The WandHERwild™ Podcast: Intentional Living for the Modern Mother by Wanderwild Family Retreats™ cover art

The WandHERwild™ Podcast: Intentional Living for the Modern Mother by Wanderwild Family Retreats™

The WandHERwild™ Podcast: Intentional Living for the Modern Mother by Wanderwild Family Retreats™

By: Monica Virga Alborno
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 The WandHERwild™ Podcast with Monica Virga Alborno, founder of Wanderwild Family Retreats™, is a show for modern mothers reclaiming their wild, living with intention, and redefining fulfillment while raising a family. Here, we explore mindful motherhood, conscious parenting, feminine rhythms, and the power of self-discovery through honest stories, soulful conversations, and practical tools you can bring into everyday life. Whether you’re seeking connection, inspiration, or a reminder that you’re not alone, WandHERwild is your invitation to slow down, come home to yourself, and reconnect with the intuitive mother within. 99174040-d787-11f0-8f7e-85cb309b5288 ed180dd0-da54-11f0-b0cf-05b8a885a888

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Episodes
  • Inside a Winter Mother–Child Retreat: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

    Inside a Winter Mother–Child Retreat: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
    Dec 30 2025
    In this solo episode of The WandHERwild Podcast, Monica shares an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to host a mother–child retreat — from the weeks of preparation to the quiet, unseen details that create a sense of ease for families once they arrive.Recorded in the weeks leading up to the upcoming Winter Retreat, this episode walks through the full rhythm of a four-day gathering: how the team prepares, how childcare and wellness are woven together, and how intentional design reduces mental load for mothers traveling solo with their children.This is not a highlight reel — it’s a transparent look at the care, coordination, and thoughtfulness that make in-person experiences feel grounded, nourishing, and held.Whether you’re curious about attending a retreat, interested in hosting gatherings of your own, or simply want to understand what makes certain spaces feel deeply supportive, this episode offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain.In This Episode, Monica Shares:* What happens 4–6 weeks before a retreat even begins* How guest communication, packing lists, and childcare preparation are handled* The role of the retreat team (and why it’s never a solo effort)* How environments are adapted to be both beautiful and kid-safe* Why the retreat schedule is intentionally spacious, especially in winter* How meals, movement, and circles are designed to reduce decision fatigue* The unseen labor that allows mothers to arrive and simply be* What it looks like to support both guests and the retreat team sustainablyWho This Episode Is For* Mothers considering a retreat with their child* Women curious about in-person gatherings and community* Anyone interested in intentional travel and slow living* Women interested in how thoughtful experiences are built and held* Founders and creatives who value structure and strategy as much as intuitionAn Invitation For YouThere are still a few spaces available for the upcoming Winter Mother–Child Retreat (February 14–17, 2026). Details and booking information are linked here: https://www.wanderwildfamilyretreats.com/catskills-winter-retreat.Monica also briefly shares about her private, small-container business coaching for those interested in hosting retreats or bringing an early-stage idea to life. More information can be found here: https://thekindredsocial.com/.Timestamps 00:00 What really happens behind the scenes at a mom and child retreat02:22 Why intentional retreats support modern motherhood03:53 How moms are prepared before the retreat begins06:45 How the retreat team personalizes the experience for each family08:14 Why location and nature immersion matter for nervous system reset09:48 How the retreat space is made safe, cozy, and kid-friendly12:54 Day one flow: arrival, connection, and winter settling in15:00 Day two rhythm with kids programming and mom wellness18:03 Cacao circle, emotional support, and community building19:29 Conscious food and nourishment for moms and kids21:07 Evening childcare and mom-only rituals23:39 Final day rituals, reflection, and gentle departuresLinks & Resources* Winter Mother–Child Retreat details* Private 1:1 mentoring with Monica* Subscribe to Monica on Substack* Listen to more episodes of The WandHERwild Podcastmother–child retreat, mother child retreat, retreat with kids, family retreat, traveling with children, intentional family travel, mental load of motherhood, slow living motherhood, retreat travel with childrenSubscribe to WandHERwild™ Motherhood to receive monthly newsletters, new podcast episodes, and updates about events for moms. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wandherwild.substack.com/subscribe
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    29 mins
  • 57. Organizing Your Work Week, Breaking Free From Time Debt with Megan Sumrell

    57. Organizing Your Work Week, Breaking Free From Time Debt with Megan Sumrell
    Dec 22 2025
    Join our cozy winter mom and child retreat February 14-17, 2026 in Hudson Valley, New York, offering holistic wellness, wild luxury, and a slow down so you can truly enjoy this season. Learn more: https://www.wanderwildfamilyretreats.com/catskills-winter-retreat. Only 3 spots left.Time management, weekly planning, and time debt are the exact things so many women quietly carry, especially when you are holding a business, a home, and a nervous system that is already stretched. In this episode, I sit down with Megan Sumrell, creator of the TOP framework, to talk about why daily to do lists can feel like a setup, and how a weekly plan can actually match the reality of your time, your energy, and your roles.Megan walks me through her weekly planning process, which takes about 15 minutes. The piece I keep thinking about is her “uncertainty budget,” a simple way to plan for interruptions without guilt or late-night catch-up spirals. We also talk about building sustainable work-life boundaries, what it looks like to grow a seven-figure business with a small team while protecting wellness, and how she teaches her daughter time management with visual planning tools so school pressure feels more steady and less overwhelming. Plus, she shares how the Pink Bee app makes her planning framework accessible with free resources and community support.🌱In this episode, we discuss:* Weekly planning helped me see how daily to do lists create time debt and constant overwhelm.* When I plan my week instead of my day, I make decisions once and stop burning energy on what to do next.* Megan’s 15 minute weekly planning process makes space for work, motherhood, rest, and real life roles.* The uncertainty budget is the missing piece that lets interruptions exist without guilt or late night catch up.* Tracking disruptions for two weeks gives you data to protect buffer time and stay emotionally steady.* Sustainable work life boundaries can look like a smaller team, slower growth, and a business built for longevity.* Teaching teens visual planning and milestone mapping reduces anxiety and makes big projects feel manageable.Download Megan’s free app and learn more about her here: http://thepinkbee.com Explore Wanderwild and Monica’s Invitations✨ Explore Wanderwild Family Retreats, wanderwildfamilyretreats.com, offering child-welcoming, nature-rooted getaways for families to slow down. Upcoming retreats include a [cozy Mom + Child weekend in New York’s Hudson Valley] and a [Spring Family Retreat in Florida], blending wild luxury with nature play and connection.✨ Become a WandHERwild Member, offering bi-monthly creative co-working & seasonal cacao circles from the comfort of your home, a quarterly digital magazine, a 24/7 WhatsApp private community chat for connection, and a resource library of workshops and rituals. Learn more at wandherwild.com/members-space.✨ Learn more about The Kindred Social: https://thekindredsocial.com/ and Monica’s 1:1 business coaching retainer now accepting clients for the 2026 calendar year.✨ Wanderwild Family Retreats | In Person Retreats✨ WandHERwild | Digital Community for Moms✨ Grab A Virtual Coffee with MonicaSubscribe to WandHERwild’s Substack for bi-weekly newsletters or follow our podcast on Apple or follow our podcast on Spotify to never miss an episode. Leave a review to support our work. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wandherwild.substack.com/subscribe
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    41 mins
  • 56. What I Learned Celebrating Christmas Abroad as an Expat Family

    56. What I Learned Celebrating Christmas Abroad as an Expat Family
    Dec 15 2025
    Holidays abroad look different now, and this year our family may be spread across three countries for the first time. With my sister in France expecting her baby any day, my parents navigating health challenges in the U.S., and us here in Norway, this season is asking for flexibility, softness, and a new kind of togetherness. Living abroad has taught me that holiday magic doesn’t appear because the calendar says December. It’s something we have to make through presence, intention, ritual, and the people we love, whether they’re beside us or thousands of miles away.In this episode, I share what celebrating Christmas and New Year has looked like across Kuwait, Angola, Norway, and now as an expat family raising children in a blended cultural home. From working through the holidays on an oil rig, to rooftop New Year’s gatherings with coworkers who became family, to cozy cabin days in Norway where simplicity reigns, these experiences have shaped the way we create meaning today. Whether your own family is nearby or spread across the world, I hope this conversation helps you release expectations, slow down, and find the magic that’s already here.🌱In this episode, we discuss:* How holiday traditions shift when family lives in different countries* Why holiday magic is something we create, not something we find* What celebrating in Kuwait, Angola, and Norway taught Monica about meaning* Simple rituals that help families stay connected across distance* Blending cultural traditions in an expat, multi-faith household* How slow living in Norway reshaped holiday expectations* Ways to release perfection and find joy in a changing seasonExplore Wanderwild and Monica’s Invitations✨Access our three holiday sales offers here: https://www.wandherwild.com/holiday-savings✨ Learn more about The Kindred Social: https://thekindredsocial.com/ and Monica’s 1:1 business coaching retainer now accepting clients for the 2026 calendar year.✨ Explore Wanderwild Family Retreats, wanderwildfamilyretreats.com, offering child-welcoming, nature-rooted getaways for families to slow down. Upcoming retreats include a [cozy Mom + Child weekend in New York’s Hudson Valley] and a [Spring Family Retreat in Florida], blending wild luxury with nature play and connection.✨ Become a WandHERwild Member, offering bi-monthly creative co-working & seasonal cacao circles from the comfort of your home, a quarterly digital magazine, a 24/7 WhatsApp private community chat for connection, and a resource library of workshops and rituals. Learn more at wandherwild.com/members-space.✨ Grab A Virtual Coffee with Monica✨ WandHERwild | Digital Community for Moms✨ Wanderwild Family Retreats | In Person RetreatsSubscribe to WandHERwild’s Substack for bi-weekly newsletters or follow our podcast on Apple or follow our podcast on Spotify to never miss an episode. Leave a review to support our work. Thank you for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wandherwild.substack.com/subscribe
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    28 mins
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