Episode 19: On being an empowered single mom with Danielle Corrales

Today I chat with Danielle Corrales. Danielle is single mom to one 4 year old boy, Joah and works full time in mortgage banking.  Danielle found the podcast via the social media grapevine and reached out to me to be on the show (which yay - please keep doing that!) And I'm so glad she did.  Not only is her story unique, but she's local here in Sacramento where I'm based and we've even been able to meet up in person for a playdate since the recording.  

In the episode we talk about what it was like for her to go through pregnancy and postpartum as a single mom, how going to school full-time and caring for Joah actually turned out to be 'the best of both worlds, and how amazing it sometimes can be when you get to create an unconventional family for your kiddo.  Danielle shares how even though her birth didn't go to her "plan" she still felt empowered and educated.  She wants to stress to new moms that every baby is unique and every mama is unique and every story is unique.  Things we all need to remember!

We also mentioned the super helpful Happiest Baby on the Block book and DVD.

Enjoy!

As always, you can download the episode on iTunes here and stream it directly here

While you’re on iTunes, I hope you consider rating and reviewing the show so that we can reach more moms! It only takes a couple minutes and it really helps out the show.

Ready to share YOUR story? The Postpartum Year: Tales From the Trenches in the First Year of Motherhood anthology is accepting submissions now! 

Episode 18: The Importance of Owning and Sharing our Stories with Katie Clemons of Gadanke

Today I got to interview Katie Clemons, creator of Gadanke and blogger at Making This Home. In this episode we talked about how Katie was inspired by her 90-year-old grandma and Story Corps to start her journaling and writing prompt business Gadanke.  She has a fantastic pregnancy journaling course and she explains how that came to be. 

We also talk about how even though storytelling is her business, she struggled with sharing her own positive birth story for fear of what others with difficult births would think.  She shares her experience of giving birth around the same time that she lost both of her grandmothers and how that affected postpartum for her, and finally how it was to give a TedX talk at 7 months pregnant.

Katie is such a wonderful soul, I am sure you will be encouraged by her stories!

You can find Katie’s TedX Talk here.  

You can learn more about Katie's journal company Gadanke here. 

Be sure to check out her pregnancy journaling course, also!

You can find Katie's blog Making This Home here.

You can find here on Twitter and Instagram.

As always, you can download the episode on iTunes here and stream it directly here.

While you’re on iTunes, I hope you consider rating and reviewing the show so that we can reach more moms! It only takes a couple minutes and it really helps out the show.

Ready to share YOUR story? The Postpartum Year: Tales From the Trenches in the First Year of Motherhood anthology is accepting submissions now! 

Episode 17: "Honor What Each Moment Needs" with Lindsey Taylor of Taylor Made Doulas

This week I chat with Lindsey Taylor, the owner of the doula agency Taylor Made Doulas. Lindsey is a full spectrum birth and postpartum doula and mom of 4.  In this episode we talk about the mom/life balance, how she started a business during her 4th child's postpartum year and how that experience compared to that of her first child when she was just 18 years old.

We also talk about the importance of prenatal childbirth education and postpartum support and how we need to be real with one another about the whole picture when it comes to breastfeeding, not just the social media worthy moments. 

You can find out more about Lindsey and her doula agency here. 

The postpartum depression documentary we mentioned is Dark Side of the Full Moon. 

As always, you can download the episode on iTunes here and stream it directly here.

While you’re on iTunes, I hope you consider rating and reviewing the show so that we can reach more moms!

Don't forget - The Postpartum Year: Tales From the Trenches in the First Year of Motherhood anthology is accepting submissions now! More info at www.postpartumyear.com

Mini Episode: The Postpartum Year Anthology

Listen to today's episode for a special announcement!  The Postpartum Podcast is being turned into a book!  More info at www.postpartumyear.com! 

The Postpartum Year: Tales from the Trenches in the First Year of Motherhood.

Listen to the announcement here.

Episode 16: “No matter how you’re feeling, it’s normal” with Rachel Rambach of Guitars and Granola Bars

Today I chat with the lovely, jack of many trades Rachel Rambach. She is a board certified music therapist, singer, songwriter, educator, blogger, podcaster and now – a mom of TWO!  Her daughter, Mia, was born at the end of May after we recorded this podcast.

We chat about:

·      The unique challenges of maternity leave when you work for yourself and own a business, and working as a music therapist in the afternoons.

·      Sleep Deprivation

·      Dealing with an incredibly quick first labor and how that shaped her view and expectations for her second labor

·      What a music therapist does. (So cool!)

·      How pregnancy is different the second time around with a toddler running around

·      And a whole lot more!

It was so wonderful talking with Rachel – if you want to learn more about her, check out her podcast, Guitars & Granola Bars, her Blog, and her private music therapy practice.  You can also find her on Instagram and Twitter. 

As always, you can download the episode on iTunes here and stream it directly here.

While you’re on iTunes, I hope you consider rating and reviewing the show so that we can reach more moms!

Look for a SPECIAL Mini-Episode next week with an exciting announcement! 

Happy August!

Episode 15: “Community, Not Comparison” with Anne Dimond of Bella Materna Designer Maternity

Today's episode was an incredibly informative and helpful episode! I chat with Anne Dimond who is a co-creator of Bella Materna. Whoever said there was no such thing as a pretty nursing bra never has bought from Bella Materna. Their maternity wear and bras are beautiful and very well made. (I think I need to buy several more of their anytime tanks - they are SO comfy.)  

We chat about so many different things, her experience with pre-term bedrest, MRSA on her breasts, the importance of wearing comfortable clothes during labor and negotiating parenting roles with your partner ahead of time. 

And especially important since it's Anne's expertise, we talk about nursing bras, bra sizing during your pregnancy, postpartum and later breastfeeding periods. Important stuff! 

I learned so much during this episode and I know you will too. Anne has also graciously offered podcast listeners 20% your purchase at Bella Materna now until September 1st with the code PostpartumPodcast.

You can find Bella Materna online here.

You can also find and follow them on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

As always, you can subscribe to the podcast, download the episode on iTunes here. You can stream it directly here.

While you’re on iTunes, I hope you consider rating and reviewing the show so that we can reach more moms!

Thank you!

Episode 14: Iliacus Muscles, Tongue Ties and PPD with Sara Hery

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This week I talk with Sara Hery. Sara is an internationally certified childbirth educator and has been a practicing birth doula since 2005. She is also working towards becoming a certified nurse midwife and is a mom of 2. Sara's story is such a wonderful example of pushing through the adversity that new moms often face.  We talk about her experience with a home birth transfer and tongue tie with her first, and a torn iliacus muscle that led to postpartum depression with her second and how Bowen therapy helped her recover. Her experience is inspiring and I hope it helps other moms realize that you can come out on the other side of these experiences, or similar ones, stronger.  Enjoy!

You can find out more about Sara, her classes and the BBB Cafe here.

Some other resources for postpartum support that we also mentioned include La Leche League, Postpartum Support International, Doula Match, DONA and CAPPA. 

As always, you can download the episode on iTunes here and stream it directly here.

While you’re on iTunes, I hope you consider rating and reviewing the show so that we can reach more moms!

Thank you!

Episode 13: The importance of thinking ahead to postpartum with Heather Ash of Happiness Mama

Today I chat with Heather Ash of the blog Happiness Mama.  Heather is mom to two little girls and step mom to one boy.  In this episode we chat about the importance of remembering to think about postpartum while you are pregnant, postpartum depression and anxiety awareness, and the beauty of lactation consultant home visits. 

Heather was also generous enough to offer podcast listeners her postpartum bliss list - which is 10 conversations to have before (or after) baby comes and her favorite baby and toddler sleep tools and resources. Make sure you go here to get yours! 

You can find Heather at her blog Happiness Mama

And on Twitter here. 

As always, you can download the episode on iTunes here and stream it directly here.

While you’re on iTunes, I hope you consider rating and reviewing the show so that we can reach more moms!

Thanks for listening!

Episode 12: “Be the YOU that you want your kids to become.” with Lisa Druxman

                                                          Lisa's Weekly Podcast

This week I’m so excited to be chatting with Lisa Druxman!  Lisa is the creator of the incredibly popular Fit4Mom exercise program, which includes Fit 4 Baby, Stroller Strides and their newer Body Back program.  Lisa also created the Motivating Mom Podcast, which I love, to give moms ‘the strength for motherhood.”  In this episode we talk a lot about fitness and health because that’s her specialty, and we also talk about taking time for ourselves as moms.  She has so many wise words and practical advice, and I love what she says about thinking about ‘How do we want this chapter of our stories to read?” New motherhood is such a short flicker in the span of a life, so I think that’s a perfect way to think about it! Enjoy!

To learn more about Lisa’s podcast, check out the Motivating Mom Podcast.

To learn more about Fit4Mom and to find a class in your area, go here.

As always, you can download the episode on iTunes here, or stream it here.

While you’re on iTunes, I hope you consider rating and reviewing the show so that we can reach more moms!

Thanks for listening!