Birth of a Mama: a Birth and Postpartum Podcast

49. You’re Not Too Much: Healing the Parts of You That Feel Unworthy with Amanda Curry, PT, DPT

Today I’m talking with Amanda Curry, a physical therapist and somatic healing guide who helps moms reconnect with the parts of themselves they’ve been ignoring for years. Amanda spent a long time being the “perfect,” overachieving mom who looked like she had it all together—but inside she was overwhelmed, disconnected, and exhausted. Her healing began when she realized that having the degrees, the awards, the marriage, the kids… didn’t automatically equal happiness. What she was really carrying was shame, and it was running the show. Now she helps moms who feel “too much,” too emotional, too overwhelmed, or too stuck in old patterns. Her work is all about slowing down, feeling your feelings, and giving yourself the care you never got as a kid. What We Talk About How you can “have it all” on the outside and still feel unhappy What inner child healing actually is (and isn’t) How shame shows up in motherhood Why somatic healing works when talking doesn’t Letting yourself have needs—and honoring them CONNECT WITH AMANDA https://www.instagram.com/thesomaticdpt/ [https://www.instagram.com/thesomaticdpt/]https://www.facebook.com/amanda.g.curry [https://www.facebook.com/amanda.g.curry] Grab the $35 Guide to Increase Your Milk Supply and Confidence with Breastfeeding here [https://breastfeedingsurvivalguide.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/ai-placeholder]. Use code BOAM at check out for 20% off now until 11/30/25. FREE Postpartum Planning Guide: https://nataliewelchrd.com/ [https://nataliewelchrd.com/] Episode writing, recording, and editing by Natalie Welch Audio mastering by Kevin Welch

48. The Truth About Early Language Delays — and the Free Help You’re Entitled To with Jeaneen Tang, M.A., CCC-SLP

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with speech-language pathologist Jeaneen Tang to talk about early language development, why so many kids end up needing speech therapy, and the simple preventative strategies you can start using today with your own infant, toddlers, and kids.  Jeaneen brings over 23 years of clinical experience working with neurodiverse children and adults — and she’s also the mom of a 12-year-old son who survived a traumatic brain injury and stroke at just 13 months old. He lost the use of the right side of his body, and today he can run, climb stairs, and thrive physically, as best as possible. Her dual perspective as both clinician and parent shapes everything she teaches. We explore her new book, Play Dumb & Sabotage, a powerful guide for moms and dads, caregivers, and early-childhood educators. Jeaneen explains how intentionally “under-helping” — stepping back, waiting, and letting kids struggle just enough — encourages problem-solving, communication, and confident self-expression. CONNECT WITH JEANEEN www.playdumbandsabotage.com [www.playdumbandsabotage.com] IG personal: @jt808 [https://www.instagram.com/jt808/?hl=en] IG business: @playdumbandsabotage [https://www.instagram.com/playdumbandsabotage/?hl=en] Link for her book: Play Dumb & Sabotage: Mindfully under-anticipating the child’s needs and creating opportunities to practice language https://a.co/d/8WgnAsP [https://a.co/d/8WgnAsP] FREE Postpartum Planning Guide: https://nataliewelchrd.com/ [https://nataliewelchrd.com/] Episode writing, recording, and editing by Natalie Welch Audio mastering by Kevin Welch

47. The Sweet, Tiring, Worth It Season of Second-Time Motherhood: Krista's Second Story

Krista Ehrenfried returns to share her second birth and postpartum story — a follow-up to Episode 11 [https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/birthofamama/episodes/11--Krista-Ehrenfried---Ambivalence-During-Pregnancy--Long-Labor-and-Home-birth--Postpartum-Doula--Breastfeeding-Challenges--and-Finally-Feeling-Like-Yourself-Again-e27jv9i] filled with the hard-won wisdom that comes from walking through the newborn days again with more perspective and compassion. Krista Shares: * Wildly different labor: 40 hours the first time, just 5 hours the second * Not loving the baby phase * Experiencing the newborn bubble of bliss * Her experience with co-sleeping and finding what truly works for her family * Continued challenges of breastfeeding — hard again, but she made it 14 months! * Why she still doesn’t love breastfeeding (and that’s okay) * No postpartum depression this time * Navigating life with another colicky baby and the return of sleep deprivation * The sweetness, exhaustion, and deep love that defined this chapter * And so much more! About Krista Ehrenfried Krista is a Holistic Psychotherapist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) specializing in supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and parenthood. She also works with clients experiencing anxiety, burnout, and relationship challenges — helping couples strengthen communication, connection, and trust. A mother of two, Krista loves cooking healthy meals from scratch, hiking, exercising, and tending to her growing garden. CONNECT WITH KRISTA @therapywithkrista [https://www.instagram.com/therapywithkrista/] therapywithkrista.com [https://therapywithkrista.com/] KRISTA'S RESOURCES Orgasmic Birth: Your Guide to a Safe, Satisfying and Pleasurable Birth Experience by Debra Pascali-Bonaro & Elizabeth Davis Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon Morell Real Food for Pregnancy and Real Food for Fertility by Lily Nichols, RDN Are You Menstrual? [https://hormonehealingrd.com/podcast/] with Amanda Montalvo The Birth Hour [https://thebirthhour.com/] The Business of Being Born [https://www.amazon.com/Business-Being-Born-Helen-Ayres/dp/B001IIHAGK] Ellen Fisher’s Birth Course [https://www.ellenfisher.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] WishGarden Herbs [https://www.wishgardenherbs.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Episode writing, recording, and editing by Natalie Welch Audio mastering by Kevin Welch

46. The Motherhood Gap: Why Modern Moms Are Struggling (And It’s Not Their Fault) with Kelly Conroy

Why does motherhood in America feel so isolating? Matrescence Educator Kelly Conroy explains how evolutionary biology and social systems are out of sync—leaving new mothers unsupported and overwhelmed. We discuss how understanding the neurobiology of caregiving and the anthropology of community can help mothers rebuild the village they were meant to have. CONNECT WITH KELLY Instagram: @fierceunfolding [https://www.instagram.com/fierceunfolding/]Website: https://www.thefierceunfolding.com/ [https://www.thefierceunfolding.com/]Navigating New Motherhood Audio Course: https://www.thefierceunfolding.com/store/nnmaudio [https://www.thefierceunfolding.com/store/nnmaudio]Birth Story Medicine: https://www.thefierceunfolding.com/birth-story-medicine [https://www.thefierceunfolding.com/birth-story-medicine]Motherhood Mentorship Sessions: https://www.thefierceunfolding.com/motherhood-mentorship [https://www.thefierceunfolding.com/motherhood-mentorship] Episode writing, recording, and editing by Natalie Welch Audio mastering by Kevin Welch

45. Body Image, Desire, and Pleasure: Sex as a New Mom with Chloe Mascord

Is the roommate phase inevitable after having a baby? Will sex be less satisfying? How do I get over my body image issues and actually WANT sex? What if nothing turns me on anymore? If you have ever been worried about any of these things, this episode is for you. Today I have on Chloe Mascord, your trusted guide into the intimate world of self-discovery, sex, curiosity and connection. As a sex and intimacy coach and speaker, she helps individuals and couples unlock the secrets to deeper relationships, more satisfying intimacy, and a renewed sense of self-love. Imagine a blend of a supportive friend and a knowledgeable expert, Chloe is here to transform your intimate life after baby. CONNECT WITH CHLOE: https://www.instagram.com/thehoneyed.official/ [https://www.instagram.com/thehoneyed.official/]www.honey-ed.com [www.honey-ed.com]www.honey-ed.com/freebie [www.honey-ed.com/freebie] FREE Postpartum Care Plan: https://nataliewelchrd.com/ [https://nataliewelchrd.com/] Episode writing, recording, and editing by Natalie Welch Audio mastering by Kevin Welch