The Top Knot Squad
49 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 26 ratingsA podcast about motherhood IRL. 2 mompreneuer friends keepin it real AF. With Naya Weber and Alexis Edwards.
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Episodes
The Sex Talk
September 16, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBA 2017 survey published in the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality found that 87% of parents believe sex education is important enough that it should be taught in schools. In the survey, parents rated themselves, doctors and nurses, and the school system as the most competent sources of sex ed. However, these same parents believe that sex ed should be taught starting in middle school, between 11 and 14. By that age, many kids have started their menstrual cycle, experienced erections, and had...
Peopling Post Pandemic
August 20, 2021 13:10 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBWe recorded this episode in early May 2021, before the Delta variant sent us back into lockdown. Austin was still in Stage 2 restrictions, which meant masking was not mandatory for vaccinated people. Unfortunately, our Shot Girl Summer didn’t end up the way we had hoped. While we may not be peopling again for a little while, we talk a lot about Covid anxiety, mourning what we’ve lost, and more. Hell, maybe you can listen again when the world opens up again. On today’s episode of The Top Kn...
Birth Trauma Round 2
July 27, 2021 23:22 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBContent warning: On this episode of TKS, we will be discussing a very heavy topic, birth trauma. This topic can be triggering for some so please take the space you may need. We recently shared an episode on this topic when we spoke with Ann Tropea to discuss creating safe birthing spaces and hear what informed birth means for her, but we felt this topic is so big and complex and wanted to allow more space to unpack a bit more and offer some of our own personal and professional experience aro...
Birth Trauma
June 25, 2021 19:35 - 46 minutes - 63.9 MBContent warning: On this episode of TKS, we will be discussing a very heavy topic, birth trauma. This topic can be triggering for some. We know birth and trauma are very personal experiences, but we hope our guest can help us understand more about this topic. Please listen with an open heart, but also take the space you may need. When we think of a traumatic birth, the worst case scenarios often come to mind: a stillborn child or maternal demise. However it emcompasses so much more because...
Anti-Racism and Privilege Part 2
May 18, 2021 04:00 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBOn today’s episode, we will continue to discuss how much racism blows. It’s a hard conversation, but lives are on the line and being complicit just isn’t an option. While your TKS ladies are on their own path of unlearning, we approach it from different backgrounds, angles, and privileges. Our guest Heather Gallagher will speak about her childhood as the Child of a Deaf Adult and the challenges she has dealt with.. Heather’s upbringing plays a huge role in why she is actively anti racist a...
Anti-Racism and Privilege
May 06, 2021 15:09 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBOn today’s episode, we will be discussing how much racism blows. It’s a hard conversation, but lives are on the line and being complicit just isn’t an option. While your TKS ladies are on their own path of unlearning, we approach it from different backgrounds, angles, and privileges. Our guest Heather Gallagher will speak about her childhood as the Child of a Deaf Adult and the challenges she has dealt with.. Heather’s upbringing plays a huge role in why she is actively anti racist and ...
We Are Mothers, Not Martyrs
April 13, 2021 14:13 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBOn today’s episode we will be discussing maternal martyrdom. What exactly is a martyr? According to Merriam Webster, a martyr is: a victim, a great or constant sufferer. Ooof. I think we might have qualms with the victim blaming aspects of that definition, especially considering the gender inequities women are constantly up against, but we do want to key in on this idea that mothers, from a cultural lens, are expected to suffer. The mental load describes the invisible labor that goes into ru...
Naps are Soul Care
March 30, 2021 17:41 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBSeason 4 is here!!!! Covid is still a cluster fuck but we are leaning in, pivoting, and showing the fuck up as best we can! Join Naya and Alexis to catch up on all they’ve been up to the last few months + an impromptu chat around lots of heavy shit. We are good at doing that, no? 🤣 At the end we review plans for this season, including a fun virtual event coming soooon! We miss you guys!
Careers, Crafting, and COVID
December 22, 2020 17:28 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MBOn this episode, the squad talks about post COVID life, specifically navigating running a small business while in the midst of a global pandemic. We’ve all read the stories of small businesses pivoting during this unprecedented time, some with more success than others. As small business owners, we know how shocking the sudden start of the pandemic impacted growth. But what do you do when your livelihood depends on in-person gatherings? Today, we are excited to welcome our friend and su...
Pivoting as Parents
December 03, 2020 22:26 - 52 minutes - 47.8 MBOn this episode, the squad talks about post COVID life. We all know that the pandemic has caused us to re-evaluate our schooling, occupational, and financial situations. For some, it was the push they needed to change the way they had been doing everything. On today’s episode, we are excited to bring on our friend and longtime supporter, Jessica Burleson. After working in nonprofit management and fundraising for the past 15 years, Jessica left the nonprofit world to become a homesteader an...
Tweens, Teens, and Anxiety
November 18, 2020 20:20 - 53 minutes - 48.8 MBOn this episode, the squad talks about anxiety and adolescence. While our kiddos aren’t teenagers yet (though Naya’s about to be mom to a tween and Alexis feels like she’s parenting a teen lol), we’re always happy to learn more about ways to help them through tough moments. Okay, that’s putting it lightly - when we think back to ourselves being teens, there’s a lot of cringing and we aren’t looking forward to what’s to come. To learn more about ways to support our older children and teens wi...
ADHD in Women
November 04, 2020 05:02 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBOn this episode, the squad talks about mental health, specifically a change in diagnosis. We all know that motherhood is ever evolving: each phase brings new joys and new challenges. But what about how we’re doing? Oh yeah - that changes, too. The same applies to our mental health. As we change from one phase to the next, the same coping mechanisms, medications, and therapies may need to be updated, too. On today’s episode, we will be discussing the mental health journey of one mother who re...
Big Election Energy
October 20, 2020 13:37 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBOn today’s episode, we’ll be talking about the November 2020 election and the role that we as parents have in ensuring our future voters understand the importance of casting a ballot. We know that this is a Presidential election year and this year especially, there seems to be a lot at stake - like... everything is at stake! All of the plans and all of the “get out to vote” events have had to pivot in a big way. Our guest on today's episode is one we've had on before. She's full of great inf...
Birth and Postpartum in a Pandemic
October 06, 2020 23:55 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBEarlier this year, our squad grew by two feet: Alexis had a baby! Baby Rhys was born in late May and he’s been eating ever since. On today’s episode, we catch up about what we’ve been doing for the last several months. Alexis shares her experience with being pregnant, having a baby, and going through the fourth trimester during a global pandemic. These views are from her experiences as a privileged cis hetero white woman. We also discuss pregnancy and birth as a trauma survivor, so please ta...
Accessible and Affordable Childcare
May 19, 2020 04:00 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBThis episode is sponsored by Babysitting Connection. Babysitting Connection is an affordable membership service matching high-quality babysitters with Austin families. Babysitting Connection currently covers the Austin area, from Georgetown to San Marcos. Through their online booking system, members can schedule a babysitter any time day or night. Babysitting Connection offers several different packages, allowing you to choose the package that works best for you and your family. They pride ...
Political Activism as Parents Round Two
April 24, 2020 20:41 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBOn today’s episode, the squad is excited to tackle another episode around political activism as parents. It's a topic we discussed last season with Becky from the Rabble where we focused on getting involved with government, elections, and staying educated, but this time around we are thrilled to interview Sera Bonds on more hands on activism and how to engage the whole family in the good fight for justice! Sera is a social justice activist committed to working towards balancing the scales...
Ethical Non-Monogamy
March 18, 2020 20:24 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MBOn today’s episode, the squad will be discussing Ethical Non-Monogamy, a topic that frankly neither of us are fully informed on, but want to understand in more depth. This podcast is constantly tackling the avoided conversations. The ones that bring about discomfort and help us face the bias and unlearning we still need to unearth. As parents we value inclusivity and want our children to live in a world where “othering” can shift and compassion and community can lead us closer to our humanit...
Maternal Nutrition and Depletion
March 03, 2020 05:30 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MBOn today’s episode, the squad talks about nutrition and maternal depletion. As any birthing person can tell you, pregnancy does a number on our bodies. Not only do organs literally shift their position to make room for growing a tiny human, the effects can linger long after birth. From changes in shoe size to hair texture, it’s safe to say that our bodies are never the same after baby. Our guest today is Mirelle Leguia of Mother Nutrient. Mirelle is a holistic nutrition consultant based ...
Sober Parenthood
February 18, 2020 06:00 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBOn today’s episode, the squad talks about Sober Parenthood. We’ve all read and probably laughed at a meme that jokes about needing to drink to cope as a parent. For years, alcohol has steadily seeped into the social fabric of motherhood, with pitchers of mimosas at morning playdates, Thermoses of “mommy juice” on the soccer field sidelines and Facebook feeds filled with stylized memes declaring it’s not really drinking alone if your kids are home. Studies show that women — especially women i...
The Long Road of Repair
February 06, 2020 16:10 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBOn this episode of the Top Knot Squad, we will be discussing parenting as a survivor of mental health. It is no secret that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) can wreak havoc on every aspect of our lives. But what about its effects on life after early parenthood? On today’s episode, we will be discussing parenting as a survivor of mental health, the impact that PMADs can have on our relationships, and the prolonged repair we have to engage in with our children and partners to mainta...
Parenting School-Aged Kids
November 06, 2019 19:27 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBOn today’s episode, we’ll be talking about Parenting School Age Children. Between the ages of 5 and 12, children expand their horizons and spend more time away from their parents. It can be tough to see your child go from baby to child – going to school, making friends, and learning more about the world. It’s an exciting time in your child’s development, but can also come with a multitude of stressors as both you and your child learn to navigate new systems, routines, and relationships, not ...
Implicit Bias
October 22, 2019 13:29 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MBOn today’s episode, we’ll be talking about bias. Bias penetrates all aspects of our lives, from workplace bias to bias in mainstream media to bias in education. TKS has focused on maternal mortality in a previous episode this season, but today we’ll be looking at one of the many factors that impact the high rates seen in the US: bias, specifically bias in birth. This encompasses racial biases, biases based on sexual orientation, and beyond, all impacting marginalized communities already at r...
Partnering and Parenting
October 07, 2019 13:19 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBOn this episode of the Top Knot Squad, we will be talking about partnering and parenting at the same time and how the eff to keep our relationship healthy. Big things happen to a partnership when you decide to add children to the mix and while parenthood is an exciting time for a couple, it is also guaranteed to bring about some level of stress or strain on the relationship. Today we hope to dive in to everything from communication, mental load, not hating each other, and overall learn a ...
Parenting as a Survivor
September 20, 2019 15:57 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MBOn this episode of the Top Knot Squad, we will be talking about what it’s like to parent as a trauma survivor and how we can discuss right from wrong touch with our kids. According to the National Center for Victims of Crimes , 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys have been sexually abused before 18th birthday. There are 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse in America. 3 million are children, which would fill 46 national football stadiums. 90% of children are sexually abused by someone they ...
Losing a Child
August 13, 2019 18:53 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBOn today's episode, we'll be discussing a heavy topic (when do we not?), the loss of a child. The loss of a child is generally considered the worst possible grief and a topic that is often ignored because of the immense pain involved. We are grateful to have our friend and colleague, Kim Borchert on the show today to share with us her some of her story and help us bring more awareness on navigating grief as a parent. We know the grieving process is a very individual and personal experience, ...
Our Birth Stories, Part 2
July 29, 2019 04:02 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBOn today’s episode of TKS, join Naya and Alexis for a two-part episode where they take turns sharing their birth stories. On part one of two, tune in as Alexis shares about the birth of her son Rory and then her daughter Rowan.
Our Birth Stories, Part 1
July 15, 2019 04:00 - 31 minutes - 29 MBOn today’s episode of TKS, join Naya and Alexis for a two-part episode where they take turns sharing their birth stories. On part one of two, tune in as Naya shares about the birth of her oldest son Ethan and then the birth of her younger son, Rohan. Then be sure to stay tuned for part two next week to hear as Alexis shares about the birth of her son Rory and then her daughter Rowan.
White Washing of Motherhood
June 25, 2019 04:30 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBOn today's episode we'll be discussing the white washing of motherhood. This topic is sure to bring up some discomfort, but that’s what we do here. We talk about the things not always prioritized in conversations around parenting. So let’s open our hearts and minds and take some time to listen, reflect and grow! We are thrilled to have our friend and colleague, Courtney Butts back on the squad to dive into this topic with us. Courtney joined us last season as we discussed maternal mortality ...
The Father's Day Special: #dadlife with the TKS dads!
June 11, 2019 17:28 - 56 minutes - 52 MBHere at TKS, we talk about all things related to mom life: pelvic floor health, juggling work and motherhood, and transitions throughout motherhood. Today we interrupt our regularly scheduled topics to bring you an episode all about Dad Life! Last season, we brought our partners on the podcast to play an edition of the Newlywed Game. Today we’re here for less competitive reasons. We’re going to ask then no holds barred questions about fatherhood, how they parent, and how it feels to be...
Political Activism as Parents
May 21, 2019 18:08 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBOn this episode of the Top Knot Squad, we will be discussing political activism as parents. There are many ways to be an activist. You can donate time, expertise, funds, or become a volunteer. Sometimes it’s just about staying true to your beliefs, staying informed on topics you feel passionate about, and sharing what you know with others in your life. Today we are excited to explore this topic in more depth with mom and political activist, Becky Bullard. Becky Bullard is a co-founder of R...
Teen Parenting
May 07, 2019 17:12 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MBOn this episode of the Top Knot Squad, we will be discussing the topic of teen parenting. According to the CDC, while teen pregnancy rates have been on the decline, the U.S. teen pregnancy rate is still substantially higher than in other western industrialized nations. We also know that access to evidence-based prevention programs and/or youth-friendly contraceptive and reproductive health services do not exist in all states, making this topic even more complex. Parenting is hard, but pare...
Transitions
April 24, 2019 04:30 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MBOn this episode of the Top Knot Squad, we will be tackling all things transitions. The transition to parenthood is hard enough, let alone when we navigate that on top of other life transitions and challenges. Today we hope to dig deep and hear from each other on our own transitions and challenges in motherhood, what that felt like, the impact on us as women, our relationships, and more! Joining us for today’s conversation are Jacqueline Chandler and Anne Clary, ⅔ of the brains behind La ...
The Lost Art of Cooking at Home
April 09, 2019 05:00 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MBOn today’s episode, TKS discusses the lost art of cooking at home. Thanks to a food television and social media culture that aims for Pinterest worthy perfection, cooking at home has become yet another stressor on the exhausted parents to-do-list. According to The Washington Post, fewer than 60% of meals that are eaten at home are prepared at home. Today the squad will discuss the struggle with meal planning and prepping, but more importantly the ways that moving away from the kitchen can ...
Life After Loss
March 26, 2019 04:30 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MB**trigger warning** On this episode, TKS discusses the heavy topic of grief, including things we often overlook in our day to day lives and approaching the topic with your children. This topic can be difficult so please be kind to yourself and take the space you need. As mothers, we want to do everything we can to protect our little ones from things that hurt, both physically and emotionally. While we do a pretty good job, there are life events that rock our world. One of those life eve...
The Sex Episode
March 12, 2019 12:43 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MBSex: (Almost) everybody does it and (almost) nobody talks about it, except for the squad of course! We tackled this topic in Season 1 when the squad shared their personal experiences with sex after baby, but today we are ready to dive in deeper than ever before! Today we are thrilled to have Miranda Wylie in the studio with us to help us unravel all things sex, sexuality, body image, feminism and beyond! Miranda is the co-founder and producer of BedPost Confessions, a live storytelling ser...
PT Below the Waist
February 26, 2019 06:00 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBNaya and Alexis were so excited to be joined by Jamille and Jessica of Sullivan Physical Therapy in the studio! We talked about painful sex after pregnancy, diastasis recti, and why we shouldn't have to pee ourselves with every sneeze. Jessica and Jamille both specialize in pelvic floor health and also co-host a podcast about pelvic floor physical therapy called PT Below The Waist. They are passionate about spreading knowledge about pelvic health and normalizing the way we talk about our b...
Season 1 Finale: The one with our partners!
November 19, 2018 06:00 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBToday is the final episode of season one of TKS, but don’t fret, season two will be here before you know it! We have some amazing things planned for early next year including loads of kickass content, guests, and even an in-person Galentine’s event!!! Be sure to follow us on social to stay up to date. Today we have the best of the best as far as episode guests...OUR MEN!!!! We wanted to give our audience a glimpse of who TKS is so what better way to share some of our quirks than to bring o...
The Enneagram + Relationships
October 30, 2018 14:15 - 49 minutes - 45 MBOn today’s episode, the squad will be discussing the enneagram with local enneagram expert Abi Robins! Abi is a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, enneagram coach, and fellow podcaster over at Conscious Construction! Abi helps people incorporate both practices (yoga + enneagram) into healing and growth. We asked Abi to join us today to give us and our listeners an intro to enneagram and more importantly how it can be helpful in our parenting and relationships. As you can imagine, 3 mamas runn...
Perinatal Loss
October 09, 2018 05:00 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MB*Trigger warning* On today’s episode the squad will be discussing perinatal loss which we know is a sensitive and difficult subject. Please take the space you need and step away from the episode if needed We know 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss, and like many of the topics we tackle, our hope is that by talking more openly about the experience, we can feel less alone on the journey. We would also like to recognize that October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. The loss of a chi...
The Maternal Mortality Crisis
September 18, 2018 17:51 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MB*trigger warning: we know this is a heavy topic so please take the space you need for self-care* On today’s episode, the squad will be discussing the maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. The United States has the worst maternal mortality rate of all developed nations and sadly this trend is not an emerging issue. For the past THREE DECADES, the CDC has documented a rise in the national pregnancy-related mortality ratio. We also know that Black mothers are 3 to 4 times more likely to die i...
The Sleep Episode
August 23, 2018 14:02 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBSleep seems to be one of those topics that is a common denominator for parents (we ALL lose sleep in parenthood!) yet it is also a source of disconnection since so many opinions and “shoulds” exist that ultimately make us question if we are doing it “right”. Listen as the Top Knot Squad breaks down all things sleep-related, from theories surrounding sleep and its link to mental health, to our own experiences with or without sleep plus a few tips, tricks, and resources that might be helpful! ...
Mommy Facebook Groups and Social Media
August 06, 2018 04:30 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBFacebook Mommy Groups can be some of the most brutal arenas for everything and anything a mom needs to know about. From breastfeeding to relationship advice -- everyone has an opinion and somehow, we're all doing it wrong. Listen as the Top Knot Squad breaks down the pros and cons of mommy facebook groups and social media.
Sex After Baby and Beyond / Body Image
July 20, 2018 18:07 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBPostpartum intimacy can be the last thing on either parent's mind after baby. So how do you connect or just weather the season until it passes? The Top Knot Squad discusses sex after baby, their own experiences with it, and the importance of body image. If you or someone you know would like more information on pelvic floor therapy, check out Sullivan Physical Therapy.
Parenting in a World of Violence
July 02, 2018 14:27 - 47 minutes - 43 MB***Trigger warning*** This week, TKS covers the heavy topic of gun violence and how to talk to our kids when a tragedy occurs. This topic can be difficult, so please be kind to yourself and take the space you need. There have been 23 mass shootings in 2018 alone. That averages to out to more than one a week. The news, schools, friends, neighbors – everyone is talking about it. How do we address violence so prolific when parenting toddlers, school age children and beyond? Join us while we...
The Feeding Episode: Babies, Kids and Food
June 19, 2018 16:10 - 48 minutes - 44.1 MBFood is a part of our daily lives, and very much necessary for our survival. With that being said, why is it so darn hard to get our littles to eat the right stuff?! We’ll talk about what we all did and Naya will chat a little about breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Sponsored by: www.rootedbaby.com Important Links: Formula Preparation https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/prevention.html Paced Bottle Feeding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoBVtE6S1dk https://www.youtube.com...
Parenting in a World of Gender Boxes
June 04, 2018 14:19 - 50 minutes - 46.3 MBIn their latest episode, the Top Knot Squad discusses sexuality and gender within their families and the challenges faced as they prepare their children for public school and the expectation of falling into gender roles. Visit TheTopKnotSquad.com to listen to every episode of the podcast. Subscribe to the podcast via: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Play Android
Mom Dating and Self Care
May 21, 2018 19:13 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBIn episode 3, Alexis, Naya, and Adriana discuss the challenge of meeting other mom friends, ways to meet other moms, and managing self-care. From the awkwardness of mom business cards to managing to pee when you need to, listen in and join The Top Knot Squad as they passionately maneuver through parenthood. Visit TheTopKnotSquad.com to listen to every episode of the podcast. Subscribe to the podcast via: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Play Android
Tully, Motherhood, and PMAD: A Critique
May 07, 2018 14:23 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBThe hotly debated movie Tully was released Friday and The Top Knot Squad weighs in with their own review. From accusations of falsely labeling the movie genre to the difference between a night nanny and doula, the conversation gets intimate between Naya, Alexis, and Adriana. For tickets to "Cry It Out" go to theatreenbloc.org and use code CRYBABY at checkout for discount. If you or someone you know needs help here are some resources: National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) N...
Mommy Juice
April 15, 2018 19:04 - 40 minutes - 37 MBHas drinking in motherhood become its own culture? In the first episode of Top Knot Squad, Naya, Alexis, and Adriana discuss drinking and motherhood. From perinatal mood disorders and coping to socializing and cultural stigmas - join us as we break down mommy juice culture. To use Alexis's 'My Village' worksheet go here. If you think you may be experiencing problems with addiction or need someone to talk to please seek help.