Join hosts Malliha Ahmad and Corinna Emery for one of our most raw and honest conversations yet with Makeba Lindsay (IG @ynotkeeb), a single mom who’s breaking down every myth about “natural” motherhood. From the brutal reality of hating breastfeeding to literally feeling her brain shrink and return, Makeba shares the unfiltered truth about postpartum recovery, single motherhood, and why your partner can make or break your entire experience.
Key Topics Covered:
The Breastfeeding Reality Check
• Why “the best nutrients on the planet” can still feel impossible
• Hating something you’re “supposed” to love and what that means
• The commitment that carried her through: “just do it like a zombie”
• Finding flow at 6 months when everything finally clicked
Your Brain is Literally Different
• The science behind mom brain: why your brain actually shrinks during pregnancy
• What it feels like when your brain “comes back” after 2 years
• Why you can’t handle challenges the same way you used to
• The “stuckness” that isn’t your fault - it’s biology
C-Section Recovery Reality
• Feeling “everything” while choosing no medication during breastfeeding
• The 12-week clearance myth: “I was in no place to be working out”
• Creating a home gym with baby as “little coach”
• Why movement looks completely different after becoming a mom
Postpartum and Partnership
• The direct correlation between your partner and your postpartum experience
• Why abusive relationships make postpartum depression “10 times worse”
• How partners can literally help bring you out of that space
• The myth that postpartum is something that happens TO partners, not WITH them
Single Mom Doubt and Determination
• “I don’t know if I can do this” - the honest internal dialogue
• Recovering from damage while trying to be present
• The belief that children need two-parent households vs. single mom reality
• Changing your mindset to change everything else
The Celebration We’re Missing
• “Two things can exist” - loving your kids while hating tantrums
• Why we need to celebrate showing up despite feeling unqualified
• The reality: nobody wants to deal with tantrums, and that’s okay
• Recognizing people who abandon their parenting roles vs. those who keep showing up
Connect with Makeba:
Instagram: @ynotkeeb
Join Our Mama Village:
• Instagram: @momlifeunfiltered_by_thecaep
• Website: thecaep.com
What happens when cultural expectations collide with modern motherhood? German mom Janina’s story will break your heart and open your eyes to the impossible standards moms face, no matter where they live.
From being brutally shamed for her “chunky” exclusively breastfed baby (with suggestions to give a 7-month-old TEA instead of milk) to discovering the shocking differences between European and American food regulations, Janina’s experience reveals how judgment follows moms across continents. Her honest admission about her own screen time judgment - before finding herself in that exact situation - offers a powerful lesson about empathy and assumptions.
This conversation dives deep into the cultural pressures that make parents feel like failures, the society that creates problems it then blames parents for, and why we need to normalize children being children in public spaces. Whether you’re navigating cross-cultural parenting, struggling with judgment, or trying to build your identity beyond motherhood, Janina’s wisdom and vulnerability will resonate deeply.
Perfect for moms who are tired of impossible standards and ready for honest conversations about the realities of raising children in a world full of opinions.
Guest: Janina Reimann (@janina_reimann23)
Join hosts Malliha Ahmad and Corinna Emery for an inspiring conversation with Amanda Emmerling (@toddling_traveler), the former banking COO turned travel advisor who’s proving that family adventures can start at 7 weeks old. From her daughter screaming in the Louvre to her son taking notes on geography, Amanda shares the real, unfiltered truth about traveling with kids and building a business around your passion.
Key Topics Covered:
From Banking to Travel Dreams
• How Amanda left her COO position when her son was 18 months old
• The transition from corporate life to travel advisor and blogger
• Why she knew travel would remain central to their family life
Philosophy
• First flight at 7 weeks, first road trip at 6 weeks
• How early travel exposure shaped her son’s love for geography
• The moment in the Louvre when everything “came full circle”
Real Talk: Travel Challenges
• Managing meltdowns in museums and restaurants
• The difference between her anxious 7-year-old and people-watching 4-year-old
• Solo parenting moments during family trips
Screen-Free Restaurant Strategy
• Why their family chooses no screens at dinner (with zero judgment for others)
• Activity backpacks and engagement games that actually work
• The ABC game and I Spy as lifesavers
The Evolution of Travel
• Why bad experiences can become amazing ones years later
• How our capacity and perspective changes as we grow
Mom Life Reality Check
• Life in one word: “Chaotic but fun”
• The corner stuffing and weekend planning reality
• Finding balance (or accepting there might not be such a thing)
Connect with Amanda:
Instagram: @toddling_traveler
Join Our Mama Village:
• Instagram: @momlifeunfiltered_by_thecaep
• Website: thecaep.com
What happens when a content creator known for picture-perfect travel content becomes a mom of three and everything changes? Tara shares her honest journey from running a "digital magazine" Instagram account to embracing the beautiful chaos of real motherhood.
From feeling like Jennifer Coolidge on a Vespa in Rome to navigating the reality of taking three children under two on a 9-hour international flight, Tara's stories will have you laughing, crying, and feeling deeply seen. She opens up about how becoming a mother shifted her entire perspective - not just on social media authenticity, but on appreciating her own parents and the sacrifices they made.
This conversation covers the highs and lows of family travel (spoiler: Rome airports don't sell diapers), the pressure of maintaining perfect social media while living real life, and how grief and motherhood intersect in unexpected ways. Whether you're a fellow travel mom, struggling with social media authenticity, or simply navigating the complex emotions that come with raising children while processing your own childhood, Tara's wisdom will resonate.
Perfect for moms ready to ditch the highlight reel pressure and embrace the messy, beautiful reality of motherhood - Vespa rides and international flight chaos included.
Guest: Tara @ladyhattan
Mom Guest: Ashley Scribi (@ashleymscribi) shares her refreshing perspective on creating core memories around the world, maintaining lifelong friendships, and embracing life's roller coaster with a "strap in" mentality. What if the "hard work" of traveling with kids is just a different kind of hard work than staying home?
From watching her children ride camels under starlit desert skies to prioritizing girls' nights that fill her cup, Ashley's approach to motherhood is both adventurous and grounded. She believes in showing her kids the world while they're young, maintaining friendships that go back to childhood, and owning whatever chaos life throws your way.
This conversation will inspire you to think differently about travel, friendship, and how we handle the beautiful mess of motherhood. Whether you're considering that family trip or just need permission to prioritize filling your own cup, Ashley's wisdom will resonate with your mama heart.
Join our community of moms who are done pretending it's all perfect and ready for real conversations about the adventure of raising humans.
Join hosts Malliha Ahmad and Corinna Emory for an enlightening conversation with Jasmin (@lemons.for.days), a content creator and mother of three from Calgary who's redefining what it means to parent with intention. From recognizing her children's personalities before birth to stepping back from featuring her kids on social media, Jasmine shares her evolution from trying to be the "perfect mom" to simply being better than she was yesterday.
The Magic of Stepping Back
Intuitive Motherhood
The Perfect Mom Myth
Balancing Work and Motherhood
Digital Age Parenting
Instagram:Guest Jasmin - @lemons.for.days
"The Anxious Generation" - Essential reading for parents navigating the digital age
Real, unfiltered conversations for the mom who's done pretending it's all perfect. Today we're talking with Linzy (@linzywestman), content creator and mom of three, about the beautiful art of finding balance in chaos. From stealth 5 AM mornings to the weekly routines that actually create freedom, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and honest moments every busy mom needs to hear.
Whether you're struggling to find "you" time, drowning in the daily grind, or looking for structure that doesn't feel stifling, Lindsay's approach to intentional motherhood will inspire and encourage you. Plus, her story about her three-year-old throwing up right before soccer pickup? Pure mom life gold.
Join our mama village for more real talk and community support on our FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AG1DYzoJA/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Feeling like the smallest things set you off lately? You’re not alone.
In Episode 2 of Mom Life Unfiltered, hosts Corinna and Malliha sit down with nervous system educator and mom, Carrie Allen, to talk about what’s really happening when we feel overstimulated, reactive, or totally shut down.
We dive into the biology behind burnout—and how understanding your nervous system can shift everything from your parenting to your self-compassion.
In this episode, we explore:
Why “touched out” is a real nervous system response
How to notice the signs of fight, flight, or freeze in everyday mom life
What to do when your body feels on edge 24/7
How Carrie reclaimed calm and presence through nervous system awareness
Simple tools to come back to yourself (especially in chaotic seasons)
Join the conversation:
Share your mom moments or nervous system questions in our FB group
Submit your story, question, or voice note to: momlifeunfiltered@thecaep.com
Connect with us:
IG: @thecaep
Website: thecaep.com
Guest: @thehumanarray
If this episode resonates, share it with a mom who gets it—and don’t forget to follow + leave a review.
Feeling pulled in every direction? You’re not alone.
In this episode of Mom Life Unfiltered, hosts Corinna and Malliha sit down with creative director and fellow mom Brooke Slade to talk about the tension between motherhood, ambition, and the messy work of healing.
This convo is raw, reflective, and just what you need if you’ve been craving more than survival mode.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why so many moms feel pressure to be everything for everyone
Brooke’s journey from burnout to boldness
Letting go of “perfect mom” pressure
The power of owning your personal story
Why healing isn’t linear (and how to give yourself grace)
Want to share your own story or thoughts?
Email us your questions, confessions, or story submissions at momlifeunfiltered@thecaep.com
Links & Mentions:
IG: @thecaep
Website: thecaep.com
Guest: @brookeslade
If this episode resonated, share it with a mom friend—and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. It helps us reach more moms like you.