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.
This podcast is a collection of stories of matrescence, motherhood, womanhood and change, told by our Mama Rising coaches and mothers around the globe. Through our stories and community, we hope that the wisdom of the rite of passage of matrescence spreads far and wide, and that we can begin to change the way we see, value and support ALL mothers everywhere. Because we really need it.
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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.
This podcast is a collection of stories of matrescence, motherhood, womanhood and change, told by our Mama Rising coaches and mothers around the globe. Through our stories and community, we hope that the wisdom of the rite of passage of matrescence spreads far and wide, and that we can begin to change the way we see, value and support ALL mothers everywhere. Because we really need it.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back to The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
In this Take the Mic episode, I’m honoured to share the voice of Kirsten Calloran — a Mama Rising coach and lactation consultant from County Wicklow, Ireland — whose story reaches straight into the heart of motherhood’s deepest transformations. Kirsten invites us into her journey through post-diagnosis motherhood — the moment her son’s autism diagnosis opened a second matrescence, a new becoming that reshaped everything she thought she knew about identity, strength, and love.This is a story of grief and grace, of survival and softening. Of finding language for what once felt unspeakable. It’s an offering to every mother who’s ever wondered where she went — and to those slowly remembering themselves, one tender breath at a time.
May this conversation remind you: you are not broken, you are becoming — again and again, in ways that matter more than you know.
Kirsten Calloran is a matrescence coach based in Ireland, specialising in post-diagnosis support for mothers (and fathers) of neurodivergent and disabled children.
She combines lived experience with professional training to help parents navigate what she calls “post-diagnosis matrescence” — the profound identity shift that begins when the life you imagined for yourself and your child suddenly changes.
Through her 1:1 coaching, talks for families in disability services, podcast Fi(ND)ing Motherhood, and compassionate social media presence, Kirsten offers validation, emotional grounding, and practical support to women often left behind by traditional parenting narratives.
Her work centres on the belief that when we nurture mothers, we strengthen families — and that no woman should have to lose herself to love her child well.
Kirsten lives in Wicklow with her husband, daughter, and young son, whose diagnosis marked the beginning of her own second becoming.
Connect with Kirsten:
Website: www.finding-motherhood.com
Podcast: Fi(ND)ing Motherhood on Spotify
TikTok: @findingmotherhoodcoach
Instagram: @findingmotherhoodcoach
Facebook: facebook.com/FindingMotherhoodCoach
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WELCOME, MAMAS, TO THE MAMA MOVEMENT PODCAST.
In this conversation, Today Dr. Margot Lowy and myself delve into the often overlooked topic of maternal ambivalence, exploring the complex emotional landscape of motherhood.
Dr. Lowy emphasizes the importance of acknowledging both the loving and bitter feelings that come with being a mother, advocating for open discussions about these emotions to foster genuine connections and understanding. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about ambivalence, clarifying that it is not indifference but rather a rich tapestry of feelings that mothers experience.
We cover the following:
ABOUT MARGOT
Margo Lowy, PhD, is a psychotherapist specializing in mothering. She is the author of MATERNAL AMBIVALENCE: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood (Post Hill Press) and holds a doctorate from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, where she researched maternal ambivalence. Dr. Lowy is the author of a previous academic book, The Maternal Experience: Encounters with Ambivalence and Love, and has spoken about maternal ambivalence at universities and in media interviews worldwide. She is a columnist for Psychology Today, a member of PEN America, and a former advisor to the founder of the Australian Jewish Fertility Network (AJFN). She is mother to three children and is based with her husband in New York City.
CONTACTS
IG: https://www.instagram.com/drmargolowy
Website: https://drmargolowy.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmargolowy/
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Maternal Ambivalence
04:57 The Misconceptions of Ambivalence
06:01 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Motherhood
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Welcome to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
Today I’m joined by Lucy Wylde — coach for women and mothers, matrescence guide, personal trainer, and perinatal wellbeing specialist.
With raw honesty and poetic strength, Lucy shares the story of her early experiences of motherhood — from medical trauma and personal betrayal to powerful reclamation — and how she rose from the fire to support others in doing the same.
WE TALK ABOUT:
How five days of labour and a traumatic emergency C-section shattered her sense of safety and control.
Why we need to stop asking new mothers about their babies and start seeing them — especially when the system doesn’t.
The healing power of movement, performance, and allowing the primal truth of our motherhood stories to be expressed.
Why Lucy believes we need a new language for survival — and how finding comfort isn’t a failure but a lifeline.
From trauma to poetry, Lucy reflects on the death of an old self and the fierce beauty of becoming your own protector.
Lucy’s story is one of heartbreak and hope, rage and resilience. I hope it leaves you feeling less alone, more seen, and ready to take up space in your own journey — no matter where you are right now. If this episode speaks to your heart, please share it widely so other mothers can feel held, too.
ABOUT LUCY WYLDE:
Lucy Wylde is a coach for women and mothers, as well as a perinatal wellbeing specialist. Her work and passion are dedicated to helping women not just survive but truly thrive — in both body and mind. Lucy is also a Matrescence coach, personal trainer, yoga teacher, and a mother herself.
With a background in dance, Lucy has been a personal trainer for 17 years, a postnatal exercise specialist for 13 years, and a yoga teacher for 12 years. She became a Mama Rising Facilitator in 2022 and a Matrescence coach in 2023. She is also a solo mama to her 10-year-old daughter and deeply passionate about supporting women through all stages of motherhood.
RESOURCES:
Instagram: @lucy_wylde_
Website: lucywylde.com
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In this conversation, Ashley Chang and I discuss the challenges faced by working mothers in balancing their careers and family life.
Ashley shares her personal experiences and insights from her research on the struggles of working parents, emphasizing the need for support systems and the importance of recognizing the mental load that comes with parenting. They explore the concept of creating a supportive environment for mothers, including the role of executive assistants in alleviating some of the burdens of family management. The discussion highlights the ongoing challenges in workplace culture and the need for more effective solutions to support working families.
IN THIS EPSIODE:
ABOUT ASHLEY:
Bio - Ashley Chang is the co-founder and CEO of Sundays. She was inspired to start Sundays by her own mom, a software engineer in the 80’s who left the workforce because she felt like she had to make a choice between work and family. Ashley spent a decade prior to Sundays in early stage technology companies – as the first employee at a developer tool company, building member experience for health insurance and benefits at Collective Health, and joining Carta to help scale their Venture Capital products from $10 to >$100M in revenue. During this time she saw many of the smartest women she knows have to make the same choice between family and work, 30 years later. In the past year, she has spoken to >1,000 parents about what makes it so hard to have both a meaningful career and family. She’s on a mission to make it possible for future generations.
CONTACTS:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymchang/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/with-sundays
https://www.instagram.com/with_sundays
Website Details - https://withsundays.com/utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=happymamapodcast
CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Journey of Motherhood and Career
12:51 The Reality of Balancing Work and Family
24:48 Creating Support Systems for Working Mothers
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Welcome back, beautiful mamas, to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
In this heartfelt and deeply persona TAKE THE MIC episode, Lee Tracey — a Sex Educator, Matrescence Coach, Yoga Teacher, and Acupuncturist — shares her story of awakening, healing, and reclamation. Through her own matrescence journey, Lee uncovered not only the physical challenges of postpartum life but the profound transformation of identity, sexuality, and self that comes with becoming a mother.
Drawing on both lived experience and professional insight, Lee shines light on an often-silent truth: that up to 88% of women face changes in sexual health and wellbeing during the perinatal period. Yet so few are offered support or understanding. Her story is both an invitation and a revolution — calling us back to our bodies, our pleasure, and our wholeness.
LEE SHARES:
Lee’s solo reflection is raw, liberating, and tender — a reminder that our sexuality and our motherhood are not opposing forces, but intertwined expressions of our deepest humanity.
If this episode moves you, please share it with another mother who may need to hear these words. Together, we can break the silence and honour the full spectrum of womanhood.
Lee Tracey is a women’s health and sexual wellbeing professional. She is a trained professional Sex Educator, certified through The Sexual Health Alliance (AASECT) , a certified Matrescence Coach (ICF) certified through Amy Taylor Kabbaz & also an Acupuncturist. She is the co-founder of Reformation Studios and has been teaching yoga and leading training's for over a decade & has qualifications in multiple disciplines and lineages. She is a passionate and professional advocate for Women's Health focused on providing support & education.e.
📸 Instagram: @LeeTraceyLife
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Welcome, dear listener, to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
In this conversation, Amy Taylor-Kabbaz speaks with Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett — journalist, author, and columnist for The Guardian and Vogue — about the profound emotional and political layers of motherhood. Through her own journey, Rhiannon reflects on the uncertainty of choosing to have children, the unspoken vulnerability that follows, and the urgent need for better systems of care and community support for parents everywhere.
Together, they explore the tension between personal transformation and societal expectation — how motherhood reshapes identity, challenges old narratives, and reveals how deeply entwined the personal is with the political.
We talk about:
This episode is an invitation to see motherhood not just as a private journey, but as a deeply collective experience — one that calls for compassion, honesty, and courageous change.
If this conversation resonates, please share it with another mama who may need to hear that she is not alone. Together, we can rewrite the story of what it means to mother in today’s world.
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett is a journalist and writer. She is the co-author of The Vagenda, and the author of the novel The Tyranny of Lost Things, and the critically acclaimed memoir, The Year of the Cat, about deciding whether or not to have a baby. She is a columnist for the Guardian and Vogue, and has written for Elle, Stylist, the New Statesman, the Independent and Time.
📸 Instagram: @rhiannonlucycosslett
✖️ X (Twitter): @rhiannonlucyc
CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Journey to Motherhood: A Personal Exploration
05:55 The Reality of Motherhood vs. Expectations
11:43 Navigating Mental Health Postpartum
17:46 The Need for Support Systems in Parenting
23:41 Motherhood as a Political Experience
29:40 Hope and Change in Parenting Dynamics
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Welcome back, mamas.
In this return episode, I want to share something close to my heart — a reflection on my own journey through burnout, vulnerability, and change. Over the past few months, I’ve been reminded just how hard it can be to pause, to admit that we’re struggling, and to honour our need for rest. Motherhood asks so much of us, and yet within the breaking down, there is always a quiet invitation to begin again — softer, truer, more aligned with who we’re becoming.
Key Takeawways: :
If you’re feeling stretched, tired, or unsure right now — please know...
You are not alone.
We are most definitely in this together.
Amy is a writer, speaker, coach, and mother who has spent over a decade exploring the transformation of matrescence — the complete identity shift that happens when a woman becomes a mother. Through her award-winning podcast The Happy Mama Movement and her global coaching program Mama Rising, Amy helps women and professionals understand and honour this life-changing rite of passage with compassion and truth.
🌐 amytaylorkabbaz.com
📸 Instagram: @amytaylorkabbaz
Chapters
00:00 Relaunching the Podcast: A Personal Reflection
03:00 The Need for Rest: A Mother’s Journey
06:09 Breaking the Cycle: From Superwoman to Vulnerability
10:06 Navigating the Liminal Space: Transformation and Identity
15:07 Embracing Change: Lessons from the Journey
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Welcome to this episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
Today, I’m joined by mindfulness teacher and founder of The Compassion Project, Belinda Haan. With warmth and honesty, Belinda shares how perfectionism and self-doubt marked her early motherhood years—and how compassion, not criticism, became her most powerful tool.
We talk about:
How the "Huggies ad" version of motherhood left Belinda isolated, ashamed, and exhausted in her early years as a mum.
Why self-criticism is often the harshest parenting voice in our heads—and how seeing her daughter clearly helped Belinda rewrite her own narrative.
How running honest, real-talk mother’s groups made Belinda realise it was time to embody self-compassion in her own life, not just teach it.
The nervous system realities that make self-compassion difficult—and how to gently meet yourself when you feel most undeserving.
Why self-compassion isn’t a one-size-fits-all script—and how small, embodied gestures can shift your whole day.
This is a conversation full of quiet revelations and radical permission. I hope it reminds you that you are never alone in this—and that kindness, towards yourself, is not something you have to earn. If this resonates, please share it with a mother who needs to hear it too.
ABOUT BELINDA HAAN
Belinda Haan is a mindfulness teacher, creator and humble guide to the full joy, catastrophe and sacredness of life.
As an Ambassador of Compassion with Stanford University, she founded The Compassion Project—a heartfelt initiative delivering practical, research-backed tools to reduce suffering and cultivate compassion.
Its first resource, The Emotional Support for Mothers Toolkit, provides the missing piece of modern mothering with a practical how-to for nervous system support, emotional self-regulation, resilience and wisdom. Grounded in the day-to-day of parenting, it treats mothers as real people—supporting them to meet all of motherhood with more confidence, ease and self-compassion.
A mother of two, Belinda created this work to offer solace, inspiration, and meaningful tools for families everywhere.
RESOURCES:
Website: The Compassion Project
Instagram: @thecompassionproject.au
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Welcome to this soulful and deeply honest episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
In today’s solo Mama Rising story, we hear from Dr. Angele Close — clinical psychologist, author, and motherhood coach — as she shares her personal matrescence journey.
What began with the excitement of becoming a mother to three children unfolded into a deeply transformative path through burnout, grief, intergenerational trauma, and ultimately, healing.
We’re invited into her story — one filled with honesty, insight, and a reminder that we can parent with more compassion once we learn to extend that same compassion inward.
In this episode, we explore:
When Motherhood Doesn’t Match the Map
How early expectations about parenting clashed with the emotional intensity of raising three neurodivergent children.
The Invisible Inheritance We Carry
Why our reactions to our kids’ big emotions often reflect unprocessed wounds from our own childhood.
The Name That Changed Everything
How discovering matrescence mid-pandemic gave Angele a framework that lifted years of shame and confusion.
Meeting the Self Within
How Internal Family Systems (IFS) helped her heal deep wounds and show up with more calm and confidence.
Parenting from the Inside Out
Why voicing our mixed feelings and being compassionately witnessed is one of motherhood’s most healing acts.
ABOUT DR. ANGELE CLOSE:
Dr. Angele Close helps moms navigate the transformative journey of matrescence, combining the insights of Internal Family Systems (IFS) to heal old wounds, break generational cycles, and embrace motherhood with more self-compassion, joy, and authenticity. A clinical psychologist, motherhood coach, meditation teacher, and author, Angele works with moms one-on-one, facilitates local mothers’ circles, and has an upcoming book on how to integrate IFS into the matrescence journey. Her work is grounded in personal experience and the belief that motherhood can be a powerful path to healing and wholeness.
RESOURCES
🌐 Website: www.drangeleclose.com
📸 Instagram: @drangeleclose
🎥 TikTok: @cyclebreakingmomma
📘 Free IFS Resource Guide: Available via her website
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Welcome, dear listener, to another honest and heartfelt episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
Today, I’m joined by the remarkable Stacey Erin — Social Worker, Therapist, Coach and a fiercely loving mother who works with families navigating the social and emotional wellbeing of neurodivergent children. With deep compassion and no-nonsense wisdom, Stacey names the invisible weight so many mothers carry — and offers both fierce truth and tender support in return.
Stacey Erin is a Social Worker, Therapist, Counsellor and Coach for mums, children and adolescents aged 3–16 years. She specialises in therapeutic intervention for the social and emotional health and well-being of neurodivergent (autistic and attention variant) clients and their families. With over 20 years of experience as both a social worker and teacher in educational settings, Stacey now offers support privately and through self-managed NDIS plans. Her approach is deeply informed by both her professional knowledge and her lived experience as a mother.
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Welcome to this soul-stirring episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
Today, I’m joined by Jayde Kirchert — mother, writer, director, and Artistic Director of Citizen Theatre. Jayde’s latest work Ripening explores the complex terrain of motherhood and birth through a bold, theatrical lens — and in this deeply honest conversation, she shares her own story of labour, loss, transformation, and creative awakening.
Why honest preparation matters more than fear — and how education, mindset, and advocacy shaped Jayde’s birth experience.
Jayde shares the powerful moment she reached beyond herself — into something sacred and ancestral — to bring her son into the world.
How her personal journey became the foundation for Ripening, and how theatre can reframe motherhood’s truths for a wider audience.
The intergenerational ripple of over-medicalised birth, and what happens when women begin to trust their bodies again.
How birth shaped Jayde’s spiritual evolution — and how it helped her locate the deep, unwavering strength she brings to both mothering and making art.
This episode is a love letter to informed birth, artistic courage, and the sacred role of mothers as culture-shapers. May it inspire you to remember your own power and share your story — because in the sharing, we begin to shift the collective. If this conversation moved you, please pass it on. Every mother deserves to feel seen.
ABOUT JAYDE KIRCHERT:
Writer. Director. Artistic Visionary. Mother.
Jayde is a mother to a toddler, wife, writer, director, dramaturge, lecturer and Artistic Director of Melbourne-based theatre company, Citizen Theatre. She has directed and written multiple critically acclaimed productions through Citizen Theatre.
Recent projects include The Lyrebird's Voice for Victorian Opera (librettist and lyricist), Mara KORPER for Citizen Theatre (writer and director), When The Light Leaves for Citizen Theatre (director and dramaturge), and Sweet Charity for VCA Music Theatre. She is also completing her PhD, which includes the creation of a new feminist musical, Dangerous.
RESOURCES:
🎭 Ripening is playing May 28–31, 2025, at Gasworks Studio Theatre
– Approx. 90 minutes
– Showtimes: 7pm (Wed–Sat) and 2pm (Sat matinee)
– Tickets available via the Citizen Theatre website or directly through Gasworks Theatre
Follow Citizen Theatre on Instagram: @citizentheatreau
Follow Jayde on Instagram: @jaydekirchert
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Redrawing the Lines: Boundaries, Worth, and the True Value of Motherhood
Welcome to this powerful new episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
Today, I’m joined by Gifty Enright — wellbeing and diversity expert, author, and internationally respected leadership coach. With her signature wit and wisdom, Gifty challenges the status quo and reminds us that the job of raising the next generation isn’t just important — it’s foundational to our entire society.
We talk about:
This conversation is a call to action and a celebration. I hope it leaves you feeling grounded in your worth and inspired to start drawing clearer, bolder red lines because you're not just doing important work, you're doing essential work. .
ABOUT GIFTY ENRIGHT:
Gifty Enright is a globally recognised expert in workplace wellbeing, diversity, and leadership. As an Author and expert TV contributor with three decades of corporate experience, she has led business transformations, run her own successful business, written a bestselling book, and delivered an impactful TEDx talk. Gifty’s innovative approach blends Western science, Eastern philosophy, and African wisdom, making her a sought-after speaker and coach. She is dedicated to transforming workplaces into havens of creativity, productivity, and responsible leadership. Her holistic coaching addresses physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, providing practical strategies for personal and professional growth.
RESOURCES:
Website: https://giftyenright.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giftyenright
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gifty_Enright
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gifty.enright
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giftyenright
Facebook Group: Women Pursuing Work-Life Mastery
Book: Octopus on a Treadmill – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J1WD4HR
TEDx Talk: How to Be a Corporate Superwoman Without Losing Your Sanity: https://www.ted.com/talks/gifty_enright_how_to_be_a_corporate_superwoman_without_losing_your_sanity
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A Quiet Moment Together on The Happy Mama Movement Podcast
In this solo episode, we're joined by one of our incredible Mama Rising® Movement Facilitators, Claire Holloway—a devoted guide for women on the journey of matrescence and the founder of The Centre of Bright Beginnings. Claire opens her heart and shares her personal story of becoming a mother, what surprised her, what healed her, and how she now supports others navigating their own bright beginnings.
We talk about:
ABOUT CLAIRE HOLLOWAY:
Claire Holloway is the founder of The Centre of Bright Beginnings, where she supports people throughout the journey of matrescence. She is an experienced yoga practitioner, facilitator, and movement educator with a special interest in perinatal and pelvic health. Her prenatal, postpartum and parenting programs are shaped by her own experience of becoming a mother and her training as a Matrescence Coach, creating deeply supportive spaces for others to navigate their transformation. Claire’s upcoming offering Yoga for Homebirth will launch in early 2025.
Connect with Claire:
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Welcome to The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
This week’s guest is Ilana Yahdav — a certified grief educator, storyteller, and advocate for reimagining our relationship with grief, especially during the profound identity shift of motherhood. In this deeply affirming conversation, we explore the powerful intersection between matrescence and grief, and how validating our emotions can lead to profound healing.
We talk about:
If this episode resonated with you, please share it with loved ones who might need this reminder today.
ABOUT ILYANA YAHDAV:
Ilana Yahdav is a certified matrescence coach, grief educator, speaker, writer, and CEO of The Non-Linear Journey. As a mother of two young children, she combines her expertise and experience to guide moms through motherhood's physical and emotional transformations—from embracing their new identity to grieving the life they've left behind. Ilana makes challenging topics approachable with gentle humor and deep empathy by creating a safe and supportive environment.
RESOURCES:
🌐 Website: https://thenonlinearjourney.com/
Substack: thenonlinearjourney.substack.com
📸 Instagram: @thenonlinearjourneylife
📌 Pinterest: The Non-Linear Journey
📘 Facebook: The Non-Linear Journey
🔗 LinkedIn (Personal): Ilyana Shapiro Yahdav
🏢 LinkedIn (Company): The Non-Linear Journey
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Welcome to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
Today, I’m joined by Gayane Aramyan, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health.
With warmth, wisdom, and lived experience, Gayane helps us explore what’s really happening beneath the surface of anger, conflict, and overwhelm in early parenthood and how we can begin to heal and reconnect.
We get deep into the weeds:
How Gayane’s journey into therapy began in her teens, and how her early exposure to anger management and mentorship shaped her path into perinatal mental health.
Why becoming a mother during the pandemic—and navigating exhaustion, depression, and an unexpected diagnosis—deepened Gayane’s understanding of what new parents truly need.
Why so many parents seek help only after things unravel—and how shifting the timeline to include mental health preparation before birth can change the postpartum experience entirely.
What emotional flooding really is, why it’s so common in early parenthood, and how naming and normalising these states can help parents feel less alone and more empowered.
How cultural silence, unrealistic expectations, and internalised fear keep new parents from speaking up—and why so many mothers later say, “I wish someone had told me.”
ABOUT GAYANE ARAMYAN:
Gayane Aramyan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Los Angeles, specializing in perinatal therapy. She helps individuals and couples navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood, offering compassionate support through these profound life transitions. Drawing from her own experiences—marrying her high school sweetheart and balancing working parenthood—Gayane brings a deeply personal understanding to her practice.
She earned her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University and has advanced training in Anger Management, Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT), Grief Processing, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Known for her nurturing and validating approach, Gayane creates a safe space for healing and personal growth. Her expertise has been featured in Women's Health, CNBC, Forbes, The Los Angeles Times, and HuffPost, where she shares insights on relationships and self-development. Whether guiding young women through life transitions or supporting couples in parenthood, Gayane is dedicated to helping clients build fulfilling, resilient lives.
RESOURCES:
Instagram: @therapywithgayane
Website: www.therapywithgayane.com
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Welcome to this Light-filled episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
Today, I'm thrilled to be joined by the remarkable Amy Molloy—an award-winning journalist, editor, author, and the creative force behind the hit podcast The Space, which has garnered over 6 million downloads. Amy's dedication to "words that move the world forward" has led her to craft compelling narratives that resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.
In Our Conversation, We Explore:
About Amy Molloy:
Amy Molloy is an award-winning journalist, editor, and author dedicated to producing uplifting content that supports emotional well-being. She is the creator of The Space podcast and the founder of LightWriter Media, where she mentors writers in sharing their personal stories with courage and clarity. Amy's upcoming book, Wise Child, explores a radical approach to parenting by tapping into children's innate wisdom and is set to be published by Hay House in March 2025.
Connect with Amy:
Resources Mentioned:
I hope this episode offers you valuable insights and inspiration. If it resonates with you, please share it with fellow mamas who might benefit from Amy's wisdom and experience.
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Welcome to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!
In this heartfelt talk, Melissa Blum, the founder of Into Full Bloom, a coaching service dedicated to supporting mothers takes the mic and shares with us her story.
Melissa is a Mama Rising Facilitator, a soon-to-be certified life coach, an engineer, and a mother herself. She brings a rich blend of experience in environmental engineering, psychology, and grief work to her practice, helping mothers navigate both the joy and the loss that can come with motherhood.
Melissa discusses:
I hope this conversation brings you comfort and clarity. If it resonates, please share it — the more we talk about the realities of motherhood, the more we can support one another through the journey.
ABOUT MELISSA BLUM: Melissa Blum is the owner of Into Full Bloom, a coaching service supporting mothers through every stage of their experience. A Mama Rising Facilitator and soon-to-be certified life coach, Melissa's work is shaped by her background in environmental engineering, psychology, and grief work. She is passionate about helping mothers find space for themselves, use creativity to explore their emotions, and feel seen and supported in their grief. Melissa is rediscovering her own femininity and spirituality, walking alongside mothers as they navigate the profound transitions of matrescence.
Find Melissa on Instagram: @intofullbloomcoaching
Website coming soon: www.intofullbloom.com.au
Let me know if you’d like me to refine anything or add more detail! ✨
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300 Episodes of The Happy Mama Movement: A Reflection on Matrescence Awareness
Welcome to this very special episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast—our 300th episode!
I can hardly believe we've reached this milestone. It’s been an incredible journey, and today, I want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, how much the awareness of matrescence has grown, and what this means for mothers everywhere.
Here’s to the next 300 episodes and beyond!
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Welcome to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.
Today, we’re joined by the wonderful Nancy Reddy—writer, poet, and writing teacher—whose work explores the often messy, complex realities of motherhood and creativity. Nancy’s first book of narrative nonfiction, The Good Mother Myth, is set to be published by St. Martin’s in January 2025. She’s also the author of three books of poetry, including Pocket Universe, and co-editor of The Long Devotion: Poets Writing Motherhood. Her writing dives into the truths behind the glossy myths we’re told about motherhood, and she’s been featured in Slate, Romper, and Electric Literature, among others.
We explore:
As always, I hope this conversation sparks something in you. If it does, please pass it along to the mothers in your life. We all deserve a little more honesty, support, and solidarity on this wild ride.
ABOUT NANCY REDDY: Nancy Reddy is a writer and a writing teacher. Her first book of narrative nonfiction, The Good Mother Myth, is forthcoming from St. Martin’s in January 2025. She is the author of three books of poetry, most recently Pocket Universe, and the co-editor of The Long Devotion: Poets Writing Motherhood. Her recent writing includes pieces on the damaging mythology of the “golden hour” after birth for Slate, making mom friends for Romper, and review-essays on the whiteness of the motherhood memoir and the political nature of motherhood at Electric Literature. Nancy holds an MFA in poetry and a PhD in rhetoric and composition, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In a previous academic life, she published scholarly work on writing studies and materiality, creative writing pedagogy, and community literacy in journals such as Community Literacy Journal, Literacy in Composition Studies, and The Journal of Creative Writing Studies.
Nancy currently teaches at Stockton University in New Jersey, and she also leads community writing workshops and lifelong learning courses, including at the Cooper Street Writing Workshops at Rutgers-Camden, the Stockton Institute for Lifelong Learning, Blue Stoop, and Murphy Writing. You can find her on Instagram and subscribe to her newsletter, Write More, Be Less Careful, where she offers wisdom and encouragement on navigating the often-difficult writing life.
RESOURCES:
OR HERE: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-good-mother-myth/nancy-reddy/9781250336644
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Welcome to The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!
In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Kelly Thistlethwaite, an experienced Somatic and Matrescence Coach, to explore the transformative journey of motherhood. Kelly shares her profound insights on navigating the emotional landscape of motherhood, healing from birth trauma, and the importance of nervous system regulation in fostering resilience and well-being.
We talk about:
I hope this conversation offers you comfort, insight, and a sense of connection. If it resonates with you, please share it widely so more mothers can access the support they need to thrive.
ABOUT KELLY THISTLETHWAITE:
Kelly Thistlethwaite is an experienced Trauma-Informed Yoga and Breathwork instructor, specializing in pre- and postnatal care, nervous system regulation, and neurosensory exercises. As a Matrescence Coach and Mama Rising™ facilitator, Kelly supports mothers through the profound transformation of motherhood. She has a particular focus on helping women heal from birth trauma and perinatal loss, using somatic practices rooted in the Polyvagal Theory to promote safety, connection, and emotional regulation. Kelly is also the Co-Founder of FLY Mama, a pioneering digital maternity support platform that collaborates with NHS trusts and bereavement charities in the UK.
RESOURCES:
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