Shows
Mama You BelongA Pearl from Pain: How Infertility Shaped One Mother's JourneyWhat happens when motherhood collides with unexpected challenges? Meet Kathleen—craniosacral therapist, licensed massage therapist, breathwork teacher, entrepreneur, founder of Smoke Perfume, and mother to 15-month-old daughter, Pearl—as she navigates a perfect storm of overwhelm. With her husband temporarily incapacitated after breaking both arms, her chronic pain intensifying since childbirth, and the demands of running two businesses, Kathleen offers a raw glimpse into the often invisible struggle of modern motherhood.In this episode:- infertility, egg donors, and oysters- a homebirth transfer and birth date surprise- modern day moth...2025-08-0155 minMama You BelongYour Pelvic Floor Matters More Than You ThinkPelvic health specialist and physical therapist Kirsten Desmarais, PT, DPT, OCS, shares her journey into pelvic health and explains the interconnectedness of our body systems to the pelvic floor. She details common reasons people seek pelvic floor therapy while debunking myths about what's normal versus common.• Kirsten's path to specializing in pelvic health began through working with perinatal patients• The pelvic floor connects to multiple body systems including hips, spine, and visceral organs• Common reasons for seeking pelvic health care include urinary leaking, pain, pressure sensations, and painful periods• Pain with intimacy is an undertre...2025-07-1935 minMama You BelongMidnight Dread and Hot DogsIn this episode we talk about the inescapable midnight dread, hot dogs for dinner (AGAIN), and summer mom chronicles. We discuss the challenges of transitioning to summer with school-aged children and the struggles of early motherhood, particularly around sleep deprivation and nighttime parenting.• Children often struggle with unstructured time after the highly stimulated school environment• The transition to summer routines typically takes about two weeks as kids and parents adjust• Many children develop high expectations for constant entertainment and struggle with "boring" days at home• Nervous system co-regulation between parent and child evolves as children...2025-07-0437 minMama You BelongBreaking the Silence: Perinatal Mental Health with Celleste Schnellbach, MS, LMFT, PMH-CPerinatal mental health specialist Celleste Schnellbach, MS, LMFT, PMH-C of Duluth Perinatal joins us to break down the realities of maternal mental health challenges, offering both professional expertise and personal experience as a survivor of postpartum OCD. She is also the Vice Chair for Pregnancy Postpartum Support International - MN Chapter! • Celleste shares her personal journey with postpartum OCD, including terrifying intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors• Perinatal mental health encompasses conditions during pregnancy, post-loss, or the year postpartum• Common diagnoses include depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorders, birth trauma/PTSD, and psychosis• The threshold for seeking h...2025-06-2034 minMama You BelongDada / Papa, You Belong Too: Stories from Phil Desmarais and Chad Hilgenberg about Becoming FathersA unique episode where Kirsten and Molly individually sit down with their husbands (after bedtime, of course) and interview them about their experiences with becoming fathers. Phil Desmarais is the Director of Performance at Excel North Physical Therapy and Performance in Duluth, MN. Chad Hilgenberg is a general contractor and carpenter, and is the owner of Hilgenberg Construction LLC in Duluth, MN. Kirsten's Physical Therapy website Mama You Belong Instagram Kirsten's Instagram Molly's Instagram Molly's Songs on Spotify 2025-06-1546 minMama You BelongMotherhood is Political: Finding your voiceIn this thought-provoking and timely episode, we briefly explore the intricate relationship between motherhood and the current socio-political landscape. We reflect on the internal conflicts faced by mothers as we care for our families amidst a world filled with distressing events. Emphasizing the importance of open dialogue, we challenge the tendency to overlook the emotional burdens we carry and the impact of societal issues on our well-being.We address the silence surrounding significant societal challenges and how it often stems from a lack of direct experience. We en...2025-06-0113 minMama You BelongWhat is Nervous System "Regulation" When You're a MomIn this episode, we explore the nervous system and the concept of “regulation” and its impact on mothers facing the challenges of parenthood. Is it really regulating or is it us policing ourselves? Our discussion begins with a candid reflection on exhaustion and coping methods, transitioning into the pressures society places on mothers in relationship to their ability to “regulate”. We, then, confront the disparity between curated social media portrayals of parenting and the often chaotic reality, emphasizing the need for support and understanding (and for unfollowing unhelpful accounts).Delving i...2025-05-2840 min
Mama You BelongIntroduction to Mama You Belong: Exploring Kirsten and Molly's personal experiences with MatresenceIn this inaugural episode of the Mama You Belong podcast, we examine the complexities of motherhood and the emotional landscape mothers navigate. Kirsten, a physical therapist and birth doula shares her personal experiences with perinatal mental health challenges, including the impact of a traumatic pregnancy loss and parenting a neurodivergent child. Molly, a mental health therapist, offers insights from her journey through infertility and the realities of postpartum life. We discuss the concept of matrescence, acknowledging the transformational and often tumultuous nature of becoming a mother. (Read the book on matresence with us for future episodes) Our candid conversation a...2025-05-1036 min
The Mike Nowak ShowOctober 22, 2017 – A Great Lake on the BrinkLisa Hilgenberg from the Chicago Botanic Garden talks about planting spring bulbs. Molly Flanagan from Alliance for the Great Lakes and Tony Maas of Freshwater Future report on disappointing progress in the fight against algae in Lake Erie.2017-10-2800 min