Mother Love
119 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago -Mother Love is a safe space where stories are shared, wisdom is found and healing happens.
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Episodes
Episode Rewind S02:Ep08 Resourcing, Regulation and Repair for Parents and Caregivers with Bodyworker and Somatic Experiencing Therapist, Prairie Wolfe
April 18, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBPrairie Wolfe is passionate about healing, and, in this episode, it shows. Anytime an experienced therapist can speak about their own personal challenges in mothering and caregiving and offer tips, tools, and wisdom to help other parents overcome their struggles, we're all in. During our conversation, Prairie helps listeners understand their nervous systems, the under-resourced circumstances of modern-day parenting, and common caregiving woes that leave us feeling defeated and ashamed. How d...
Episode Rewind S02Ep07 Kind and Clear Boundaries: Sustainable Parenting with Flora McCormick
April 11, 2024 12:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBEven though Flora McCormick spent years studying child developmental and psychology and ultimately became a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, her early years of parenting were very challenging. She remembers feeling frustrated and disoriented, and this business of mothering felt, well, unsustainable. So, she set out to find new tools, ones that fostered connection and encouraged healthy boundaries. Soon, balance and joy began to emerge. Today, she is the Lead Mentor and Owner of Sust...
S3:Ep24 When Extra Preparation and an Abundance of Resources still leave room for Challenges in Motherhood, What really Helps with Cass Weber
April 04, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBWhen preparation only takes you part of the way, support and a good care team can make all the difference. Cass Weber, a mom of 2, and an active member of the Butte community, describes how support and a good care team can make all the difference when things do not go as expected. Her resilient and positive attitude is refreshing and she has very useful advice for parents. After she had a caesarean section birth with her first child, Cass made sure to prepare for it all the second time a...
Season 3: Ep 23 Domestic Abuse Survivor and Life Coach Lisa Croke on Moving from Surviving to Thriving
March 28, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 70 MBIn this episode Lisa shares her survival story and teaches us about the subtle and overt forms of domestic abuse and interpersonal violence. There are multiple ways this can manifest (lovebombing, gaslighting, sexual violence, physical violence, emotional abuse, reproductive control, financial control, stalking) and many victims have difficulty recognizing that may be experiencing abuse due to the secret and pervasive nature of the issue. Lisa's story helps us to better understand some of th...
Season 3: Ep 22 Domestic and Interpersonal Violence: Help is a phone call away w/ The Friendship Center's Jaime Gabrielli & Gina Boesdorfer
March 21, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 64.7 MBThis episode on domestic and interpersonal violence is so rich and helpful. We are joined by Jaime Gabrielli and Gina Boesdorfer, two incredible women who are passionate about bringing hope to those experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. They take turns eloquently explaining the many different forms of abuse, debunking myths that often surround the this taboo topic. As the host of this episode, I (Claire) will just come right out and say that I learned so much and walk...
Season 3: Ep 21 Hamburger Nipples & Victory Snuggles w/ Sarah Crowley IBCLC
March 14, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 47.8 MBIn this episode, we hear from Sarah Crowley, IBCLC and owner of Wee Bumble, a home visiting lactation consulting business in Helena, MT. Not only is Sarah an absolute expert in breastfeeding, she is also one of the most kind and compassionate humans we've ever met. We talk about her crash course introduction to breastfeeding after the birth of her first son, Amos and how the pain and suffering she experienced during that time motivated her to pursue a career in breastfeeding support. Since t...
Season 3: Ep 20 The Truth About Postpartum Psychosis with Rachael Watters
March 07, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 68.8 MBIn this episode, Rachael Watters, postpartum psychosis survivor and mother of four joins us to talk about her frightening and healing journey through severe mental illness as a new mom. Many factors contributed to Rachael's experience and as her children have grown and she has continued to heal and recover, she has become a passionate advocate and educator for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders which are often largely misunderstood. As you'll hear in this conversation, Rachael has found a ...
The Truth About Postpartum Psychosis with Rachael Watters
March 07, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 68.8 MBIn this episode, Rachael Watters, postpartum psychosis survivor and mother of four joins us to talk about her frightening and healing journey through severe mental illness as a new mom. Many factors contributed to Rachael's experience and as her children have grown and she has continued to heal and recover, she has become a passionate advocate and educator for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders which are often largely misunderstood. As you'll hear in this conversation, Rachael has found a ...
Season 3: Episode 19 Longitudinal Continuity of Care and Building Trust Over Time with Family Physician Dr. Sam Greenberg
February 26, 2024 16:00 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MBIn this episode we get to hear from Dr. Sam Greenberg, a Family Physician practicing in Kalispell, Montana. Dr. Greenberg (or Sam for short) specializes in Obstetrics, Maternal Child Health, Reproductive Health, and Adolescent Medicine. As you'll hear in this episode, Sam is passionate about providing patient-centered care and strongly believes in developing trust and mutual respect over time with her patients. When it comes to caring for those in the perinatal period, having a strong and op...
Season 3: Ep 19 Longitudinal Continuity of Care and Building Trust Over Time with Family Physician Dr. Sam Greenberg
February 26, 2024 16:00 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MBIn this episode we get to hear from Dr. Sam Greenberg, a Family Physician practicing in Kalispell, Montana. Dr. Greenberg (or Sam for short) specializes in Obstetrics, Maternal Child Health, Reproductive Health, and Adolescent Medicine. As you'll hear in this episode, Sam is passionate about providing patient-centered care and strongly believes in developing trust and mutual respect over time with her patients. When it comes to caring for those in the perinatal period, having a strong and op...
Season 3: Ep 18 Apert Syndrome & Raising "Neurospicy" Kids with Ashley Watson
February 22, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 73.2 MBIn this episode, Ashley Watson shares her family's journey to wholeness. When Ashley's son, Jase, was unexpectedly born with a rare craniofacial condition called called Apert Syndrome, she was stunned and so were the doctors. From that moment on, they spent 6 weeks in the NICU, were life-flighted from Missoula to Seattle where Jase would undergo his first of almost 20 surgeries while there. Since then, Jase and his older sister, Scarlett have both been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Jase j...
Season 3: Ep 17 Let Us Come To You- Nurse Family Partnership's RN Case Manager Marisa Johnson on the Power of Home Visiting Programs
February 15, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 48.2 MBPublic Health Department RN Case Manager Marisa Johnson joins us to talk about what she's learned in working with families as a home visiting nurse. We get to hear about her own journey as a single mom and some of the obstacles she had to learn to overcome when it came to accepting help in order to heal, grow and build a beautiful life for her and her two daughters. Marisa is a joy to listen to- she cares deeply about the families she works with and believes in them wholeheartedly. When a ho...
S3: Ep 16 "Every Drop Counts" The Nuanced World of Breastfeeding with Camie Jae Goldhammer, MSW, LISCW, IBCLC
February 08, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 54 MBAmy Stiffarm joins Claire for another conversation with Camie Goldhammer, who also happens to be one of our most celebrated #sheros at HMHB. This time, we focus on the topic of feeding choices and how important it is for families to be able to make informed decisions when it comes to feeding their babies. Which means they need adequate information and it shouldn't be all on them to find it. Camie shares what it was like for her to learn to navigate the world of breastfeeding as an Indigeno...
S3:Ep15 Raising the Bar in Caring for Families: Camie Jae Goldhammer, MSW, LISCW, IBCLC & Founder of Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services
February 01, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBIn this lively discussion Camie happily teaches about so many things she's come to know in caring for families over the past 20 years. Her most powerful tricks of the trade are not complicated- building trust and connection, being fully present in every interaction, empowering families and birthgivers to trust themselves and honor their needs and desires, and offering traditional practices to heal, grow and nourish everyone. We also cover the unique needs of the Indigenous community that Hum...
S3:Ep14 Erika's Story: Preeclampsia, Breastfeeding Challenges and Italian Subs
January 18, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 78 MBIn this episode, we get to meet Erika Menning, part-time, hair stylist, full-time mom and natural comedian. This conversation covers so many things, from unexpected body image comments during pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety to preeclampsia and the significance of post-birth giving rewards, like Italian subs. We talk about mom guilt, how to regroup and repair after you've unraveled for the thousandth time, and just how important it is to be genuine with those around you. Erika...
S3:Ep13 Perinatal Mental Health Expert Diana Barnes on Justice, Advocacy & Healing
January 11, 2024 13:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBAfter struggling with severe Postpartum Depression following the birth of her daughter, Diana sought medical treatment but because this was in the early 90's, no one really knew what to do. Three long years later, she was given an accurate diagnosis, began the road to recovery, and has dedicated her career to helping women navigate similar terrain. She's been in the field of Women's Reproductive Mental Health for almost 30 years. Diana has had many roles- she is the former President of Postp...
Perinatal Mental Health Expert Diana Barnes on Justice, Advocacy & Healing
January 11, 2024 13:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBAfter struggling with severe Postpartum Depression following the birth of her daughter, Diana sought medical treatment but because this was in the early 90's, no one really knew what to do. Three long years later, she was given an accurate diagnosis, began the road to recovery, and has dedicated her career to helping women navigate similar terrain. She's been in the field of Women's Reproductive Mental Health for almost 30 years. Diana has had many roles- she is the former President of Postp...
How Acceptance Allows for Presence with Ashley Fish
January 04, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBIn this episode, we meet Ashley Fish, a first grade teacher, wife, and mother of two. Ashley's road to motherhood took some unexpected turns as her first, Barrett, came early and, after just a few days at home, the family was transported to Missoula to the pediatric ICU to monitor and address respitory challenges. He recovered well but Ashley was left with intense anxiety. During her second pregnancy, Ashley's learned, at her 20 week ultrasound of concerns regarding abnormal brain developmen...
S3:Ep12 Ashley's Story: How Acceptance Allows for Presence
January 04, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBIn this episode, we meet Ashley Fish, a first grade teacher, wife, and mother of two. Ashley's road to motherhood took some unexpected turns as her first, Barrett, came early and, after just a few days at home, the family was transported to Missoula to the pediatric ICU to monitor and address respitory challenges. He recovered well but Ashley was left with intense anxiety. During her second pregnancy, Ashley's learned, at her 20 week ultrasound of concerns regarding abnormal brain developmen...
S3:Ep11 John's Story: Giving Back and Balancing Love & Discipline with John Morrison
December 21, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBJohn Morrison, an attorney, former Montana State Auditor/Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, and long-time friend of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, joined us to speak about a donation he facilitated and helped award to HMHB this past summer. The generous contribution resulted from a settlement in a legal case John filed and won on behalf of more than 2,600 Montana businesses. Morrison proposed, and District Court Judge Leslie Halligan approved, a $50,000 donation to HMHB because our ...
Giving Back and Balancing Love & Discipline with John Morrison
December 21, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBJohn Morrison, an attorney, former Montana State Auditor/Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, and long-time friend of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, joined us to speak about a donation he facilitated and helped award to HMHB this past summer. The generous contribution resulted from a settlement in a legal case John filed and won on behalf of more than 2,600 Montana businesses. Morrison proposed, and District Court Judge Leslie Halligan approved, a $50,000 donation to HMHB because our ...
S3:Ep10 Compassionate Psychiatry w/Dana Hillyer, Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
December 14, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBThis episode captures a conversation between Dana Hillyer, PMHCNS and Claire, who, this time, plays podcast host and patient/case study. Dana approaches her work with exceptional warmth and kindness and is committed to continued growth and self-reflection. When it comes to helping with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), she is a pro. Dana is a shining example of a mental health professional who is willing to meet her patients where they and walk alongside them and, as Claire share...
Compassionate Psychiatry w/Dana Hillyer, Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
December 14, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBThis episode captures a conversation between Dana Hillyer, PMHCNS and Claire, who, this time, plays podcast host and patient/case study. Dana approaches her work with exceptional warmth and kindness and is committed to continued growth and self-reflection. When it comes to helping with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), she is a pro. Dana is a shining example of a mental health professional who is willing to meet her patients where they and walk alongside them and, as Claire share...
NAI Series: Sweetgrass in the Psych Unit w/Chelsea Bellon
December 07, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBIn this final episode of our Native American Initiative Series, we welcome to the show, Chelsea Bellon, a mom of three and the Health Equity Community Engagement Specialist at the Western Montana Area Education Center. Chelsea offers her wisdom and insight to help identify and raise awareness of the racism that exists in education and academia as well as health inequities in rural populations. Chelsea speaks about a few simple cultural considerations that made a huge difference for her and...
S3:Ep9 NAI Series: Sweetgrass in the Psych Unit w/Chelsea Bellon
December 07, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBIn this final episode of our Native American Initiative Series, we welcome to the show, Chelsea Bellon, a mom of three and the Health Equity Community Engagement Specialist at the Western Montana Area Education Center. Chelsea offers her wisdom and insight to help identify and raise awareness of the racism that exists in education and academia as well as health inequities in rural populations. Chelsea speaks about a few simple cultural considerations that made a huge difference for her and...
NAI Series: Cultural Inheritance and Toddler Mayhem w/Indigenous Artist Rachel Twoteeth-Pichardo
November 30, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBJoining us for our 4th episode in our Native American Initiatives Series is the talented Rachel Twoteeth-Pichardo. Since mom life is an all day everyday attempt to balance all. the. things., we cover a lot of ground in this convo: sleep struggles, tantrum trials (and how much grace and self-compassion they require), and how art and creative works have shaped Rachel. She talks about her artwork (which is amazing) and how her ledger art helps her honor her artistic heritage. Rachel is warm-hea...
S3:Ep8 NAI Series: Cultural Inheritance and Toddler Mayhem w/Indigenous Artist Rachel Twoteeth-Pichardo
November 30, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBJoining us for our 4th episode in our Native American Initiatives Series is the talented Rachel Twoteeth-Pichardo. Since mom life is an all day everyday attempt to balance all. the. things., we cover a lot of ground in this convo: sleep struggles, tantrum trials (and how much grace and self-compassion they require), and how art and creative works have shaped Rachel. She talks about her artwork (which is amazing) and how her ledger art helps her honor her artistic heritage. Rachel is warm-hea...
S3:Ep7 NAI Series: "Life's Blessings": A Cultural Engagement Day for Nurses w/Margaret Anne Adams & Mary Ellen Lafromboise + *Bonus* Episode Intro: Decolonizing Thanksgiving w/Amy & Claire!
November 23, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBBefore jumping into our time with our amazing guests, we wanted to share a conversation between Amy and Claire about Thanksgiving: what we learned in school, what we have needed to unlearn since then, and how we share hard truths with our families on a day that boasts feasting, abundance and gratitude. It's complicated but important and Amy is so good at embracing both with humor and grace. Then, we have the privilege of hearing from Margaret Anne Adams and Mary Ellen Lafromboise. These two...
NAI Series: "Life's Blessings": A Culturally Immersive Event for Nurses w/Margaret Anne Adams & Mary Ellen Lafromboise + *Bonus* Episode Intro: Decolonizing Thanksgiving w/Amy & Claire!
November 23, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBBefore jumping into our time with our amazing guests, we wanted to share a conversation between Amy and Claire about Thanksgiving: what we learned in school, what we have needed to unlearn since then, and how we share hard truths with our families on a day that boasts feasting, abundance and gratitude. It's complicated but important and Amy is so good at embracing both with humor and grace. Then, we have the privilege of hearing from Margaret Anne Adams and Mary Ellen Lafromboise. These two...
Native American Initiatives Series: The Current State of Indigenous Maternal Health with Dr. Janelle Palacios (Amy guest-hosts!)
November 16, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBIn this episode, Claire shares the mic with Dr. Amy Stiffarm, HMHB's Native American Initiative's Program Manager, as they interview Dr. Janelle Palacios. The wealth of knowledge and experience that Dr. Palacios brings to her work is indescribable. She is a Nurse Midwife, a highly regarded researcher, an advocate for Indigenous maternal child health and a mom herself. Honestly, the list goes on and you'll see what we mean when you listen to her speak. Storytelling is at the heart of every m...
S3:Ep6 NAI Series: The Current State of Indigenous Maternal Health with Dr. Janelle Palacios (Amy guest-hosts!)
November 16, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBIn this episode, Claire shares the mic with Dr. Amy Stiffarm, HMHB's Native American Initiative's Program Manager, as they interview Dr. Janelle Palacios. The wealth of knowledge and experience that Dr. Palacios brings to her work is indescribable. She is a Nurse Midwife, a highly regarded researcher, an advocate for Indigenous maternal child health and a mom herself. Honestly, the list goes on and you'll see what we mean when you listen to her speak. Storytelling is at the heart of every m...
Native American Heritage Month: An intro to our Native American Initiatives Series with Dr. Amy Stiffarm
November 09, 2023 13:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBIn this episode, Amy and Claire have the chance to sit down and talk about the upcoming series featuring some of the most powerful leaders in indigenous maternal health. Each episode speaks for itself but we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of uplifting and highlighting some of the incredible work that is being done to improve health outcomes for native people both on the national level as well as in our own state and communities. We're thrilled and honored to be able to...
S3:Ep5 Native American Initiative Series with Dr. Amy Stiffarm
November 09, 2023 13:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBIn this episode, Amy and Claire have the chance to sit down and talk about the upcoming series featuring some of the most powerful leaders in indigenous maternal health. Each episode speaks for itself but we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of uplifting and highlighting some of the incredible work that is being done to improve health outcomes for native people both on the national level as well as in our own state and communities. We're thrilled and honored to be able to...
S3:Ep4 At the Water Cooler: #momtalk w/HMHB's Ashley Martin
November 02, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBI don't know how many times Ashley and I have walked into the office and opened with the typical "How are you?" only to dive into deep, honest mom to mom conversation that usually leads to laughter, tears and ultimately a deep sigh of relief. This episode is that and I have a lot of faith that the things we talk about and touch on might deliver the same strong dose of validation and encouragement to our listeners. Finding people who understand what we're going through is so important; we hop...
Water Cooler Talk: A Heart to Heart w/ HMHB's Ashley Martin
November 02, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBI don't know how many times Ashley and I have walked into the office and opened with the typical "How are you?" only to dive into deep, honest mom to mom conversation that usually leads to laughter, tears and ultimately a deep sigh of relief. This episode is that and I have a lot of faith that the things we talk about and touch on might deliver the same strong dose of validation and encouragement to our listeners. Finding people who understand what we're going through is so important; we hop...
Annie's Story: Helping our Children Navigate Food Allergies
October 26, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 57.4 MBIn this episode, Annie Tague and I talk about what it is like to discover and adapt when your kiddo is diagnosed with a food allergy. Her daughter, Sally, has lived with Celiac Disease all of her life and over the past 10 years, Annie has learned a lot about the adjustments and advocacy that is required to keep her family happy and healthy. What does eating out look like? Birthday parties and other social celebrations? Travel? It's not easy but the Tague family handles it with grace, humor, ...
S3: Ep3 Annie's Story: Helping our Children Navigate Food Allergies
October 26, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 57.4 MBIn this episode, Annie Tague and I talk about what it is like to discover and adapt when your kiddo is diagnosed with a food allergy. Her daughter, Sally, has lived with Celiac Disease all of her life and over the past 10 years, Annie has learned a lot about the adjustments and advocacy that is required to keep her family happy and healthy. What does eating out look like? Birthday parties and other social celebrations? Travel? It's not easy but the Tague family handles it with grace, humor, ...
S03: Ep2 Miranda's Story: Supporting Youth in Foster Care by Giving Them a Voice
October 19, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 49.8 MBMiranda was placed in the Montana's foster care system at the age of 8 and she is a survivor, through and through. In this episode she shares her story which is, as you might guess, pretty emotional. Now that she has an 8-year-old daughter of her own, life looks very different, and she explains that she's had to face most of her parenting challenges by just thinking of what happened to her as a kid and then doing the opposite. We talk about what it's taken for her to build a life of peace an...
S3: Ep2 Miranda's Story: Supporting Youth in Foster Care by Giving Them a Voice
October 19, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 49.8 MBMiranda was placed in the Montana's foster care system at the age of 8 and she is a survivor, through and through. In this episode she shares her story which is, as you might guess, pretty emotional. Now that she has an 8-year-old daughter of her own, life looks very different, and she explains that she's had to face most of her parenting challenges by just thinking of what happened to her as a kid and then doing the opposite. We talk about what it's taken for her to build a life of peace an...
S3: Ep1 Christina's Story: Infertility, IVF, & Raising Twins
October 12, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 52.9 MBWelcome to the first episode of Mother Love Season 3! This time, we meet Christina Hostetler, whose journey to motherhood was not an easy one, to say the least. She shares how struggling with infertility was emotionally difficult and, at times, super lonely and how she made it through. Then, when she was just about out of hope, TWINS! We get to talk about her incredible birth story and what those first few months of raising two babies was like for her. 3 years in, she's grateful and has sup...
S03: Ep1 Christina's Story: Infertility, IVF, & Raising Twins
October 12, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 52.9 MBWelcome to the first episode of Mother Love Season 3! This time, we meet Christina Hostetler, whose journey to motherhood was not an easy one, to say the least. She shares how struggling with infertility was emotionally difficult and, at times, super lonely and how she made it through. Then, when she was just about out of hope, TWINS! We get to talk about her incredible birth story and what those first few months of raising two babies was like for her. 3 years in, she's grateful and has sup...
S02:Ep 32 Motherhood is Big Enough: A little book with a big message- with author Kyriaki Birkeland
June 29, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBIn this final episode of season 2, Claire has the chance to connect with Kyriaki Birkeland whose work on behalf of moms is almost too long to list. Kyriaki is a podcaster, blogger, mom, actress and, author. She her passion for helping other moms stems from the many trials she faced and overcame as a new mom. Her book, "Motherhood is Big Enough" is designed and illustrated for babies and young children but the words help moms to recognize that they are doing the hardest and most important job...
S02:Ep31 It Takes a Village: Postpartum Resource Group w/Brooke Campbell
June 22, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 46.8 MBSingle motherhood. Leaving an abusive relationship. Starting over. C-section recovery. Facing fears. Finding hope. And, postpartum mood disorders. All of these led Brooke Campbell to what she now calls her "passion project". As Vice President of the Postpartum Resource Group (PPRG) in Kalispell, Brooke describes the incredible work being done to support new moms in the Flathead Valley and how community members are showing up to make sure moms don't feel like they have to do all of this alone...
S02: Ep30 Unplanned c-sections: how one mom processed loss & reclaimed power w/Anna Baker
June 15, 2023 12:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBAnna Baker is a powerhouse of a person. It's just her nature. So, when the birth of her first went from a home birth plan to a hospital setting to the OR and resulted in a c-section she felt distraught, disconnected, and utterly disempowered. Anna was, of course, relieved to have a healthy baby but having to spend the first precious hour of motherhood completely isolated in a recovery room was traumatic, to say the least. This is the story of how she emerged from that experience, surrounded...
S02: Ep29 Surviving the NICU one long day at a time w/Kyla Maki (Part 2)
June 08, 2023 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBIn part two this story, Kyla and I talk about life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (her experience) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit PICU (my experience). Kyla says that that time felt like "forever and the same day, over and over" and I can't think of a better way to say it. Her baby boy, Conner, is now 6 months old and greets each new day with the a gummy smile and shining eyes. Life isn't all rainbows and butterflies, but Kyla and her family know what true gratitude feels lik...
S02: Ep28 Our Best Laid Plans w/Kyla Maki (Part 1)
June 01, 2023 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBIn this episode, Kyla opens up about her experiences with pre-term birth, secondary infertility, and the anticipatory grief that happens when starting a family goes drastically different than expected. If you or someone you love walked a similar path and they seem overwhelmed and alone, this episode will feel like medicine. Or, if you're not sure what to say or how to empathize families that may face different challenges than your own, Kyla's journey will help guide you. She and her family a...
S02:Ep27 Let's be real here: honesty on social media, healing old wounds & Priscilla's "hot mess collection" w/Priscilla Ellis.
May 18, 2023 12:00 - 52 minutes - 36.3 MBPriscilla Ellis joins us to talk about a few of the things she's learned during her mothering journey. We talk about mental health challenges and how therapy and medication have helped and the ways in which social media can sometimes hurt and sometimes help, especially when it comes to sharing our parenting triumphs and struggles. We also nerd out about ways we've attempted to address our own wounds and past traumas and how our toughest parenting moments can trigger and reveal what most need...
S02:Ep26 How faith and medical intervention can align with HMHB's Dawn Gunderson.
May 11, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 46.5 MBIn this second episode of our series, "Behind the Scenes", Dawn Gunderson joins us to share with listeners some of the work she does as HMHB's Program and Communications Coordinator as well as her life-long struggles with anxiety which (spoiler alert!) intensified when she became a mother. Almost two decades later, after welcoming all six of her children into this world, Dawn's anxiety was worse than ever and, with strong encouragement from her family and faith community, she flew across t...
S02:Ep26 Faith-based Therapy with HMHB's Dawn Gunderson.
May 11, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 46.5 MBIn this special episode, Dawn Gunderson opens up about her life-long struggle with anxiety. Her symptoms intensified after the birth of her first daughter and, as her 6 wonderful children grew, her mental health challenges did too. Just recently, Dawn sought out the help she knew she needed and deserved by flying across the country to spend time immersed in a faith-based therapeutic retreat. Her family and community were incredibly supportive and her courage has inspired others to speak up a...
S02:Ep25 Behind the Scenes with ML pod producer (and incredible mama), Brooke Boone Miller
May 04, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBThere's a reason we chose Brooke to be our Mother Love producer. We knew she would get it. We knew she would listen back to each episode carefully and considerately. We knew she was skilled and enthusiastic about the work. But what I didn't know until I sat down with her to plan and record an episode with her, is that she has been through some really rough times as a mom, especially in the first years of her kiddos' lives. In this episode, Brooke and I begin with current (and hilarious) bant...