The Happy Mama Movement with Amy Taylor-Kabbaz

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: * Unrealistic Beginnings How the "Huggies ad" version of motherhood left Belinda isolated, ashamed, and exhausted in her early years as a mum. * The Deepest Regret Why self-criticism is often the harshest parenting voice in our heads—and how seeing her daughter clearly helped Belinda rewrite her own narrative. * Practising What We Preach 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. * Barriers to Kindness The nervous system realities that make self-compassion difficult—and how to gently meet yourself when you feel most undeserving. * Tender, Not Prescriptive 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 [https://www.thecompassionproject.au] Instagram: @thecompassionproject.au [https://www.instagram.com/thecompassionproject.au] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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 [https://www.drangeleclose.com] 📸 Instagram: @drangeleclose [https://www.instagram.com/drangeleclose/] 🎥 TikTok: @cyclebreakingmomma [https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakingmomma] 📘 Free IFS Resource Guide: Available via her website ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE FOR THE OVERWHELMED MOTHER 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. WE TALK ABOUT: * Why it’s not your fault — how Stacey powerfully names the systemic failures that leave mothers unsupported, and why recognising this truth can be deeply healing. * Permission and grief in motherhood — the unseen grief that comes with letting go of the motherhood ideals we imagined, and how simple words of validation can make all the difference. * The power of boundaries and micro-moments — from closing the bathroom door to dancing in the hallway, Stacey shares small, sustainable acts of self-connection for overwhelmed mums. * Reclaiming the feminine — exploring how modern motherhood is steeped in ‘masculine doing’ and how we might return to being, feeling, and honouring our own rhythms. * Finding your village — why it’s vital to connect with other parents of neurodivergent children, and how Stacey is creating online spaces for shared understanding and laughter through the hard. TAKE WHAT YOU NEED FROM THIS CONVERSATION AND PASS IT ON — BECAUSE WHEN ONE MUM FEELS SEEN, WE ALL MOVE CLOSER TO COLLECTIVE HEALING. IF THIS EPISODE SPEAKS TO YOU, PLEASE SHARE IT WITH YOUR PEOPLE SO MORE MOTHERS CAN FEEL SUPPORTED, VALIDATED, AND REMINDED THEY ARE NOT ALONE. ABOUT STACEY ERIN: 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. RESOURCES: * Follow Stacey on Instagram: @stacey.therapist.mama [https://www.instagram.com/stacey.therapist.mama] * Learn more and explore her resources: https://www.staceyerin.com.au [https://www.staceyerin.com.au] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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. WE DISCUSS: * The Birth They Don’t Tell You About Why honest preparation matters more than fear — and how education, mindset, and advocacy shaped Jayde’s birth experience. * Labour as Initiation: Summoning the Ancestors Jayde shares the powerful moment she reached beyond herself — into something sacred and ancestral — to bring her son into the world. * Creative Rebirth: Turning Story into Stage How her personal journey became the foundation for Ripening, and how theatre can reframe motherhood’s truths for a wider audience. * Breaking the Medical Spell The intergenerational ripple of over-medicalised birth, and what happens when women begin to trust their bodies again. * From Girl to Guardian: The Making of a Mother Archetype 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 [http://www.citizentheatre.com.au/ripening] or directly through Gasworks Theatre [https://gasworks.org.au/whats-on/ripening/] Follow Citizen Theatre on Instagram: @citizentheatreau [https://www.instagram.com/citizentheatreau] Follow Jayde on Instagram: @jaydekirchert [https://www.instagram.com/jaydekirchert] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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: * The Lines We Draw Define the Lives We Lead Why setting boundaries starts with self-worth and how mothers can reclaim both. * Counting the Invisible: The Unpaid Ledger of Motherhood The hidden labour of motherhood and the data-backed case for equitable living. * Let the Children In: Raising Capable, Not Coddled How children benefit from being part of the household ‘enterprise’ and why it's time they pull their weight. * From Homefront to Boardroom: The untapped management, negotiation, and crisis skills motherhood builds and how they should translate to the workplace. * The Rebrand We Deserve: Why Gifty believes motherhood needs a full PR rebrand 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 [https://giftyenright.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giftyenright [https://www.linkedin.com/in/giftyenright] Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gifty_Enright [https://twitter.com/Gifty_Enright] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gifty.enright [https://www.instagram.com/gifty.enright] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giftyenright [https://www.facebook.com/giftyenright] Facebook Group: Women Pursuing Work-Life Mastery [https://www.facebook.com/groups/wpwm1] Book: Octopus on a Treadmill – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J1WD4HR [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 [https://www.ted.com/talks/gifty_enright_how_to_be_a_corporate_superwoman_without_losing_your_sanity] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.