Reintroducing Claire: Goals, Grit, And Growth In 2026

Creative and personal development conversation in Columbia, MD.

Listen to season 2, episode 2 of the MomTalk Maryland podcast, β€œReintroducing Claire: Goals, Grit, And Growth In 2026.”

MOMTALK MARYLAND | SEASON 2, EPISODE 2

New year energy doesn’t have to feel like a sprint. Claire opens the studio for a candid reset: a quick reintroduction, the origin story of Columbia Mom, and a practical path to growth that skips brittle resolutions in favor of steady, quartered goals. It’s a warm, real start to 2026 that blends creative work, parenting, and personal mental health practices without pretending any of it is neat.

We dig into why the podcast exists at allβ€”born late in the COVID era as a way to rebuild local connectionβ€”and how an β€œoutlet” became a purpose. Claire shares how she protects her creative zone from email rabbit holes, why therapy, lifting, and winter walks are non-negotiables, and how she balances a Type B plus brain with the structure needed to ship consistently. The theme that ties it together is simple and honest: fear rarely disappears, so we name it, and we move anyway.

You’ll hear a small family story with big meaning, a framework for setting annual themes and quarterly priorities, and the difference between white-knuckling through survival and choosing courageous action with intention. If 2025 felt heavy for your work, your family, or your wallet, this conversation offers a kinder blueprint for 2026: protect one health rhythm, block time for creation, fence admin into tight windows, and plan the quarter. No perfection, just momentum.

If you’re craving a more grounded way to step into 2026β€”one that makes room for fear and forward motionβ€”this conversation will meet you right where you are.

Follow along with me beyond the episode πŸŽ§πŸ“–βœ¨ for things to do in Maryland, local favorites, and life in between πŸ’›

πŸ“Έ Instagram: the.columbiamom

✍️ Blog: thecolumbiamdmom.com/blog

πŸ“˜ Facebook: Facebook

πŸ’Ό LinkedIn: Claire Duarte

πŸ“Œ Pinterest: The Columbia MD Mom

πŸŽ₯ YouTube: @TheColumbiaMDMom

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πŸŽ™οΈ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland β€” where community, connection, and conversation collide!

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πŸ“² Follow along on Instagram: @the.columbiamom

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Finding Our Way: A Mom’s Journey Through Therapy, School Choices, and a Breakthrough at Brain Balance

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Layers and Lessons: From Duck Duck Goose to Reinvention