Why My Gut Was Causing Anxiety, PMDD & Sensory Overload With Vanessa Spinarsky

How Do You Know You're Done Having Kids?

In this episode of The Mama Healing Hub Podcast, we're having one of the biggest conversations many parents quietly wrestle with: How do you know when you're done having kids? There isn't a checklist or a perfect answer. For some families, the decision feels clear. For others, it's layered with grief, uncertainty, differing desires, mental health considerations, finances, age gaps, relationship dynamics, and questions about capacity. As three therapists and mothers with very different experiences, we share our own stories of deciding whether to grow our families, navigating conversations with our partners, and exploring how fear, desire, and emotional readiness all play a role. This isn't an episode about convincing you one way or another. It's an invitation to slow down, reflect, and make sense of what might be influencing your own decision. In this episode, we explore: * Why deciding to stop having children is rarely just a practical decision * How mental health and nervous system capacity can shape family planning * What happens when partners want different family sizes * The role fear can play in staying stuck or rushing a decision * Why choosing not to decide right now can be a decision in itself * How to approach this conversation with more curiosity, clarity, and self-trust If you've ever found yourself wondering, Should we have another baby? or Is our family complete? this conversation is for you. 🤍 Stay Connected If you enjoyed today's episode and you're looking for more thoughtful conversations about motherhood, healing, relationships, and understanding yourself a little better, we'd love to stay connected. ✨ Follow us on Instagram: @themamahealinghubinc [https://www.instagram.com/themamahealinghubinc/]for behind-the-scenes updates and all the details about our upcoming relaunch. 📩 Want the first look before everyone else? Join our email list here [https://themamahealinghub.kit.com/779486c460⁠] And if this episode resonated with you, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation.

Who Are You Outside of Motherhood?

Sometimes the hardest question to answer isn't "What do you need?" it's "What actually brings you joy?" In this episode, the three therapists behind The Mama Healing Hub guide each other through a simple visualization exercise that uncovers something surprisingly profound. If you were dropped alone on a peaceful island with no responsibilities, no expectations, and nowhere else to be… what would you naturally find yourself doing? Together, Vanessa, Carrie, and Alyssa reflect on the challenge many moms face when they've spent so long caring for everyone else that they've lost touch with what lights them up. They explore how reconnecting with joy doesn't have to mean planning a getaway or overhauling your life..it can begin with noticing the small moments that make you feel more like yourself. In this episode, we explore: * Why so many mothers struggle to answer the question, "What do I enjoy?" * A visualization exercise to help reconnect with yourself * The surprising role creativity can play in emotional regulation * Why community and safe relationships make joy easier to access * How tiny moments of pleasure can become powerful acts of self-care If you've ever wondered who you are outside of your responsibilities, this conversation is an invitation to get curious. And if you're looking for a place to keep having these kinds of conversations, The Mama Healing Hub is a virtual, therapist-led community where mothers can find real connection, guided support, and a space to come back to themselves. Follow us on Instagram (@themamahealinghubinc) and subscribe to stay up to date with our relaunch and everything happening inside the Hub.

Judgment, Shame, and the Motherhood Experience

No matter how confident we look on the outside, most mothers have experienced some version of mom shaming. Whether it comes from family members, friends, strangers online, or even our own inner critic, judgment can leave us questioning ourselves in moments that already feel high stakes. In this episode, Vanessa, Carrie & Alyssa explore the difference between judgment and shame, why parenting decisions can feel so emotionally loaded, and how our own insecurities can sometimes shape the way we respond to other mothers. We talk about the impact of feeling criticized, the importance of validation and community, and why most moms don't need more opinions...they need more understanding. This is a conversation about self-trust, compassion, and creating a motherhood culture where women feel supported rather than scrutinized. At The Mama Healing Hub, we believe mothers need more than information. They need connection, real conversations, and a space where they can be honest about what motherhood actually feels like without fear of judgment. Follow us on Instagram @themamahealinghub and share this episode with a mom who could use a little more support and a little less judgment.

Part II: Breast Health Education & Self-Exams: Breaking the Silence Around Women’s Wellness

In this episode of the The Mama Healing Hub podcast, Carrie Parker continues her conversation with Kate Martin and Rebecca Leonardes for a deeper discussion on breast health awareness, women’s wellness, self-exams and the importance of understanding your body over time. Together, they explore why breast health is still often treated as a taboo topic and why more open, honest conversations around women’s health matter. The episode highlights how education and awareness can help women feel more connected to their bodies, more informed about signs of change, and more empowered to advocate for their health. Kate and Rebecca discuss the importance of regular self-exams, physical breast exams, and learning what is normal for your own body so changes can be recognized earlier. This episode is warm, informative, and deeply empowering for women wanting to better understand their bodies, advocate for their health, and approach breast wellness from a more grounded and informed place. If you’re looking for a space to have more of these kinds of conversations ... the ones that go deeper, feel grounded, and help you come back to yourself ... you can join us inside The Mama Healing Hub:👉 ⁠www.themamahealinghub.com⁠ [http://www.themamahealinghub.com] And if you’re curious to learn more about breast health education connect with Kate and Rebecca, you can find them through The Rebalance Clinic:👉 ⁠https://www.rebalancelondon.com/ [https://www.rebalancelondon.com/]

Part I: Thermography for Women’s Health: Early Detection, Breast Health & A Proactive Approach to Care

This is one of those conversations that helps you slow down and actually understand your options .... instead of just reacting when something feels off. In this episode, we’re joined by Kate and Rebecca from Rebalance Wellness London to talk about what thermography actually is (and what it isn’t), how it works, and why more women are starting to look at it as part of a more proactive, whole-body approach to their health. We get into how thermography can support early detection, how it tracks patterns in the body over time, and why that matters ...especially for moms who are often the last ones to check in with themselves. This isn’t about replacing anything or telling you what you should do. It’s about giving you more information so you can make decisions from a place that feels informed, steady, and aligned for you. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just waiting for something to go wrong before taking action with your health… this conversation opens up another way of thinking about it. In this convo: * What thermography is and how it actually works * The history and evolution of thermography * How thermography supports early detection and pattern tracking * Why this can be especially supportive for women and mothers * What a session looks like and what to expect * Cost, accessibility, and how people are using it alongside other care If you’re looking for a space to have more of these kinds of conversations ... the ones that go deeper, feel grounded, and help you come back to yourself ... you can join us inside The Mama Healing Hub:👉 www.themamahealinghub.com [http://www.themamahealinghub.com] And if you’re curious to learn more about thermography or connect with Kate and Rebecca, you can find them through The Rebalance Clinic:👉 https://www.rebalancelondon.com/ [https://www.rebalancelondon.com/]