#320 | NAVIGATING MOTHERHOOD AND GRIEF | WITH HALEY SMITH

#320 | NAVIGATING MOTHERHOOD AND GRIEF | WITH HALEY SMITH

Welcome Back, to the Happy Mama Movement Podcast In this heartfelt conversation, I met with Hayley Smith to discuss the often hidden experiences of motherhood, particularly in the face of grief and illness. Hayley shares her journey as a mother of three, focusing on the harrowing diagnosis of her daughter, Elsie Rae, with cancer. They explore the emotional turmoil of navigating a child's illness, the lack of support for parents, and the importance of normalizing conversations around grief. Hayley emphasizes the need for emotional tools and community support, reflecting on her own experiences with grief and the cultural stigmas surrounding it. We Discuss: * Normalizing motherhood includes discussing grief and illness. * Motherhood expectations often differ from reality. * The diagnosis process can be overwhelming and chaotic. * Emotional support for parents is often lacking in medical settings. * Cultural practices around grief can provide valuable insights. * Advocacy for better support systems is essential for families. * Community support can significantly impact coping with illness. ABOUT HALEY: Hayley is the founder of Cancer Dancer, a heart-led platform supporting mothers and families through the emotional and physical challenges of cancer. A mum of three, Hayley’s world changed forever when her youngest child was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at just 22 months old. This wasn’t her first encounter with cancer—she lost her father to the disease as a teenager, whilst her mother survived cancer. These life-shaping experiences led her on a 30-year healing journey. MAKE-A-WISH: ·             Since 1985, Make-A-Wish Australia has granted over 11,000 unique, inspiring and extraordinary wishes across the country ·             Make-A-Wish Australia is currently supporting over 900 kids on their wish journey ·             Make-A-Wish Australia is a registered Australian children’s charity that relies on its volunteers, donors and supporters to make wishes happen ·             For everyone involved, wishes have a remarkable, uplifting and positive impact - well beyond the wish itself  . Make-A-Wish[data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNgYAAAAAMAASsJTYQAAAAASUVORK5CYII=] Australia creates life-changing wishes for children with a critical illness  [data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNgYAAAAAMAASsJTYQAAAAASUVORK5CYII=][data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNgYAAAAAMAASsJTYQAAAAASUVORK5CYII=][data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNgYAAAAAMAASsJTYQAAAAASUVORK5CYII=] CONTACTS: FACEBOOK: /cancerdancer IG: /cancerdancer.co LINKEDIN: cancer-dancer WEBSITE: www.cancerdancer.co Chapters 00:00 Normalizing Motherhood and Grief 01:37 The Journey of Motherhood Before Diagnosis 03:30 The Diagnosis: A Mother's Intuition 08:49 The Shock of a Life-Altering Diagnosis 12:39 Finding Support in Crisis 21:23 Grieving Expectations and Reality 25:00 Exploring Grief Rituals and Acceptance 30:51 Navigating Guilt and Strength in Adversity 37:11 Transmuting Emotions: From Guilt to Strength ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#319 | BRINGING MATRESCENCE INTO HOSPITAL BIRTHING SUITES | WITH EMILY MITCHELL

WELCOME BACK TO THE HAPPY MAMA MOVEMENT PODCAST. In this weeks episode, I speak with Emily Mitchell to explore the concept of matrescence, our grand transition into motherhood, and the importance of support systems during the postpartum period. Emily shares her personal journey, including the trauma of her first birth experience and how it shaped her understanding of motherhood. We discuss the creation of resources aimed at educating new mothers about matrescence and the collaborative efforts with healthcare professionals to improve postpartum care. Our conversation emphasizes the need for community support and the empowerment of mothers through knowledge and understanding of their experiences. WE DISCUSS * Matrescence is a transformative process that impacts mothers deeply. * Emily's first birth experience was traumatic and unplanned. * Understanding matrescence can provide relief and validation for mothers. * Support systems are crucial during the fourth trimester. * Preparation for a second birth can lead to a more positive experience. * Creating resources for new mothers can help them navigate postpartum challenges. * Co-designing support with healthcare professionals is essential. * Empowering mothers through education can change their postpartum experience. * The importance of self-reflection and internal validation for mothers. * Community support plays a vital role in maternal health. ABOUT EMILY Emily Mitchell is here to disrupt the motherhood narrative and shift the focus from the baby to the mother because she is born alongside her baby and needs to be held just as tight. Founder of Motherhood Milestones, a multi award winning business, Emily creates heartfelt cards without the hallmark cliches that honour the reality of motherhood and create space for supportive and honest conversations. A keen motherhood advocate, Emily has partnered with government to create resources and programs for new mums to validate and support their introduction to motherhood. A Reiki Practitioner and Mama Rising Facilitator, Emily works to remind mothers of their own power while also balancing her own role as mother to her four-year-old son and soon to be new arrival.  CONTACT: Website: www.motherhoodmilestones.com [http://www.motherhoodmilestones.com/]  Facebook and Instagram: @motherhoodmilestones CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Matrescence and Its Impact 01:28 Emily's Personal Journey into Motherhood 04:00 The Trauma of Birth and Its Aftermath 06:29 Understanding Matrescence: A New Perspective 08:49 Preparing for a Second Birth: Lessons Learned 10:08 The Importance of Support in the Fourth Trimester 12:06 Creating Resources for New Mothers 15:35 Co-Designing Support with Healthcare Professionals 19:04 Empowering Mothers Through Education 22:15 The Pilot Program and Its Anticipated Impact 25:33 Conversations That Matter: Values and Support 27:28 Conclusion and Future Aspirations ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

# 318 | BREAKDOWNS LEAD TO BREAKTHROUGHS | WITH MANDY JACKSON

Welcome back, Mama's. This week, Amanda Jackson and I explore the profound journey of motherhood and Matrescence, discussing the emotional and physical transformations that come with becoming a mother. We delve into the struggles of adjusting to new identities, the importance of self-care, and the need to listen to one's body. Amanda shares her personal experiences and insights from her book, emphasizing the significance of community support and the healing power of sharing stories among mothers. Some takeaways from our conversation: * Writing a book is a vulnerable process. * Matrescence is often unrecognized in motherhood. * Motherhood can challenge our expectations and identities. * Breakdowns can lead to breakthroughs in self-awareness. * Listening to our bodies is crucial for well-being. * Self-care should be about tuning into our needs. * Creating support systems is essential for mothers. * The experience of motherhood is shared across generations. * Healing comes from sharing our stories. * Empowerment in motherhood comes from understanding matrescence. About Mandy Amanda, or Mandy as she’s affectionately known by her clients, guides mothers on a path from guilt to growth. Her methods make visible the invisible loads and expectations that set mothers up to feel as though they’ve failed. Instead of perpetuating myths that the role of mother will neatly integrate into life without changing us, Mandy #39;s signature programs embrace matrescence and the mother-child relationship as opportunities for profound personal and professional growth. Mandy has a background in psychology and sociology and completed her thesis on the regulation of pregnant women’s bodies. Her approach draws from experience in Corrective Services, youth and family development, and corporate sectors. Chapters 00:00 The Birth of a Book 02:16 Honoring the Body in Motherhood 05:47 The Reality of Matrescence 11:31 Breakdowns and Breakthroughs 18:34 Redefining Self-Care 23:50 Creating Accessible Support for Mothers 28:07 Reflections on Matrescence and Self-Connection ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#317 | TAKE THE MIC | POST-DIAGNOSIS MOTHERHOOD | WITH KRISTEN KILLORAN

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. SHE TALKS ABOUT: * How a child’s diagnosis can awaken a second transformation in motherhood. * The invisible weight and isolation many caregiving mothers carry. * Grief, rage, love, and identity — all existing side by side. * The need for spaces that hold mothers, not just their children. * The hope that rises when we begin to honour our own becoming. May this conversation remind you: you are not broken, you are becoming — again and again, in ways that matter more than you know. ABOUT KIRSTEN 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 [https://www.finding-motherhood.com] Podcast: Fi(ND)ing Motherhood on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4aWqk0hVmydjhQn3hZwDzt?si=32eddcdf32e54690] TikTok: @findingmotherhoodcoach Instagram: @findingmotherhoodcoach [https://www.instagram.com/findingmotherhoodcoach] Facebook: facebook.com/FindingMotherhoodCoach [https://facebook.com/FindingMotherhoodCoach] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#316 | UNDERSTANDING MATERNAL AMBIVALENCE | WITH DR MARGOT LOWY

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: * Maternal ambivalence encompasses all feelings of motherhood. * Acknowledging dark feelings is crucial for genuine mothering. * Societal expectations make it hard to discuss negative emotions. * Finding a safe space to talk about feelings is essential. * Ambivalence is often misunderstood as indifference. * Mothers experience both love and bitterness simultaneously. * Dark feelings can lead to personal transformation. * It's important to embrace the full spectrum of emotions. * Open discussions about motherhood can reduce shame. * Maternal ambivalence is a common experience for all mothers. 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 [https://www.instagram.com/drmargolowy] Website: https://drmargolowy.com/ [https://drmargolowy.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmargolowy/ [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 ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.