Shows
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeThe New Dad Identity Crisis: Why So Many Men Retreat and How to Reconnect w/ Jason Seeman | Ep. 84When a baby arrives, two births happen at once: a child AND two brand-new parents.
Yet somewhere inside the chaos of sleep deprivation, emotional overload, invisible labor, and identity shifts, couples often look at each other and quietly wonder:
What happened to us?
In this deeply honest conversation with fatherhood mentor Jason Seeman, we explore the profound but rarely-discussed experience of patrescence, the identity shift men go through when they become fathers.
While mothers are often flooded with support, societal narratives, and conversations around matrescence, father...
2025-12-011h 14
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeThe Mental Load That’s Quietly Breaking Your Relationship - How to Share the Invisible Work | Ep. 83Parenthood has a way of making the invisible suddenly very, very loud.
Especially when you’re the one keeping track of school emails, birthday gifts, doctor’s appointments, holiday planning, emotional stability, and which child currently refuses the “wrong” pair of socks.
This week on The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we’re taking you inside the mental load, the relentless cognitive and emotional labor that keeps a household running but often goes unseen, unshared, and deeply unacknowledged.
If you’ve ever said, “Why am I the only one who knows all of this?” or felt more like y...
2025-11-2322 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeTrad-Wife Myth Debunked - Real Motherhood vs the Tradwife Movement | Trad Wife Trend | Ep. 82The “tradwife” trend is everywhere - soft dresses, sourdough starters, spotless kitchens, angelic lighting. It’s presented as serenity, simplicity, and the antidote to overwhelm.
But beneath the aesthetic lies a deeper story about real motherhood, pressure, identity, and what women are actually yearning for.
In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we dismantle the trad-wife aesthetic with compassion and context, not judgment.
Because this trend isn’t just about homemaking. It’s emerging from the exhaustion, contradictory expectations, and emotional labor that mothers carry today.
Many wom...
2025-11-1619 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifePostpartum Depression in Men - Symptoms, Causes, & Steps to Healing PPD in Men | Ep. 81When was the last time you truly asked a new dad how he’s doing? Not how the baby sleeps, not how mom is coping, but how he really feels.
Because while we often picture fathers as the steady anchor while mothers weather the storm, research shows that paternal postpartum depression, also known as postnatal depression in dads, is far more common than we think.
In fact, 1 in 10 men experience what’s sometimes called male postpartum depression or PPD in men, a reality that still hides behind workaholism, irritability, silence, or ange...
2025-11-0924 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifePostpartum Mental Health - How to Cope With Postpartum Anxiety, Depression & Mom Rage | Ep. 80Becoming a parent changes everything… your body, your sleep, your relationship, your identity.
But for many mothers, that transformation also brings something much heavier: an invisible weight that few dare to name.
In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we dive deep into the emotional reality of postpartum mental health, from depression and anxiety to rage, intrusive thoughts, and the quiet guilt that shadows new motherhood.
This isn’t another “baby blues” conversation.
It’s a compassionate, science-backed exploration of what really happens when hormones crash...
2025-11-0218 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeParenthood, Perfectionism & the Nervous System | Rewiring the Mind for Emotional Healing w/ Dr Moreland | Ep. 79What if the version of you that’s struggling right now, with perfectionism, exhaustion, or that endless loop of “I should be better,” isn’t broken, but wired for survival?
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Ashleigh Moreland, neuroscientist and founder of the Re-Mind Institute, for a conversation that might just change how you see yourself, your mind, and even your parenting.
Together, they explore what it truly means to unbecome who you had to be in order to survive, and why real healing often looks less like “self-improvement” and more like...
2025-10-261h 13
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeWhen Love Turns Into Obligation | Healing Resentment in Marriage After Kids | Ep. 78Have you and your partner ever argued about something trivial, a birthday cake, a chore, or a tone of voice, and realized it was really about something deeper?
In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, I unpack how love, once effortless, can begin to feel like an obligation when unspoken fears and fatigue take over.
This isn’t an episode about blame.
It’s about understanding.
Why resentment builds even in loving relationships.
Why partners often feel unseen despite their effort.
And how to move from scorek...
2025-10-1925 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeWhen Parenthood Turns Partnership into Pressure - Why Emotional Labor Divides Us (& How to Heal Together) | Ep. 77Do you wonder if you’ve fallen out of love with your partner?
Is this more intense after kids?
When love starts to feel like labor, and home feels more like a to-do list than a refuge, it’s not because you’ve fallen out of love.
It’s because you’re both carrying A LOT - more than anyone can see.
In this episode we break down the silent struggles of parenthood:
the mental load, emotional labor, and invisible pressures that quietly reshape relat...
2025-10-1217 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeStay-at-Home-Mom vs Working Mom - Why We Feel Judged - Mom Guilt Explained | Ep. 76Have you ever found yourself explaining your parenting choices a little too much?
…Not because someone attacked them, but because something inside you felt the need to justify?
In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we explore what’s really happening beneath those subtle moments of parental defensiveness
… the guilt, the identity shifts, and the deep desire to feel like we’re doing enough.
Through a real-life story of two moms at a school gate - one working full-time, one a stay-at-home-mom (SHAM) - we unravel how...
2025-10-0518 min
Sovereign MamasE53 - The Psychology of Parenthood: Healing, Connection & SovereigntyThe Sovereign Mamas Podcast exists to amplify stories of women who refuse to outsource their power -> in motherhood, leadership, health, and wealth.This episode is a nourishing and eye-opening conversation with Markella Kaplani, a psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience in Clinical & Counseling Psychology and education. Becoming a mother herself inspired Markella to focus her work on supporting parents and couples through the profound transitions of parenthood.She shares how psychology and sovereignty intertwine — why our own healing and self-connection are essential for thriving relationships, and how conscious pa...
2025-09-2742 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeWhen Parenthood Changes Us | How Couples Navigate Identity, Relationship & Growth | Ep. 75Parenthood doesn’t just change your schedule.
It shifts who you believe you are.
In this episode, we dive into those quiet, sometimes painful cracks in identity that open once kids arrive:
the lost “you”,
the unseen tensions in your relationship,
the unmet expectations, and the longing to feel whole again.
We explore how couples can hold space for one another, learn tools to rebuild intimate connection, and begin to reclaim identity without resentment, guilt, or disconnection.
This isn’t about returning to “pre-kids you.”
It’s about in...
2025-09-2113 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeWhen Fathers Feel Irrelevant | Understanding Patrescence and Relationship Disconnect | Ep. 74Download the [free] Reconnection Roadmap [for him] !!
Fatherhood is more than showing up at bedtime or paying the bills. Yet too often, dads enter parenthood without the same acknowledged transformation that mothers undergo.
This episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast pulls back the curtain on patrescence - the emotional, psychological, and relational journey of becoming a father.
While society expects women to evolve when they become mothers, men are still told to “provide, not process.”
The result?
Emotional disconnec...
2025-09-1516 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood life3 Practical Steps to Heal Emotional Disconnection in Marriage After Children | Ep. 73Get the [free] Reconnection Roadmap [for him] that I referred to!!
Have you ever looked over at your partner in bed and thought, we’re right next to each other… but it feels like we’re living on different planets?
If so, you’re not alone.
This episode is all about what psychologists call emotional drift:
that quiet, subtle distance that creeps into so many relationships after kids arrive.
Today, we unpack one of the most common questions couples ask:
“Why do couples feel like roommates aft...
2025-09-0716 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeFamily Culture in a Neurodivergent Home | Intentional Parenting with ADHD or Autism | with Dr. Leonaura Rhodes | Ep. 72In this deeply moving and highly intentional episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we explore what happens when parenthood collides with identity, neurodiversity, and the gentle yet powerful art of designing your life with purpose.
I sit down with Dr. Leonaura Rhodes, whose unique journey as a physician, neurofeedback therapist, life coach, and parenthood strategist moves beyond the clichés to the core questions:
How do we grieve the life we thought we’d have?
How do we rebuild a family culture that reflects both challenge and deep love?
Dr. R...
2025-09-0147 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHolding the Vision Alone? | How to Build Family Culture Without Parent Burnout | Ep. 71Have you ever felt like the invisible leader in your home?
Like you’re the one carrying the emotional weight, asking the big questions, and trying to shape a family culture while your partner seems to coast? You’re not alone.
In this week’s episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we explore the reality of being the “vision bearer,” the parent who notices the gaps, feels the tension, and holds the dream of what family life could be.
While it’s a powerful role, it can also lead to exhaustion, resentment, and loneliness i...
2025-08-2411 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood life3 Step Framework to Building Family Values | Rewrite Parental Scripts | Intentional Parenting | Ep. 70GET THE WORKSHEET HERE
In today’s episode, we explore a deceptively simple, but deeply messy, question: Whose values are you parenting from?
It’s a gentle, courageous invitation to uncover the scripts we’ve inherited; values absorbed from our families, communities, even the culture at large, and ask: Are these values yours… or just familiar?
Join me as we unravel what “values” really mean: not slogans, but the guiding principles that show up when you’re tired or triggered.
We'll look at where those values come from, how they can misali...
2025-08-1709 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeThe 3 Rs of Family Culture | How Rituals, Rhythms, & Roles Shape Connection & Promote Intentional Parenting | Ep. 69Here’s the truth:
You’re shaping your family culture every single day — not through grand gestures, but in the tiny, repeated choices that give your home its emotional tone. What you say when someone’s upset. How you transition between activities. Where your attention lands.
That’s all culture.
In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we break down the Three Rs of shaping an intentional family life: Rituals, Rhythms, and Roles. These are the invisible building blocks that can transform a home from reactive and scattered… to grounded, connected, and harmonious.
Ritual...
2025-08-1008 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeWhat is Family Culture, Why Is it Vital, and How to Establish it Intentionally | Ep. 68Many parents don’t even realize they already live within a culture - an emotional ecosystem fueled by inherited patterns, repeating phrases, rituals (or the lack thereof), and relational rhythms.
You might feel like your family is stuck on autopilot, responding to tantrums or tensions without curiosity or clarity. You might rely on bribes, punishment, or reactive conflict, with no sense of intentional design.
But here’s the good news: shifting your family culture doesn’t require a revolution. It starts with a pause… a breath between the stimulus and your response.
Today, we explo...
2025-08-0408 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeOverstimulation in Parenthood: Strategies for Better Connection with Sara Sandland | Ep. 67Is overstimulation quietly unraveling your relationship?
In this vulnerable and illuminating conversation with certified Health & Wellness Coach Sara Sandland, we peel back the layers of what’s really happening when moms feel “touched out,” irritable, or emotionally distant from their partners - and why it’s not a personality flaw, but a physiological reality with deep relational consequences.
Sara and I unpack:
The daily signs of sensory and emotional overload that most moms dismiss
Why postpartum depletion can last for years
The ripple effect of overstimulation on physical intimacy and emotional closeness
Why couples often wa...
2025-07-2048 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeReactive vs Relational Communication | Why Your Partner Still Doesn’t Get You | Marriage after Baby | Ep. 66GET THE INTIMACY in 5 MINUTE GUIDE!
Ever walked away from a heartfelt conversation feeling more alone than before you spoke?
You thought you said it right.
You were calm.
You had a point.
But somehow, your partner shut down, got defensive, or brought up the dishwasher from last week.
If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.
In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the often-missed difference between reactive and relational communication.
It's not about perfect phrasing.
It's about the p...
2025-07-1309 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeTransform Couple Fighting Styles Into Healthy Conflict Resolution | Marriage After Kids | Ep. 65
What if the fights that feel like they're tearing you apart could actually bring you closer together?
In this transformative episode, we're diving deep into the hidden world of couple fighting styles and healthy conflict resolution that can revolutionize your relationship.
If you're a parent feeling caught in endless cycles of marriage conflict patterns, this episode is your roadmap to freedom. We explore why happy couples don't avoid conflict... they transform it!
From the pursuer-withdrawer dance to the protective parts that hijack our conversations, you'll discover the relationship communication skills that actually work when...
2025-07-0610 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHow to Fix Miscommunication | Parenting Stress, Emotional Triggers & Relationship Repair | Ep. 64[GET THE INTIMACY in 5 MINUTE GUIDE!]
Ever said something totally harmless and watched your partner’s face fall like you just insulted their soul?
You’re not alone.
This episode dives into the invisible gap between what we say and what our partner hears, especially when we’re tired, touched out, and trying to survive modern parenthood.
Because good intentions don’t always translate into connection.
Sometimes, they land as daggers.
Join me as I unpack why even loving wor...
2025-06-2914 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeWhy Communication Tools May Cause Distance in Relationships: Deep Listening with Dr. Alifano | Ep. 63Have you ever wondered why communication tools sometimes don’t appear to work in relationships, even when you’re trying your best? Or why you and your partner keep having the same argument again and again? If you’ve been asking yourself, “how to fix emotional distance in a relationship,” or “why am I not feeling heard in my marriage,” this episode is for you.
In today’s powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Randall Alifano, a clinical psychologist, therapist of 40+ years, and author of Listening in the Raw, to explore what real listening in a relationship loo...
2025-06-2255 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeEmotional Labor in Parenting: 3 Tools to Get Out of Roommate Phase after Baby | Ep. 62GET THE INTIMACY in 5 MINUTE GUIDE!
If you’ve ever found yourself lying next to your partner at night feeling more like co-parents than lovers, wondering why you feel disconnected despite still loving each other then this episode is for you.
In this week's episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we’re diving deep into the invisible force that could be draining your emotional closeness without either of you realizing it: emotional labor in parenting.
Maybe you're not arguing. Maybe your schedules are full. Maybe the kids are thrivi...
2025-06-2013 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeInvisible Work in Parenthood | Understanding Emotional Labor and How to Rebalance | Ep. 61Have you ever felt like you're the one holding your relationship and family together — not just with tasks, but with emotional glue? Like you're the radar, the planner, the peacekeeper… and no one really notices?
In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we name it: emotional labor. But not the oversimplified version you see in viral posts. We go deeper into the invisible roles we inherit, the silent deals we never consented to, and the part of you that believes: “If I don’t hold it together, we’ll fall apart.”
You’ll explore the su...
2025-06-0909 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeEmotional Safety in Marriage | Why Conversation Isn’t Always the Cure | Ep. 60Have you ever sat next to your partner, not angry, not even distant on purpose, and still felt miles apart?
This episode is for couples who love each other deeply… but no longer feel it.
We go beyond the usual communication advice and explore how emotional intimacy is often blocked not by a lack of love but by a nervous system that no longer feels safe.
If you’re parenting, stretched thin, or just too exhausted for deep talks, you’ll discover why co-regulation, somatic cues, and body-based safety matter more than ever in your...
2025-06-0115 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHow to Stop Yelling and Start Reconnecting | Parenting from a Regulated Nervous System w/ Jaspreet Chopra | Ep. 59So many parents I work with tell me the same thing:
“I thought I’d be different.”
We want to be gentle, connected, patient. But when the pressure builds… we feel hijacked by old patterns.
This week, I sat down with trauma-informed parent coach Jaspreet Chopra Lewis to talk about why that happens — and what to do about it.
We talked about inherited patterns like emotional invalidation, the exhausting pendulum between too much control and too much guilt, and how nervous system work can help you shift in real-time, not just in hi...
2025-05-2548 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHealing While Parenting | 4 Small Shifts That Change Everything | Ep. 58What if healing isn’t something you have to do before parenting but something you do within it?
In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we explore what healing really looks like when you’re not at a retreat, but in a home full of snack crumbs, emotional meltdowns, and endless to-do lists.
This isn’t about becoming a brand new person.
It’s about becoming a softer, braver, more present version of yourself, right in the middle of the mess.
We talk about how parenting can awaken the parts of us th...
2025-05-1819 min
Untethering ShameShame & The Loss of Self in ParenthoodIn this episode of the Untethering Shame podcast, host Kyira Wackett and guest Markella Kaplani delve into the complexities of parenthood, particularly the loss of self that many caregivers experience. They discuss the overwhelming emotions that come with parenting, the societal pressures to be perfect, and the clash between masculine and feminine energies. The conversation emphasizes the importance of acknowledging grief in the transition to parenthood and the need for self-compassion and acceptance. In this conversation, Kyira Wackett and Markella Kaplani explore the complexities of parenthood, identity, and the emotional challenges that arise during this transformative journey. They discuss...
2025-05-181h 12
Mums F**king Matter#80 Parenthood and Relationships; An Interview with Markella KaplaniMarkella Kaplani is a Psychologist and Mother who lives in Athens, Greece. With a Master’s degree in Clinical & Counselling Psychology and over 15 years of experience in psychotherapy and education, Markella has developed a deep understanding of the complexities of human relationships and the systems that shape our lives. Becoming a mother herself inspired Markella to focus her work on supporting mothers and couples as they navigate the profound transitions of parenthood. Driven by a passion for empowering parents, Markella offers compassionate guidance to help them reconnect with themselves, their partners, their children, and their dre...
2025-05-131h 05
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHow Invisible Family Patterns Shape Your Parenting (and Ways to Start Parenting Consciously) | Ep. 57Have you ever caught yourself reacting to your child in a way that feels all too familiar, perhaps echoing your own parents' responses?
These moments often reveal the invisible family patterns we've unconsciously inherited.
In Episode 57 of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we explore how these unseen scripts shape our parenting styles and emotional responses.
We'll discuss how to identify these patterns, understand their origins, and take the first steps toward conscious change.
Today we explore:
What invisible family patterns are and how they form
Recognizing when these patterns...
2025-05-1114 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeFeeling Triggered? How to Spot When Parenting Brings Up Old Childhood Wounds | Ep. 56Have you ever surprised yourself with how intensely you reacted to your child?
That flood of anger or shame? The moment where a small behavior felt so deeply personal?
This episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast dives into the tender truth that parenting often reawakens childhood wounds—and that’s not a flaw, it’s an invitation.
When our children act out, they're often unknowingly tapping into something buried within us: a memory, a hurt, a part of ourselves still waiting to be seen.
In this...
2025-05-0411 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeRocky Marriage After Baby? Love Languages Aren’t Enough | Communication, Neurodivergence, and Repair with Lodovica Guidarelli | Ep. 55Why do couples who love each other still drift apart after having children?
Why do the very efforts meant to show love often miss the mark?
In this heart-opening conversation, Marriage & Family Therapist Lodovica Guidarelli joins us to unpack why emotional disconnection happens even in committed marriages, and how love languages, unspoken expectations, co-leadership, and even undiagnosed neurodivergence can quietly erode intimacy.
We don’t just blame “communication issues.”
We get honest about what really pulls couples apart, and more importantly, how they can find each other again.
If you're feeling unseen...
2025-04-2740 min
This Way UpHow Parenthood Changes Us- Preserving Your RelationshipParenthood messing with your mind or relationship? Psychologist Marcella Kaplani reveals the truth about Matrescence & Patrescence—and how to survive the emotional shifts.With 15+ years of experience, she breaks down the real psychological transitions into motherhood and fatherhood that no one talks about. We’re getting raw and real about what changes in your brain, your relationship, and your sense of self when you become a parent—and how to navigate it without losing your mind (or your partner).Hit play if you're ready to stop pretending everything’s fine and start understanding what’s actually happening behind the...
2025-04-2453 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeUnhappy Marriage After Baby? Rebuilding Emotional Closeness in Parenthood Using Love Languages | Ep. 54What if the problem isn’t your partner… but that you’re both trying to love each other in old ways that no longer fit?
In this gentle and reflective episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we explore how relearning love is essential after parenthood — especially when the spark feels faint, but the love is still there.
You may not be in crisis, but if you're feeling more like roommates in marriage than lovers, or wondering why the emotional connection after babyfeels different, you are not alone.
We’ll talk ab...
2025-04-2017 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeWhen Love Gets Lost in Translation: Navigating Mismatched Love Languages in Parenthood | Ep. 53You’re doing your best—making lunches, folding laundry, handling bedtime routines.
Yet, something feels off. Your partner seems distant, and despite your efforts, the emotional connection is missing.
In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we delve into the complexities of love languages in the context of parenting.
As responsibilities increase, couples often find themselves expressing love in ways that may not resonate with their partner.
This mismatch can lead to feelings of being unappreciated and misunderstood.
We explore...
2025-04-1319 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeLove Language Not Working Anymore? How Parenthood, Stress, and Identity Shifts Change Emotional Needs in Marriage and Long-Term Relationships | Ep. 52Have you ever thought, “Why doesn’t love feel the same anymore?”
Maybe you used to love hugs, long talks, or sweet texts… but now, you just want someone to do the dishes or give you five minutes alone.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.
In today’s episode, we talk about something a lot of people wonder but don’t always say out loud:
"Why doesn’t my love language work anymore after having kids?"
If you've been searching things like:
“My love language changed after baby”
“I don’t like hugs anym...
2025-04-0623 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifePostpartum Identity Crisis? How to Reignite Joy and Purpose in Small Doses | Ep. 51There’s a version of you that no one sees anymore—not because she’s gone, but because life got so loud and she got so quiet.
In today’s episode, we sit down with that forgotten part of you and whisper: “I still see you.”
Through real listener questions, I explore the hidden emotional terrain so many parents walk silently:
from grieving lost freedom, to watching your partner thrive while you unravel, to the numbness that creeps in and replaces passion with survival.
There is nothing wron...
2025-03-3017 min
The Blissfully Bold PodcastEp. 41 - What 8 Years of Being Married Has Taught Us About Building a Stronger Marriage, Parenting Struggles, & Using AI for Therapy with Jamie RemalyIn this episode of the Blissfully Bold Podcast, I celebrate my 8th wedding anniversary with my husband, Jamie, by having an intimate and honest discussion about our marriage journey. We delve into the challenges of parenting, the impact of ADHD on our relationship, and the importance of open communication. We also share a fun and insightful marriage values exercise we recently did and reflect on how ChatGPT has surprisingly become Jamie's therapeutic companion. Join us for this heartfelt conversation about love, growth, and balance in relationships.00:00 Intro03:50 Anniversary Special: Gratitude and Feedback04:30 Casual Chat with...
2025-03-2641 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeGot Pelvic Floor Pain After Birth? Uncovering Hidden Postpartum Trauma & The Effect on Our Relationship with Lynn Schulte | Ep. 50Have you ever wondered if your back pain, discomfort during intimacy, or even that nagging feeling that “something’s just off” might be rooted in your birth experience — even if it happened years ago?
In today’s powerful conversation, I’m joined by Lynn Schulte, a pelvic health physical therapist with over 30 years of experience and a pioneer in recognizing what she calls the “open birthing pattern.”
Together, we unpack how childbirth — even when it seems “normal” — can leave lasting, unspoken impacts on our body, emotions, and relationships.
From misunderstood C-s...
2025-03-2352 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeReinvent Yourself After Parenthood: Embracing The Identity Shift | Matrescence | Paretrence | Ep. 49Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “Who even am I anymore?”
Between sleepless nights, endless responsibilities, and taking care of everyone else, you may feel like you got lost somewhere along the way.
That feeling of identity loss after kids and losing yourself in motherhood /fatherhood is more common than you think—but what if the goal isn’t to go back to who you were before?
What if instead, you get to redesign who you are becoming?
In this episode, we’re moving beyond recognition and into action.
Yo...
2025-03-1614 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeWhy Parenthood Feels So Lonely (Even When You're Never Alone) | ReDiscovering You Series [⅔] | Ep. 48Have you ever felt lonely even with your partner sitting across from you or your child snuggled in your arms? Parenthood changes everything—including how connected you feel in your relationships.
Many parents silently experience emotional disconnection, wondering why they feel distant from their partner or why friendships have faded.
This episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast dives deep into why parenthood can feel isolating, even in a full house.
We uncover the hidden causes of parental loneliness, the subtle signs that emotional distance is creeping in, and how to reconnect without ad...
2025-03-0925 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeFeeling Lost After Kids? How to Rediscover Yourself in Parenthood | Matrescence | Patrescence | Ep. 47 | [Rediscover You Series 1/3]You know that moment—you’re cleaning up after your kids, scrolling on your phone, and suddenly it hits you: “Who even am I anymore?”
Maybe you used to have hobbies, dreams, and interests. But now, your whole identity seems wrapped up in being a parent. You love your kids, but… where did YOU go?
If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. This parenthood identity crisis is more common than we talk about. And the truth? It’s not your fault.
🎙️ In today’s episode, we’re diving into:
What exactly is matre...
2025-03-0231 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeFrom Crisis to Connection: Andrea Smith on Navigating Parenting & Marriage Challenges | Ep. 46Parenting can push even the strongest marriages to their limits. In this deeply moving episode, Andrea Smith opens up about navigating parenthood stress while facing family challenges that tested her marriage connection.
She shares the raw truth of what happens when one parent carries the emotional load alone—and the powerful shift that helped her and her husband reconnect.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your partner, trapped in survival mode parenting, or unsure how to support each other through tough times, this episode is for you.
Andrea describes her uniq...
2025-02-2349 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeRethinking Parenthood: Emotional Resilience and Balance in Parenting | Gentle Parenting | Ep 45In this episode, we explore the drastic changes in parenting styles over the years. The shift from the tough love approach of past generations to today's hyper-aware and overly-involved parenting has left many feeling emotionally drained and constantly questioning their adequacy as parents. The episode examines how to find a middle ground that allows for both parental and child development without falling into the trap of self-sacrifice or over-correcting to the point of overprotective. By shifting perspectives on guilt and self-care, parents can model a balanced and fulfilling life for their children, fostering resilience and independence without compromising their...
2025-02-1632 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifePerfect Parent Syndrome? Attachment Theory on the Dangers of Perfect Parenting vs. Good Enough Parenting | Learn Positive Parenting Tips | Ep. 44We all want to do our best as parents, but perfect parenting might not be the gift we think it is. In fact, striving to be a perfect mother or a perfect father can actually create struggles for our kids later in life. This episode dives into why perfect parent syndrome leads to emotional dependence, low frustration tolerance, and unrealistic relationship expectations.
So, what is good parenting? Research in attachment theory shows that kids don’t need us to be flawless—they need us to be real. The concept of good enough parenting, first introduced by Donald Winn...
2025-02-0931 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeCommunication Breakdowns After Baby: Why Couples Stop Talking & How to Fix It | Ep. 43Feeling distant from your partner after having a baby? You’re not alone. Many couples struggle with communication breakdowns after becoming parents, leaving them feeling disconnected, unheard, and even questioning their relationship.
In this episode, we’ll dive into:
✔️ Why couples stop talking after kids (it’s not just sleep deprivation!)
✔️ The hidden reasons behind emotional distance in parenthood
✔️ How to recognize the signs of communication breakdown before it’s too late
✔️ Tested strategies to bring back meaningful conversations and intimacy
If your relationship feels like it’s running on autopilot, do...
2025-02-0249 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeOvercoming Motherhood Rage: The Matrescence Journey to Healing with Sami Evanson | Ep. 42Motherhood can be beautiful, but it can also bring unexpected challenges like postpartum rage—a raw and often unspoken aspect of the matrescence journey. In this heartfelt episode, we dive deep into the emotional layers of being an overwhelmed mom and why some moms experience feelings of anger and frustration in the early stages of motherhood.
Through Sami's deeply personal story, we explore the intersection of postpartum struggles, motherhood challenges, and the healing power of self-awareness. Together, we uncover how a supportive motherhood community, small pockets of self-care, and honest conversations about emotional burnout can transform rage in...
2025-01-2656 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeFeeling Anxious After Baby? How to Recognize and Manage Postpartum Anxiety | Ep. 41Postpartum anxiety affects 1 in 5 mothers, yet many don’t realize what’s happening. You’re not alone, and you’re not failing. Anxiety in new parenthood can feel like an unrelenting fire alarm, keeping you on edge and stealing the joy from those precious first months.
This episode unpacks the emotional and physical toll postpartum anxiety takes and how societal pressures can make it worse. But there’s hope! You’ll learn five actionable strategies, from mindfulness practices to reframing anxious thoughts, to help you regain clarity and connection.
Today, we’ll uncover:
🌸 What postpartum anxiet...
2025-01-1933 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeSigns of Drifting Apart in a Relationship: 6-Step Framework to Bridge the Emotional Distance in Parenthood | Ep. 40Are you worried that your relationship is drifting apart after becoming parents? You’re not alone. Parenthood changes everything, including the way we connect with our partners. In this episode, I dive into the subtle yet powerful signs of emotional distance in relationships, especially for couples navigating the demands of parenthood.
Using my 6-step framework, I’ll guide you through how to bridge the emotional gap, rekindle intimacy, and rebuild your connection with simple, intentional actions. We’ll discuss common causes of disconnection, such as the energy drain of parenting, identity shifts in matrescence and patrescence, and unmet...
2025-01-1232 min
The Human ExperienceParenthood, Purpose, & Rediscovering Yourself - Markella’s StoryIn this heartwarming and deeply insightful episode of The Human Experience, Jennfier sits down with Markella, a psychologist specializing in the identity shifts of parenthood, to explore the evolving nature of relationships, self-discovery, and the challenges of balancing societal expectations with personal growth. From the breathtaking setting of Athens to the universal struggles of navigating life’s changes, this conversation touches on themes of motherhood, cultural identity, and embracing transformation. 📍This episode was recorded in Athens, GreeceKey TakeawaysParenthood is a journey of constant transformation. Embrace the change and allow yourself to redefine who y...
2025-01-071h 38
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeReparent Yourself: Befriending Your Inner Critic to Achieve Gentle Parenting & Heal Generational Trauma | Ep. 39Parenthood isn’t just about raising kids – it’s about rewriting your relationship with yourself.
In this transformative episode, we explore how gentle parenting starts from within.
If you’ve ever wondered why staying calm with your kids feels impossible some days, the answer lies in your inner critic.
Together, we uncover how your past parenting experiences shape the way you treat yourself – and how that impacts your children.
Through heartfelt stories and actionable steps, this episode dives deep into:
The secret connection between self-compassion and parenting success.
Why your in...
2025-01-0549 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeMotherhood, Boundaries, and Breaking Generational Patterns: Identity, Anxiety, & Letting Go of Control with Gavie Remaly | Coaching Session #4 | Ep. 38In this coaching session, we explore the complexities of motherhood, identity shifts, and breaking generational patterns with Gavie Remaly, boundaries advocate and host of The Blissfully Bold Podcast.
Together, we delve into the struggles working moms face, from navigating anxiety and control to balancing work, family, and self.
This episode unpacks the emotional challenges of parenting, including how childhood patterns shape our current roles as parents.
Gavie shares her journey of discovering "micro-journaling," a simple yet impactful tool for setting boundaries and finding clarity amidst the chaos of motherhood.
Along the...
2024-12-3057 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeThe 4 Types of Connection & Ways to Rekindle the Romance with Dr. Adam Dorsay | Ep. 37In this insightful episode, we dive into the art of cultivating connection with Dr. Adam Dorsay, licensed psychologist, executive coach, and author of Super Psyched. This conversation is packed with strategies for strengthening relationships, especially for couples navigating the challenges of parenting. Dr. Dorsay shares actionable advice on reconnecting with your partner and the importance of emotional connection in building a thriving relationship.
As we explore the shifts that occur in family life, Dr. Dorsay emphasizes how couples can maintain intimacy in marriage and balance the demands of parenthood and relationship. Listeners will gain practical tools for...
2024-12-221h 11
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood life5 Steps to Reset Parental Burnout | Parenting Burnout Symptoms & Treatment | Ep. 36Parenting is one of the most fulfilling roles, but let’s face it—it’s also one of the most exhausting. If you’ve ever felt completely drained or like you’re barely keeping up, you might be experiencing parental burnout. And no, it doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’ve been giving your all without taking time to refill your own cup.
In this episode, we’re getting real about parenting burnout—what it looks like, how it sneaks up on us, and what you can do to reset. Whether you’re navigating new parent tiredness, th...
2024-12-1536 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHow to be a Great Parent: Forgive YOUR Parents Using my 5-Step Formula! | Effective Parenting | Ep. 35Do you ever feel like old wounds from your childhood and resentment toward your parents are getting in the way of you being a great parent?
Many people struggle with the question of how to forgive your parents because deep inside we all know that it is a stepping stone toward effective parenting.
But we are held back by our fear that letting go of the anger and grievances will act as an excuse or a permission slip for more mistreatment. In an attempt to protect us, our inner child refuses to move forward in...
2024-12-0843 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeWondering How to Rekindle a Relationship After Children? 3 Stages to “Cure” Lack of Intimacy after Baby | Ep. 34Are you feeling a distance between you and your partner after welcoming your little one? You're not alone. In this week’s episode, we delve into the real struggles of rebuilding intimacy after baby.
Parenthood brings immense joy, but it also introduces unexpected relationship changes that can leave you feeling disconnected.
Join me as we uncover the journey from exhaustion to connection. We explore why intimacy after children often takes a back seat and how to navigate these parenthood challenges without feeling hurt or misunderstood.
Discover practical steps for restoring closeness and reconnecting wi...
2024-12-0143 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeBalancing Motherhood and Career: Overcoming Mom Guilt and Finding Purpose | Work Life Balance Mom | Ep. 33Are you struggling to balance motherhood and career aspirations? You’re not alone. In this emotionally charged episode, we sit down with childbirth educator and doula, Hannah Gill, to unpack the deep identity shifts moms face.
From grappling with mom guilt to redefining success, Hannah’s story speaks to anyone who has felt torn between being present for their children and pursuing their own passions.
Together, we explore:
The unspoken pressures moms face as they try to “do it all.”
How unresolved childhood dynamics and birth trauma influence our adult decisions.
Why compassionate self-reflection is key t...
2024-11-2451 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeFeeling Left Out as a Dad? 4 Steps to Reconnect for a Happy Marriage after Baby | Fatherhood | Ep. 32Parenthood changes everything, doesn’t it? Suddenly, life revolves around the baby, and for many dads, it can feel like they’ve been pushed into the background.
If you’ve ever felt sidelined, like the affection and attention you once shared with your partner has shifted entirely to the kids, this episode is for you.
And moms, while this episode speaks directly to dads, it offers insights that benefit you just as much. Many women start to feel as though their husband is jealous of the baby or the kids but the truth lies elsewhere.
2024-11-1737 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeResentment in Marriage: How Parenthood Brings up Old Wounds and Unresolved Issues | Fatherhood | Ep. 31Resentment can be a silent weight in many relationships, and for parents, it often feels intensified.
In this episode, we dive into the roots of resentment in marriage, exploring how parenthood can uncover unresolved emotional wounds that surface when life becomes busier and more demanding.
Whether it’s unspoken needs going unmet or feeling like one partner is carrying more of the load, resentment can subtly shift how we view each other and impact our closeness.
Today we find out why resentment builds, especially after having kids, and how it’s ofte...
2024-11-1045 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeWorried About Your Wife's Fatigue? 4 Causes of Mom Burnout & Practical Ways to Support Her | Episode 30Curious about why your partner is so exhausted despite the help you offer?
This episode delves into the unseen layers of mom fatigue and provides compassionate strategies to help you support her better whilst acknowledging the tough situation you, too, are in.
We’ll explore the emotional and mental loads that weigh heavily on mothers, and how you, as a partner, can make a meaningful difference in her daily life.
This episode is packed with insights to help you bridge the gap in understanding, improve communication, and bring renewed connection to your relationship.
2024-11-0347 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifePreparing for Motherhood? Cultivating a Flexible Mindset to Get Ready for a Baby | Embracing Change in a Blended Family | Coaching Session with Lexi | Ep. 29Today's episode is another coaching session, where we discuss how to mentally prepare for motherhood and the arrival of a new family member.
Join me as I coach Lexi, a mom-to-be and stepmom of 2, through her journey of embracing a positive mindset and finding balance in a blended family.
We discuss essential tips on managing family dynamics, staying flexible, and prioritizing mental health while preparing for a new addition to the family whilst exploring and maintaining how to be a supportive step-parent.
Whether you're about to become a new parent or...
2024-10-2755 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeThe 3 Most Common Communication Issues in Relationships and Marriage after Baby and How to EASILY Fix them | Marriage Problems and Solutions | Episode 28Feeling disconnected in your relationship after having kids? You’re not alone.
In this episode, we get real about the communication struggles that many couples face after becoming parents. Parenthood brings new challenges, and it’s common for communication issues to arise, but they don’t have to drive a wedge between you and your partner.
We explore the 3 most common communication mistakes couples make after kids, and most importantly, how to fix them. Discover practical ways to reconnect with your partner, establish healthy communication, and create a more harmonious family dynamic.
Join me to...
2024-10-2035 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHaving an Identity Crisis as a Parent? 6 Strategies to Finding Yourself after Motherhood and Fatherhood to Maintain Your Marriage after Children | Matrescence | Patrescence | Episode 27Feeling lost in motherhood / fatherhood? You’re not alone.
In this episode, we have a warm but honest conversation regarding the struggle to keep a sense of self while being the best parent we can be.
Parenthood changes everything, but it doesn’t have to erase who we are.
We’ll explore how to navigate the identity shift that comes with becoming a parent and provide 6 powerful insights on how to reclaim your sense of self.
Join me so that we discuss the underlying reasons for our loss of identity in mot...
2024-10-131h 06
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeFeeling Unsupported as a Mom? Is it gaslighting or oversensitivity? Real Mom Support vs Expectations | MatrescenceHave you ever felt unsupported as a mom?
Motherhood is tough, but what makes it even harder is when societal expectations are disguised as support.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, "Am I being too sensitive?" or wondered if you’re overreacting to well-meaning advice, you're not alone.
In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we’ll talk about the difference between real support and the subtle pressure that often makes moms feel judged, gaslit, and even burdened by mom guilt.
Where do these expectations come from, and ho...
2024-10-0625 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeCOACHING SESSION #1: Healing from Generational Sacrifice [Motherhood expectations | Working Mom | Mom Burnout] | Episode 25In this heart-opening episode, you’ll witness a live coaching session with Devan, a mother of two young children, who vulnerably shares her struggles around juggling motherhood, work, and personal fulfillment (see her bio below!).
As a grief counselor, Devan is no stranger to the emotional landscape of life’s challenges, but in her journey through motherhood, she grapples with feelings of guilt, the pressure to be an “awesome mom,” and the struggle to find balance.
Together, we explore Devan’s conflicting identities: the loving mom she wants to be, showing up in every way possible a...
2024-09-2953 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeFeeling Loneliness in Motherhood? Here's why! [Gender Roles, Parenthood & Identity] | Episode 24In today’s episode, we dive deep into the fascinating topic of the 'othering' of mothers, exploring how motherhood often creates a distinct separation from womanhood and even fatherhood.
Inspired by a conversation I recently had with Jennifer Peterkin on her podcast The Human Experience, I question why society separates moms from other women and why similar spaces for dads are rare.
Join us as we explore:
🌸 The difference between motherhood and womanhood and how becoming a mom often alters your social identity.
🤔 Why fathers aren't grouped or supported in the same way...
2024-09-2239 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHealing Generational Trauma: Nervous System Regulation in Parenthood with Holly Logan | Episode 23In this heartwarming episode, I welcome special guest Holly Logan, a master’s prepared nurse and family nurse practitioner, to explore the vital topic of nervous system regulation in parenthood.
Holly is an advanced practice nurse by education who is currently a stay-at-home mom to three boys. Through her own personal health struggles and transitions into parenting, she grew a passion for family wellness and nervous system health.
Our conversation is powerful and insightful as it touches on the importance of managing stress, trauma, and overwhelm as parents, especially when navigating the challenges of parenthood....
2024-09-151h 01
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeFostering Compassionate Family Culture to Promote Emotional Wellbeing | Cultivating Compassion in Parenthood Series (#5) | Episode 22Join me in this episode as we discuss how we can establish healthy family dynamics based on sturdy and explicit family values.
Learn how to create a positive family environment that nurtures emotional wellbeing and strengthens your parent-child connection.
Discover how parenting with compassion can impact your family culture and lead to healthier relationships.
What we’ll cover:
The benefits of compassionate parenting
How to use family rituals to build stronger bonds
Effective strategies for managing conflict resolution for kids
Understanding the importance of the mother-father relationship in maintaining a supportive fa...
2024-09-0822 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeCultivating Compassion in Children [How to teach a child empathy, kindness and compassion] | Episode 21Do you ever wonder how to teach your child to be more compassionate and kind?
In this episode, we dive into the heart of raising empathetic children by exploring the powerful role modeling plays in their development.
We'll talk about how the simple, everyday actions you take can shape your child’s understanding of empathy, kindness, and compassion — without needing to be perfect.
Using relatable stories, we’ll look at how even small acts of kindness can have a big impact.
Plus, I'll share some easy, practical ways to encourage compassionate behavi...
2024-09-0116 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeCompassionate Communication for Couples: Building Stronger Relationships after Parenthood [Cultivating Compassion in Parenthood Series #3] | Episode 20Do you ever feel like parenthood has impacted how you connect with your partner?
In this episode, I break down how we can foster compassionate communication in our relationship, even when we’re exhausted and juggling a million things at once.
We chat about why it’s so easy to lose sight of our partners when we’re in the thick of parenting, and I’ll share some practical tips on how to keep that connection alive.
Using real-life examples we see how small shifts in communication can make a big difference.
Here’s...
2024-08-2534 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeCultivating Self-Compassion as a Parent: Overcoming Perfectionism and Parental Guilt [Cultivating Compassion in Parenthood Series] | Episode 19Do you find that though you may be quite good at comforting friends, you are very harsh on yourself and your perceived parental failings?
Might you possibly be carrying the belief that if you are hard on yourself for your shortcomings, you are helping yourself improve?
If the weight of perfection and high expectations has got you down in parenthood, you are not the only one.
Being a perfectionist is one thing.
Being a parent and a perfectionist is a whole different ballgame. |
Motherhood and fatherhood are calling you to...
2024-08-1818 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeThe Power of Compassion in Parenting: Nurture Yourself, Your Partner, and Your Children [Cultivating Compassion in Parenthood Series] | Episode 18Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed with guilt, feeling like you’re too hard on yourself as a parent or partner? Trust me, you’re not alone.
In this first episode of the special August series on Cultivating Compassion in Parenthood, we break down what compassion is, its benefits, and how to take baby steps in developing it more authentically.
We’re not just talking about compassion for others, but for yourself, too.
Imagine what it would feel like to have that harsh inner critic embrace you, to give yourself a break, and to truly...
2024-08-1117 minThe Blissfully Bold PodcastEp. 09 - From Chaos to Connection: Navigating Parenthood's Transformations While Balancing Partnership Roles and Finding Your Identity with Expert Tips from Markella KaplaniWelcome back to The Blissfully Bold Podcast! If you’re a mom who’s ever asked “what’s wrong with me” because motherhood isn’t what you expected, then you’re gonna wanna listen up! Today’s guest is Markella Kaplani, a parenthood and relationship coach with a Master’s degree in Clinical & Counseling Psychology. She has dedicated her career to assisting adults, parents, and children navigate their mental health challenges. In working with her clients in the past, she’s been gifted the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of the diverse systems that constitute the human experience and...
2024-08-0751 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeThe Compassion Gap: Why we can’t let go of our parental expectations though we can support parent friends (Mom Guilt | Dad Guilt) | Episode 17Are you struggling with mom guilt or dad guilt and finding it hard to be kind to yourself even though you are kind to other parent friends?
In this episode, I dive deep into:
🔹 The roots of parental guilt and why it persists
🔹 How societal expectations shape our self-image
🔹 The powerful role of the inner critic and how it formed
🔹 Practical steps to embrace self-compassion
🔹 The journey of reparenting and inner child healing
Tune in to uncover the profound impact of self-compassion o...
2024-08-0423 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeStruggling with Self-Criticism as a Parent? 6 Steps to Overcome Parental Guilt and Shame (Mom Guilt | Dad Guilt) | Episode 16Do you have a voice in your head telling you are not enough?
Do you, too, have these days where you feel like you are failing at parenthood?
Are there days that you feel you were not cut out to be a mom; not cut out to be a dad?
In this heartfelt episode, we dive deep into the struggle of facing our inner critic, especially as parents.
If you've ever questioned your abilities, felt overwhelmed by parental guilt and shame, or wondered if you're doing enough, you're not alone.
2024-07-2823 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeFrom "It Takes a Village" to Raising Children Alone (How rigid parenting may be contributing to parental burnout) | Episode 15Remember when we had a village to support us in our parenting journey?
Do you, too, wonder how the tables have turned so that we are now shamed for wanting help from our kin, being told that "It's our child, so it's our responsibility?" and "You chose this."?
How did we go from "it takes a village to raise a child" to parenting in isolation?
Based on a post and its respective comments on Facebook, I discuss how societal and cultural shifts toward individualism have led to the near-extinction of our support systems...
2024-07-2130 min
Beyond MotherhoodEp. 25 - Navigating Mum Guilt and Shame with Markella KaplaniHey beautiful mamas. On this week’s episode, I chat with clinical psychologist and parenthood and relationship coach, Markella Kaplani, we delve into mum guilt and shame. Markella shares her insights on why these feelings are so prevalent among mothers, discussing their impact on daily life and relationships with children and partners. Markella discusses why not only societal expectations but also our values and beliefs are key sources of these emotions and offers some practical strategies for managing them.
Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mMPhdNDkGso
About Markella:
Markella Kaplani holds a Master’s degree in Clinical & Coun...
2024-07-1446 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood life6 Strategies for Debunking the Super Mom Myth | Redefining Success & Balancing Motherhood | Episode 14Do you constantly wonder how to be the perfect mother? Has it become your life’s mission to balance motherhood and career? Or are you a stay-at-home mom feeling the pressure to be perfect because you don’t “do it all?”
In today’s episode, we debunk the Supermom myth by:
Exploring historical perspectives on motherhood
Uncovering how media has shaped our maternal expectations
Unraveling the reasons behind the overwhelming pressure many mothers feel today
I also share 6 strategies for balanced motherhood to help you redefine success and find genuine fulfillment.
Let’s put an end t...
2024-07-1445 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeOverloaded on Parenting Advice? Why reading tons of books on how to parent causes more parenting stress | Episode 13Are you constantly seeking the "perfect" way to parent?
📖 Do you find yourself trying to be the informed parent you envisioned but utterly confused with the conflicting advice you get from parenting books?
I know that I certainly looked to every expert book to get more familiar with positive parenting tips, in an attempt to appease any and all parenting stress I had as a first-time mom.
But as much parenting advice as one can get, the stress of motherhood (and fatherhood) is REAL and oftentimes amplified when we get information overload and start to d...
2024-07-0737 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeTop 1 Reason for Fighting After Baby (Understanding the Deeper Roots of Arguments with Partner) | Episode 12Ever felt sidelined by your partner after becoming parents? 🚸
Do they no longer ask what you need or appreciate what you do? 💔
Does love feel taken for granted?
In this episode of the Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we dive into why those little squabbles with your partner seem never-ending.
🗣️ Why taking out the trash becomes a major fight when the real issue is much deeper.
Tune in to learn:
- The real reasons behind your arguments 🧠
- How to recognize underlying guilt and fears 💡
- Practical tips to...
2024-06-3028 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeBalancing Motherhood and Personal Goals: How to deal with mom guilt and find fulfillment | Episode 11Does becoming a mom mean that we have to lose ourselves and our passions?
🎙️ For many of us who thought that our multi-faceted interests would fade as we stepped into motherhood on account of our deep love for our children, the fact that we can both want to be with them 24/7 while still yearning for the things that used to make us whole, can create intense internal turmoil.
In today’s episode, we talk about:
👉 The lingering need for personal goals, passions, & fulfillment outside of motherhood
👉 The societal norms that villainize this need, lea...
2024-06-2336 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHow to deal with tantrums in toddlers by self-regulating | Gentle Parenting Tantrums | Episode 10Dealing with toddler tantrums can feel overwhelming, but there are gentle, effective strategies to help.
In this episode, we explore:
👉 Understanding the triggers behind an emotional meltdown
👉 The power of self-regulating
👉 Practical tips for calming both yourself and your child
👉 The role of co-regulation in managing tantrums and emotional development
Join me for expert advice on creating a peaceful home environment and nurturing your child’s emotional well-being. If you’ve ever wondered how to deal with toddler tantrums, don’t miss out on the special guide...
2024-06-1641 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeCommunication skills for couples: Navigating parenthood and parenting together | Episode 9Parenthood and the responsibilities of parenting change us and define our relationship with our partners from the time we become parents.
This is not synonymous with having relationship problems after the baby.
In fact, this transformation that happens both within yourself and in the way you relate to your partner, can benefit you greatly - it can bring you closer together if you nurture your relationship.
And that is exactly what we talk about in this episode. More specifically, we discuss the
👉 common long term relationship problems that...
2024-06-0950 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeLost in Motherhood? Processing Mom Grief & Reconnecting with Ourselves | Episode 8Can great joy come with a deep sense of loss?
In this episode, we begin the conversation around processing grief and loss in motherhood.
The transition into motherhood comes with hidden grief; mom grief.
This kind of grief comes from losing touch with one’s old self, making motherhood difficult and playing a huge role in motherhood psychology and mental health.
But this is something that remains hidden due to the mom guilt and shame that comes with admitting this loss - as though it negates the happiness - as thou...
2024-06-0228 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHow play helps child development and the parent child bond (+ suggested parent child bonding activities) | Episode 7In today’s episode we talk about the effects of play on child development. More specifically, we get into how play impacts child development.
We first see the different types of play, how each helps child development, how it can foster the parent-child bond, as well as the ways in which it can even improve our marriage!
Most importantly, I leave you with parent child bonding activities and attachment building activities so that you can learn how to use play to strengthen the relationship with you child and also foster qualities such as independence, socialization, crea...
2024-05-2626 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeUnhappy Marriage After Baby? Communication Tips for Navigating Parenthood & Parenting | Episode 6It is quite common for couples to lose their edge as they enter parenthood.
If you have even felt like your relationship has changed after having kids or that the parenting challenges are getting in the way of your relationship, you’re not alone.
In this episode, we explore why so many marriages and partnerships seem to face relationship issues, especially in the first year of a baby- and this includes couples with solid foundations.
By looking at the unspoken feelings that mothers and fathers experience at the onset of parenthood, we explore ti...
2024-05-1939 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeOvercoming Mom Guilt & Shame: Practical Strategies for Happier Parenting | Episode 5As mothers, we are quite familiar with feelings of guilt and inadequacy, which can deeply impact our emotional well-being and relationships. This episode unpacks the nuances of mom guilt versus mom shame, providing clear definitions and exploring how these emotions manifest in everyday parenting.
Together we get to discover the historical contexts and societal pressures that amplify these feelings, along with personal anecdotes and external comments that trigger guilt and shame among us, mothers. We'll explore the direct effects on our self-esteem, mental health, and the dynamics within marital relationships and parenting styles.
Then, we...
2024-05-1253 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifePatrescence - How a man changes when he becomes a father & how this affects his relationship | Episode 4Becoming a father is a process, and this has a name: patrescence. Men, just like women, go through a massive transformation in their identity as they step into fatherhood.
Because this is not acknowledged and due to the fact that we dismiss the array of emotions that men have, there is a lot that is kept under the surface, which, however, negatively impacts the experience that fathers have.
This, in turn, creates tension and misunderstandings within the couple, as many things begin to be based on assumptions rather than genuine, healthy communication.
In...
2024-05-0529 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHow our inner child influences the way we parent | Reparenting our inner child | Episode 3In this episode, we reflect on how our changing identity and internal struggle with our inner child influence our parenting and potentially lead to us acting in ways we are not proud of despite our best intentions.
Together, we explore the journey of 'reparenting your inner child,’ discussing strategies that help us resolve the deeper roots of our difficulty to show up as the parents we envision, extending compassion and forgiveness toward ourselves so that we can intuitively apply gentle parenting.
We learn what it really takes to exemplify emotional regulation and self-soothing to our chil...
2024-04-2831 min
Minding Mine with Evelyn LeVasseurIdentity Shifts In Motherhood: Markella KaplaniIn this week’s episode, we dive into the complex and ever-evolving dynamics of parenthood and relationships with the incredible Markella — a Parenthood and Relationship Coach with a background in clinical and counseling psychology. If you’ve ever felt the identity shifts that come with becoming a parent, or struggled to maintain connection and communication with your partner amidst the demands of family life, this conversation is for you.
Markella brings over a decade of expertise in couples counseling, child psychology, and matrescence — the transformative rite of passage into and through motherhood. She offers practical, compassionate guidance to help...
2024-04-2539 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeHow does parenthood affect marriage: Are parenting challenges to blame for relationship issues? | Episode 2Do you ever wonder how relationships change after having kids?
How does parenthood affect marriage?
In today’s episode, we discuss how to save your marriage from parenthood; at the very least we take the first step, which is to validate the disruption that comes with having children.
As much of a blessing and a joy as it is to have children, marriage after baby is also admittedly strained.
Parenting challenges and relationship issues are not irrelevant to one another; they go hand-in-hand.
But...
2024-04-2124 min
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeMatrescence - What is an identity crisis and why did it hit me in motherhood? | Episode 1Welcome to the first episode of "The Parenthood & Relationship Podcast," where we discuss the profound transformation of parenthood and how this affects us as individuals and as a couple.
The topic of this episode centers on the concept of "Matrescence," a profound transition that resembles adolescence, where we, as mothers, undergo a significant identity shift.
We unpack the emotional and psychological change that accompanies our entry into parenthood, shedding light on the often unspoken challenges of parenthood such as struggling with the transition to motherhood and the identity crisis it often brin...
2024-04-1418 minThe Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood lifeWelcome to the Parenthood and Relationship Podcast!Looking for a haven for understanding the complex dynamics of becoming a parent and evolving relationships? You’ve arrived!
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast delves into the psychology of parenthood, the nuanced stages of matrescence and patrescence, and the intricate balance between personal identity and parenting roles.
This is not your average parenting advice platform. Adding to the plentiful resources that arm us with parenting strategies we, indeed, benefit from, this podcast has been designed with a stronger focus on the emotional and psychological shifts experienced during the transition to parenthood, like...
2024-04-0203 min
Relationship Diversity PodcastThe Metamorphosis of Intimate Relationships For New and Seasoned Parents with Markella KaplaniSend us a textEpisode 091:The Metamorphosis of Intimate Relationships For New and Seasoned Parents with Markella KaplaniHave you ever wondered how the rollercoaster of parenthood can redefine who we are and the fabric of our closest relationships? In a heart-to-heart with the Parenting and Relationship Counselor, Markella Kaplani, we peel back the layers of emotions and psychological adjustments that come with the passage into parenthood. Markella, with her dual expertise in couples counseling and child psychology, offers profound insights into the transformation known as 'matrescence' and its ripple...
2024-03-1455 min
The You World Order Showcase PodcastMarkella Kaplaini - Your Identity Crisis in Motherhood is REAL!In this insightful episode, Markella Kaplani, discusses the challenges of transitioning into motherhood, societal expectations on women, and the concept of "matrescence." The conversation emphasizes the need for support and flexibility for mothers navigating their unique identities through different stages of motherhood.Watch the FREE Video Series at MarkellaKaplani.com!Want premium clients from your content?Grab a free Client Acquisition Audit and I’ll show you exactly where your message, offer, and CTA are leaking conversions—and the 3 fixes to turn your podcast/Substack into a client pipeline.👉 Book here: h...
2024-02-1550 min
Holly Logan Health PodcastMarkella Kaplani on Identity, Matrescence, & Mom BrainToday’s episode is with Markella Kaplani. Markella’s extensive work and background in counseling led her to notice the inordinate load that mothers are expected to carry and the minimal emotional support they receive, which motivated her to pivot in her work. Markella talks about identity in motherhood, finding balance in the struggles, using “mom brain” to our advantage, and generational trauma. This is a conversation that will bring you a ton of value to your life.
Markella holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a Masters in Clinical-Counseling Psychology, and also holds a Special Ed Postg...
2023-11-3050 min
The New Mom Boss Podcast136. The Mourning of Your Old Self as You Become a Mother with Markella KaplaniWelcome back to the New Mom Boss Podcast! My guest, Markella Kaplani, has seen many moms suffer from an identity crisis in motherhood, coupled with the guilt and shame that tend to tag along. In our discussion, we talk about her personal story of a difficult postpartum, the problem of viewing motherhood as a role, matrescence and the motherly instinct, and the conflicting tension between being a successful mother and being a successful woman in today’s society. Markella is a psychotherapist and a special educator focused on helping expecting and new mothers by addressing this...
2022-12-1544 min