The Tribe of Parents Experience

"My Pregnancy Saved My Life": Cancer, Resilience, and Motherhood

"My Pregnancy Saved My Life": Cancer, Resilience, and beginning Motherhood | Tribe of Parents Ep 1 Can being at your most vulnerable also be the thing that saves you? In this opening episode of the Tribe of Parents Experience, we sit down with Cliodhna Russell, a newsreader and researcher whose life was upended by a "rugby ball-sized" Sarcoma diagnosis while she was five months pregnant. From receiving a cancer diagnosis alone during a global pandemic to navigating the "black humour" of a crisis, Cliodhna’s story is a masterclass in psychological resilience. We dive into the "Journalist Mode" we use to process trauma, the burden of delivering life-altering news, and why "unplanned beginnings" can lead to a resilience we never knew we possessed. Key Learning Outcomes & Life Lessons The "Pregnancy Save": Cliodhna reflects on the terrifying reality that without her routine pregnancy check-ups, her tumour likely would have metastasized before being detected. Learning: Sometimes our greatest responsibilities—like carrying a child—are the very things that force us to care for ourselves. Managing High-Stakes Anxiety: When her consultant told her, "We’ll worry about this, and you just worry about the baby" she latched onto it as a survival strategy. Learning: In a crisis, "compartmentalizing worry" is a vital tool for mental endurance. The Weight of the "Sole Messenger": Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Cliodhna had to process her diagnosis alone and then "edit" the news for her husband in the car park. Learning: Isolation in medical trauma creates a secondary burden—the pressure of managing a loved one's reaction while processing your own. Perspective Isn't a Permanent State: Cliodhna is candid about the fact that surviving cancer didn't turn her into a saint. Learning: You can have "crystal clear" clarity during a crisis but still get annoyed by the small, "silly" things in the day-to-day—and that’s a normal part of being human. Navigate the Conversation 0:00 — The "It couldn't happen to me" mindset 2:15 — The Atmosphere Shift: Knowing you're in trouble 5:03 — The Birthday Call: Receiving the news 7:17 — Entering "Journalist Mode": Intellectualizing trauma 8:40 — Delivering the News: Being the messenger 12:45 — Black Humour at Christmas: A survival tool 13:08 — The "Breech" Devastation vs. Cancer diagnosis 44:59 — The Myth of the "New Person" The Power of the Unplanned Cliodhna’s story is a powerful reminder that many of our most significant chapters—and even our children—come from unplanned beginnings. There is no "single blueprint" for being a parent, especially when life throws you a curveball that no one could prepare for. She shows us that you don't need a perfect start to build a "solid foundation of structure and strength." It’s okay to not have all the answers; as long as you have your community to lean on, you can navigate the path you're on, even if it’s not the one you originally chose. MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Our episodes drop biweekly. Thank you for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube @tribeofparents. Don't forget to follow Tribe of Parents on Instagram for updates and information. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and leave a review - it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more real, raw parenting related conversations. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Start here

10,000 hours. 1,000+ parents. 3 years in the making A podcast for anyone who parents, has parented, or hopes to parent one day. Today, we are finally stepping out of the research phase and into your headphones. The Goal? To burn the "perfect parenting" blueprint. No judgment. No filters. Just real conversations and a community that actually has your back. MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Our episodes drop biweekly. Thank you for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube @tribeofparents. Don't forget to follow Tribe of Parents on Instagram for updates and information. If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and leave a review - it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more real, raw parenting related conversations. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Solo Mum By Choice_Louisa's Journey

In this episode, we sit down with Louisa, who took complete control of her future by choosing solo motherhood by choice. This is her raw, honest story. When the ticking clock of motherhood collides with the pressures of modern dating, many women feel trapped. After a life-threatening medical emergency revealed she had 40 fibroids, Louisa decided enough was enough. She stopped waiting for the "perfect partner" and embarked on a courageous 4-year journey to bring her son into the world alone. In this deeply moving episode, Louisa opens up about the financial mapping required for solo parenting, the heart breaking reality of failed IVF, the magic of a successful IUI, and dealing with pregnancy denial until 24 weeks. She also shares how she navigates the donor conversation with her son and why she believes every woman has the power to say, "I am enough." If you've ever questioned your timeline, felt the pressure of dating in your 30s, or considered solo motherhood, this episode is a must-watch. ✨ Subscribe for more empowering parenting stories! ⏱️ CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — The Motherlode: Expectation vs. Reality of Motherhood 00:39 — 40 Fibroids & ICU: The Life-Threatening Wake-Up Call 02:02 — The Dating Trap: When to Stop Waiting for a Partner to Have a Baby 05:26 — Reclaiming the Timeline: Deciding to Become a Single Mother by Choice 08:37 — Financial Mapping: The Real Cost & Hidden IVF Schemes 11:49 — Clinic Roadblocks: Navigating Rules, BMI Limits, & Failed IVF 15:30 — The Positive Test: Navigating Pregnancy Denial After Trauma 23:41 — Telling My Child: How to Talk About Donor Conception 27:10 — Danish Sperm Banks: Finding Your Donor & Tracking Donor Siblings 35:00 — Building a Village: Surviving the Newborn Weeks Without a Partner 44:30 — Breaking the Stigma: Overcoming Single Mother Judgments & Public Comments 49:10 — The Daily Hustle: Managing a Full-Time Career, Toddlerhood, & Hidden Costs 01:03:04 — Absolute Ownership: The Power & Magic of a Two-Person Family 📱 Connect with us on Social Media: Instagram: @tribeofparents YouTube: @TribeofParents Website:www.tribeofparents.ie ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Nervous System Reset

Feeling "tired but wired"? When the baby is finally sleeping but your mind has 50 tabs open, you need more than just "relaxation"—you need a physiological shift. This bonus 10-minute nervous system reset uses a traditional 61-point body scan to systematically close those mental tabs. By moving your awareness through 61 specific nerve-rich points, you send a direct signal to your parasympathetic nervous system to take the wheel, lowering cortisol and silencing racing thoughts. This meditation is perfect for: * Postpartum parents navigating "monitor mode" or insomnia. * Bedtime routines to help you transition from a frantic day into deep sleep. * Overwhelmed parents needing a distraction-proof tool to find stillness. How to use it: Find a comfortable position, lie down, and follow the visualization of the small blue light. There is nowhere else you need to be and nothing else you need to do. Key Benefits: * Body Scan for Sleep: Systematic relaxation to help you drift off faster. * Nervous System Reset: Shifts you from "fight or flight" into "rest and digest." * Distraction-Proof: A specific "to-do list" for your brain so the mind doesn't wander. Let the light fade into darkness. Sleep well. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Depletion: Functional Nutrition for Women with Georgie Murphy

Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Depletion: Functional Nutrition for the Modern Woman Are you feeling physically and mentally depleted? In this episode, we sit down with Georgie, a specialist in naturopathic nutrition, to explore why so many women are hitting a wall in today’s fast-paced world. We dive deep into the principles of functional medicine, looking at how the body is fully interconnected—from the nervous system and liver to the gut-brain axis. Georgie shares expert insights on the "wear and tear" that often hits in our 30s, the specific nutrient demands of the postpartum period, and why "optimal" blood levels matter far more than just being "average." Whether you are struggling with IBS, recovering from birth, or simply looking to reconnect with your body’s signals, this conversation offers practical "small wins" to help you move from surviving to thriving. In this episode, we discuss: * The Postpartum Window: Why depletion can last years, and the specific nutrients (Iron, Choline, Iodine) you need to recover. * The Gut-Brain Axis: How stress and the nervous system directly impact your digestion and IBS symptoms. * "Small Wins": Practical ways to layer nutrition into your day without the overwhelm. * Testing vs. Guessing: Understanding why "normal" GP blood results might be masking your fatigue. Major Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Learning to Listen to Your Body 02:33 – The Path to Functional Medicine & Naturopathic Nutrition 03:28 – What is Functional Medicine? Taking a Holistic View 05:51 – The "Wear and Tear" of Your 30s: Collagen & CoQ10 07:50 – Postpartum Depletion: Defining the Recovery Window 10:03 – Small Nutrition Wins for Busy Moms: Nutrient Layering 13:06 – When to Get Blood Tests: Signs of Real Depletion 17:10 – Optimal vs. Normal Blood Ranges: What the Data Really Means 22:26 – IBS and the Gut-Brain Axis: The Impact of Stress 25:39 – The Power of Breath: Activating "Rest and Digest" 28:02 – "External Digestion" Hacks: Slow Cooking for Gut Health 32:33 – Top 3 Things to Test Postpartum: Omega-3, Zinc, and Magnesium 34:25 – Global Health Inspirations: Lessons from Japan & Blue Zones 37:16 – The Intelligence of the Body: Overcoming Disconnection Connect with us: Instagram handles: tribeofparents & Glownutrition Found this episode helpful? Please leave us a review and share it with a friend who needs to hear this today! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.