Self-Care, Support, and the Reality of Motherhood

When Pregnancy Turns High-Risk: Navigating Preeclampsia and Recovery

This educational interview features Paula Yost sharing powerful personal stories and expert insights about preeclampsia, pregnancy complications, and postpartum recovery. Alongside Jeselle’s own experience with preeclampsia, the conversation explores the warning signs many women miss, the fear and uncertainty that can come with a high-risk pregnancy, and the long-lasting physical and emotional effects that can follow childbirth. The episode walks listeners through the realities of hospital stays, emergency medical treatment, magnesium drips, NICU experiences, and the challenges of postpartum mental health. Paula also discusses the importance of early detection, self-monitoring blood pressure at home, and advocating for yourself when symptoms do not feel right. In addition, the conversation highlights innovative support systems for pregnant women struggling with substance use, emphasizing the importance of compassion, community, and keeping mothers and babies together whenever possible. Programs like the SUN (Substance Use Network) and care providers such as Dr. Russell Suda are featured as examples of how integrated support can change lives. With honest stories, difficult moments, and practical advice, this episode is a reminder to know the symptoms of preeclampsia, trust your instincts, and seek help early. Resources like the Preeclampsia Foundation can provide additional support, education, and guidance for families navigating pregnancy complications. Email: 12lookinthru34theglass@gmail.com [12lookinthru34theglass@gmail.com] Socials: https://www.facebook.com/share/1L269jdV5e/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/1L269jdV5e/] https://www.instagram.com/lookinthrutheglass?igsh=MWhmZml2dG12aDU5OQ== [https://www.instagram.com/lookinthrutheglass?igsh=MWhmZml2dG12aDU5OQ==] https://www.tiktok.com/@lookinthrutheglass?_r=1&_t=ZT-95LgU0iC1bq [https://www.tiktok.com/@lookinthrutheglass?_r=1&_t=ZT-95LgU0iC1bq]

Grief and Gratitude Can Coexist

Bron’s story is one of extraordinary resilience, courage, and the ongoing journey of healing. After facing multiple cancer diagnoses, she opens up about the profound shift from being a nurse educator and caregiver to becoming a patient herself. Through that experience, she learned that adversity doesn’t just challenge us physically — it also forces us to confront grief, fear, vulnerability, and the stories we tell ourselves. This conversation explores the delicate balance between grief and gratitude, reminding us that both can exist at the same time. Bron shares how learning to “control the controllables,” feel emotions instead of suppressing them, and live in the present became essential parts of her healing. She speaks candidly about the importance of self-care, speaking your truth, and giving yourself permission to choose yourself, even when you do not know how. The episode also dives into personal responsibility, breaking multi-generational trauma, and the courage it takes to rewrite old patterns. Bron’s honesty about relationships, mental health, and healing serves as a powerful reminder that we are never fully “healed” — we are always growing, learning, and taking the next step forward. Ultimately, this is a conversation about empowerment, vulnerability, and the strength that comes from owning your story and believing that it matters. Email: 12lookinthru34theglass@gmail.com [12lookinthru34theglass@gmail.com] Socials: https://www.facebook.com/share/1L269jdV5e/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/1L269jdV5e/] https://www.instagram.com/lookinthrutheglass?igsh=MWhmZml2dG12aDU5OQ== [https://www.instagram.com/lookinthrutheglass?igsh=MWhmZml2dG12aDU5OQ==] https://www.tiktok.com/@lookinthrutheglass?_r=1&_t=ZT-95LgU0iC1bq [https://www.tiktok.com/@lookinthrutheglass?_r=1&_t=ZT-95LgU0iC1bq]

Healing the Mind, Body, and Spirit

Antoinette Berrafato’s story is one of resilience, survival, and transformation. In this episode, she opens up about her experiences with trauma, military service, and the long road to recovery, sharing how she turned pain into purpose. Through honest conversation, Antoinette explains that healing is not linear, but it is possible with support, self-awareness, and a willingness to keep moving forward. A major theme throughout the episode is the healing power of nature, traditional living, and community. Antoinette discusses how reconnecting with simple practices—spending time outdoors, prioritizing nutrition, staying hydrated, and using natural remedies when appropriate—can have a profound impact on both physical and mental health. She emphasizes that “health is wealth” and encourages listeners to view food as medicine while also carefully balancing natural solutions with pharmaceuticals when necessary. The conversation also dives deep into mental health awareness, particularly for young people, and the importance of breaking the stigma around trauma, PTSD, and suicide prevention. Antoinette stresses the need for safe spaces, open conversations, and strong community support systems so people never feel like they are facing their struggles alone. One of the most powerful takeaways from the episode is the shift in mindset from asking “Why is this happening to me?” to “How is this happening for me?” Antoinette explains that changing your perspective can help you reclaim control over your life, even in difficult circumstances. She also highlights the importance of celebrating small wins—whether it’s taking a shower, doing the dishes, or getting outside for fresh air—because those small victories can build momentum toward lasting change. Ultimately, this episode is a reminder that even after trauma, growth is possible. By embracing imperfection, advocating for yourself, leaning on community, and focusing on one small step at a time, healing and hope can become reality. Antoinette socials: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nnblpodcast/] (38)NewNormalBigLifePodcast (@newnormalbiglifep) | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@newnormalbiglifep] New Normal Big Life Blog [https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-llfe-blog/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-llfe-blog/] Email: 12lookinthru34theglass@gmail.com Socials: https://www.facebook.com/share/1L269jdV5e/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/1L269jdV5e/] https://www.instagram.com/lookinthrutheglass?igsh=MWhmZml2dG12aDU5OQ== [https://www.instagram.com/lookinthrutheglass?igsh=MWhmZml2dG12aDU5OQ==] https://www.tiktok.com/@lookinthrutheglass?_r=1&_t=ZT-95LgU0iC1bq [https://www.tiktok.com/@lookinthrutheglass?_r=1&_t=ZT-95LgU0iC1bq]

Self-Care, Support, and the Reality of Motherhood

Motherhood can be one of the most beautiful experiences in life, but it can also be one of the most overwhelming. In this episode, we dive into the emotional, mental, and physical realities of postpartum and the challenges many mothers face long after giving birth. We talk about how postpartum is not just a few weeks or months—it can last for years. Many women struggle in silence with isolation, anxiety, exhaustion, and the pressure to “do it all” while feeling unsupported or judged. The conversation explores how every mother’s experience is different and how personal backgrounds, relationships, hospital experiences, and support systems can shape the journey into motherhood. This episode also highlights the importance of community, compassion, and self-care. We discuss why asking for help is not weakness, why mothers should never feel like a burden, and how small acts of support can make a huge difference. From emotional struggles to practical ways of helping moms in everyday life, this conversation is about breaking the stigma around mental health in motherhood and creating spaces where women feel seen, supported, and understood. Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that no mother is meant to do this alone. It takes a village, and open conversations like this can help mothers feel less isolated, more empowered, and more connected in their journey. email: 12lookinthru34theglass@gmail.com Socials: https://www.facebook.com/share/1L269jdV5e/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/1L269jdV5e/] https://www.instagram.com/lookinthrutheglass?igsh=MWhmZml2dG12aDU5OQ== [https://www.instagram.com/lookinthrutheglass?igsh=MWhmZml2dG12aDU5OQ==] https://www.tiktok.com/@lookinthrutheglass?_r=1&_t=ZT-95LgU0iC1bq [https://www.tiktok.com/@lookinthrutheglass?_r=1&_t=ZT-95LgU0iC1bq]

“This Isn’t the Person I Married”: The Truth About Trauma in Relationships

In this deeply revealing conversation, Larry Bilotta invites us beneath the surface of our adult relationships and into the hidden architecture of the childhood experiences that shape them. Through his lens, we begin to see that what unfolds in marriage is rarely about the present moment—it is often the echo of unresolved emotional imprints, quietly driving reactions, fears, and disconnection. Together, Larry, Sela, and Jeselle explore how the subconscious mind stores these early imprints, influencing how we love, protect, withdraw, and respond. Larry introduces the concept of a personal “emotional scale,” illuminating how our formative environments can condition us toward chaos, control, or disconnection—and how many of us unknowingly recreate these patterns in our most intimate relationships. The conversation moves beyond awareness into transformation. It challenges the idea that we are bound to our past, offering instead a path toward breaking reactive cycles—what Larry likens to stepping outside the predictable laws of emotional motion. Through self-recognition, intentional support, and the courage to confront internal narratives, healing becomes not just possible, but inevitable. Woven throughout are raw reflections on addiction, mother-daughter dynamics, and the quiet war of negative self-talk—revealing how fear-based living can fracture identity, while self-love has the power to restore it. This episode reframes healing as a conscious shift: from survival to presence, from inherited pain to chosen love. Ultimately, this is a conversation about reclaiming authorship over your life—learning to walk out of the “fear story” you were given, and into a reality shaped by awareness, compassion, and truth. Larry Bilotta | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MrLarryBilotta/] What Causes a Midlife Crisis? Cause of Anxiety & Negative Thoughts [https://www.youtube.com/larrybilotta] Larry Bilotta (@larrybilotta) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/larrybilotta/] It Only Takes ONE Person To Heal a Marriage - Larry Bilotta [https://youcansavethismarriage.com/]