The Happy Mama Movement with Amy Taylor-Kabbaz

What happens when we fell like we are powerless and don't have a choice? Do we carry on regardless, or aim to find peace while committing to presence?The conversation between Amy Taylor-Kabbaz and Bronnie Ware is enticing, captivating and has the ability to shift your perspective moving forward. Listen as they discuss:learning to be grateful for freedoms you are given, and how acceptance alongside chronic disease can heal and offer a different appreciation in lifeletting go of control and trusting in the big picturehow happiness is in the knowncommitting to presence, dreaming and understanding the power of being in the moment.The dynamic between Amy and Bronnie is one which reconnects, inspires and portrays exactly why conversations like this are needed in order to grow and develop in todays world. For more information about Bronnie please visit her website https://bronnieware.com/.The song, Turn Off The News And Build A Garden by Melanie Horsnell (mentioned in this episode) is also available at https://youtu.be/7UgETOLrw5IThere needs to be a change in the way mothers are valued and seen in our society. We are here to spread the whispers of Matrescence together.Find out more and receive your Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Happy Mama Movement Podcast is back for 2022. And while many aspects of our lives are similar to last year, there are many parts which are still not quite the same.This episode extends on the thoughts of the last two years, checking in to see if, you too, are holding your breath, waiting to feel normal again.The transformation we have received, the grief we have endured, it has changed the conversations we have had, changed us forever.I invite you to acknowledge our journey, together and how our new normals can be celebrated in small ways together.Within this conversations we change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society and spread the whispers of Matrescence together.Find out more and receive your Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are many aspects of Motherhood that crack us right open. Some more expected than others. When Amy Taylor-Kabbaz became a single mother last year, it wasn't the plan. You hope, assume you are bound stronger, and it can feel like a societal failure to admit that it just isn't working anymore. Although incredibly hard, it is also a empowering and enlightening experience to redefine ourselves through this time.Listen as Jacinta and Amy discuss:Single motherhood and how it alters, differs and reshapes your identity.Grieving the loss of dreams, hopes and desires for both ourselves and our children.Social exclusion and lonliness, while also finding great satisfaction in opening up conversations and bonds.What communal, societal care looks like for single mothers.This episode is not only for Single Mamas. It is insightful, acknowledging and only highlights the importance of Matresence for mothers far and beyond. Jacinta Tynan is a former news presenter, Sunday Life columnist and mother of two young boys. She's the author of several books and is regarded as a commentator on life, love and motherhood. Jacinta is the patron of The Warrior Woman Foundation and an ambassador for Raise Foundation and Monkey Baa Kids Theatre. Find out more about her book The Single Mother's Social Club below:https://www.murdochbooks.com.au/browse/books/health-fitness/health-fitness-1/The-Single-Mothers-Social-Club-Jacinta-Tynan-9781922351210Within this conversations we change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society and spread the whispers of Matrescence together.Find out more and receive your Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Solo episode Amy talks straight from the heart. It's raw, honest, up front and comforting to hear that we are indeed not alone in our Matresence journey.Amy touches on:The Mask of Motherhood, including how it can perpetrate a similar pattern and story if pretend that we've got it all together.Acknowledging post pandemic depletion and the cracking open of that and how it impacts us within Motherhood (and beyond).That micro-moments such as one good night sleep, a babysitter for a few hours, a long hot shower does not mean we're 'fixed' and magically okay.Industrialisation and busy-ness, what that means and redefining success.Allowing ourselves to not be okay is critical in our journey within Womanhood and makes the larger moments smoother and easier too. To find out more about the Mask of Motherhood and Susan Maushart as mentioned in this episode you can visit https://www.susanmaushart.com/.Within this conversations we change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society and spread the whispers of Matrescence together.Find out more and receive your Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes there are conversations which surprise you, fascinate and delight you and that send you a bit sideways in how they relate to your very own journey. The conversation between Amy and Anna McKie is exactly that. This is a conversation which allows tears, laughter, intrigue, lots of wow moments and a memorable and inspirational experience.Listen as Anna, a surrogate in Adelaide Australia, speak about:Giving back as a surrogate and what that means for the entire journey, including the 4th trimester, PND, friendships and beyond.Surrogacy laws and permissions within Australia.How it takes a village to make and raise a child and all the different variations of becoming a parent.The sheer enormity of surrogacy and all that it involves.Prepare to be touched, with a memorable and profound conversation which is an important part of the entirety that involves Motherhood and all she brings.To find out more about Anna please visit https://surrogacysafari.com/author/surrogacysafari/ and SASS https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/As always, thank you for being part of this conversation. You presence and impact is changing the way mothers are valued and seen in our society and helps spread the whispers of Matrescence together.Find out more and receive the Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Amy Taylor-Kabbaz as she talks intimately to one of her long time friends about how the body keeps the score and trauma that shows up and often rises in Motherhood, especially in the 4th Trimester and beyond.Claire lives and breathes her very mission. Living a life in alignment, inner attunement and embodied transformation through simple, powerful, potent tools coupled with my wisdom-filled guidance. Join us in conversation about:Her own definition and embodied way of surrendering and life events that allow us to surrender in a way unlike any other.Emergency cycles as a natural way of handling trauma and how support for individuals to process trauma has been somewhat falsified in order to release properly.Flashbacks and judgements from the past and how that presents itself post-partum.Irritation as a sign of invitation, that there’s something still in your body that needs to be processed.The spaciousness to share, absorb and discover within this conversation demonstrates a dynamic between Claire and Amy that feels like coming home. You are left wanting to know more - yet feeling like you’ve just heard all you need in this very moment.Please connect further with Claire to enjoy more of what was shared today:https://claireobeid.com/https://www.instagram.com/claireobeid_/We can change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society by having profound conversations and spreading the whispers of Matrescence together.Find out more and receive the Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For a lot of my motherhood journey I don't think I came to a deep understanding of how much our lives change and the benefit of trying not to make my life fit into doing, getting and being 'better'.In this conversation I touch on:taking stock of where you are and seeing that, quite often, it's two steps back before it's three steps forward.The gift that comes from reflection and the core of who we are.Octopuses and divine goddesses, being steady to our core and supporting those around us.Realigning the parts of you, acknowledging the journey in its full form.Enjoy this conversation and all that it offers so we can create amazing relationships, bonds and change the way we shape our future.We can change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society by having profound conversations and spreading the whispers of Matrescence together.Find out more and receive the Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest today presents a real, raw, honest conversation about how, when we enter Motherhood and especially the 4th trimester, the triggers can come right up and be one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to mothering.You will hear:how our children are our mirrors and how sitting with ourselves and looking within provides great insight.working together on ourselves as partners and the impact that can have on relationships within and around.the last straw, learned behaviours and getting wrapped up into victimhood.becoming compassionate with ourselves when triggered and tools, techniques and practices on how to get there.Enjoy this conversation and all that it offers so we can create amazing relationships, bonds and change the world with our children and our partners.To find out more about Susy, download her free meditation and find out about her book I invite you to visit her website https://susyohare.com/We can change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society by having profound conversations and spreading the whispers of Matrescence together.Find out more and receive the Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You are about to meet one of my favourite people, Gladys Kangau. She was the successful recipient of Mama Rising scholarship and you will hear why spread throughout this conversation. Gladys is changing the world and reminds me every single day of what is possible in this world.We touch on:the misalignment of postpartum depression and matresence in the 4th trimester, when we know deep down it's something more than just the label society gives it.how being the backbone of the family can sacrifice and undervalue mothers.how villages are changing within African communities and the huge responsibilities that come alongside that.the need to belong, self-care and feel at home, no matter where we are in the world.and much, much more.I would love you to join me and show your support for Gladys by following her on Instagram motherhood_unscripted https://www.instagram.com/motherhood_unscripted/You can also find out more about the forgotten transition (as mentioned at the end of this episode) via my website https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/forgotten-transition/We can change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society by having profound conversations and spreading the whispers of Matrescence together. Thank you so much for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Often you meet a soul that seems to talk directly to you, deepen your understanding and question life itself. For me, Sarah Durham Wilson ticks all those boxes.This conversation could have easily lasted for hours. We chatted about:the way in which we are approaching motherhood and feeling lost in how to truly acknowledge a woman's right of passage throughout her life.the passage from wounded maiden into maturity and the expectations society places on this process.the difference between having a mother and being mothered, how many women are not equipped with the tools and support to do so.listening to what works for you, self-actualisation You can find out more about Sarah via her instagram here https://www.instagram.com/sarahofmagdalene/ and pre-order her book, Maiden to Mother here https://www.amazon.com/Maiden-Mother-Unlocking-Archetypal-Feminine/dp/1683647025/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=maiden+to+mother+sarah+durham+wilson&qid=1634655214&sr=8-1We can change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society by having profound conversations and spreading the whispers of Matrescence together. Thank you so much for listening.Find out more and allow yourself to receive where it all begins, you can find out more at The Birth of You https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/tboy/. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's an unrest I've experienced over years of teaching and sharing in circles for women. Far too often, we've been taught to compete in the world we live in, telling us it's a dog eat dog against another.Join Amy Taylor-Kabbaz for this reflective solo episode as she explores:Holding true space for women in circles and why we are afraid for this level of self-care.How we flip to others over ourselves so easily.Healing in a place where no one is trying to fix you and tell you to move on.We can change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society by having profound conversations and spreading the whispers of Matrescence together. Thank you so much for listening.Find out more and receive the Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes we are uncertain if Motherhood is for us. We are scared of how it will change us, what it will mean when we embark on an ever evolving journey.Join me today as I join with Ash Marian in conversation. Fellow Mamma rising facilitator, friend and all round inspirational being.You will hear:The powerful ripple of a story and how sitting, witnessing a woman transform in her own matrescence journey has the power to shift the world.Thriving in uncertainty and messiness and leaning into the awakening process.Starting a business post-partum through nurturing, impacting and inspiring those around us.Flipping our own self-judgement and suffering into a non-judgmental acceptance and accepting all parts of the process.You can follow the beautiful Ash on Instagram and find out more here https://www.instagram.com/_ashbonner_/We can change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society by having profound conversations and spreading the whispers of Matrescence together.Find out more and receive the Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mental wellbeing for the mother in the 4th trimester continues to be an area which needs a lot more work and attention as we explore matresence in all its glory. Just like physical health, mental health needs tending to and the sooner we realise this, the better life will become; breeding greater self-awareness and confidence to reach out for help and more support if and when it’s needed. If parents practice this, then children will mirror that and learn more emotional regulation as they grow and healthy practices that they will instinctively use for life.In this episode I join in a deep dive into mental health and it’s impact on Womanhood. Sophie Burch is a perinatal therapist and coach with 15 years working with parents. She’s author, founder and leader of Beyond Birth: Mindful Early Parenting Guide and has lived experience of PTSD, Birth Trauma, Pregnancy Trauma, and PND, and as a result, is on a mission to bridge a gap in mental health support for parents.Join us as we chat about:Her journey from thinking she couldn’t fall pregnant to being a Mamma of four boys (including twins).Busyness and not having enough time. How we can maximise opportunities while meeting the demands of each day.How our heads run away with us and practical understanding of how staying grounded can help feel into this.Simply relearning new ways of being and being okay with that.If you want more details around Sophie’s work you can find her at www.themammacoach.com.We can change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society by having profound conversations and spreading the whispers of Matrescence together. Find out more and receive the Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many, many years we hunt to find out exactly 'what happens to a Woman when she becomes a Mother?'.Listen to this powerful conversation as Amy Taylor-Kabbaz shares a memorable and pivotal moment in coming closer to answering the ongoing question surrounding Motherhood and exploring matrescence and all she has to offer.You will hear:The transition of a Woman when entering into motherhood and post-partum.How the mama tinted glasses and pressures of self-care can put us on hold which can breed resentment and anger.Overcompensation in the 4th trimester and the pressure on ourselves to be back to who we used to be.Acceptance into Womanhood with loving and open arms as an ever evolving revolution of who we are and who we want to be.We can change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society by having profound conversations and spreading the whispers of Matrescence together. Find out more and receive the Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Motherhood changes us. As the generation who were told we could do anything and be anything we want to be, accepting the changes that come with motherhood can be very difficult. Our priorities shift, our definition of success evolves, and we find ourselves questioning our addiction to busy-ness. Who are we now? And can we be the best mamas without completely losing ourselves along the way? The Happy Mama Movement is a collection of interviews and insights with real mamas around the world, reflecting on mindfulness, real connection, and the realities of being a modern day mama. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know how to hustle - we've been doing it most of our lives.We've been taught to push through, suck it up, keep on going. And so we have.We've also seen ourselves do it in motherhood - showing up on little sleep, getting up for the seventeenth time that night, getting through the day on coffee and hope.In my teachings, I call this the 'grit' - the resilience, courage and determination it takes to keep on going when it feels almost impossible.Our world celebrates the 'grit'. We are praised for our strength in the face of adversity, our hustle, our Super Woman status.But living in an endless state of grit is not possible - or healthy. And what does that look like?Grace.In this episode, I reflect on grit and grace, and what I've had to learn about both over the past 12 months. And just how hard it is for us, as women and as mothers, to let go of our attachment to the hustle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all have an anxious mind at times - it's part of the brain's normal function, a way to keep us safe. But what happens when motherhood seems to trigger more than just the usual mama worries?And can our anxiety - and all our struggles for that matter - actually be turned into our super power?Dr Jodi Richardson has had anxiety since she was a small child. In her latest book - Anxious Mums - she shares her own insights into understanding and working with anxiety, as well as how we can transform our anxious mind into our strength.You can read more about her latest book here, and download one of our Mindful Mama Meditation packs here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is it that we as mamas and women struggle to ask for - and receive - help?Even if we have a wonderful partner, and a supportive community around us, many of us find it hard to share the load of motherhood.Why?Yes, it can sometimes be because underneath, we feel we should be doing it on our own.And yes, it can sometimes be because we fear the judgement of asking for help.But there's something else there too, mama.And when we understand that matrescence is the massive transformation of Who We Think We Are, it begins to make sense that our struggles with receiving help is a lot deeper than we think.You can find out more about matrescence, and take the first steps to understanding how you are transforming as a woman, in my short course - The Birth of You. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How we birth matters. Not because of the way our babies enter the world - at home, in surgery, caeserean or water birth - but because the entry into this rite of passage must be empowering for the mother... otherwise, her entry into Matrescence begins with fear. And when you look at the statistics of birth trauma in Australia and the world, this is exactly how many women feel about their births. This interview is with one of the film-makers and creators of the hit new documentary: Birth Time. As a doula and birth photographer, Jerusha Sutton and three colleagues, decided it was time to show what was really happening with birthing in Australia, and how we might change it. This is not a conversation that pits one style of birth with the other. This is not all about home birthing in the most natural way. This is a spotlight on how disconnected we are from the importance of support as a woman becomes a mother. Mama Rising is honoured to be supporting three screenings of Birth Time in Australia in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. If you can attend and support this powerful and important film, grab your tickets here. They will sell out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gather a group of women together, give them language to understand what they've been through, and watch what happens: they heal each other. As women, we're meant to gather together, sharing our stories as well as our solutions. It's part of the rites of passage of women - reflection, discussion, being held. But when we live in a culture that isolates women and pits them against each other, the circles and discussions we need rarely happen. Linda Anderson saw this - as a coach and mama, she saw that the women in her community wanted to come together and talk, learn, heal and support. So she decided to use Mama Rising (Hay House) to start a Book Club, and in the process, discovered a beautiful and empowering way to allow mamas to learn, grow and heal together - just like we always should have been. You can read all about Linda's important work with mamas on her website, and join the next online Book Club here. And if you want to create your own book club in your community, please reach out to Amy on social media and share. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a mama, you are a leader. You set the tone of your family, you lead them through challenges, you hold the vision of who they can be. That is a true leader. But in our current culture of Super Women and Perfectionism, we often think leadership is an 'outside' thing - something we have to build outside of ourselves, a strength we have to find to keep on going no matter what. Omara Evertz is a coach, author and mama. In this episode, she shares what REAL feminine motherhood leadership looks like - and it all starts with an inner understanding of yourself. In this episode, we share practical tools and ideas to begin to explore your leadership as a mother and a woman, how to drop out of the masculine race and instead follow your own body and cycles, how to mother with certainty but still hold unconditional grace, and what true leadership the world needs. You can find more of Omara's work at her website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast episode is a recording of a live workshop I presented and had such a beautiful reaction to, I wanted to share with you all. Just take a look at the comments that came through, and you'll see why:Patrycja: Thank you Amy. This was very reassuring. For a while I felt there was something wrong with the way I felt. Now I know what it is and where to keep searching for more answers.Louise: That was amazing - just that tiny snippet has progressed my thinking and learning around motherhood. Thank you Amy :)Kara: this past year has been an awakening for me and many mother's. I've needed this meeting my entire life. Up at 5am to catch this, no regrets... you spoke to my soul tonight.Diana: The fact I'm on the brink of tears due to how much this resonated with me probably means I'm ready for a change.Maria: Thanks Amy! Knowing about the mandate is so relieving! Your tips & questions after that - OMG, so empowering!!!Kira: I can feel the grief , sadness and heartache rising in me “knowing I get to choose” lots of love for myself and letting go!Rachel: Thank you Amy. Great perspective, lucid insights and an approach that speaks to me.KT: Thank you Amy! made me sob, in a good way. I find it hard to be a modern, happy mother and not pulled back to my mums generational requirements (which were unhealthy!)Courtney: I cried the whole way through this. thank you Amy Emily: I also cried the whole way through. I’m excited that I have the opportunity to make things better for my daughter and my friends and myself now. Thank youSo what is it that I shared that brought so many tears?The Maternal Mandate.And once you hear it explained, you too will feel completely differently about yourself and motherhood.A transformation that starts with pregnancy, and does not 'finish' for as long as you are raising your children.In our current society, and the value we place on motherhood, this transition has been completely ignored, misunderstood and dismissed.Find out more about how you can access tools and techniques via a short 7 day course The Birth of You here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oh the best-intentioned wishes and hopes we hold for our children!It's part of the surrender of motherhood, isn't it?We hope our children will be happy and healthy, but in actual fact, we have a pretty clear idea on what that looks like.And it's no different for ourselves.Have you ever thought that the key to loving your child just as they are, and accepting whatever it is they want to do with their life, begins with loving and accepting yourself?Yes, it sounds obvious - but nothing this week's podcast guest says is obvious.Laurie Gerber is a head coach for the Handel Group - one of the world's leading coaching groups.And she's a mama who's been through a lot of her own inner identity work to come to the place of true surrender and acceptance of herself - and her children.This conversation will have you letting go of the perfectionism you're holding for everyone in your life a little more, and invite you to see:you do you, and let them be them.You can find Laurie right here: http://www.lauriegerber.com/And if you want to dive into the Handel method, get Inner.U LIFE for just $325 with your coupon. (regular price $650).Just put code HAPPYMAMAMOVEMENT into the coupon section of the checkout at: https://bit.ly/3laWxgf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many years ago, I started with self-care. At the time, it was the only way I could see my way out of where I was: deep in mamahood. But it was also the only answer there was. We didn't understand why we felt the way we did as women and mothers. Back then, we thought the answer was a massage or a yoga class or a pedicure. An uninterrupted shower even. And yes, at the time, it was a start. But more than a decade into this deep dive into the transition and rising of motherhood, I know it's time to be so much louder and clearer:this isn't about self-care anymore. 2020 showed us what the world expects from mothers, and it doesn't work. And no massage or pedicure is going to change that. It's time for a complete redefining of what being a mama and a woman really is... one mama at a time. May this episode be your invitation and calling to demand something different this year. And please join us on Sunday 21st February at 8pm AEDT for an insight into how we can do this - right now. Even when we still don't get an uninterrupted shower! https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/redefine-workshop/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I know it's predictable, and easy for everybody to talk about how hard this year has been but there are some important things I want to share with you today.It's been a year of deep challenges for so many of us. Who would have thought that this year would bring a global pandemic that has turned so much of our cultural systems, the way we live the way we even think about our lives, completely upside down.When we are faced with challenges.There is a part of us that steps up and steps forward to do what is needed to be done. I saw this in the bushfires. And I saw this again in lockdown and remote learning.And I know that this is what you have had to lean on this year.This is our masculine energy. And what I mean by that is within each of us there is a masculine and a feminine energy.The masculine energy, when it's healthy and balanced, is our protector. It is focused on the outcomes. It knows it needs to get somewhere and get it done for everybody to be okay. And I feel like 2020 has been the year of us living in that energy, mostly because we had to.This has been a very masculine energy that has been required of us. And it's done a brilliant job.In this episode, I'd like to remind you to pause for a moment and think about what that energy has done for us this year. It has kept us going. It has kept you showing up for your kids. It has kept showing up for all the things that have been asked of you. And my goodness, a lot has been asked of you.But for that masculine energy to step back, for us to stop feeling like we need to keep going, no matter what we need to tell it, it's all good. So let's also be intentional about letting our very tired masculine energy that is it ok now to slow down, to ease up, and to rest.Because you will need it again and for it to stand up and protect you with the required force, it needs to rest. You mama, need to rest.I've also created a very special end of year program for you to help you rest, reset and renew, ready for 2021 - this program is not my usual goal setting program, but a deep and connected coming back to yourself, a return to simple, powerful practices that honour the rites of passage of womanhood. If you'd like to join us you can find the details here - https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/renew/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're told that matrescence is the transformation from Maiden to Mother - but do we really leave the maiden energy behind?Once we're a mother, are we never again able to connect to that young, free, creative side of ourselves?The answer, of course, is no.Of course we must honour and connect with that free and creative side of ourselves, even when we are deep in the role of Mother.In fact, perhaps it is the belief that the Maiden is gone forever that causes us so much grief and sadness?In this powerful podcast episode, spiritual mentor and mama of three Kell Casey speaks with me about the real role of the Maiden, and the importance of bringing her into your life again, even as you navigate motherhood.She talks about the Maiden's powerful role, and how to reconnect to her if you feel you've left that carefree fun side of yourself behind since becoming a mama.You can find out more about Kell's phenomenal work here - https://www.kellcasey.com and if you want to find the free Inner council meditation head over here - https://www.kellcasey.com/innercouncil/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yes, of course you're a mother. And that role affects every single part of your life. But we don't just show up fresh to mamahood, without our own stories, traumas, dreams and hopes. Underneath our role as a mama, we're also a whole woman... and unless we allow the time and space to consider what's underneath the day to day reality of mamahood, we often aren't even aware of how our own stories affect what we do. What if looking 'underneath' motherhood allowed you to see that you're carrying some grief about some parts of your life... and that unspoken and unacknowledged grief was affecting the way you dealt with tantrums or sleep deprivation? In this podcast episode with Rebecca Rylands - counsellor, circle of security practitioner, and women's facilitator - we explore how to honour who you are underneath all that you do each day... and why understanding yourself in this way is the greatest gift you can bring to those around you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So if we accept we're not meant to do this alone, then why don't we ask for more help? If we understand, on a conscious level, that the Motherload and the Third Shift is unfair and unbalanced, then why don't we speak up more often and lean on those around us? This is something I've been contemplating a lot lately. I've needed more help in my own life over the past few months, and I've also been witnessing and observing the women around me struggle to lean on others. And what I've seen is - it's more than just "I should be able to do this myself." There's the worry of your children being seen as difficult; There's the concern that your kids are too much;There's different disciplines and approaches. In other words, the reasons we don't ask for help run deep... and if we're ever going to stop this Superwoman addiction, we're going to have to shine a light on them - which is exactly what I do in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to be a 'good mother?'When we actually pause and ask ourselves that question, it can be scary what answers we here:Always there, always available.Never grumpy or angry.Maybe even, self-sacrificing.This is what we've been told, for many many decades: to be a good mother, we need to be perfect.And even if you don't think you carry that belief, scratch the surface, and you'll be surprised the stories you tell yourself about who you need to be for your children.Dr. Sophie Brock knows all about this. She is not only a Motherhood Studies specialist, she's also a mama herself. She's both dived deep into the research around our expectations on women once they become mothers and lived it herself.In this episode, you will hear insights into why you feel the way you do that will make you cry with relief... and maybe rage with anger. There's a lot here - because there's a lot of unspoken truths about the institute of motherhood.But what Dr. Sophie Brock will show you is... you will fail your children - it's part and parcel of the role. Your children need to see you do that. What's most important is - they see you forgive yourself in the process.Dr. Sophie Brock is a Sociologist who specialises in Motherhood Studies, and a single Mother to her 3-year-old daughter. Her work advocates for the liberation of mothers from the myths of perfect motherhood, bringing academic research on motherhood to the public forum. She offers online education through her membership, courses, and individual mentoring, and hosts The Good Enough Mother podcast. You can connect with her further @drsophiebrock on Facebook/Instagram, or www.drsophiebrock.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matrescence isn't about birthing a child. It is about the whole journey of nurturing and raising children. It is about the way lose ourselves and find new versions of ourselves in and around our role a Mother. And in today''s podcast episode I am sharing with you the amazing story (so far) of an incredible mother of 3, Melissa Christian.Melissa is currently an adoptive mum of 3 beautiful children via inter-country adoption. Now a stay at home mum, she spent her working life as an early childhood educator in the early years sector. She is now looking to support other adoptive mothers who are navigating the journey of motherhood.After recognising post adoption depression and feeling alone in her own journey, Melissa attended therapeutic parenting workshops to better understand her own parenting experiences and recognising the guilt we carry as new mums. From speaking with other adoptive mothers and hearing their experiences, she recognised a real need within the adoption community.Melissa is reaching out to adoptive mothers via her Facebook group Matrescence for Adoptive Mother’s. The strong response has encouraged her to continue to reach out and support the greater adoptive community and creating safe environments for mothers to supported and comfortable opening up.You can find her Facebook Group for Adoptive Mothers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322601425849084/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I should know how to do this" - it's the catch cry of so many mamas as they navigate motherhood. We have grown up with The Maternal Mandate - an assumption that because you are aa woman you should a) want to have a baby, b) find it easy and natural to become pregnant, birth naturally and breastfeed easily, and c) love every minute of it. And it's something every single woman out there has had to contend with at some stage. But if you also happen to have been trained in some form to support babies, mothers or children, this extra pressure of 'should know how to do this' is amplified. Midwives tell themselves birth will be easy; Child educators and carers believe teaching and playing with their children will be natural;Doctors and nurses go into it knowing the physical demands of motherhood, but never expect the personal transformation and questioning. Welcome to matrescence! It's the same for all of us. In this week's podcast episode, I speak with Edwina Sharrock - a mum of two, registered nurse and midwife, who was shocked and ashamed when she unexpectedly developed perinatal anxiety after the birth of her second child. In this episode, we talk candidly about the level of 'shoulds' professional women put on themselves when entering motherhood - no matter what skills and training you have in your pre-baby life - and how our preparation for motherhood needs to be more honest, raw and real if we are to really prepare a woman for the transformation of birth and babies. If you want to talk to someone about your mental health, anxiety or worries since becoming a mama, please contact the Gidget Foundation's Start Talking Telehealth program here https://gidgetfoundation.org.au/get-support/start-talking-telehealth/And you can learn more about Edwina's Birth Beat program here https://birthbeat.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Our greatest suffering comes from our attachment to our fantasies."Annie had wanted to be a mum since she was a little girl. Before she had her children she had a very clear idea of what motherhood was going to look like. But her fantasy was a long way from the reality she experienced.As a mum of three sons, the youngest of which who was born with Down Syndrome and then having to navigate two of her boys getting very unwell in their young years - Annie has had to endure some very tough challenges, way more than most of us has to manage as parents.In this beautifully vulnerable and honest interview, Annie describes her actual journey and how far that deviated from her life long fairytale, but with such acceptance and grace."I think we grow up expecting a fairytale. Marrying the partner of our dreams, falling pregnant easily and giving birth to perfect children, living happily ever after. I have learned the hard way that things don’t always (or maybe ever) happen the way we expect them to. And yet, these experiences have led me to be who I am today. They have shaped me and broken me and strengthened me."Annie Love is a Certified Life Coach, writer, creative spirit, wife and mother to three beautiful boys. Through her motherhood journey, she’s navigated significant health challenges with two of her children and grief following the death of her youngest son, so she understands that life doesn’t always go to plan. Annie is passionate about helping women find light and joy in their lives, even when things feel hard. She writes over on the Mummalove blog and you can also find her podcasting at ‘The Mummalove Podcast.’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the one hundred and fiftieth episode of the Happy Mama Movement Podcast, I wanted to reflect on the journey a woman must make in her life - and the three elements she needs to be able to sustain her in that journey. Many years ago, I first came across the work of Maureen Murdoch and The Heroine's Journey. And after many years and many thousands of mama's experiences, I can see that motherhood is a Heroine's Journey: it is the retreat into the feminine, it is the chance to reflect on what was working, it it our opportunity to heal and rebuild and redefine. And then, through ritual, circles and self-exploration, we emerge - more balanced, more whole, ready to do things differently. This is the Heroine's Journey. This is matrescence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie Rose is an inspirational powerhouse, making ancient yogic and Ayurvedic wisdom accessible for busy modern-day women.She has weaved in and out of my life over the last decade and to say I am grateful for her knowledge and influence. We are currently working together and sharing resources through yoga, Ayurveda and essential oils.I'm thrilled to share Katie with you today - she has a beautiful and in-depth understand of the Yoga of birth and motherhood. She shares a beautiful understanding of what we need, to not only birth our children, but to become a mother.Katie is a gorgeous mother of four and you will love her story and her wisdom.She works with busy women to help them overcome feelings of overwhelm, low self-esteem and a lack of energy. Using the teachings of yoga and Ayurveda she supports her clients through trainings that bring them back to centre and help of themselves and helps them to reclaim their truest sparkle.When it comes to her Yoga of Birth - her prenatal yoga training for yoga teachers, doulas and pregnant women - she focuses less on the physical elements and more on the other kinds of preparation needed to help women be fully ready for the birthing experience and to feel ready to be a mum.Want to check out her Yoga of Birth training? As a listener of the Happy Mama Movement Podcast, you can get a whopping 50% off by simply using the code HALFOFFFind out about the program here - https://www.bhaktirose.com.au/yogaofbirthKatie's book Yoga of Birth (second edition) is for sale too if you want to check it out here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We worry we're not doing enough for them, then we worry we're doing too much for them. We feel bad we don't play enough with them, and then we worry about all the other things we need to get done while we play with them. Motherhood is full of contrasts - and doubt. But what if we dropped all of those expectations of perfection, and actually began to see what our children really need: connection. And not just connection with them, but with ourselves too. Motherhood is a chance to reparent yourself - and find within you what you are missing too. And in this episode with mama of four, former award-winning teacher, and creator of Playful Families, Amy Cox shares with us how she has discovered that learning how to 'play' with your kids is actually just the beginning... what it really opens up is an acceptance of not only your child's uniqueness, but your own. You can find out more about Amy's phenomenal approach to play and motherhood here - http://Playfulfamilies.com/manifesto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our bodies are the source and creator of motherhood.They are the vessel for the gifts of our children.But what happens when our body doesn't follow the 'plan' of pregnancy and birth?What happens when you feel your body let you down,or is now changed forever?Dr Rebecca Ray is one of the most beautiful and insightful writers on instagram at the moment - and is known for her radical self-acceptance work.But in this interview on her journey into and through motherhood, she opens up like never before - sharing her struggles with her body during fertility treatment, then pregnancy and then post-birth.And in the process, breaks down the expectation that we should 'love' our bodies, and instead invites us to radically reimagine our relationship with the body that made us mothers.For the complete list of instagram accounts Dr Ray suggests to follow for body confidence and acceptance, go to the podcast notes at amytaylorkabbaz.comAnd follow Dr Ray's beautiful words on instagram, and her books and programs here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many years after my first child was born, I struggled with trying to find the balance between who I was before my children arrived, and being a mama. It was as if I was a mass of contradiction - on the one hand, I wanted nothing more than to give myself to my children, dedicated to their wellbeing and happiness. But on the other, I craved my space, my independence, the dreams I had worked so hard to achieve. It wasn't until years later, in my research into matrescence, that I discovered what this was - and how normal it really is. I call it The Inner Split. And it explains how you can both love being a mama, and struggle with it at the same time. If you'd like to know more about your own Inner Split, take a look at The Birth of You online program. And if you're feeling called to share matrescence and the Inner Split with the world, register for the Mama Rising training coming up in September 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the space in between.It's the not who you used to be, and not quite who you will be yet.It's the darkness and the opportunity.And as my guest in this episode describes it: it's the liminal space in motherhood.Jessie Harrold is a couch, doula and author. She has been working with women for more than a decade, supporting them through the rites of passage of womanhood - especially motherhood.As she outlines in this interview, there is a sacred space for a woman when she becomes a mother that must be deeply respected and honoured - and if we don't hold that for her, she will feel lonely, unsure, and lost.So how do we safely move through this time?How can you honour your own uncertain moments in motherhood?This is a beautiful insight into the rituals and support we all need in matrescence.You can read more about Jessie's work here. And if you'd like to learn more about how to support women through matrescence, register here for the Mama Rising training coming up early September. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes, the most profound changes in our life come from the most simple ideas. This week's podcast is a living example of that.Allison Kate is a mama of two girls. When she found herself pregnant with her second baby while still trying to understand the realities of the physical challenges her first baby was born with, Allison says she entered a time of deep darkness.Without her usual support and guides around her, and unable to heal from the first baby before diving back into pregnancy again, she was diagnosed with post-natal depression.Something she now describes as 'the beginning of my awakening.'Her way back from the darkness?Loving kindness - for herself and everyone else.It's a simple idea, but practiced daily, can completely transform a life. As I have seen it do with Allison.This episode will inspire you to see your own challenges as classrooms, and your heart as the most powerful anchor there is.You can find out more about Allison on Instagram and Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If matrescence is the transformation of a woman as she becomes a mother - is there something called 'patrescence' for the dads?Do men go through a similar identity shift?This is something I am constantly asked.Of course, the transition a woman goes through is unique - her transformation is physical, emotional, economic, social and spiritual. There is nothing it does not touch.But if we are to revolutionise the way we support and honour the transition into motherhood, do we also need to consider the changes a father goes through that might also have been overlooked and missed?If you've ever wanted to better understand how a man feels about fatherhood, felt resentment or anger towards your partner as you figure out parenting, or tried to support a man in early parenthood, this interview is for you.PANDA - Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia - have been gathering the data and stories of fathers, and have found that one in ten fathers will experience postnatal anxiety or depression. They have also discovered that the level of overwhelm has increased in fathers since COVID-19, just as it has in mothers.In this interview, I speak with Julie Borninkhof, the CEO of PANDA, as she highlights that it's not just the system around mothers that needs to change - it's for the Dads too.You can find out more about the support for dads, and complete a mental health checklist, at PANDA.org.au or How is Dad Going. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many years ago, I began to explore postpartum support, the fourth trimester and motherhood with Julia Jones. At the time, she was running a pilot training of her postpartum doula training, and I was all in. Years later, this work still influences me in so many ways. Julia is a pioneer in the way we honour the transition into motherhood. But more than that, she reminds us that the way we honour motherhood is a reflection on our society. If we allow this period to be nurturing and nourishing, and change the way we transition and support mamas, then we will change our world. This podcast is both a call to action and a gentle reminder that, no matter what stage of mamahood you're at, you can honour yourself differently. And by doing that - change the world. You can learn more about Julia Jones' work at Newborn Mothers. And you can register your interest for my world-first training on teaching and sharing matrescence here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matrescence is universal - no matter who you are or where you are in the world, motherhood brings a transformation of identity. However, within matrescence, and the transition from woman to mother, there are many factors we must acknowledge, including race, background and support. It is deeply important that on this podcast, we not only bring to light the universality of matresence, but also highlight the differences in experience - which is why this interview with Yemi Penn is one of the most powerful I've been a part of. In this podcast, Yemi - a mama to two and author of 'Did You Get The Memo?' - shares her experience of motherhood, of trying to find her own culture and identity, and what it's like to be a mother of black children in our world today. You can find more of Yemi's work at her website, including her empowering book. And explore your own identity shift and matrescence in my online program The Birth of You. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mamahood is filled with so many questions:how do I help my child with their emotions?why do they have so many meltdowns?am I doing something wrong?Is it me?Through in a really tough year on top, and you have mamas all over the globe questioning who they are and whether they're doing it 'right'.This podcast, and all my work, is dedicated to answering those questions that keep mamas awake, and make them question their worth. Whether it's matrescence or meltdowns, we need this understanding so we can stop thinking it's 'our fault', and realise the very best thing we can do is work on ourselves and our own emotions, so we can be there for them.That's why I asked Heidi Garcia onto the podcast.Heidi is a mama to two based in Canada, and has been an Occupational Therapist for more than 15 years. In our community, she noticed a lot of mamas doubting themselves and feeling worried about their children, so she offered to bring some answers.What she shared was way more than that though -and in the end, it came back to what we already know:regulate our emotions, and our children will learn.If you'd like more insights into emotional regulation, visit Heidi's website. A great book to explore is "Living Sensationally: Understanding your Senses" by Winnie Dunn, and two great websites are: "Zones of Regulation" and "Self-Reg".If you are looking for more support with your children and their emotions, contact an Occupational Therapist in your area. And... for all the mamas realising they need to work on their own skills and tools to stay calm, you can now access my 5 Days to Calm online program - taken by more than 3000 mamas - for just $29 here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks to the work of Dr Oscar Serrallach, we now know about Post-Natal Depletion: a physical and mental deterioration caused not just by the process of giving birth and breastfeeding, but by the stresses and strains of modern parenthood. It has been a breakthrough in how we view mothers, and how we can better support mamas. I would like to suggest a new term for us to consider right now - a term I'm calling Post-Pandemic Depletion. Taking Dr Serrallach's definition, and instead of birth and breastfeeding, looking at the mental and physical stress of modern parenting in a pandemic, I believe we're looking at a very similar outcome. We've been through a lot. It's been a time of great stress and worry, as well as joy. But we can not just allow the world to go back to 'normal' without acknowledging the toll this has taken. Just as we can't assume and ignore the effect on a mother's body and identity when she becomes a mother, we can not ignore what mothers have had to do over the past four months - and the toll it may have taken. This episode is both a warning and a call to arms. Let's honour what we've done, and promise ourselves to listen to our bodies before we just dive back into life again. We can't keep making that same mistake. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Balance is all BS, right? We're mamas and women, we've chased that dream and realised it was a pipe dream. Right? It seems many of us are still not 100% clear on this. Even though we've heard the stats and know the reality, many of us are still believing that if we worked harder, got more organised, woke earlier or finally started meditating, we might find that balance we were promised. Enter Felicity Harley, mama to three and another former 'superwoman'. Felicity has dived deep into our belief system of why we think Balance is possible, and what we do to ourselves in our pursuit of it. And in this interview, she shares her own insights and experience, as well as the answers she has discovered along the way into what it really means to be a happy mama and woman in this time of our life. 'Balance and other BS' by Felicity Harley is published by Allen & Unwin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're meant to gather in a village, hearing from the elders, passing down our own knowledge and receiving wisdom from others. But we've lost that village - and that wisdom. So, what happens when you move through motherhood without an understanding of what's happening to you, and how you are changing? And what happens when you get to the other end of motherhood - your children leaving home and space finally opening up for your own dreams - if you haven't had the understanding of matrescence along the way? It is my great pleasure in sharing this interview with mama and, in my mind, elder Jean Dawkins. Jean is a mama of a daughter now in college, and is a reminder to us all that it's really never too late to explore how motherhood has changed you... and discover who you really are. You can follow Jean's wisdom on instagramAnd join us both, and many many more, in Returning Home - The Village here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A big part of my work with mamas over the past six years has been online group coaching and online women's circles. We gather together, sometimes monthly, sometimes weekly, to reflect, learn and grow together - it has been one of the greatest gifts of my work. In these calls, mamas get to know one another - and get to know themselves. We share our wins and our fears, and we grow together. As part of the Happy Mama Movement podcast, I'm going to start sharing some of these calls with you - in the hope that you hear yourself in them, and you hear the answers you're looking for. This call is from the Returning Home membership - which is now open again. For the next six months, we are going to gather in calls like this, and in our village, to learn, honour, embrace and rise together. You can join us here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As lockdowns begin to change around the world, and as isolation rules slowly begin to ease, there is a call for us all to return to 'normal' life. But what if the 'normal' we were living isn't what we want anymore? What if, during these weeks of isolation, we've liked slowing down, saying no to all those extra curricular activities?And what if, now we've slowed down, we resist the rush back to normal? In this episode, I speak with one of my favourite business mama in Australia - Alisha Lynch from the Naughty Naturopath Mum. As you'll hear in this episode, Alisha is so much fun. She brings a joy and lightness to health and healing - and life - that is much needed. But she also has seen, through many years of supporting women and mamas, the serious side affects of stress, overwhelm and burn out. She knows all too well how important it is that we let ourselves unhook from the busy-ness, and allow ourselves to move at a different pace. If you'd like to be a part of the 6 month Returning Home membership - an online village and support network to ensure you really do return to the world changed after all of this - join Alisha, me and many others here. We start on the 11th May. And you can get Alisha's special Mother's Day pack, including the bonus self-care cards, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pregnancy and childbirth can bring its own special type of worry - so much of what is to come is unknown. In fact, in many ways, preparing for birth is a lot like preparing for motherhood: a daily practice of surrendering the need to know, and trusting your instincts.But pregnancy and birth in the time of isolation, lockdown and infection brings a whole new level of unknown.In this special CALMCAST episode, I speak with Australia's leading birth educator, Nadine Richardson, from SheBirths.In this episode, we speak about what you can do to prepare, no matter what's going on in the world, how to talk to your partner and birthing team, and how to trust yourself as a capable mama-to-be.To explore SheBirths world leading birth education and support, go to SheBirths website, and enter the code happymama10 to receive 10% off the full online program. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the past few weeks, I have listened to hundreds of mamas' experience of isolation - what is stressing them out, and what they are loving. And one of the worries that is coming up a lot is: relationships and intimacy. When everyone is packed into a home, and the kids are underfoot all day long, how do you connect with your partner? When they are stressed about work, and you're stressed about the kids (and work), is it normal to just put the relationship on the bottom of the to-do list? And what if you and your partner are expecting very different things from each other right now? In this CalmCast episode, I speak with Isiah McKimmie, Couples Therapist and Sexologist about intimacy and relationships in isolation who believes that with the right tools and support, your relationship can emerge stronger than ever.Isiah is currently offering a free day program and support group to help your relationship thrive during this challenging time.You get practical, actionable tools to help you:Rebuild connectionDiffuse tensionCreate intimacyBring the fun and playfulness back to your relationshipEach activity takes less than 15 minutes.You’ll get:Playful, practical exercises each day for 21 days to build intimacy and connectionLive group coaching callsExpert interviews and adviceBonus resources and tipsYou can join at any time - there’s no specific start date.You’re also welcome to join even if your partner doesn’t want to. You’ll still get benefits by joining the group and implementing the advice alone.You can join for free here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.