Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

S2 E4: Part 3: Learning to Live with Estrangement: Finding Peace and Purpose

In Part 3 of our estrangement series, Robin and Nicole talk about what it means to find peace when reconciliation isn’t possible—or at least not yet. Through personal insight and faith-centered encouragement, they explore how to release guilt, trust God’s timing, and rediscover purpose in the “in-between.”

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep living with hope when restoration feels out of reach, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

S2 E3: Part 2: Estrangement, Grief & Community

Robin and Nicole dive into the realities of motherhood, midlife, and the relationships that shape us. Together, they unpack the emotional weight of estrangement, the unseen grief that mothers carry, and the stigma that often surrounds these struggles.

Through honest and hopeful conversation, they explore:

  • The shared experience of anticipatory grief in motherhood

  • The shame and silence around family estrangement

  • How spiritual grounding and faith can lighten emotional burdens

  • The healing role of community and belonging

This episode offers encouragement for moms walking through the “messy middle” of life—reminding you that you are not alone and that hope is possible. They also share about future retreats designed to support mothers navigating these challenges.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

S2 E2: Estrangement, Grief, and the Power of Community

In this episode, hosts Robin and Nicole begin a powerful new series on estrangement and motherhood. Together, they unpack the emotional layers of grief, faith, and hope, while also sharing their own stories of navigating the pain of estrangement from loved ones.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 18:Hormonal Balance, Wellness Tips, and the Balance Your Body Method

In this episode of Motherhood in the Messy Middle, hosts Robin and Nicole tackle the challenges women face in midlife—hormonal imbalances, weight changes, and the quest for overall wellness. Robin introduces her Balance Your Body Method, a holistic approach blending meditation, mindset, movement, and mindful nourishment.

You’ll learn about:

  • Blood sugar management for energy and hormonal health

  • The power of community in staying consistent and supported

  • Simple, practical steps to start feeling balanced and empowered

Listeners are encouraged to grab the free Balance Your Body Method ebook and join upcoming wellness resets to kickstart their journey toward holistic health and thriving in motherhood and midlife.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 17: The Mental Load of Travel: Why Family Trips Feel Like Full-Time Jobs

In Episode 17 of Motherhood and the Messy Middle, Robin and Nicole dive into the hidden weight moms carry when planning family travel. From juggling logistics, schedules, and endless packing lists to managing meltdowns, emotions, and expectations, traveling with kids can feel less like a break and more like a full-time job.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 16: Navigating the Emotional Weight of Back to School

Back-to-school season can feel like a tug-of-war—part excitement, part emotional exhaustion. In this episode of Motherhood and the Messy Middle, Robin and Nicole talk openly about the mental and emotional weight that comes with sending kids back to school.

From supply list chaos and shifting schedules to the bittersweet moments of watching your kids grow, they share personal stories and practical ways to manage the stress. You’ll hear how different families approach school prep, the effect of structure on mental health, and why finding balance matters more than perfection.

They also dive into the impacts of standardized testing, the nostalgia of first-and-last-day school photos, and the mix of joy and ache that comes with each transition. With humor, empathy, and real-life examples, Robin and Nicole remind moms that they’re not alone in navigating this season—and that the “messy middle” can still hold beauty.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 15: Surviving the Summer Sizzle: Strategies for Moms

Summer can be a beautiful season… but for moms, it can also feel like a perfect storm—no school routines, constant activity, and sensory overload from all sides. In this episode of Motherhood and the Messy Middle, Robin and Nicole get real about the challenges of surviving summer when your house is full, your patience is thin, and the heat won’t let up.

From creating small, flexible routines to setting realistic expectations for yourself (and your kids), they share practical tips to protect your mental health, manage overwhelm, and embrace the imperfect moments. You’ll also hear why waterpark passes might be the ultimate Christmas gift and how shared calendars can save your sanity.

Whether you’re battling the blazing sun, juggling work and camps, or just trying to enjoy the chaos without losing yourself, this episode offers the encouragement and tools you need to not just survive—but find pockets of joy in the summer sizzle.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 14: Navigating Estrangement: A Journey of Heartbreak and Hope - Part 2

In this powerful continuation of Episode 13, Motherhood and the Messy Middle co-hosts Robin and Nicole go deeper into the emotional terrain of estrangement between parents and children—specifically what healing, growth, and hope can look like when you're still living in the ache of disconnection.

Nicole shares how her relationship with God shaped the way she loves her daughter from afar, how she's learned to parent through grief, and why surrender, prayer, and emotional honesty matter now more than ever.

Whether you’re wrestling with silence, setting boundaries, or learning how to live again after being cut off, this episode is for you. You’ll leave feeling less alone and reminded that even in heartbreak, healing is holy work.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 13: Navigating Estrangement: A Journey of Heartbreak and Hope - Part 1

In Episode 13 of Motherhood and the Messy Middle, Robin and Nicole hold nothing back in this deeply personal conversation on estrangement between a mother and child. Nicole shares her own story of being cut off from her oldest daughter, the emotional unraveling that followed, and how identity, faith, and motherhood intersect in the ache of disconnection.

They explore what estrangement really means, the invisible grief it brings, and the shame many mothers carry in silence. Through raw vulnerability, they discuss how to hold both heartbreak and hope, and what it means to love like Jesus even when your child walks away.

This episode is for any parent navigating distance, silence, or emotional disconnection with a child. You’ll walk away with comfort, understanding, and the reminder: you are not alone.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 12: Why Do Family Gatherings Feel So Complicated?

In this episode of 'Motherhood and the Messy Middle,' hosts Robin and Nicole dive into the complex emotional terrain of family gatherings. They explore how such events bring joy, connection, and nostalgia, but also tension and unresolved dynamics. Robin reflects on her own recent family reunion, discussing the deep emotional layers and influences of her family's complex history, including experiences of loss, addiction, and sobriety. Nicole shares her contrasting experience of minimal family gatherings and the impact on her children. The conversation touches on the importance of presence, perspective, and emotional resilience in navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood and midlife.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 11: Ever feel like you’re meant for something bigger?

In the whirlwind journey of motherhood, many of us often grapple with the complex dance between gratitude for what we have and the yearning for more—more purpose, more passion, more of being ourselves. The podcast "Motherhood and the Messy Middle," hosted by Robin and Nicole, dives deep into this delicate balance, reminding us that desire is not a sign of discontent but a testament to being alive.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 10: My Pants Don’t Fit and I Might Cry

Perimenopause, mood swings, weight gain, and unexpected chin hairs—welcome to the midlife plot twist no one warned us about. In this honest and hilarious convo, Nicole and Robin unpack the physical and emotional shifts of perimenopause and menopause, from body image to hormone havoc. You’re not alone—and you’re not losing your mind. Probably. 😉

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 9: Holding Space – What It Really Means and Why It’s So Hard to Do

You’ve heard the phrase “holding space”… but what does it actually look like in the chaos of motherhood, midlife, and messy emotions?

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the powerful, misunderstood, and often uncomfortable practice of holding space—for our kids, our friends, and ourselves. Holding space means showing up with presence, not pressure. It’s sitting in the discomfort without trying to fix it. But in a culture that pushes us to hurry up, hold it together, and move on... it’s no wonder we struggle.

Together, we unpack what it means to hold space imperfectly but intentionally—how empathy, stillness, and presence can be more healing than solutions. We also talk about why it's so much easier to do this for others than for ourselves, and how to begin shifting that.

If you're in a season where emotions are high, time is short, and you're carrying more than your share—this conversation is for you.

This one’s tender. Truth-filled. And might just give you the breath you didn’t know you needed.

Thanks for joining us in the Messy Middle!

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 8: Why Is Friendship So Hard in Midlife?

Friendship wasn’t supposed to be this complicated. But somewhere between school drop-offs, emotional overload, and trying to keep up with everyone's needs… it’s easy for friendships to fall to the bottom of your never-ending to-do list.

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Nicole Coates Nicole Coates

Episode 7: Grieving the Past While Embracing the Present

Do you miss a season that’s already slipped away-when your kids were smaller, life was slower, or you felt more like you? In this tender episode, we talk about the bittersweet ache of motherhood transitions and how to hold space for both grief and gratitude.

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