | Postpartum recovery | Mental health for moms | Newborn and toddler schedule | Mom of two survival guide | Asking for help as a parent | Preventing parental burnout
Join the Conversation: Have you survived 2 under 2? What are your best tips for managing a toddler and newborn? Drop your wisdom in the comments or send me a message. I'll be doing a follow up episode after baby arrives to see how my predictions compared to reality!
Resources Mentioned:
Kind Laundry sheets (use code ZEROWASTECUTIE for 10% off)
Extended maternity leave in Canada (12-18 months)
Subscribe for the upcoming "After Baby #2" episode where I'll share what actually happened and how my expectations matched reality!

EP 37: Finding the Perfect Nanny in 2026: Our Journey Plus Baby #2 Updates & Family Life Goals

After months of searching, we finally found our ideal nanny through NannyServices.ca! You can use my referral link here: https://nannyservices.ca/refs/814547 In this episode, I share our complete nanny search experience, including why we decided to pay for a service and how it paid off immediately. Our new nanny lives just 10 minutes away and connected instantly with Ace, even handling diaper changes (a huge milestone!).
I'm also diving into exciting 2026 plans as we prepare for baby number two. From planning a bear-themed baby shower to navigating my third trimester challenges, I'm opening up about the realities of preparing for our second C-section and what recovery might look like this time around.
Plus, updates on Ace's incredible development as he masters walking, learns to share toys, and becomes more social every day. I'm sharing our family goals for the year, including zoo trips, vacations with extended family, and creating new memories together.
Topics covered: nanny search tips, third trimester struggles, toddler milestones, preparing for baby number two, 2026 family goals, upcoming entertainment releases (Bridgerton, Single Inferno, Avatar), and finding balance during the "baby trenches."
Subscribe for more honest parenting updates, family life insights, and everything in between!

EP 36: The Brutal Truth About First Year Motherhood: My 2025 Reality Check

This isn't your typical New Year reflection. Join me for an unfiltered look at 2025, the year that shattered my expectations and rebuilt me from the ground up.
I'm sharing:
The first four months of motherhood nobody talks about (spoiler: it wasn't Instagram-worthy)
How becoming a mom exposed every toxic pattern I learned in childhood
Why I finally changed my brand name after years of hesitation
The moment I realized rest isn't lazy, it's essential
Learning to speak up when I've spent a lifetime staying silent
Navigating work, childcare collapse, and the impossible standards placed on mothers
What I'm carrying into 2026 (hint: authenticity over perfection)
This episode is for you if: You're tired of curated motherhood content and want the real story You're healing from childhood trauma while trying to break generational cycles You struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or asking for help You're questioning how society expects mothers to do it all
Topics Covered: New mom reality, C-section recovery, breastfeeding challenges, childhood trauma healing, setting boundaries, authentic content creation, work-life balance, Canadian maternity leave, nervous system regulation, letting go of perfectionism
Subscribe for weekly episodes where we talk about motherhood, mental health, social justice, and building a life that actually feels good, not just looks good.

EP 35: Why Rest Is the Most Productive Thing You Can Do: A Mother's Journey Through Sickness and Self Care

Discover why doing nothing might be the most important thing you do today. In this honest episode of The Thoughtful Advocate, host Elizabeth Teo shares her powerful realization about rest, productivity, and motherhood after both her 11 month old son Ace and herself fell ill.
Learn how to recognize when your baby is sick (even without a fever), navigate the challenges of caring for a sick infant under one year old, and why our cultural expectations around productivity are fundamentally flawed. Elizabeth breaks down the signs parents should watch for, shares practical tips for managing childhood illness, and reveals why asking for help isn't weakness but wisdom.
This episode tackles important topics including:
Early signs of illness in babies who can't communicate
How to care for a sick infant under 12 months
Breaking free from toxic productivity culture
The importance of rest in healing and recovery
Overcoming cultural stigma around asking for help
Building a supportive partnership in parenthood
Self care for exhausted mothers
Perfect for new parents, working mothers, and anyone struggling to give themselves permission to rest. If you're burnt out, overwhelmed, or constantly pushing through exhaustion, this episode will change how you think about productivity forever.

EP 34: What I Wish I'd Known Before My Baby Got Sick: Must-Have Essentials Every New Parent Needs

Parenting an 11 month old taught me that preparation saves you from midnight pharmacy runs. In this episode, I share the baby essentials that genuinely saved us when my son got his first real fever, including medications to stock ahead, thermometer tips, and safe sleep strategies. Learn what actually works for sick babies under 1 year old, how to handle fevers without panicking, and why having multiple diaper stations changes everything. I also talk about the reality of asking for help (when our nanny quit), splitting parenting shifts to prevent burnout, and why convenience isn't laziness with a newborn. Plus, real talk about breastfeeding struggles, postpartum support, and building your village before you desperately need it. Whether you're preparing for your first baby or deep in the trenches of early parenthood, these practical tips will help you feel more prepared and less alone. Perfect for expecting parents, new moms, and anyone navigating the first year with a baby.
Topics covered: baby fever management, Tylenol for infants, newborn essentials checklist, postpartum depression prevention, equal parenting, baby shower registry must-haves, breastfeeding tips, formula feeding, partner support, working mom survival