Anna Asks
86 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago -Welcome to the “Anna Asks” podcast, a place for people and parents looking for actual answers to big questions.
From pregnancy to prejudice, parenting to the pandemic, sleep to sexuality to social justice, we’ll be digging into the topics that matter to all of us, whether we like it or not.
This podcast was previously titled “Motherhood Made Magic”.
Anna Cusack is a changemaker - a speaker, mentor and author of her groundbreaking book “Mama, You're Not Broken: Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood”
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Episodes
S7, Ep7. Emmeline Tyler - From bliss to psychosis and the long road back to mental health as a mother
March 07, 2024 19:01 - 1 hour - 62.3 MBWe now know it's important to be on the lookout for signs of postnatal depression, anxiety and even psychosis in the early days, but what happens if a mother experiences a mental health crisis further down the track? In this interview, Emmeline Tyler (she/her) shares openly about her birth and blissful postpartum, and how these assisted in helping her be well. She explains how personal and societal factors influenced the unravelling of her mental health during the toddler years, which escala...
S7, Ep6. Ashley Winning - Fatphobia and perceptions of "health" and "risk" in maternity care
February 04, 2024 18:49 - 35 minutes - 33.3 MBAshley Winning is a birth and postpartum professional from QLD, Australia. Ashley experienced size-based discrimination in her first two traumatic pregnancy and birth experiences, which led her to dive deeply into the world of physiological birth for her third birth. Again, size-based discrimination struck and she was unable to access the home-based midwifery care she desired. Ashley went on to freebirth her baby and wants others to know this option is available to them too. The study I refer...
S7, Ep5. Postpartum Rage, Depression and Bilingual, Latina Motherhood with Emily Adler Mosqueda
August 25, 2023 01:00 - 43 minutes - 40.7 MBEmily Adler Mosqueda is a Mexican American mother of two and paediatric speech language pathologist. Her second pregnancy and postpartum brought with it rage and depression - seemingly out of the blue, but really stemming from a sea of social conditions that led to chronic undersupport, overreaching and feelings of failure. This is a fascinating conversation spanning topics from being so out of control you feel physically unsafe around your own children, pathways to recovery, perceptions of L...
S7, Ep4 - Making Your Voice Heard After Disrespectful Maternity Care with Sharon Stoliar
June 20, 2023 19:50 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MBDespite being a midwife and equipped with insider knowledge of the maternity care system in which she worked, Sharon still felt vulnerable and disempowered during her own experience of giving birth to her son. Sharon's book "Scars of Gold" tells the story of her personal experience of birth trauma, the drastic impact it had on her life, and how she used her voice to fight for change. This conversation discusses how you too can get your story heard and effect the changes we so desperately need...
S7, Ep3 - Queering Motherhood with Rafferty Hallows
May 14, 2023 19:22 - 53 minutes - 49.7 MBIs there a more queer job than being a doula? Full spectrum Mother carer Rafferty Hallows thinks not. If you are ready to reimagine your life and relationships, resource yourself on the darkest days, embrace your neurospicy self + family or redefine your own postpartum experience years after birth, you'll want to listen to what they have to say. Big language warning on this one, and please be aware we touch on issues including infant loss and mental ill health including perinatal psychosis. F...
S7, Ep2. Neurodivergent Motherhood with Annie Crowe
April 11, 2023 20:20 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBMeet Annie Crowe, a self-described fat, autistic, ADHDer lawyer, mother to one neurospicy child, and founder of Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia. Annie shares her experience, expertise and tips for those navigating pregnancy, birth, early postpartum and motherhood as a neurodivergent parent. We cover a lot of ground and some difficult topics in this conversation - if you're not up for hearing discussions of or references to ableism, sexual violence, infertility, pregnancy loss, medic...
S7, Ep2. Neurodivergent Parenthood with Annie Crowe
April 11, 2023 20:20 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBMeet Annie Crowe, a self-described fat, autistic, ADHDer lawyer, mother to one neurospicy child, and founder of Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia. Annie shares her experience, expertise and tips for those navigating pregnancy, birth, early postpartum and motherhood as a neurodivergent parent. We cover a lot of ground and some difficult topics in this conversation - if you're not up for hearing discussions of or references to ableism, sexual violence, infertility, pregnancy loss, medic...
S7, Ep1 - Alcohol and Motherhood with Meg and Bella
March 18, 2023 19:51 - 54 minutes - 50.7 MBAlcohol and motherhood is an interesting topic for one that's so in the forefront of our lives but the margins of our conversations. In this episode I speak with Meg and Bella, cohosts of the She's Sober Sydney podcast. Our chat covers: Meg and Bella's personal stories with alcohol as mothers The pressures on mothers and normalising of "mummy wine culture" The cycle of alcohol to mitigate (but then raise) anxiety How their relationship with their kids has changed since going alcohol free...
S6, Ep8 - 4 months postpartum
March 13, 2023 05:41 - 51 minutes - 47.8 MBTW: child loss, stillbirth. 4 months down, forever to go. This episode covers: partner leave and transitions, four month sleep situations, using play to support older siblings who now have to share mum, successful mini-holidays and gig with a baby, the circle of life on the farm, forgetting ourselves and our train of thought, the anxiety that shadows some of your second experience after a high needs first baby, those moments your heart is aching with the beauty of it all, the frustration and ...
S6, Ep7 - 3 months postpartum
February 12, 2023 07:35 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBThat’s a wrap on the fourth trimester! I don’t have delegators reflections here, I feel that comes with some distance and I’m still in the thick of it. Instead I’m talking public outings with 2, the pros and cons of more preschool, my own injuries and indecisiveness, general mama baby stuff including readiness for solid food and the big one - our trip to the emergency department and how I tried to downgrade my trauma response in the hours and days following it. Upcoming mothers’ circles star...
S6, Ep6 - 10 weeks postpartum
January 21, 2023 00:51 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBThe push/pull of being loved hard by two little people at the same time, feeding challenges, head turning/flat head concerns, and that nagging voice that says you’re not okay. University of Newcastle’s colonial frontier massacre mapping project - https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres/ Info on feeding babies who are windy, spit up a lot or struggle to keep up with milk flow - https://themilkmeg.com/can-i-overfeed-my-breastfed-baby/ The epidural - how a gift for the few became the...
S6, Ep5 -Postpartum diary 7.5 weeks
January 03, 2023 02:36 - 49 minutes - 45.9 MBHave you heard of postpartum hives? Neither had I! This and 25 other things I’ve learnt so far during postpartum and matrescence round 2. LINKS: Instagram book comp via @annacusackpostpartum Birth mapping training: https://birthmap.life/?affiliates=45 Postpartum education and care professional training: https://newbornmothers.simplero.com/products/172434-Postpartum-Education-and-Care?ref=46186-Anna-Cusack Please leave a 5 star rating or review to help other people find the pod, or become a s...
S6, Ep4 - Postpartum diary, 4.5 weeks
December 11, 2022 21:44 - 22 minutes - 21 MBThis week I talk sleep with sickness in the house, feeding, sibling transition, bodywork, getting out, self-talk, pelvic floor high and low emotions and support. Any Qs DM me and I’ll answer next episode- @annacusackpostpartum . Order my book before Dec 9 for guaranteed delivery in Australia by Xmas: “Mama, You’re Not Broken: Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood” via www.annacusack.com.au/book . For those wanting to see what a meal train is or contribute to mine, this is the l...
S6, Ep3 - Postpartum diary week 3
December 04, 2022 02:59 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBA word from me at week 3. The take home message is - make sure your support person/people use every skerrick of leave they can spare early on, and claim the support you need from them, as your needs might not be as obvious as you think! Shout out to Zelma @thepostnatalproject for her lawn example! Any Qs DM me and I’ll answer next episode- @annacusackpostpartum . Order my book before Dec 9 for guaranteed delivery in Australia by Xmas: “Mama, You’re Not Broken: Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions ...
S6, Ep2 - Postpartum diary week 2
November 27, 2022 00:14 - 33 minutes - 31.4 MBAn update on my second week postpartum, direct from my bed on day 16. In this episode I mention (without any affiliation) - silverettes (nipple healing shields), Qiara (probiotics), my counsellor Katie Parker (www.KatieParker.com.au) and my blog on how there’s no ‘free’ way to feed your baby (https://www.annacusack.com.au/blog/76674-breastfeeding-is-free-and-other). I also spoke about my book “Mama, You’re Not Broken: Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood”, specifically the cha...
S6, Ep1 - Postpartum diary week 1
November 20, 2022 06:37 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBHere’s my update from our first 9 days! Services I spoke about were my midwife @homebirth_with_helen, Harriet lactation consultant @the.breast.help, placenta encapsulation @theoxytocincollective. Get my book for 10% off through November with code BLACKFRIDAY via www.annacusack.com.au/book For those wanting to see what a meal train is or contribute to mine, this is the link https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/n10d0q If you have benefited from my content and wish to contribute to my postpartum car...
S5, Ep8. Anna Cusack - My personal postpartum prep
October 26, 2022 05:11 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBIn this episode I talk about a whole host of topics including antenatal and breastfeeding education, emergency numbers, partner leave, family sleep, food, supporting older siblings, visitors, amassing as much personal and professional support as possible, ceremonial self-care and more. This is what I’m doing second time around. For those wanting to see what a meal train is or contribute to mine, this is the link https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/n10d0q If you have benefited from my content and...
S5, Ep7. Anna Cusack - Preparing for my own birth
October 19, 2022 01:37 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBIn this solo episode I cover: -Homebirth and finding a midwife; Logistics and equipment for birth at home; What’s in my birth box/hospital transfer kit; Preparing my older child for birth; Professional supports for lead up to birth; Baby positioning and expressing colostrum; Why I’m not trying to “bring on” labour. If you’d like to support my birth and postpartum you can chip in here www.PayPal.me/annacusackpostpartum Find Anna on Instagram and Facebook @annacusackpostpartum As always, her fr...
S5, Ep6. Steph O'Brien - Postpartum doula, HG pregnancy, 2nd baby
October 03, 2022 18:34 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBSteph O’Brien joins us from Geelong to talk HG pregnancy with her second baby, preparing for birth after birth trauma and planning a postpartum that’s much, much more supported than her first was. We discuss the far reaching physical and emotional effects of pregnancy-related illness, judgement from others and ourselves regarding our birthing choices, and not knowing what we don’t know. In this episode we refer to: Hyperemesis Australia - https://www.hyperemesisaustralia.org.au/ PANDA (P...
S5, Ep5. Mary Allen - Freebirth doula, 3rd baby
September 18, 2022 20:19 - 33 minutes - 31.5 MBBirth doula Mary talks us through her first two pregnancies and induced hospital births, her feelings around traversing a largely medically unsurveilled pregnancy this time around, and what her preparations for an autonomous, family-centred third birth entail. We discuss why birth outside the system feels right for her and many of her clients, and what support and rituals she plans to include as she welcomes baby number 3 into the world. In this episode we referred to The Midwives Cauldron ...
S5, Ep4. Dr Hayley Worth - GP, 2nd baby, Newborn stage
September 04, 2022 20:00 - 27 minutes - 25 MBI speak with Dr. Hayley Worth, a Sydney-based GP with special interests in children's health and also palliative care. Dr. Hayley chats to us from her fourth trimester bubble, newborn on her lap, as she reflects on the lessons she learnt from her first birth and challenging breastfeeding and postpartum experiences, and the effectiveness of the plans she put in place for the recent birth of her son and her feeding journey and postpartum to date. I love hearing how professionals recognise th...
S5, Ep3. Kathryn Millhouse - Perinatal Guide, Supporter and Mental Health Advocate
August 22, 2022 20:20 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MBKathryn experienced severe prenatal anxiety when pregnant with her first child and went on to experience a breakdown at 4 weeks postpartum. She discusses how she made it through, and how this informs her perinatal planning and support work. We also talk through the work that went into making the decision to have another child, planning for her upcoming caesarean birth and the different ways she is approaching this postpartum, including feeding choices and an array of valuable personal and pro...
S5, Ep2. Kate Elizabeth – 3rd baby, privately practising midwife.
August 08, 2022 20:29 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBKate is a Victorian-based privately practising midwife providing antenatal, homebirth, postnatal and parenting services. Kate discusses her experience during this pregnancy so far, and her trust in her ability to birth in relation to her family lineage, previous two births and her professional work. We discuss her preparations to welcome surprise baby #3 into her family, including labour prep, preparing siblings for homebirth and how she intends to get as much sleep as possible with a newbor...
S5, Ep1. Saira Allen – 2nd tri, 3rd baby, postpartum doula
July 24, 2022 20:57 - 44 minutes - 41.5 MBWelcome to Season 5! Newcastle-based postpartum doula Saira Allen joins me to kick off this season, which asks the question “How do those involved in pregnancy, birth and postnatal care prepare when they are the ones having a baby?” This theme has come about because if you didn’t know already I am actually in my second trimester with my second child, and I wanted to share not only my story and expertise but the combined knowledge and plans of others to show you there’s more than one way to g...
S4, Ep11: Got kids? How to not hate your husband with Bridget Wood
June 16, 2022 04:47 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBThere’s no getting around it, every single one of us will come up against those pangs of rage and the despair of “they just don’t get it!” multiple times in our early parenting years and beyond. This episode with the undeniably wise Bridget Wood dives into one of the biggest questions mothers and birth parents face – “now we have kids, how can I not hate my partner?” So when it crops up, whether it’s once in a while or the shadow that hangs over you every waking moment, what can we do? How d...
S4, Ep10. How can I do what you do? Becoming a Postpartum Doula with Julia Jones
May 14, 2022 20:27 - 39 minutes - 36.9 MBJulia Jones started working as a postpartum doula well before the word "postpartum" even entered the consciousness of most westerners. From bringing an international teacher to Australia to study, to caring for families in home to becoming a mother herself, Julia shares her story of how she came to start her Newborn Mothers program training other doulas and postpartum professionals. She has a keen eye for neuroscience, social justice and ethical business practice, and has a message for you if...
S4, Ep9: ZELMA TOLLEY - Can we really separate ourselves from our parent support projects?
April 13, 2022 20:44 - 38 minutes - 36 MBMany of you will know Zelma from her work as "The Postnatal Project", where her heartfelt writings and social work skills fuse into an sanctuary for those feeling mightily alone in their postnatal and parenting struggles. What you may not know is the story behind the establishment of The Postnatal Project, the tumultuous years that have passed since, or the sometimes thankless nature of parent support work. If you have experienced postnatal mental ill health, this episode will speak to you. I...
S4, Ep8: BONUS EP from TARA BROUGHAN - Help! I'm scared of saying the wrong thing!
April 03, 2022 21:17 - 7 minutes - 6.72 MBAs a follow up from last episode, I present you with 6 minutes of pep talk gold from Tara. How to get over the fear of saying the wrong thing Leaning into relationship rather than out of it How the desire for technical rightness in white culture traps us How the construction of civility makes women behave and disconnect from each other Transforming guilt into galvanized action. Let's do this. The article Tara refers to has been updated and is now housed and discussed on this website: ...
S4, Ep7: TARA BROUGHAN on bias, bisexuality, conscious parenting, chronic illness and identity.
March 14, 2022 19:36 - 55 minutes - 51.1 MBTara’s professional background is in child rights yet despite her dedication to children, the transition to parenthood was not exactly smooth. This discussion goes everywhere: -How can we work through our own biases, raise aware humans and bring hesitant others into such conversations in positive ways? -Does “the Australian identity” even exist? -What was it like to grow up neurodivergent and queer in a regional area, and how has this shaped both outlook and parenting? -What if you only re...
S4, Ep6. CARLY GRUBB - Why haven't we moved beyond sleep training?
January 16, 2022 19:48 - 42 minutes - 39.5 MBSleep training didn’t come to exist in a vacuum. Why did it become the “norm” and why won’t it just die? Join me in conversation with Carly Grubb, founder of The Beyond Sleep Training Project online peer support group and its charity/advisory arm Little Sparklers. This is a discussion not on the ins and outs of sleep training and its alternative, but the power dynamics and interactions between parents trying to do the “right thing”, health practitioners and policy, and the ever-present multi-...
S4, Ep5: Now what? Info for breastfeeding/lactating people who test positive for COVID-19
January 04, 2022 10:44 - 8 minutes - 7.52 MBWith case rates in Australia through the roof I figured this was something I might need to know about, and you might too. ****This episode provides general information only and does not replace medical advice or conversations with your care providers. All information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge as at 4/1/22 and all sources listed below were accessed on this date. Always seek medical care if you are concerned about your or your child’s health.**** Helpful numbers for listen...
S4, Ep4: What’s the deal with Omicron?
December 20, 2021 00:32 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBThe newest COVID-kid on the block is causing headaches (and much worse) here in NSW and around the world right now. Here is a ten minute primer with what you need to know on the new variant, vaccination, and more. ***This information is general in nature and should not replace conversations and advice with your medical team.*** For further info see the ABC CoronaCast podcast with Dr Norman Swan, and the following doctors and science educators on Instagram: @deplatformdisease @pandemicpregnanc...
S4, Ep3. JESS NABB - What is Radical Inclusion?
December 05, 2021 21:00 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBMeet Jess Nabb - feminist spaceholder, accessible yoga teacher, and nervous system witch, with a side-gig as a church-going, tarot-reading heretic. Jess offers their wealth of knowledge, practice and lived experience to this conversation, focusing on radical inclusion in community and in business, and radical self-care for parents in the era of intensive parenting. We discuss the marginalisation of all parents, re-finding their voice, and the pros and cons of pandemic life in relation to o...
S4, E2. MARY GIORDANO - Language, culture, diversity and respectful doula practice in birth and perinatal care
November 18, 2021 21:00 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MBWith a background in anthropology, migrant and refugee resettlement and multilingual doula work, I asked Mary to join me in discussion of the interaction of linguistic and cultural diversity and doula care throughout the perinatal period. This chat traverses systemic limitations, definitions of “safety” and reflects on the use of traditional practices in the space of birth and perinatal work. You can connect with Mary at https//madreluna.com.au and on instagram @mary.giordano_madreluna ...
S4, Ep 1: What’s in a name?
October 25, 2021 05:35 - 5 minutes - 4.72 MBThe Motherhood Made Magic podcast is evolving to “Anna Asks”, a place for parents and people to find actual answers to big questions. This is an unapologetically feminist, anti-racist, conscious parenting podcast with 3 primary aims: to pass the mic, pay the rent and become (and raise) better humans. Support the people you learn from here: https://www.annacusack.com.au/products/135362-Become-A-Podcast-Patron
S3, Ep7: What’s a ventilator again? Dr. Mikayla Couch explains just about everything.
October 16, 2021 20:30 - 26 minutes - 25 MBDr. Mikayla Couch aka @dr.aboriginal.woman is here to teach us some lessons. What do the words “in ICU” and “on a ventilator” actually mean? What are you hooked up to, and what are the doctors and nurses doing and monitoring if you’re that sick? What health conditions make you more at risk of having severe COVID-19? As a Doctor working with pregnancy, birth and COVID every day, what are you telling your patients about vaccination in pregnancy? Why are regional communities and Aboriginal and T...
S3, Ep6: Your Vaccine Questions Answered with Romy Blacklaw, The Immunisation Nurse
October 09, 2021 23:00 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MBWhat's in the different vaccines? I'm breastfeeding/providing milk to my baby, does anything get through to my baby? What if I'm breastfeeding and I can't get a Pfizer appointment? Are you sure it's safe for me to get me to Astra? How do I know it's not going to hurt my baby long term? Who shouldn't get vaccinated? Expert immunization nurse Romy Blacklaw is here to answer these questions! Follow along with her content at @theimmunisationnurse And catch my book and I at www.annacusack.com.au ...
S3, Ep6: Your Vaccine Questions Answered with Romy Blackwell, The Immunisation Nurse
October 09, 2021 23:00 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MBWhat's in the different vaccines? I'm breastfeeding/providing milk to my baby, does anything get through to my baby? What if I'm breastfeeding and I can't get a Pfizer appointment? Are you sure it's safe for me to get me to Astra? How do I know it's not going to hurt my baby long term? Who shouldn't get vaccinated? Expert immunication nurse Romy Blackwell is here to answer these questions! Follow along with her content at @theimmunisationnurse And catch my book and I at www.annacusack....
S3, Ep5: COVID-19 Through The Eyes of Emergency Department Nurse Mariam Abou-Eid
October 08, 2021 05:03 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBIn this episode I am joined by Mariam Abou-Eid, Emergency Department Nurse at Royal Melbourne Hospital. We discuss what she is seeing in her city Emergency Department and ICU, within her family and the Arabic speaking community when it comes to COVID-19. She talks us through how vaccination (or the lack of) is effecting hospital admissions and patient care journeys, key periods for deterioration in patients at home and in hospital with COVID, why late pregnancy is a time of greater risk,...
S3, Ep4: Myth Busting: Calling Out Vaccine Misinformation Dressed Up As “Simply Asking Questions”
October 05, 2021 07:06 - 23 minutes - 22 MBLet’s bust some myths around health professionals being “gagged”, side effects being underreported, passports being a control mechanism, DNA altering, trials being rushed, natural health methods, media motives, lockdown mental health, and skewed data. The Instagram account mentioned in this episode is @mariamaboueid_ Follow along with her, and me too @annacusackpostpartum or connect online www.annacusack.com.au
S3, Ep 3. Research Update: Fertility, Menstrual Changes, COVID-19 and Vaccination Against It
September 21, 2021 05:59 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBIn this episode you will hear the audio from a Facebook Live video I recorded on 20th September 2021. I provide an update on the research and academic literature regarding fertility, menstrual changes, COVID-19 itself and vaccination against it up until that date. I cover animal and theoretical modelling, clinical and real-world research with human subjects with female reproductive organs and male reproductive organs in relation to both infection with coronavirus and vaccination, address fe...
S3, Ep2. Pregnancy and the Covid 19 Vaccination
September 13, 2021 07:12 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBResearch Update: Pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccination. This research update was recorded on 10th Sept 2021 on the topic of pregnancy and vaccination against COVID-19. This information is information only and does not take the place of individualised advice and consultation with your medical team. I hope you find this useful, and please feel free to share this resource with anyone you think might be interested. If you’d prefer to read through the information a transcript is available at www.anna...
S3, Ep1. Research Update: Breastfeeding and COVID-19 Vaccination
September 03, 2021 03:11 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MBWhat does the data say? I have compiled this academic research update regarding breastfeeding and COVID-19 vaccination. As it says in the video, this is for information purposes only. It is comprehensive but not exhaustive and does not replace discussions with your medical team regarding your personal vaccination choices. You are welcome to share this episode with any people who provide breast or human milk to their babies, parent support professionals or others who you feel may be interes...
11 & 12/12 - CONTENTMENT + CONCLUSION - "Mama, You're Not Broken" Audiobook by Anna Cusack
August 30, 2021 22:00 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MBWhy do we put happiness on a pedestal, but look down our noses on mothers who feel content? Can you even call yourself a feminist when you’re a mum? And where to from here? Hello and welcome to the final episode of the “Mama, You’re Not Broken” audiobook, written and read by me, Anna Cusack. I’ve combined the last chapter on contentment and the conclusion here, as I feel they combine really well to round out the audiobook experience. It’s brought up all the emotions reading this for you. ...
10/12 BOREDOM - “Mama, You’re Not Broken” audiobook by Anna Cusack
August 27, 2021 22:23 - 15 minutes - 14.7 MBHello and welcome to part 10 of the “Mama, You’re Not Broken” audiobook, written and read by me, Anna Cusack. This chapter is all about boredom. You know it well, I know it well. It can be a really itchy and uncomfortable feeling especially when everyone is banging on about this being the best time of your life, but also asking “so, what do you actually do all day?”. Sometimes our new lives can feel boring, sometimes the things we used to be interested in before kids can be boring… Like ever...
9/12 - GRIEF - "Mama, You're Not Broken" audiobook by Anna Cusack
August 26, 2021 22:10 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBHello and welcome to part 9 of the “Mama, You’re Not Broken” audiobook, written and read by me, Anna Cusack. Grief. Nothing like raising kids to rip the proverbial scab off every wound you’ve ever had. Grief is unavoidable and inextricable from the experience of motherhood. This chapter explores the places it can spring up, and why its intensity might take you by surprise. Consider yourself warned that this episode requires all the trigger warnings you can think of. Go gently with yourself, t...
8/12 - ANGER - “Mama, You’re Not Broken” audiobook by Anna Cusack
August 25, 2021 22:22 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBAnger. Rage. Fury. So many parents, especially mothers, tell me they never felt the same white hot anger before they had kids as they do now. A few mums have written to me and said they skipped straight to this chapter, and others have told me they’ve given this one to their partners to read because it gave words to the experience they couldn’t properly describe to get the message through. We cover mental health, theories around maternal anger, making amends with our kids after an outburst, ...
7/12 - OVERWHELM - “Mama, You’re Not Broken” audiobook by Anna Cusack
August 24, 2021 22:00 - 42 minutes - 39 MBThis episode looks at feelings of overwhelm in motherhood. It is the longest chapter by far and rightly so, the sheer size and weight of the load mothers carry within our families and society is really intense. It can look as though the mums around us are managing fine, so we feel like failures in some way for struggling, but the reality is that the majority of mothers are not coping. Here’s the situation and some ideas on what we can do to go about changing it. Anna Cusack is a Motherhood ...
6/12 - LONELINESS - “Mama, You’re Not Broken” audiobook by Anna Cusack
August 23, 2021 22:00 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBThis episode looks at loneliness. Whether it’s feeling physically isolated or emotionally alone in a crowded room, early motherhood is a really paradoxical experience. It’s pretty common have very little time away from our babies, but also to feel really lonely, even without lockdowns. This is a social issue, even though it feels like a personal one. Enjoy. Anna Cusack is a Motherhood Revolutionist, author, podcaster, postpartum doula, Certified Motherhood Studies Practitioner and mum. Bec...
5/12 - FEAR - “Mama, You’re Not Broken” audiobook by Anna Cusack
August 23, 2021 01:34 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBThis episode looks at fear. No sidestepping this one - it’s a pretty scary time in world history to have kids really isn’t it? We talk a bit more on our brain’s survival skills as we practice parenting, as well as covering climate, coronavirus, post-natal anxiety, unwanted harm thoughts and more. Anna Cusack is a Motherhood Revolutionist, author, podcaster, postpartum doula, Certified Motherhood Studies Practitioner and mum. Become a patron of the podcast or jump into her membership and me...