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