Why Moms Feel So Overwhelmed (And What to Do About It) | Hannah Keeley (Episode 285)
Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went there? Or felt like your mind is constantly jumping from one thing to the next? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah Keeley, America’s #1 Mom Coach, to dig into the reality of mom brain—what it is, why it happens, and how we can actually work with our changing brains instead of feeling defeated by them.
Whether you’re in the thick of motherhood or simply looking for a more peaceful way to manage your mental load, this conversation offers faith-based encouragement, practical tools, and a big dose of understanding.
What we cover in this episode…
- What “Mom Brain” Really Is
- It’s not a myth—your brain physically changes after having children
- Why symptoms like distraction, forgetfulness, and overwhelm are so common
- What’s Happening in the Brain
- Brain scans show a 4% reduction in gray matter postpartum
- Your brain re-prioritizes: from protecting you to protecting your children
- Why moms imagine worst-case scenarios (and dads usually don’t!)
- Faith and the Fear Cycle
- How worry often becomes our default “love language” as moms
- Letting go of control and trusting God with our children
- Hannah’s vulnerable story about praying for her son during a hard season
- Productivity, Personality, and Mental Load
- How certain personalities need structure to feel at peace
- The false belief that productivity erases anxiety
- Why unstructured days can feel more stressful for some moms
- Practical “Mom Brain” Hacks
- The power of the “Bow Tying” technique to combat distraction and release dopamine
- How to finish the last 15% of a task—and why it matters
- Involving your kids in the process instead of waiting for peace and quiet
- Screen Time, Distraction, and Self-Sabotage
- Using screens to numb anxiety (and how to break the cycle)
- Tangible ways to limit phone use without guilt
- Why our phone habits model the same behavior for our children
- The Time Lie We All Tell Ourselves
- “I don’t have time” vs. how we’re actually spending our time
- How to shift the mindset from time scarcity to time stewardship
- Avoiding the Burnout Trap
- The connection between overdoing it and seeking validation
- Trading perfectionism for “sloppy success”
- How to build a home that’s clean enough to live in—and messy enough to be lived in
Whether you’re a new mom navigating a foggy postpartum brain or a seasoned mother trying to let go as your kids grow up, this episode is packed with truth, humor, and practical takeaways. Hannah reminds us that we’re not broken—we’re simply wired differently now. And with some intention and faith, we can feel more peace and clarity in our motherhood journey.
About Hannah
Hannah Keeley is America’s #1 Mom Coach. She’s an Ordained Christian Minister, Master Board-Certified Life Coach, recent TEDx speaker, and mom of seven who combines faith and psychology to help moms create radical transformation in their lives! Hannah has a background in behavioral therapy and neuroscience, has spent the last twenty years coaching moms with “Mom Brain”, and is the author of “Mom Fog”, the definitive guide for Christians moms on how to powerfully deal with “Mom Brain”!
Resources Mentioned
Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube
Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course
Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series
Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy
Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook
Connect with Hannah Keeley
Want more encouragement, practical tools, and real talk for moms? Follow along with Hannah Keeley across the web:
- Website: hannahkeeley.com
- Mom Coaching & Community: mommastery.com
- Instagram: @hannahkeeley
- Facebook Community: @hannahkeeleyfriends
- YouTube Channel: @hannahkeeley
- TikTok: @thehannahkeeley
- Twitter/X: @hannahkeeley
Connect with Lisa Bass
Follow along with Lisa Bass, creator of Farmhouse on Boone and host of the Simple Farmhouse Life Podcast, for more on from-scratch cooking, natural homemaking, and creating a simple, intentional life.
- Blog: farmhouseonboone.com
- YouTube: youtube.com/c/FarmhouseonBoone
- Instagram: @farmhouseonboone
- TikTok: @farmhouseonboone
- Facebook: facebook.com/farmhouseonboone
- Pinterest: pinterest.com/farmhouseonboone
Ask me anything!
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.
