In the forty-third episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Emily, a mother of two, perinatal therapist, and coauthor of the upcoming guided reflective journal 'Your NICU Story.'
In this conversation, Emily shares her personal and professional experiences with motherhood, chronic illness, and neurodivergence, offering a deeply honest look at what it means to care for yourself while caring for others. It’s a grounding and insightful discussion that I'm sure will resonate with so many listeners.
Texts mentioned in this episode
Podcasts:
Mom and Mind with Dr Kat
Books:
In the forty-second episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Mahaley, therapist, co-author of 'Your NICU Story', and mother of four. She shares the loss of her second daughter, Sacchi, and talks about how it shaped her subsequent birth and surrogacy journey, and what it means to parent while living with grief and fear.
We talk about the ongoing balance of honouring loss without letting it overshadow the lives of her living children - and how she works to give them a full, joyful childhood while carrying such profound grief.
Texts mentioned in this episode:
In this special episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by two deeply compassionate and knowledgeable guests, Ali Heppell and Bronte Taylor.
Ali is a mother of two, a postpartum doula, matrescence educator, motherhood studies practitioner, and women’s circle facilitator. Her work centres around helping mothers reconnect with their stories, their needs, and their sense of self in the postpartum space.
Bronte is a mother of one, an accredited mental health social worker, a motherhood studies practitioner, and a skilled EMDR and Schema therapist. She also facilitates group work supporting mothers in their healing journeys.
Together, Ali and Bronte bring a unique, trauma-informed approach that weaves together the mind, body, and heart. They support mothers in making sense of their birth experiences, understanding how those moments shape identity and relationships, and navigating the emotional and physical imprints of trauma.
In this conversation, we explore what birth trauma really is and how it can show up in ways that are often missed or misunderstood. We also talk about the cultural silence around maternal pain, what true healing can look like, and how we can better support mothers - not just in crisis, but in their everyday lives.
Whether you’re a mother, a birth worker, or someone who simply wants to understand these conversations more deeply, this episode offers insight, compassion, and, above all, a sense of permission to honour what’s real.
You can find Ali and Bronte on Instagram:
@aliheppell_mothercare @bronte_heartfelttherapy
In this special episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Emily Souder and Mahaley Patel - therapists, authors, and mothers - who have both lived and worked through the complexities of NICU experiences in deeply personal ways.
Their upcoming book, 'Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience', is more than a guide - it's a compassionate companion for families navigating the aftermath of a NICU stay.
In this episode, we explore the emotional layers of NICU trauma, grief, healing, and what it means to hold space for conflicting emotions like gratitude and heartbreak. We also talk about the unique journeys of birthing parents, the often-overlooked experiences of partners, and how writing about trauma became a shared path to healing.
Whether you’ve walked a NICU journey yourself, supported someone who has, or want to better understand what families truly need - this conversation is for you.
You can find Emily & Mahaley on Instagram:
@emily.souder.lscwc @mahaleypatel
You can find updates about 'Your NICU Story' at www.yournicustorybook.com
In the thirty-ninth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Haley, as she shares about her experience with the isolation of postpartum during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing effort of staying true to her values as a new mother, and the importance of speaking honestly about both the highs and lows of motherhood.
Sources mentioned in this episode:
Whole Body Pregnancy
Life After Birth with Yara Heary
Terra de mama
The Breastfeeding Mentor
Birth Resources
The Bradley Method
Books
‘Good Inside’ by Dr Becky Kennedy
‘The Whole Brain Child’ by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
‘The Gardener and the Carpenter’ by Alison Gopnik
In the thirty-eighth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Ariane Beeston - a postpartum psychosis survivor, perinatal mental health advocate, trained psychologist, and author of the powerful memoir, 'Because I’m Not Myself, You See: A Memoir of Motherhood, Madness, and Coming Back From the Brink.'
We talk about the unraveling and the rebuilding. The silence surrounding maternal mental illness. And how writing her memoir became part of the healing process - not just for her, but for the countless women who see themselves reflected in her story.
This is a conversation about vulnerability, strength, and what it really means to come back from the brink.
Sources mentioned in this episode
'Because I’m Not Myself, You See: A Memoir of Motherhood, Madness, and Coming Back From the Brink' by Ariane Beeston
COPE - Centre of Perinatal Excellence
https://www.cope.org.au/
Perinatal Stories Australia podcast
https://www.perinatalstoriesaustralia.com/
Karen Kleiman & The Postpartum Stress Centre
https://www.postpartumstress.com/about/media
In the thirty-seventh episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Madeline, a mother of two, cosplayer, gamer, and passionate math teacher.
We talk about the highs and lows of navigating motherhood while honouring your own needs and passions, and the best ways we can show up for our children and ourselves.
This is an honest, affirming conversation about identity, self-acceptance, and finding joy in the little things.
Sources mentioned in this episode
TikTok: @domesticblisters
Instagram:
@biglittlefeelings
@responsive_parenting
Facebook:
Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids
In the thirty-sixth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Jess, a mum of 3 who shares with real honesty about the emotional journey of her marriage breakdown and what it taught her about identity and resilience; The often-overlooked challenge of rediscovering yourself after becoming a mother, and how reconnecting with your interests, no matter your age or life stage, can be a powerful path back to yourself.
This is a conversation about letting go, starting over, and finding freedom in self-discovery. Jess’s openness is not only comforting but incredibly empowering.
In the thirty-fifth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Polly, who shares with us her journey navigating the complexities of IVF, the power of finding a supportive community in motherhood, and the ongoing practice of self-acceptance.
In the thirty-fourth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Alyce, who shares openly and thoughtfully about becoming a young mum, navigating the challenges of postnatal anxiety and seeking support, and working through the complexities of body image after birth.
In the 33rd episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Yara, psychologist and host of the podcast Life After Birth with Yara Heary. We discuss the nexus between her work and her mothering, covering topics like reparenting, overcoming the perfect mother myth, the importance of self-compassion, and practical tools like breath-work to help support your mental health and nervous system. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about healing, motherhood, and finding your confidence along the way.
You can find Yara here:
@lifeafterbirthpsychology
https://www.lifeafterbirth.com.au/
In the thirty-second episode of The Motherwhelm, Rachel shares how making a tree change has transformed her experience of parenthood, the challenges of staying politically engaged while raising children, and what activism looks like through the lens of motherhood.
Rachel shares her power VBAC journey on the Australian VBAC Stories podcast in Episode 8.
In the thirty-first episode of The Motherwhelm, Adelle shares her journey of healing and empowerment after a traumatic birth. She opens up about her HBAC experience, the role of reparenting, self-work, and EMDR therapy in her recovery, and how perinatal counselling helped her find self-acceptance. This powerful conversation explores the strength it takes to reclaim your birth story.
In the thirtieth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Natalie, a hypnobirth instructor and mum of two, who shares the profound impact hypnobirthing has had on her life. From transforming her labour experiences to enabling her breastfeeding journey, work, and even managing her own emotions when her children are experiencing big feelings, Natalie’s insights are invaluable. This conversation is a powerful reminder that a woman’s birthing experience extends far beyond the birthing room.
Texts mentioned in the episode:
@evidencebasedbirth
@thegreatbirthrebellion
You can find Nat for hypnobirth courses, birth debrief, circle for pregnancy loss:
@preparedtobirth
https://www.preparedtobirth.com/
In the twenty-ninth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Jane, an occupational therapist and mum of two from Melbourne, who talks about the power of reframing trauma on your own terms, doing your research for birth and beyond, and trusting your instincts.
Texts mentioned in this episode:
'Mama Rising' by Amy Taylor-Kabbaz
In the twenty-eighth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Kaylee, a mum of three from WA, who shares her first two birth stories on her journey to VBAC, the shock and isolation of parenting through a pandemic as a young first-time mum, and how meeting the right person can change your whole perspective on parenthood.
Texts mentioned in this episode:
Podcasts:
The Great Birth Rebellion
The Midwives Cauldron
Australian VBAC Stories
VBAC Birth Stories
VBAC Home Birth Stories
The Renegade Mama
The Birth Realm
Books:
'Birth After Caesarean' by Hazel Keedle
'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth' by Ina May Gaskin
'Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage' by Dr Rachel Reed
'Home Birth on Your Own Terms' by Heather Baker
'Plus Size Pregnancy' by Sara Wickham
Instagram:
@wombtobloomdoula
In the twenty-seventh episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Madeline, a counsellor for millennial women and mum of one from Melbourne. She shares how her journey into motherhood challenged her people-pleasing tendencies and opened up a wellspring of creativity, allowing her to embrace her passions in ways she never thought possible.
Texts mention in this episode:
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma & Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model Paperback by Richard Schwartz
In the twenty-sixth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Grace, a mum-of-two living in New Zealand, who shares her experience of birthing during a pandemic far from home and family, the tumultuous transition from one to two, and mothering as a counter-cultural act of rebellion.
In the 25th episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Kim, who shares openly and vulnerably about conceiving through IVF, the challenges of postpartum depression and accessing adequate support, and what it has meant to seek an autism diagnosis for her daughter.
Perinatal Mental Health Resources:
Parent and Baby Unit:
https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/ParentBaby.html
@gidgetfoundation
https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/
@pandanational
https://panda.org.au/
@lifelineaustralia
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
https://www.lifeline.org.au/
In the twenty-fourth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Adele, a mum of three, who shares her experience of becoming a mum at 19, escaping domestic violence, surviving a near-fatal car accident, and living with an active cancer diagnosis. Adele shares her story with grace, humility, and an incredible spirit of self-reflection. She views moments that would bring others to their knees as opportunities for growth, and I believe there is so much we can all learn from her philosophy.
Texts mentioned in this episode:
Podcasts:
Armchair Expert
Books: