Mummafication

Welcome back! To start off the 2023 season, I chat with Dana Stephensen - Senior Dancer with the Australian Ballet, and mum to Jasper, 6, and 2 year old twins Lulu and Lottie.Dana is a warrior.She gave birth to her twins in the middle of the COVID pandemic. Her partner, Lachie (of Purple Wiggle fame) was based in Sydney for work, and Dana's son Jasper, lives in Melbourne. This caused geographical challenges in a time when travel was not an easy option. Dana shares the story of how they navigated pregnancy and birth during this time, and how a multiple birth was so different to the first time she gave birth. She tells us, graciously, about the challenges she faced and how that grew into post natal depression and anxiety. She then goes on to talk about her experience of seeking professional help, and how she feels now, 2 years on.Her honesty and openness, is a gift. She tells her story with such grace and I feel very lucky to have heard her, and now to be sharing her story with you.USEFUL LINKSDana is a Cope ambassador, and has shared her story here.Check out the Gidget Foundation or call them on 1300 851 758Panda are an excellent resource, and they also have a hotline for support - 1300 726 306

A few weeks ago, on International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day, Liana told me her story. And she blew me away.Liana is mum to Dot, and three year old Hazel. Today, she shares, so honestly and beautifully, her story of infant loss. Of having to make the decision to end her pregnancy for genetic reasons, and of her subsequent pregnancy after loss.We also speak about the breakdown of her marriage, and how along with children's father, they now parent better than ever before.Liana is an incredible woman. Full of strength and wisdom, resilience and vulnerability. I feel incredibly proud to share her story.Trigger warning on this episode for infant loss.USEFUL LINKSRhea Dempsey bookCOPE have resources for help with infant lossRed Nose do amazing work and are an excellent supportSands have support for miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborn death

Soon after having her baby, Catherine started to feel… off. She had outrageous amounts of energy, she rapidly lost weight, and then she started to shake and became increasingly dizzy. Eventually, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. Here, she tells her story about that journey, and how she continues to look after and maintain her health with a lifelong condition, and a toddler.She tells me about how developing an autoimmune disease has played in to their decision whether or not to try for a second baby, and where they’re at as a family now. We also discuss how a change in your health can add an extra layer of "who am I now?!" on top of becoming a mum.Oh, and she’s moved house 4 times in 5 years.USEFUL LINKSThe book Catherine found in a moving box: The PostNatal Depletion Cure.And another book she recommends, When The Body Says No.Learn more about Hashimoto's. I knew nothing before this chat, so thank you, Catherine!Learn more about gall stones. Fun.

Katie is a joy to be around. She is real, honest and full of knowledge about how we can better our relationship with ourselves, and then our families. I found talking to her to be incredibly grounding and peaceful.I hope it has the same affect on you.USEFUL LINKSAll things Katie!Women's circles run by Katie? Yes please.Learn more about Katie's friend and my hero, Lael Stone.Listen to the Nourishing The Mother Podcast.Find out about postpartum Doula training.Want to delve in to Motherhood Studies Sociology? Check out Dr Sophie Brock.

Kristy Jones is an amazing woman. If you haven't listened to part 1 of her story, I highly recommend it. You can listen to that here.In today's episode, Kristy talks about what it's like being a solo mum by choice. How she juggles being the breadwinner and only parent. The challenges. The joys. The village she has created for herself and Eadie.KJ is an inspiration, and the family she has created is proof that you can do things your own way, in whatever way works for you, and it can be glorious.

Welcome back!After a longer than expected mid-year break (thanks, Covid) we are back!Grab yourself a giant cup of tea or a bucket of wine, and settle in to be schooled by the outstanding Ellen Hooper. Mum, Executive Coach, Fountain of Knowledge, Annabel Crabb enthusiast. Ellen and I talk about careers, the mental load, how damaging gender stereotypes can be for families, and much, MUCH more. She explains how being counter cultural to design the life that works for YOUR family can be challenging, but rewarding.A jam packed, thought provoking episode.Thank you, Ellen!USEFUL LINKS - evidently we spoke about a lot of things which are reference-able!Please be mindful of your individual family circumstances with all the ideas offered up in this episode. If you feel unsafe, or as thought you need support, please contact 1800 Respect (call 1800 737 732), or Relationships Australia. All things Ellen and her new business The Growth CollectiveSarah Nally - She Evolves Workshops Ellen's best friend, Annabel Crabb has some excellent books, The Wife Drought, (which contains this unsurprising yet frightening graph) and Men At WorkSheryl Sandberg's book, Lean In If you feel one of you is carrying more of the mental load than the other, check out Fair Play - book and cards Do Less, by Kate NorthrupThe article that went viral but was actually just incredibly sad, about a woman asking her husband to share more of the mental load by feeding the family dog. The Mental Load Project, by Dr Robin Miller Episode of Mummafication with Psychotherapist, Dr Jill Gordon - Jill talks about letting dads do things in their own way, and why this is important