Wild and Well | Motherhood, Postpartum Wellness and Children’s Health

It is so common nowadays for our kids to struggle with inattention, learning difficulties, impulsivity, low mood, hyperactivity and sensory issues.  There is no doubt that genetics plays a role in how our brains work and neurodiversity can be an incredible thing.  But when our kids are struggling with their mental health or exhibiting really challenging behaviour, it is natural for us as parents to want to help them. The great news is that we can! We can do so much to support our kids’ brains to work optimally. A fabulous by-product of this is that as their brains get healthier, so do their bodies.  When our kids’ brains are supported with critical nutrients, a great wholefoods diet, plenty of time outdoors and great sleep, their behaviour improves too. This makes parenting a little easier and their day-to-day lives a little easier.  In this podcast episode, I am joined by Naturopath Jessica Donovan. She gives us doable strategies to help support our kids brain health and lessen their struggle with inattention, hyperactivity, mood and impulsivity.  Jessica Donovan is a Naturopath and founder of Natural Super Kids. Through her Natural Super Kids Klub membership, Jessica helps busy moms raise healthy and resilient kids. She does this by assisting them focus on one healthy change at a time. Jessica has helped hundreds of parents transform the health of their kids.  Jessica and I chat about:  What factors are impacting our kids’ health and behaviour and what we need to focus on to help them thrive in the modern world  Dietary and lifestyle changes we can make to support our kids’ brains to thrive  Why getting our kids outdoors more often has massive benefits for their health and behaviour  Specific nutrients that are essential for our kids’ brains to function optimally and help their attention and mood  Why the gut is so important for our kids’ brains and behaviour Simple strategies we can implement daily to improve our kids gut health  Episode Links: Say hi to Jessica on Instagram  Listen to the Natural Super Kids Podcast  Check out the Natural Super Kids website Join the Natural Super Kids Klub Grab Jessica’s 3 Breakfast recipes to improve your kids mood & behaviour Chemical Maze App  Come say hello to me over on Instagram  Grab a copy of my book, The Motherhood Reset   Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood.  Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

The slow movement is very much here. Slow parenting, slow food, slow everything. And for good reason.  As a collective, we are living busier and busier lives. I talk to so many mothers about the desire to slow down and live a simpler life. Yet, it is tricky to do so.  But what exactly is it and how can we slow down?  I sat down with slow living coach, Rachelle Glendon to learn more about slow living in motherhood. We talk about how we can incorporate more simplicity and intentionality into our already full lives. Have a listen.  “Slow living is all about knowing what your values are and what is your priority in this season of your life based on your values.”  Rachelle Glendon is a wife, mother and certified life coach as well as host of How To Live Slow, a podcast for modern women who wish to ditch hustle culture, slow down and reconnect to their natural rhythms.  Her focus is on matrescence (the transformation of motherhood), slow and seasonal living and self leadership, the overarching theme of which is change and transitions. She believes that when we slow down, rest and take care, we will see that it's been the answer to many of our world’s problems all along.  “When we know we are valuable regardless of what we get done in a day, that can really change things.”  Rachelle and I chat about:  What slow living involves Rachelle’s concepts of parenting and friction points Feeling a lack of fulfillment and satisfaction in motherhood The importance of letting yourself be taken care of postpartum Managing extra-curricular activities and screen time Learning to prioritize instead of aiming for balance How to give ourselves permission to live life on our own terms Shedding old beliefs to create space for your future self “When you’re saying yes to something that is not an important thing, you're saying no to things that are.”  Episode Links: Say hi to Rachelle on Instagram  Check out Rachelle’s website  Work with Rachelle  Listen to the How to Live Slow Podcast Say hello to me over on Instagram  Grab a copy of my book, The Motherhood Reset Check out other podcast episodes & articles on my website   Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood.  Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

In this episode, I go over five helpful strategies parents can implement when their kids are having a hard time or “challenging” behaviour. When your child regularly throws tantrums, it may seem counterintuitive for you, as the parent, to review your own behaviour. After all, you're not the one screaming in the grocery store. However, if we as parents first focus on how we act and shape our interactions with our kids, we can then learn how to shift the focus away from the challenging behaviour the child is engaging in.  The result?  We suddenly have a lot more control and the ability to make changes for the better. When we change our focus and actions as parents to support our children with the behavioural issues they are dealing with, we can help improve the overall well-being of your family dynamic. In this episode, I cover:  Why changing our focus from our child to our own behaviour is so helpful  What we have control over and what we don’t (here’s a hint: we only have control over our own behaviour)  How to make the most of these suggested parent-focused strategies Five parent-focused strategies:  Attachment  Value-based parenting  Mindful parenting  Clear communication Self-care  Episode Links: Check out my article on this exact topic Come say hi on Instagram  Check out other podcast episodes & articles on my website    Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood.   Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

More and more parents are choosing to have one child.  Is this you?  If it is, you will love the chat I have with Jacqueline Stein on this episode of the Wild + Well podcast. But it is a chat worth listening to, even if you have more than one child. Jacqueline and I talk about the struggles of modern day motherhood and how we can support our mental health as mothers just as much as we chat about the reality and misunderstanding of mothers who choose to have ‘only’ one child.  Jacqueline is a communications enthusiast based in Toronto, Canada. She currently leads communications for an international NGO working with farmers, seeds, and food security. Her career in global development has taken her throughout Canada and around the world. Outside of her professional life, Jacqueline is a proud mother to an active toddler, an avid runner, a community volunteer, and a lover of road trips near and far. As a mom to an only child (by choice), Jacqueline set out to connect with other mothers of one when she founded The Only Hearts Club. What started as a local Facebook group eventually evolved into an Instagram page and a website spotlighting – and connecting – mothers worldwide who are one-and-done.  “You need to stop apologizing for taking care of yourself, for wanting to do the things that you want to do. You’re not selfish.”  Jacqueline and I chat about:  Jacqueline’s reasons for choosing to have one child The many reasons that parents are choosing to have fewer children than in previous generations  The misunderstandings about only children and even more so, the misunderstandings about mothers who choose to have only one The importance of prioritizing hobbies, activities and the things that you enjoy  How Jacqueline maintains her mental health as a mother with an active toddler  The misconception that mothers of one are selfish  Why mothers need to stop apologizing for taking care of themselves “Take care of your needs first. Put yourself first so that you can take care of others and do it to the best of your abilities.” Episode Links: Say hi to Jacqueline on Instagram  Check out The Only Hearts Club website Read the article about only-child families on the rise  Jacqueline recommended Jen’s Instagram page, One and Done Parenting  Say hello to me over on Instagram  Grab a copy of my book, The Motherhood Reset Check out other podcast episodes & articles on my website   Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood.   Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

In this episode, I chat with Naturopath Belinda Byrnes. We talk about how we can support our kids to have optimal health and overcome health challenges, including eczema and ADHD, through lifestyle and dietary changes.  “The diagnosis is saying ‘yes, you have something,’ but it doesn't give you any information about why you have it. There is always a reason.”  Belinda is a Naturopath and Nutritionist. She is the owner of Ritual Herb Bar and Naturopathic Clinic. She sees a wide range of conditions in her clinic but has a special interest in skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. She believes that by addressing the underlying causes of inflammatory skin conditions, it allows the body to innate ability to heal. Belinda has been working in private practice as a qualified Naturopath and Nutritionist since 2014 and in the health industry for almost 20 years. Having experienced her own issues with digestive and skin health in the past, finally getting relief after seeing a naturopath herself inspired her to study Naturopathy and Nutritional Medicine in 2009. She is passionate about empowering families to have more control over their own health journey and implementing positive changes in a balanced and manageable way.  Having two young boys herself, she knows how challenging that can be and that everyone is on their own path, so treatment needs to reflect that individuality. Belinda also developed her award-winning Ritual Herb Bar herbal product range in 2020. She uses only the highest quality organic herbs to produce a range of naturopathic blended herbal teas and tonics. I personally absolutely love her elderberry syrup blend and many of her teas.  “For anyone that does have a younger baby, prevention or early treatment is always easier and quicker than if you get further down the track.”  Belinda and I chat about:  Why we are not living in alignment with how humans should live Recommendations for supporting your child’s health How modern day life can be linked to chronic disease Creating a low-stress environment in your home Simple swaps to make a big difference in the long term Diagnosis vs the cause of the condition Links between skin issues and gut health Supporting your gut in relation to skin issues Poor absorption of vitamins and minerals Living a balanced lifestyle “If you can’t afford to go and see someone or can’t afford to buy supplements, just make sure that underlying stuff is addressed.”  Episode Links: Say hi to Belinda on Instagram or Facebook  Check out Belinda’s resources, gorgeous teas or book a consultation with Belinda at her clinic, Ritual Herb Bar  Come say hello to me over on Instagram  Grab a copy of my book, The Motherhood Reset Check out other podcast episodes & articles on my website   Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood.   Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

Do you find yourself in power struggles with your child?  Do you feel stuck and not know how to help your child with the challenges they are currently facing?  Would you like to work on procrastination, anxiety or anger within yourself?  In this episode, I go in-depth into a very useful therapeutic tool that parents can use when they are having a power struggle or when their kids are having a hard time.  Externalizing.  Externalizing is something that we can apply to ourselves to reduce shame around not feeling good enough. We can also access it to help our kids when they are feeling anxious or angry or when they are being picky with their eating or refusing to go to school.  A mantra to remember here is this:  Your child is not the problem. The problem is the problem.  You are not the problem. The problem is the problem.  In this episode, I cover:  Separating our kids (and ourselves) from the challenging behaviour and therefore finding more effective problem-solving strategies and broadening perspective  A very useful parenting tool – externalizing How you can use this skill with your kids, partner, and even in the workplace  How to help your kids to reduce shame and stop thinking there is something wrong with them  The importance of the words we use and how small changes to our words can change everything  Applying this tool to an issue that the listener is dealing with right now  Some simple ways to use externalizing with your kids today  Episode Links:  Come say hi on Instagram  Come say hello to me over on Instagram  Grab a copy of my book, The Motherhood Reset Check out other my other podcast episodes & articles   Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood.  Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

How often are you in the photos with your kids?  How do you feel about having your photo taken?  Are there moments from the past that you wish you had captured but didn’t?  In this episode of the Wild + Well podcast, I am talking to photographer Laura Benn about how we can use photography to change our perspective, appreciate the messy moments of motherhood, and have more fun with our kids. After this chat, I booked a family photography session with Laura. I wanted to capture more of their childhood and be in the photos with my kids too.  I have a sneaking suspicion that you will also be booking some family photos or asking your partner to take more pictures of you playing with your kids after listening to this episode.  Laura is a full-time commercial photographer, brand strategist and writer who founded Gooseberry Studios in 2013 to help entrepreneurs find their confidence on camera, build beloved brands and establish their own creative everyday way of work and life. Gooseberry's photoshoots and brand strategies have supported clients in landing features in international press, producing books, gracing the TEDx stage, launching retail and digital products and winning awards. When Laura's not busy with her clients, she's focused on her art career — producing limited-edition fine art prints, inspired goods and writing about creativity, entrepreneurship and living imaginatively. “Don’t take the photos because you are afraid of forgetting. Take the photos because you want to remember.” Laura and I chat about:  How photography can change how we see ourselves and our relationship with our kids  Why photography is a self-growth tool if you let it be  What to do with photos of yourself that you don’t like  Why picture perfect isn’t what we want when we look back at the photos in the future  How we as moms can be in more photos with our kids and not always behind the camera Tips to wrangle energetic kiddos during a photoshoot that make the kids want to do it again Ways that parents can capture their kids better when taking photos from their phones  Why standing naked in front of your mirror can help you the next time you book a professional photoshoot  Episode Links: Say hi to Laura on Instagram  Check out her photography and branding services at LauraLBenn.com Check out her prints at Gooseberry Prints  Read The Gooseberry Review  Come say hello to me over on Instagram  Grab a copy of my book, The Motherhood Reset Check out other my other podcast episodes & articles   Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood.  Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

Often, we plan for birth, get the nursery looking beautiful and receive a million cute onesies for our baby, but we forget to prepare ourselves for postpartum.  Today’s episode with Dr Emma Nagy will motivate you to plan and take steps to take care of yourself during this transformative time. That is the best we can do for our babies too. The strategies and mindset shifts that we discuss will help you at any point in your motherhood journey – not just in the early months. So this is an episode not to be missed for all mamas and soon-to-be mamas. Dr. Emma Nagy is a Mama of two boys and the Founder of My Lighter Way. Emma has a PhD in mental health promotion and is a researcher in the health field with over 13 years of experience. She is a mental health and mindset coach for mothers. Through her signature program, My Lighter Motherhood, Emma teaches expecting mothers how to prepare themselves for the newborn stage and protect their mental health as they go through it.  Emma and I chat about: Finding the right mental health professional for you How Emma’s studies and life experience led her into the perinatal space Why the focus of birth may overshadow the preparation of postpartum  How mothers can support themselves in the newborn stage Approaching and addressing ‘mum guilt’ The beauty of daydreaming as a tool for planning for the newborn stage The importance of asking for and accepting help when you need it Preparing your subconscious to feel positive towards birth The benefits of hypnobirthing for birth preparation and labour pain management “If you anchor in the skill of enjoying the present, enjoying where you are, you’re going to carry that into motherhood with you.” Episode Links: Say hi to Emma on Instagram  Listen to Emma’s podcast My Lighter Way Podcast Emma’s mini-course My Lighter Birth  My Lighter Motherhood Pregnancy and Postpartum Program The Mindful Mama-to-be Masterclass  Books Emma recommended: Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth Hypnobirthing the Mongan Method  Come say hello to me over on Instagram  Read my book The Motherhood Reset or check out my program The Motherhood Reset    Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood.  Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

While there are endless fancy and expensive things we can do to support our children’s immune systems, health and behaviour, it is often the simple, daily things that matter most. Like good sleep, plenty of exercise, time outside.  And yes, eating lots of veggies.  Many kids nowadays don’t eat anywhere near enough vegetables. Many don’t even eat any at all.  Kids tend to eat plenty of fruit, but veggies are sometimes a challenge.  But the great news is that this doesn’t have to be forever.  With consistency and a few shifts in our habits, we can help support our kids to enjoy their veggies and eat plenty of them every day.  In this episode, I am covering over a dozen ways to support our kids to eat and genuinely enjoy vegetables. I am currently writing a book on this exact topic. Stay tuned for more simple and doable strategies to foster veggie-loving kids!  In this episode, I cover:  Simple and doable strategies to help your kids enjoy and eat more vegetables  One of my favourite strategies: serve meals in courses  How to get the kids involved in food preparation and shopping  What is your role and what is your child’s role when it comes to food Why it isn’t helpful to make a big deal if your kid doesn’t eat veggies  And several other strategies for helping your kids love and eat more vegetables  Episode Links: Read my article on this exact topic here  As always, come say hello on Instagram  Check out my book, The Motherhood Reset or checking out my program Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood.   Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

This episode is a little different. The microphone has been turned around today and I am interviewed by Naturopath, Jessica Donovan. We are chatting all about how we can most optimally support our kids’ brain health.  Jessica Donovan is a Naturopath and founder of Natural Super Kids. Through her Natural Super Kids Klub membership, Jessica helps busy moms raise healthy and resilient kids. She does this by helping them focus on one healthy change at a time. Jessica has helped hundreds of parents transform the health of their kids.  Jessica and I chat about:  Holistic ways to support kids’ brain health and development  Strategies to put in place for optimal long-term health of our kid’s brains   Why behavioural, attention and learning challenges are on the rise  How as parents we can help our kids with these challenges  Why mothers need to prioritize their own wellbeing  Episode Links: Say hi to Jessica on Instagram  Listen to the Natural Super Kids podcast   Check out the Natural Super Kids website Come say hello to me over on Instagram  Grab a copy of my book, The Motherhood Reset Check out other podcast episodes & articles on my website   Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood. Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

“To treat the child, you must treat the parent.”  Today, I am chatting with naturopath Emma Caller about how we, as mothers, can take true care of ourselves while we provide the best care we can for our little ones.  Emma, better known as Emma the Naturopath, is living out her childhood dream of being a naturopath and nutritionist. Emma predominantly works with “hot mess mamas and their kids and bubs.” Her practice is based on the Coffs Coast in New South Wales, but she also sees clients online. Emma was the naturopath that I worked with during my early postpartum years. She was an incredible support in my wellness journey as I struggled with postnatal depletion and postpartum thyroiditis. I was definitely one hot mess mama! This is something that I write about in depth in my book, Nourished Mama. I am beyond grateful for Emma’s warmth, knowledge and nurturing herbal tonics and am so excited to have her here on today’s podcast.  “That inner child joy where you just lose track of time and inhibitions. It just fills you up with life and there is no supplement that will do that.”  Emma and I chat about:  All about Emma’s clinic, her clientele and how she came to be a naturopath and nutritionist Why it is important for mothers to take care of themselves The self-care vs self-reflection concepts Emma’s personal experience using a homeopath with her infant daughter Normalising extra-curricular activities for parents Why more and more children are now dealing with chronic health issues and stress Building healthy boundaries into your family’s day Supporting your child’s resilience and overall wellbeing  Flower essences to support you and your child’s emotions The importance of connection and support “If you want your children to have great lifestyle habits and eating habits, it’s important to do the work for yourself as well.” Episode Links: Say hi to Emma on Facebook  Send Emma an email at: [email protected]  Come say hello to me over on Instagram  Grab a copy of my book, The Motherhood Reset Check out other podcast episodes & articles on my website Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

Mama, are you last on your priority list?  Do you make sure everyone and everything else is taken care of before you are? If you are nodding your head, you are not alone. Prioritizing ourselves as mothers is challenging!  Modern motherhood is not easy and there are so many expectations, pressures, societal norms and practical barriers that get in the way. However, prioritizing yourself is essential. It allows you to show up in your life as the best version of yourself, be there for others, and do great, meaningful work. It is also imperative to your health and well-being. If this topic is especially relevant to you, you may want to check out my book, The Motherhood Reset, as this is a topic we delve into deeply there.  In this episode, I cover:  Spending time looking after yourself makes you less selfish and actually kinder  When you are depleted, overwhelmed or chronically stressed, you will have less capacity to be there for others  Caring for yourself as a mother is essential for your children  How your kids can be your biggest motivator to keep showing up for yourself  Taking care of yourself is the best way you can take care of your kids – and don't forget it Simple strategies to start prioritizing yourself right away  Episode Links:  Read my article on this exact topic here  Delve even deeper into your priorities by reading my book, The Motherhood Reset or checking out my program As always, come say hello on Instagram  Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast  

 In today’s podcast, I had the honour of talking with the incredible Dr Carrie Rigoni. We chatted about how we can support our nervous system and our children’s to be healthy and regulated.  Dr Carrie Rigoni is a chiropractor who works with mums and babies, to optimise their baby’s brain development, and set them up for lifelong health. She loves talking about all things vagus nerve, and all the factors that can influence brain development. She has a busy practice in Perth WA and is passionate about optimising the vagus nerve and setting our next generation up not only for healthy thriving bodies, but brains, immune systems, and stress resilience too. Dr. Carrie offers a group coaching program for mothers and their babies.  Dr. Carrie and I chat about:  The vagus nerve and its role within the nervous system Why nervous system dysregulation is becoming more common How to identify a dysfunctioning vagus nerve Supporting your and your child’s vagal tone Dysregulation of vagus nerves in children Maximising co-regulation with your child Link between stress in mothers and their newborn baby The importance of supporting your own emotional wellbeing Dr Carrie’s work is so important for mothers and children, that I have referenced her several times in my soon-to-be released book, Nourished Mama: A Clinical Psychologist’s Guide to Finding Abundant Energy in Motherhood. Nervous system regulation is a much needed, yet often forgotten aspect of our overall health and wellbeing. Mothers especially need to look more closely at their nervous systems for their own vitality since motherhood is a time that can easily tip us into dysregulation. But also, mothers have the opportunity to help set up their little ones to have healthy, flexible nervous systems. Not only does that mean a healthier little body, but also a few less meltdowns.  Episode Links: Grab Dr Carrie’s Vagus Nerve Checklist for Babies and Kids here  Say hi to Dr Carrie on Instagram  Check out Dr Carrie’s website  DM me on Instagram and let me know what your key take away was from this chat Jump on the waitlist for my soon-to-be released second book, Nourished Mama: A Clinical Psychologist’s Guide to Finding Abundant Energy in Motherhood Check out other podcast episodes & articles on my website. Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood. Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

We make so many choices in our days. Sometimes this can leave us exhausted and overwhelmed and with serious decision fatigue. And often, we make decisions that don’t support us in the long term or move us toward the life we want for ourselves and our families.  Our decisions create our habits and our habits create our lives. They also shape our kids’ lives and how we show up for them.  This is why making better decisions are so important.  You can start making better decisions by asking yourself one or two questions. This is what I talk about in this episode.  In this episode, I cover:  Why better decisions are critical to thriving in motherhood Creating healthy habits through day-to-day decisions  A step-by-step plan to make more intentional choices  Getting clear on what you want is step one  Letting your core values and top priorities guide your decision making  Helpful questions to ask yourself to make better decisions  Does this decision move me closer to the life that I want and the person I want to be or does it move me further away from this?  What sort of mother do I want to be? How do I want to show up for my child in this moment?  How would I like others to describe me?  Asking yourself just one question is all you need to start shifting the way you live your life    If this topic is especially relevant to you, you may want to check out my book, The Motherhood Reset, as this is a topic we delve into deeply there.  Episode Links: Come say hello on Instagram  Delve even deeper into your priorities by reading my book, The Motherhood Reset or checking out my program   Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood. Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

In this episode, I am talking to Jessica Lee. We are talking about resilience, what this and how we can foster it in ourselves and in our children. Jessica Lee is a wellbeing writer and educator. She is passionate about neuroscience-based strategies for building resilience, lowering stress and increasing health, happiness and creativity. She is a regular contributing writer to Wellbeing magazine and her book, Wired to Thrive will be available soon. This book is a practical guide to help people navigate change, build resilience, work smarter, prevent burnout and live with purpose. Jessica and I chat about: All about Jessica’s new book ‘Wired To Thrive’ Her personal challenges with chronic illness Strengthening your resilience throughout parenthood Finding solutions in order to meet your needs Understanding the neuroscience involved in feeling emotions How to adopt a solution-focused mindset Visualisation techniques to aid in confidence and decision making Supporting our children to become more resilient Bringing gratitude into our daily life Episode Links: Say hi to Jessica on Instagram Join Jessica’s Facebook page The Spark Effect Check out Jessica’s website Be the first to read Jessica’s book, Wired To Thrive by joining her waitlist and reading the first chapter DM me on Instagram and let me know what your key take away was from this chat Grab a copy of my book, The Motherhood Reset Check out other podcast episodes & articles on my website   Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood. Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

Unfortunately, it is all too common for mothers to struggle with extreme fatigue, anxiety, chronic health issues and postnatal depletion. There are plenty of practical, physical and societal reasons why modern day moms are having such a challenging time. In this solo episode, I discuss several of these. If this topic is especially relevant to you, you may want to check out my book, The Motherhood Reset, as this is a topic we delve into deeply there. In this episode, I cover: Stats on how common it is for modern day mothers to struggle with physical and mental health issues Physical, practical and societal reasons for mothers today having such a challenging time in the first few years of motherhood How what we eat impacts whether we flourish or struggle in motherhood The impact of our microbiome, birth trauma, the medicines we take and exposure to environmental toxins on how well we do postpartum That all mothers need more support The problem with how adult-centric our modern day lives are and the unrealistic expectations that so many of us have going into motherhood Perfect doesn’t exist in motherhood The extra challenge in motherhood when we draw our self-worth from being productive Society often forgets about mom once the baby is born The unhelpful stereotypes of what a good mom is that our culture has created for us The perfect mom myth Doable steps that we can take to reduce the burden on our bodies and brains so we can more easily thrive in motherhood Episode Links: Read my book, The Motherhood Reset Come say hi on Instagram Check out other podcast episodes & articles on my website   Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

In this episode, we talk about a transformative way of reducing the ever-growing invisible load of mothers. The invisible load is also often referred to as the mental load. It is the burden that mothers tend to carry most of. It includes everything from scheduling doctor’s appointments to meal planning to cleaning up the house to considering what school to send the kids to all the admin tasks…pretty much everything, including the kitchen sink. Here are a few questions to consider while listening to this episode: Who does the majority of the admin, childrearing and household tasks in your family? Are you happy about how these tasks are divided up? Which tasks would you be happy to relinquish the responsibility of? In this episode, I cover: What the invisible load is Why delegating isn’t the solution to reduce the mental burden of this invisible load for mothers A simple strategy to effectively let go of tasks, not have to nag and have more mental space for other more important things Examples of how I have put this to use in my own family Episode Links: Check out my book, The Motherhood Reset Come say hi on Instagram    Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood. Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast  

Do this one thing to reduce sibling rivalry This is a sweet and short episode, but it is essential listening for any parent of more than one child. Do your kids compete for your attention? Do they fight with each other often? Do you find it difficult to stop your kids from teasing one another? If so, have a listen! In this episode, I cover: A surprising reason why our kids tease, fight and argue with each other A simple yet essential strategy for improving our relationship with our children while simultaneously reducing sibling rivalry Examples of doable ways to have one-on-one time with each child and why this is so important Episode Links: https://www.drhilaryclaire.com https://www.instagram.com/drhilaryclaire/   Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood.   Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast

In this episode, I am talking to the lovely Jessica Louise Kay. We are chatting all things circadian rhythms, grounding and how we can connect more with nature.  Jessica is a mentor, naturopath and mother with a passion in devoting her service to mothers with young children; to connect back to their spiritual truth + divine self to feel grounded, calm and connected to the simple joys of life, during the chaotic times of mothering. Jess loves to educate other mothers about circadian rhythms, spirituality, the healing power of nature, and meditation. She is also passionate about children’s health.  Jessica and I chatted about: What are circadian rhythms? How Jessica’s interest in circadian rhythms was sparked Syncing your circadian rhythm Identifying if your circadian rhythm is out of sync How circadian rhythms are linked to mitochondrial function  The benefits of watching the morning sunrise Melatonin production and release Sunlight exposure and sun responsibility Why Jessica stopped wearing sunglasses The benefits of grounding and connecting to the Earth Natural vs. artificial lighting in your home     Episode Links: Say hi to Jessica on Instagram @circadian.kids https://www.instagram.com/circadian.kids/ Join Jessica’s Facebook page Circadian Kids https://www.facebook.com/CircadianKids  Website https://www.drhilaryclaire.com  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drhilaryclaire/  Podcast episode that first sparked Jess’s interest in Circadian Rhythms:https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uc-327-water-light-and-magnetism-for-health-with-dr/id584063992?i=1000433361871&fbclid=IwAR2HKp_zK0eXPqeQel8LpxF1_OFSTDEoXfsQy78SRQ9-4E67wziFSmVSHdY   And another follow-up podcast that Jess found even better and more relatable(without all the science):https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uc-329-part-2-jason-bawden-smith-light-magnetism-and-water/id584063992?i=1000434449235&fbclid=IwAR1oCL-LCRupWK66aos0Tt7rHmHlk0cjFQPEnujHYzh0ICnTt1IxEzZVNlo  D Minder App: https://dminder.ontometrics.com  The Earthing Move – The Remarkable Science of Grounding documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44ddtR0XDVU Iris App – Blue Light Filter: https://iristech.co    Wild and Well is your go-to podcast for holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and pregnancy and postpartum wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, all to help you feel healthy, strong, and vital while navigating the challenges of motherhood. Listen and Subscribe to Wild + Well on: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast  

Welcome to the Wild + Well Podcast! Welcome to the Wild and Well Podcast! I’m your host, Dr. Hilary Claire, a clinical psychologist, holistic parenting mentor with a focus on nutrition and environmental medicine, yoga teacher, author, and mom of two wild boys. In this episode, I will give you a little peak into what the podcast is all about. Let’s get into it. Here we delve into the big and little things that move the needle for children’s health and mental wellness in a modern world that doesn’t make it easy to do so. Since our modern day lifestyles are drastically misaligned with our DNA and how we as humans are intended to live, we have to be intentional about creating a new way of living that supports our families to thrive, our little ones to stay a bit wild and us mamas to live our best lives. Together we can nurture resilient kids, vibrant mothers, and a brighter future for the planet and the next generation. With knowledge, we can be empowered to take responsibility and action to do the best for our little ones and ourselves. In this podcast, we will have conversations with incredible thought leaders and health and wellness experts to address many of the ways we can help our kids be healthy, resilient and stay a little wild in a world that makes it easy to do just the opposite. Throughout the podcast, we will cover topics including: fostering optimal brain health, mental health and neurodevelopment for our little ones parenting strategies for resilient, emotionally intelligent and confident kids natural approaches to support our family’s health and wellbeing what modern day mothers need to be vital and flourish unschooling and options outside of conventional education slow living rewilding and bringing more nature into our daily lives creating connected communities treading gently on our beautiful planet as parents so future generations can enjoy the magnificence that the world has to offer and many other topics that you might not find in the mainstream. A little bit about me, your host. I have always been very interested and involved in holistic health, low tox living and optimal wellness and caring for the planet. I study nutrition whenever I can, including at university and through a postgraduate fellowship in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine with the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. I have worked as a yoga teacher, personal fitness trainer and group exercise class instructor. And as I mentioned at the beginning of the episode, I am a clinical psychologist and holistic parenting mentor. But my biggest job of all is being a mother to my beautiful little boys. Some of my favourite things outside of my work are writing, reading, doing yoga, going for walks in nature, cooking and baking healthy goodies, gardening and spending time with family and friends. My husband, kids and I live a somewhat alternative lifestyle in which we live between Canada (my husband and my birth country) and our adopted second country of Australia. Why I started this podcast With the birth of my first son, my interest in health and wellness amplified. My desire to give him the best start to life and to create a happier planet for him to inherit became a top priority. I became completely engrossed in the research surrounding the impact that our food, lifestyle, environment and how we live day-to-day has on our health, mental wellbeing and children. I began up-leveling my education in these areas of health. And from this, my career changed direction. My work expanded to be much more holistic. I integrate lifestyle, nutrition, and environmental approaches along with the more traditional psychological therapies in my work. I now work solely with mothers and their children. I also write books and create programs to reach more mothers and families outside of my 1:1 work. In my work, I am particularly passionate about preventing mental health disorders, brain dysfunction and behavioural issues by addressing the underlying causes in a holistic way. I am also on a mission to help moms to thrive and prioritize themselves along their journey of creating optimal health for their kids. And all of this led to this podcast now being born. I started this podcast because I know the stats on neurological, mental health and chronic health issues for our kids and us. Sorry to say, that it isn’t pretty. But I want to be a voice of hope because there really is so much we can each do to give ourselves and our families the best chance to thrive. I refuse to stand back and see my kids or myself become another statistic suffering from the neurological disorders, mental health problems or chronic diseases that currently affect so many. I don’t want that for you either! Together we can make thriving kids and vibrant moms the new norm! So much is possible for our wellness, our children’s wellness and the wellness of the world when you’re equipped with knowledge and community. That’s it from me now. See you in the nex