EP 1: Welcome to My Outdoorsy Mom! + My Journey

In this kickoff episode of The My Outdoorsy Mom Podcast, I’m getting personal. I’m taking you back to the start of our outdoorsy journey — when I was hauling two toddlers and a pregnant belly down 2.5 flights of apartment stairs just to get 15 minutes of fresh air.

It wasn’t always easy. It definitely wasn’t always Instagram-worthy. But something shifted for our family the day I stopped trying to do things the “right” way and just started doing them our way — with sidewalk chalk, snacks, low expectations, little moments on a tiny patch of grass.

Whether you’re deep in the trenches with littles or just looking for more peace and presence in your week, this show is here to help you take simple steps toward outdoor play, more freedom, and a slower-paced life.

• Follow me on Instagram @myoutdoorsymom

• Grab the FREE Screen Time to Green Time Guide: https://stan.store/MyOutdoorsyMom

Transcript

Welcome to the My Outdoorsy Mom podcast. I'm your host, Julianne Nienberg, mom of three, backyard adventure enthusiast, and your go-to gal for making memories outside with your kids. This is your space to ditch the pressure of perfect and embrace simple, soul-filling time in nature that fits real family life. Each week, we'll talk motherhood, nature play, travel, and entrepreneurship with honest stories, practical tips, and guest conversations that'll feel like chatting with a friend.

Whether you're raising wild little explorers or building a business during nap time, I see you. So grab your coffee, toss some snacks in your bag, and let's make some memories. This is the My Outdoorsy Mom podcast.

Welcome to the very first episode of the My Outdoorsy Mom podcast. I'm Julie Anne, mom of three, proud Michigander, lover of nature walks, coffee that's never really hot, and I'm deeply committed to helping families build simpler, slower, and more present rhythms, mostly by stepping outside. Now, if you're thinking, Julie Anne, I'm not really an outdoorsy mom, don't worry, you're not the only one. At least I wasn't. So let me take you back for a minute.

I've lived in the Midwest for most of my life. While I was born in the Philippines, I was raised in the beautiful state of Michigan. And for a few years, I even lived in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where some of my most cherished outdoor memories are cemented in my soul. The quiet of the woods, the crunch of never-ending snow under my boots, pulling over on the side of the road to swim in Lake Michigan. Looking back, it felt so magical.

That place gave me my first taste of what it really meant to feel connected to nature, to just be. Later in my mid-20s, it was a trip out west to Montana and Wyoming that completely reawakened something in me.

The wide open skies, the pace of life, the stunning mountain views of Yellowstone Glacier and Grand Teton National Parks. It reminded me of the simple things that I loved beneath all the day-to-day noise.

That trip cracked me open.

and showed me what it could feel like to live slower, deeper, and more connected.

I came home from that trip changed. And a few years later, when I became a mom, that deep pull toward nature resurfaced. And I knew I wanted to give my kids some version of it. And as a Christian, I wanted them to always know that the same God who created all of that created them too. Even if we were back in the Midwest, even if we didn't have a yard,

even if the only quiet we could find was on the sidewalk outside our apartment.

So here's how it all started. Yes, we were once living on a second floor apartment. We had just moved from Chicago back to our hometown in Southeast Michigan. I had two toddlers. I was pregnant with my third. I had changed jobs. And did I mention that the year was 2020? There was no yard, no outdoor toys. I had to climb two flights of stairs to get to my stroller. And if I'm being honest, I didn't know what the heck I was doing. I was just trying to survive each and every single day.

So most days we stayed inside because getting out the door felt like an Olympic event. And honestly, it was easier to turn on a show and veg on the couch with my two toddlers and my big old belly. But after weeks of staying indoors, I had had enough.

Everyone was cranky. I was yelling way more than I wanted to, and I knew that this wasn't the mom I wanted to be. I knew that laying around watching way too much TV wasn't the childhood I wanted for my kids.

Like we were just bouncing off the walls, literally and emotionally. So one afternoon I grabbed snacks and I turned to my kids and I said, we're going outside just for 15 minutes.

I don't know why I felt like I had to make an announcement or some type of declaration to them. They were 18 months and three years old. Their whole life revolved around my plans for their day. But that, that small, awkward little moment changed everything.

So here are some of the small steps I took that led to a big shift.

At first, the 15 minutes felt long, not gonna lie. The kids were confused. It's not like we had access to toys out there.

When we lived in the apartment, it was just a strip of grass next to a dirt road. My youngest had been walking for a while, since he was 10 months old to be exact. So he was a flight risk because he had a penchant for seeking danger and beelining for the road. I remember sitting, uncomfortably I might add, with my big old belly on the front stoop thinking,

Is this it? Am I doing this wrong? But we kept going. 15 minutes turned into 20, then 30, then full mornings outside, and something started to shift. The kids fought less. I yelled less. Our days started to feel a little bit lighter.

They weren't perfect, but they were a little more peaceful. And it turns out that's the magic of getting outside. You don't need a yard or a plan or fancy gear. You just need to open the door and start.

So you might be wondering why this podcast. I started My Outdoorsy Mom on Instagram because I knew I wasn't the only one craving simplicity and connection. Because when I looked around online, so much of motherhood felt like and feels like this pressure to be more, to do more, to buy more. And I wanted to create a space that said, hey, you're doing great. Take a breath and go outside. So that's what this podcast will be, a space where we slow down,

where we talk about ways to help balance screen time and encourage independent play outside, where we share real life stories of motherhood, entrepreneurship, outdoor play, and the magic of raising kids who slow down and appreciate nature.

Every week I'll be here with you, solo episodes, guest episodes, and lots of friendly reminders to have fun and enjoy nature wherever your feet are.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, if you're wondering how to even start outdoor play with littles, friend, you're not alone. You're not too late and you don't have to do it perfectly. This podcast isn't about becoming someone you're not. It's about rediscovering who you are outside where it's just a little quieter.

So if that sounds like something you could use more of, make sure to hit that follow button. I'm so glad you're here.

And you know what? If you want to take your first step today, go grab my free guide from Screen Time to Green Time. It's full of simple, doable ways to get your kids outside without the drama. You'll find the link in the show notes along with everything else we talked about today.

Thanks so much for spending part of your day with me. I hope this episode left you feeling encouraged and inspired to get outside and enjoy nature wherever your feet are. If you loved what you heard, it would mean the world to me if you tap those five stars or leave a quick review. It helps other outdoorsy minded moms find the show and grow the sweet little community. And if you're looking for more ways to simplify, slow down, and connect through nature, you can find me over on Instagram at myoutdoorsymom, read the blog at myoutdoorsymom.com, or explore all my digital resources and seasonal guides in the shop.

Everything's linked right there in the show notes. Until next time, take a deep breath, step outside, and I'll meet you back here next week.