A Lark and her Momster

Send us a textFeaturing: Terregaie Prosecco – an elegant, dry sparkling wine with more length to the palate.  Fresh bosc pears, acacia aromas pare with an integrated mousse that’s to die for (but not literally). This week we were privileged to host Emelie and Carol who shared their insights into being one another’s “gifts.”  Emelie experienced a traumatic childhood that included foster care.  Carol had two biological teen daughters when Emelie was reintroduced into their lives.  Their families and lives had intertwined in the past yet it was when Emelie was in high school the connection became permanent (even if not legal).  Their candid and sweet story reminds us that families can be made not just born, and blood isn’t thicker than water. Join us for this  heartwarming episode!

Send us a textFeaturing: Lavender by Wines of the San Juan – a truly unique blend of white grapes and lavender creates a fun and beautiful presentation of a dry wine, delicately balanced, elegant, and relaxing.  Thank you Jared!! In this episode, Lark and Momster share past experiences “could” have placed them in peril (yet obviously didn’t since they now host this podcast). In the late ‘70s and ‘80s Momster had several adventures with friends involving substances, and Lark went on an international adventure with a guy who could have been a serial killer (but just turned out to be a narcissist).  Momster shares why our brains can make less than optimal decisions as we move into adulthood and the research that tells us why that is. https://www.rosettainstitute.org/brain-development-continues-until-age-30/https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know#:~:text=Although%20the%20brain%20stops%20growing,the%20last%20parts%20to%20mature.https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article/33/13/8089/7152341 Don’t do what we did!!

Send us a textFeaturing: 19 Crimes Limited Edition, Glow in the Dark  The Bride of Frankenstein Red Blend & Frankenstein Cabernet  -  the Bride is rich and round with a soft fruity finish along with sweet aromatics and notes of chocolate, and Frankenstein is firm and filled with a dark berry fruit finish along with flavors of red currant, dark cherries, and chocolate. Both were fun and delicious! Our friends Kristen (a community advocate, nonprofit executive, and a single mom) and Izzy (a high school student, fashionista, artistic soul, and a big sister to Lindel) were our guests.  They shared their mother/daughter relationship from one another’s perspectives. We learned that despite adolescence being a potentially challenging developmental stage in life, Izzy is doing pretty well because she’s got a mom who encourages and trusts her.  Kristen shared what scares her most about having a teen in today’s world.  Together they’re lovingly working through the ups and downs of life after a divorce, kids navigating two very different households, peer pressures, and ultimately how kids “grow with what their given” (Izzy’s words). Join us for an inspiring episode!

Send us a textFeaturing:   Witches Brew… Spiced Red Wine  -   popular wine for fall or winter, mulled & layered, an aromatic celebration of traditional autumn spices.  Try it room temp, warm, or devilishly hot! Chances are many people don’t know the connection between the Celtic celebration of Samhain (pronounced Sah win or Sow in) which marks the onset of Winter and our current celebration of Halloween.  It’s both Lark and Momster’s favorite holiday. It’s also a time when there’s a “threshold” between this world and the one beyond (if you believe that kind of thing) and the opportunity to honor those who’ve gone before us. We also share how Celtic children’s (Skeklers) use of animal skins and straw while dancing to neighbors’ home and begging for gifts (Guising) was the impetus to dressing up for “trick or treating!”

Send us a textFeaturing:  Borarrasca Cava  -  produced using the traditional cava method, this wine represents authentic Spanish quality and spends at least 9mos in the bottle before distribution. It’s crisp, clean, and well balanced with adelicate aroma and unique freshness. The unmistakable taste leads from a full ripe apple, pear, and bright citrus nose, encouraging big, round, soft flavors in the mouth.  The finish is appealing and long with a slight touch of ginger.  Larkin shares her struggles with both Lupus and mental health diagnoses and the value of having a celebrity like Selena Gomez through her recent documentary validate the fears and frustrations that go along with medical issues that aren’t always “visible.”  Momster communicates what the Mayo Clinic says about Lupus including the links between Lupus and depression/anxiety as well as ongoing research into how autoimmune issues like Lupus affect the brain’s ability to regulate emotions.  Together they share the impact Lupus and Larkin’s mental health have had on their relationship. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/symptoms-causes/syc-20365789https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selena_Gomez:_My_Mind_%26_Me

Send us a textFeaturing:   Cantaora Cava  -  lemon and cidery aromas are solid and draw you in!  The palate has a fresh, clean feel and lively, tangy flavors of citrus, green fruits, and green herbs .Zesty, a bit lemony, and balanced on the finish. Today’s episode offers a lively discussion into the importance of “magic” in our everyday lives. Momster shares some history about how magic evolved across the centuries (from one of the first references in 2700 BC to our current use of “magic” in describing things that delight and inspire us), is sometimes connected to the occult, and how women who were healers or intuitives over the centuries were accused of using magic… and punished for it. Lark shares how magic can be found in the simple things like nature, spending quality time with those we love, and/or watching our fur babies grow. We hope our listeners will share what makes their days more magical! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_magichttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Discoverie_of_Witchcraft

Send us a textFeaturing: Misfits and Mavens Pinot Noir  -  light ruby in color with vivid pops of strawberry, raspberry, and vanilla notes. It’s a medium bodies and juicy combination of red fruits laced with hints of clove, spice, and tobacco. Have you ever had a gut feeling you didn’t follow… or one you did?  Today’s episode Larkin shares the recent consequences of not listening to her gut and touches on the importance of differentiating between our gut feelings and anxiety, along with how biology factors into our intuition. We share information about how overthinking can be a deterrent to listening to our intuition, suggestions on how to tap into it, along with actual experiences our listeners shared. Links to articles:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/melodywilding/2023/12/05/how-to-stop-overthinking-and-start-trusting-your-gut/https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/yvonne-castaneda-msw-licsw

Send us a textFeaturing: Snoop Dog’s 19 Crimes Cali Gold  -  floral and citrus aromas, subtle nuttiness, and toast, the flavors are round and rich with tropical fruit, lemon, and green apples, all coming to a long, crisp, citrus finish. This episode is totally unscripted because IT HAD BEEN A WEEK!!  Larkin shares how new opportunities don’t always turn out the way we expect them to, the value of being specific about what you manifest, the challenges of adulting (continued), and why it’s important to own our mistakes. There’s a discussion about Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice highlighting the importance of mother/daughter relationships… the struggles and the beauty that comes from sharing our feelings and being true to ourselves. There’s also a conversation about the difference between “specific” and “pacific” in articulation and manifesting.

Send us a textFeaturing: Longevity Blanc de Blanc, Methodé Champinoise  -  it’s a lifestyle all about loving what you live and living what you love; it’s about the experience and living, loving, sharing the experience with others. Grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness with low sugar and high acid and the nose detests yeasty bread, along with green apples and crisp citrus notes through the many tiny bubbles. Body image is a struggle for many and this episode touches on the intergenerational messages that can impact children’s self awareness around their bodies.  Lark and her Momster delve into their own histories with body image, negative comments, peer comments, and the research that demonstrates just how unhealthy this messaging can be even for children as young as 2 years old.  Momster shared about a CNN video featuring a fashion historian discussing how mannequins shapes morph to meet cultural and fashion norms and research that emphasizes the importance of parents focusing health rather than body size.  Links to the video and research are in the show notes. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/parenting/body-image-issues-in-children-and-teens/https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/articles/body-image-report-executive-summary/body-image-childhoodhttps://www.cnn.com/2024/08/21/style/video/mannequin-body-image-evolution-digvid

Send us a textFeaturing: Pacific Rim Sweet Reisling  -  not shy around spice and dares you to bring on the heat with its aromas of honeysuckle and shite flowers, juicy peach, and pineapple flavors along with refreshing acidity.  Plus it has a really cool label! Traveling together regardless of the type of relationship offers a shift away from the typical and revitalizes us as individuals and in our relationships (Psychology Today). This ideas comes from the “self-expansion” theory which suggests people ae innately motivated to grow, and we grow through new skills, ideas, and perspectives, as well as through meeting new people. It’s all about the quality of the experience.  Lark and her Momster discuss how traveling together in the past and today create/d lifelong and often hysterical memories that help them maintain a positive mother/daughter experience.

Send us a textWriting LegiblyGenerational differences in writing reflect where our countries priorities lie.  Increases in technology are creating a lack of penmanship (it’s real folks)… prior to the 20th Century, everyone used a more floral writing style (Spencerian) and after the 1900’s people embraced the Palmer method which used smaller, more concise cursive style.  Today cursive isn’t even taught in schools!Featuring: Wines of the San Juan, Girls are Meaner… sent to us by a listener! Pays homage to the perseverance and passion the women in our lives show us each day – exotically fruity, a little spicy, and a whole lot of sweetness (just like us!)

Send us a textAdultingA lengthy discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges related to evolving into adulthood and what we wish we knew before it happens (81% of college grads wish they’d learned more life skills before graduation).  Topics include Budgeting (Help!), Health Insurance (It’s so expensive), Cooking (or not), and Developing Interpersonal Skills (like having difficult conversations with student loan reps!)Featuring: Bread & Butter Prosecco -a product of Italy, near Venice, this shimmering, delicately fruity sparkler has floral and citrus aromas followed by likely yet soft notes of ripe apple, pear, and white peach balanced with refreshing acidity

Send us a textMiddle School Melo”trauma”For many girls, middle school relationships are fraught with bullying and cliques creating both melodrama and long term trauma during critical developmental years. Lark & her Momster discuss the long term impact these experiences can have on young women. This episode we’re featuring Leitz’ Eins Zwei Zero Sparkling Rose, a nonalcoholic sparkler that exudes cool, red fruits and lean minerality with notes of rose hips and sky berries.

Send us a textEvery daughter needs a dad or dad figure in their lives… this episode touches on how not having that important relationship can impact girls’ self-images and later relationships. Today’s episode is featuring Love Noir, a Pinot Noir with robust, jammy flavors of dark cherry and expresso spark intensity and intrigue and lead to a smooth, balanced finish with soft hints of vanilla and toasted oak.

Send us a textSingle parenting ain't easy, so in this episode we will discuss the Momster's struggles and joys of raising a child as a single mom and how the Lark felt being raised by a single mom. This will be a discussion delving into the challenges of single parenting along with how single parents can help their children thrive… it also touches on how nature vs nurture impacts children’s development.Our wine today is Indigenous Prosecco which has a nicely evolving creaminess with notes of candied apple and white peach elegantly balanced with a crisp minerality.

Send us a textWelcome to A Lark and Her Momster!The Teaser Trailer.. The beginning where we don't really know what we are doing or how we are doing it... but we are doing it!We are excited to share the ins and outs, the ups and downs of mother/ daughter relationships and what you can expect from future episodes!Come share a glass of vino with us, laugh with us and we hope you enjoy the show!