Welcome Mama

We need to talk. Because maternal mental health is not just postpartum depression—it’s identity loss, invisible labor, and the emotional toll of surviving systems that were never built for mothers in the first place. In this solo episode, Sam breaks down the real state of maternal mental health across the entire motherhood journey, unpacks the daily emotional weight that moms carry, and explains how understanding matrescence could change everything. This episode marks the launch of the Maternal Mental Health Collection—a bold, unapologetic drop designed to name what’s really happening to moms, and why it’s time we stop pretending everything’s fine. The Collection goes live on May 1, 2025 at www.welcomemamaco.com Links Mentioned: * The Maternal Mental Health Collection: welcomemamaco.com [https://welcomemamaco.com] * Join the Just a Mom Moms Club: welcomemamaco.com/jmmc [http://www.welcome-mama.com/moms-club] * Connect on Instagram: @samthomsonhall [https://www.instagram.com/samthomsonhall/] Topics Covered: * Why maternal mental health is more than a diagnosis * Everyday struggles that don’t get clinical attention * How systems and culture fail moms * The framework of matrescence * Why this collection exists—and who it’s for We want to hear your birth and motherhood stories! Click here to be on the podcast [https://www.welcome-mama.com/share-your-story]or to have your story read by us! Have a guest you want on the show or a topic you want us to discuss? Please email us your suggestions at becomingmamapodcast@gmail.com [becomingmamapodcast@gmail.com] FOLLOW THE SHOW ON INSTAGRAM HERE @welcomemamaco [https://www.instagram.com/welcomemamaco] Emmy - @emmy_kissinger [https://www.instagram.com/emmy_kissinger/] TikTok @emmy_kissinger [https://www.tiktok.com/@emmy_kissinger] www.arrivalsotires.co [https://www.arrivalstories.co/] for birth story listening services Sam - @samthomsonhall [https://www.instagram.com/samthomsonhall] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@_welcomemama [http://www.youtube.com/@_welcomemama] www.welcome-mama.com [http://www.welcome-mama.com/]

Welcome to this Witch and the Woo Episode (sans our witch) where Sam sits down with @spiritbabymedium [https://www.instagram.com/spiritbabymedium/] Kelly Meehan to discuss our babie's spirits. Are they waiting for us? How do we know if a baby is calling out to us? How can this be healing after a pregnancy loss or child loss?  This is a pretty profound episode that left me reeling. And if some of it goes over your head, same! But think of this as a journey of enlightenment to a new idea of potential reality.  It is WILD, you guys. Enjoy! You can learn more about Kelly and all her offerings here!  [https://linktr.ee/Kellyannmeehan?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadjO6vyHblcDzMx2wySx5ZCd3rW0F875nI7oBeF188MfoFFByS7ZY1jgZpAIg_aem_1JtcQOJ2Rv7Yz1APjbIO_w] We want to hear your birth and motherhood stories! Click here to be on the podcast [https://www.welcome-mama.com/share-your-story]or to have your story read by us! Have a guest you want on the show or a topic you want us to discuss? Please email us your suggestions at becomingmamapodcast@gmail.com [becomingmamapodcast@gmail.com] FOLLOW THE SHOW ON INSTAGRAM HERE @welcomemamaco [https://www.instagram.com/welcomemamaco] Emmy - @emmy_kissinger [https://www.instagram.com/emmy_kissinger/] TikTok @emmy_kissinger [https://www.tiktok.com/@emmy_kissinger] www.arrivalsotires.co [https://www.arrivalstories.co/] for birth story listening services Sam - @samthomsonhall [https://www.instagram.com/samthomsonhall] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@_welcomemama [http://www.youtube.com/@_welcomemama] www.welcome-mama.com [http://www.welcome-mama.com/]

Episode Overview In this episode, Sam sits down with her friend Ali, a Nutritional Therapist, women’s health practitioner, and creator of Period Pantry, to talk about her raw and honest journey to motherhood through IVF. Ali opens up about her struggles with autoimmune issues, stage 4 endometriosis, and male factor infertility that led her and her husband to pursue IVF. Together, Sam and Ali explore the emotional, mental, and physical challenges that come with infertility—and how resilience, community, and advocacy helped Ali navigate her path to becoming a mom. Follow Ali @itsthatgalal on instagram [https://www.instagram.com/itsthatgalal] and tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/itsthatgalal] 🎉 BIG NEWS: The Just a Mom: IVF Edition Collection is Here! 🎉 This collection is about more than just cute tees—it’s about reclaiming the narrative for moms who fought like hell to build their families. 👕 What’s in the Collection: * A crop top and t-shirt featuring the iconic Just a Mom design—where the “O” in “Mom” is replaced by a petri dish, symbolizing the IVF journey. * The back reads: “Because in the end, no one will question where it began.” This collection is for every mom who had to fight for her family, who carried the weight of hope and heartbreak, and who deserves to feel seen and celebrated. Whether you’ve been through IVF or you’re standing alongside a friend who has, these pieces are designed to honor the strength of that journey. 🛍️ Available Now: Head over to welcomemamaco.com [https://welcomemamaco.com] to grab yours before they’re gone. 📸 Join the Movement: We want to see you rocking your IVF Edition merch! Snap a pic, tag @welcomemamaco [https://www.instagram.com/welcomemamaco], and help us spread the message that how you became a mom doesn’t define you—being a mom does. ✨ Every Purchase Supports the Mission: A portion of proceeds goes toward raising awareness about infertility and supporting moms on their journey. 🎧 Listen Now: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. ⭐️ Subscribe & Review: Help us reach more moms who need these conversations. 🛍️ Shop the Collection: Available now at welcomemamaco.com [https://welcomemamaco.com]  We want to hear your birth and motherhood stories! Click here to be on the podcast [https://www.welcome-mama.com/share-your-story]or to have your story read by us! Have a guest you want on the show or a topic you want us to discuss? Please email us your suggestions at becomingmamapodcast@gmail.com [becomingmamapodcast@gmail.com] FOLLOW THE SHOW ON INSTAGRAM HERE @welcomemamaco [https://www.instagram.com/welcomemamaco] Emmy - @emmy_kissinger [https://www.instagram.com/emmy_kissinger/] TikTok @emmy_kissinger [https://www.tiktok.com/@emmy_kissinger] www.arrivalsotires.co [https://www.arrivalstories.co/] for birth story listening services Sam - @samthomsonhall [https://www.instagram.com/samthomsonhall] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@_welcomemama [http://www.youtube.com/@_welcomemama] www.welcome-mama.com [http://www.welcome-mama.com/]

Today’s episode is a special one—Sam is joined by her husband, Tom, for a candid conversation about fatherhood, marriage, and the changes that come with parenting. They dive into what surprised Tom most about becoming a dad, how their relationship has evolved since having kids, and his perspective on matrescence (yes, dads notice it too!). From tackling the mental load of parenting to sharing hilarious, real-life parenting moments, this episode gives a raw and honest look at parenthood from both sides. Plus, Sam puts Tom in the hot seat with some rapid-fire questions about marriage, dad life, and the parenting hills he’s willing to die on. In This Episode, We Discuss: * What surprised Tom most about fatherhood * How dads experience their own transformation in parenthood * The mental load of parenting and how it differs for moms and dads * How Sam’s matrescence journey has impacted their relationship * What dads wish moms knew about fatherhood * The biggest challenges and best parts of parenting as a team * Funny and unexpected parenting moments Resources & Mentions: * Welcome Mama Journal & Day Planner – Get yours here [http://www.welcome-mama.com] * Follow Sam on Instagram: @samthomsonhall [https://www.instagram.com/samthomsonhall/] * Join the Just a Mom Mom’s Club – Learn more here [http://www.welcome-mama.com] Join the Conversation: What did you think of today’s episode? DM Sam on Instagram or tag @welcomemamaco [https://www.instagram.com/welcomemamaco] with your biggest takeaway! And if you loved this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more moms who need these conversations. We want to hear your birth and motherhood stories! Click here to be on the podcast [https://www.welcome-mama.com/share-your-story]or to have your story read by us! Have a guest you want on the show or a topic you want us to discuss? Please email us your suggestions at becomingmamapodcast@gmail.com [becomingmamapodcast@gmail.com] FOLLOW THE SHOW ON INSTAGRAM HERE @welcomemamaco [https://www.instagram.com/welcomemamaco] Emmy - @emmy_kissinger [https://www.instagram.com/emmy_kissinger/] TikTok @emmy_kissinger [https://www.tiktok.com/@emmy_kissinger] www.arrivalsotires.co [https://www.arrivalstories.co/] for birth story listening services Sam - @samthomsonhall [https://www.instagram.com/samthomsonhall] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@_welcomemama [http://www.youtube.com/@_welcomemama] www.welcome-mama.com [http://www.welcome-mama.com/]

Surprise! Emmy had her baby at 34 weeks! Not to plan but we're so glad Emmy and baby boy are doing well. If you would like to support Emmy as she recovers, please email Sam at sam@welcome-mama.com  And let's talk about how to be a working mom (or part time working mom) and make it work for your life and how to find balance for you when your choices are limited.  Care/Career Conundrum Resources:  https://storage.googleapis.com/peanut-assets/reports/US%20-%20The%20State%20of%20Invisibility.pdf https://motherhoodstudies.drsophiebrock.com/  We want to hear your birth and motherhood stories! Click here to be on the podcast [https://www.welcome-mama.com/share-your-story]or to have your story read by us! Have a guest you want on the show or a topic you want us to discuss? Please email us your suggestions at becomingmamapodcast@gmail.com [becomingmamapodcast@gmail.com] FOLLOW THE SHOW ON INSTAGRAM HERE @welcomemamaco [https://www.instagram.com/welcomemamaco] Emmy - @emmy_kissinger [https://www.instagram.com/emmy_kissinger/] TikTok @emmy_kissinger [https://www.tiktok.com/@emmy_kissinger] www.arrivalsotires.co [https://www.arrivalstories.co/] for birth story listening services Sam - @samthomsonhall [https://www.instagram.com/samthomsonhall] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@_welcomemama [http://www.youtube.com/@_welcomemama] www.welcome-mama.com [http://www.welcome-mama.com/]