Episodes

  • #116 // The dopamine hit that doesn’t leave you feeling gross afterward

    #116 // The dopamine hit that doesn’t leave you feeling gross afterward
    Apr 29 2026
    Free guide → Swap Scrolling for Stitching - everything you need to intentionally work the knitting habit into your life in just 3 days! (Plus: a newbie cheatsheet) You know that feeling when you bind off a project and just sit there for a second like… ohhhh, that’s why I keep doing this? There’s actually a reason your brain responds that way. And it’s the same reason scrolling can feel rewarding in the moment but leave you feeling oddly empty when you finally put your phone down. In this episode, Nadine breaks down what dopamine actually does, why knitting delivers a more grounded kind of satisfaction than your phone ever will, and why finishing something with your own hands hits so differently — especially as a mom whose work almost never feels done. In this episode:
    • What dopamine actually does (it’s more than just “the feel-good chemical”)
    • Why scrolling taps into reward pathways but still leaves you feeling hollow
    • Why completion and proof matter so much when you’re a mom
    • How to use knitting’s natural reward loop to build a habit that actually sticks
    • Why every single row counts — not just the finished project
    Mentioned in this episode: Free guide → Swap Scrolling for Stitching at theknittingmamas.com This wraps up the April science series! Next week we’re moving into something new.
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    18 mins
  • #115 // Why your brain won’t shut off at night (even when you’re exhausted)

    #115 // Why your brain won’t shut off at night (even when you’re exhausted)
    Apr 22 2026

    You’re tired. You get in bed. You tell yourself five minutes. And then somehow it’s 11:24, your eyes are dry, your brain is completely wired, and you know entirely too much about what strangers ate for dinner tonight. Sound familiar? In this episode, Nadine breaks down exactly why scrolling before bed backfires — and why it feels like rest even when it isn’t. Plus a realistic, zero-shame alternative that doesn’t require a perfect routine or an hour of free time. In this episode:
    • Why screens before bed make sleep harder (the science, kept simple)
    • The third reason nobody talks about — and why it might be the biggest one
    • Why “easy” and “restful” aren’t always the same thing
    • How to replace the scrolling habit without just white-knuckling it
    • A realistic bedtime wind-down that actually fits real mom life
    • The notebook trick that stops late-night brain spirals
    Mentioned in this episode: Free guide → Swap Scrolling for Stitching at theknittingmamas.com
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    16 mins
  • #114 // Cortisol isn’t your enemy. But this might be making it worse…

    #114 // Cortisol isn’t your enemy. But this might be making it worse…
    Apr 15 2026
    Cortisol has become one of those wellness buzzwords that makes everyone’s eyes glaze over. But before you scroll past — this isn’t that kind of episode. In this episode, I break down what cortisol actually is, why it’s not the villain it gets made out to be, and what really happens when your body never gets enough chances to shift out of high alert. Plus — why something as simple as 20 minutes of knitting might be one of the most practical tools you have for helping your system finally exhale. In this episode:
    • What cortisol actually does (and why it’s not the problem everyone says it is)
    • Why nonstop days and stimulating evenings keep your body more activated than it needs to be
    • How knitting creates the conditions your body needs to come out of stress mode
    • What “lowering your stress load” actually looks like in a real, loud, full mom life
    • 3 simple ways to use knitting as a stress-relief tool starting tonight
    Grab your 3-day reset now! Free guide → Swap Scrolling for Stitching at www.theknittingmamas.com Cortisol in the morning (from the Alive and Well Podcast)
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    19 mins
  • #113 // The real reason knitting feels so good

    #113 // The real reason knitting feels so good
    Apr 8 2026
    You sit down to knit for just a few minutes. Then you look up and 25 minutes have passed, your shoulders have dropped, and you feel weirdly more like yourself. That feeling has a name - and once you understand what’s happening, you’ll want to give your brain more of it. In this episode, I break down the science of flow state, why modern motherhood makes it so hard to access, and why knitting hits exactly the right sweet spot to get you there - without a perfect routine, a fancy setup, or an hour of free time. In this episode:
    • What flow state actually is (and why it feels so good)
    • Why scrolling is basically the opposite of flow
    • Why your brain is starving for focused attention and doesn’t even know it
    • How knitting lands in the sweet spot between too easy and too hard
    • Three simple ways to get into flow faster tonight
    Mentioned in this episode:
    1. Free guide → Swap Scrolling for Stitching at theknittingmamas.com
    2. Lumos Lumos Knitting Light
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    15 mins
  • #112 // This is why you can’t wind down (it’s not discipline)

    #112 // This is why you can’t wind down (it’s not discipline)
    Apr 1 2026
    Ever find yourself sitting on the couch at 9:30 PM - technically “resting” - but still feeling completely wired? It’s not a willpower problem. It’s your nervous system. In this episode, I break down what’s actually happening inside your body when stress never really gets to turn off. I explain the two modes your nervous system lives in, why modern life keeps so many of us mamas stuck in the wrong one, and why the thing you’re doing to wind down at night might actually be keeping you activated. Plus - why knitting isn’t just a cute hobby, but a real cue your body can use to finally soften. In this episode:
    • What your nervous system is actually doing when you feel “wired but tired”
    • Why 900 small stressors hit differently than one big one
    • What your phone is doing to your body at night (no shame, just science)
    • How knitting works as a pattern interrupt for your nervous system
    • What to start noticing in your own body this week
    Mentioned in this episode: Free guide → Swap Scrolling for Stitching at theknittingmamas.com
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    23 mins
  • #111 // Stop scrolling! Do this instead (you have the time!)

    #111 // Stop scrolling! Do this instead (you have the time!)
    Mar 25 2026

    Ever notice how quickly your hand reaches for your phone the second you have a free minute?

    Waiting in the car. Sitting at practice. Standing in line.

    It’s automatic.

    But what if those little pockets of time could actually help you feel calmer instead of more overwhelmed?

    In today’s episode, I’m sharing why I bring my knitting everywhere — and how it’s completely changed the way I move through my day.

    From dance practices to waiting rooms, I’ve turned those “in-between moments” into something that actually helps me reset… and unexpectedly, it’s also led to the sweetest conversations with other moms along the way.

    If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have time for knitting,” this episode might completely shift that for you.

    🧶 In This Episode, We Talk About:

    • Why we automatically reach for our phones (and why it leaves us feeling worse)
    • How knitting fits into real, busy mom life (yes, even in small pockets of time)
    • Where I actually knit in my everyday routine
    • What happens when you start knitting in public (this might surprise you)
    • How to set up a simple “travel knitting” system so you’ll actually use it

    ✨ Your Challenge This Week:

    Bring your knitting somewhere with you — just once.

    Try it in a waiting room, at practice, or even in your car.

    Then notice the difference in how you feel compared to scrolling.

    🧵 Ready to Start Knitting (the simple way)?

    Grab my beginner-friendly guide:

    “Swap scrolling for stitching”

    → www.theknittingmamas.com

    💬 Let’s Connect:

    Come tell me where you took your knitting this week!

    Instagram: @theknittingmanas_

    🎧 Loved This Episode?

    If this helped you rethink your “no time” problem, share it with a friend who needs more calm in her day

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    24 mins
  • #110 // What to knit when your brain is completely fried (5 calming projects)

    #110 // What to knit when your brain is completely fried (5 calming projects)
    Mar 18 2026
    Once you know the basics of knitting, the next question is: what do I actually knit when I’m stressed? And the answer is something mindless—not boring, but automatic. The kind of knitting where your hands know what to do without your brain micromanaging every stitch. When you’re stressed, your prefrontal cortex is already fried from planning and decision-making. Complicated patterns that require counting to 47 aren’t relaxing—they’re just a different kind of homework. What calms your nervous system is rhythmic, repetitive movement that becomes automatic. In this episode, I’m sharing five projects designed to get you to that calming rhythm as fast as possible: garter stitch dishcloths, seed stitch washcloths, chunky ribbed headbands, stockinette cowls, and never-ending scarves. Plus, a quick guide to help you pick which one is right for where you are right now. What You’ll Learn:
    • Why “mindless” knitting is actually the point (and what makes it different from boring)
    • How rhythmic, repetitive movement calms your nervous system better than complex patterns
    • 5 specific projects that hit the sweet spot of simple + satisfying
    • How to choose the right project based on your skill level and stress level
    • Why the “right” project is just the one you’ll actually do
    Pattern Links Mentioned:
    • Garter Stitch Dishcloth/Coaster: https://www.etsy.com/listing/808635711/shoreline-coaster-duo-knitting-pattern
    • Seed Stitch Washcloth: https://www.etsy.com/listing/956701174/needle-knit-seed-stitch-washcloth-4-in1
    • Chunky Ribbed Headband: https://www.etsy.com/listing/179012109/knitting-pattern-chunky-knit-turban
    • Stockinette Cowl: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1511688624/easy-cowl-knitting-pattern-worsted
    • Never-Ending Scarf: https://www.etsy.com/listing/198666092/knitting-pattern-long-hand-knit-scarf
    Other Links:
    • Free Guide: “Swap Scrolling for Stitching” - theknittingmamas.com
    • Instagram: @theknittingmamas_
    • Episode #109: Your Very First Knitting Project
    Subscribe & Review: If this episode helped you find your next stress-relief project, subscribe to Knit Your Stress Away so you never miss a Wednesday episode. And if you’re loving these practical knitting tips, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a review. It helps other stressed moms discover that knitting doesn’t have to be complicated to be calming.
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    23 mins
  • #109 // The real reason your first knitting project matters

    #109 // The real reason your first knitting project matters
    Mar 11 2026

    In this episode, I break down exactly what to knit first, why that choice matters more than you think, what supplies you actually need (spoiler: not much), and what to expect in those first few days before it starts to feel natural.

    Because there IS a moment when it clicks. And it's worth the clunky beginning to get there.

    What You'll Learn

    • Why your first project isn't about making something beautiful — it's about making something repeatable
    • The three best beginner projects (and what to skip entirely)
    • Exactly what supplies you need to start today — and why the $5 craft store yarn is perfectly fine
    • What to realistically expect in your first two weeks of knitting
    • The moment knitting stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like a tool

    Links Mentioned

    • Free Guide — "Swap Scrolling for Stitching"

    Includes a beginner cheat sheet, knitting glossary, and curated YouTube starter videos.

    Download at theknittingmamas.com

    • Find me on Instagram:

    @theknittingmamas_

    • Beginner Knitting Video Playlist
    • Favorite beginner tools

    Enjoyed This Episode?

    If this episode gave you the push you needed to finally start, subscribe to Knit Your Stress Away so you never miss a Wednesday episode — new episodes drop every week with practical, real-talk advice for stressed moms who want to swap scrolling for something that actually helps.

    And if you have a minute, leaving a review means the world. It helps other overwhelmed moms find this show and gives them permission to take a little time for themselves.
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    22 mins