Anna Asks

By Anna Cusack

Welcome to the “Anna Asks” podcast, a place for people and parents looking for actual answers to big questions.

From pregnancy to prejudice, parenting to the pandemic, sleep to sexuality to social j... more

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FAQs about Anna Asks:

How many episodes does Anna Asks have?

The podcast currently has 83 episodes available.

Anna Asks episodes:

May 14, 2022 S4, Ep10. How can I do what you do? Becoming a Postpartum Doula with Julia Jones
Julia Jones started working as a postpartum doula well before the word "postpartum" even entered the consciousness of most westerners. From bringing an international teacher to Australia to study, to caring for families in home to becoming a mother herself, Julia shares her story of how she came to start her Newborn Mothers program training other doulas and postpartum professionals. She has a keen eye for neuroscience, social justice and ethical business practice, and has a message for you if you think this line of work might be for you too: don't wait. We discuss care of mothers and birth parents, the benefits of a baby-boosted brain, inclusive language and the why the economic index inclusions decided by men mean we need to claim our own seat at the table rather than waiting for an invitation.
You can find Julia via the following links:
Newborn Mothers postpartum doula course (read through or scroll to the very bottom to download the ""Is becoming a postpartum professional right for you?" guidebook): https://newbornmothers.simplero.com/S/https://newbornmothers.com/training?ref=18885-Anna-Cusack
Download the first chapter of Julia's books for free, "Newborn Mothers: When a baby is born so is a mother" and "Nourishing Newborn Mothers: Ayurvedic Recipes to Heal Your Mind, Body and Soul After Childbirth": https://newbornmothers.com/books/?ref=18885-Anna-Cusack
And here is the interview Anna did on Julia's podcast titled "Combining exercise and holistic postpartum care": https://newbornmothers.simplero.com/S/https://newbornmothers.com/blog/combining-exercise-with-holistic-postpartum-care?ref=18885-Anna-Cusack
***Full disclosure these are affiliate links, which means if you sign up for her doula training course Anna will receive a small percentage of your usual course fee as your referrer.
As always, you can find Anna, her services and book "Mama, You're Not Broken" at www.annacusack.com.au and on Instagram and Facebook @annacusackpostpartum
Please leave a 5 star rating and/or review if you loved this episode!
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40min
April 13, 2022 S4, Ep9: ZELMA TOLLEY - Can we really separate ourselves from our parent support projects?
Many of you will know Zelma from her work as "The Postnatal Project", where her heartfelt writings and social work skills fuse into an sanctuary for those feeling mightily alone in their postnatal and parenting struggles.
What you may not know is the story behind the establishment of The Postnatal Project, the tumultuous years that have passed since, or the sometimes thankless nature of parent support work.
If you have experienced postnatal mental ill health, this episode will speak to you.
If you are considering having an online presence or business with a view to support families, or if you have one already and are finding it hard to get started or reconcile the time, energy and resources spent on your projects, this episode will speak to you too.
This is a solid dose of reality from a mother who has experienced much in motherhood, business and the space where these are inseparable.
***
If you have a moment, please leave a 5 star review and rating so more people can find us!
***
Find Zelma via her website at www.thepostnatalproject.com/ This is where you can find the resources she mentions, including her "Candid Parenthood" eBook. Follow along on Instagram @thepostnatalproject and Facebook using the same handle.
Support the podcast via www.annacusack.com.au/podcast, grab her book www.annacusack.com.au/book and join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook @annacusackpostpartum
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39min
April 03, 2022 S4, Ep8: BONUS EP from TARA BROUGHAN - Help! I'm scared of saying the wrong thing!
As a follow up from last episode, I present you with 6 minutes of pep talk gold from Tara.
How to get over the fear of saying the wrong thing
Leaning into relationship rather than out of it
How the desire for technical rightness in white culture traps us
How the construction of civility makes women behave and disconnect from each other
Transforming guilt into galvanized action.
Let's do this. The article Tara refers to has been updated and is now housed and discussed on this website: https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/characteristics.html ***
If you have a moment, please leave a 5 star review and rating so more people can find us! ***
Connect with Tara on Instagram @tjbroughan and her parenting support programs with Meg via @megandtara and www.megandtara.com ***
Support the podcast via www.annacusack.com.au/podcast, grab her book www.annacusack.com.au/book and join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook @annacusackpostpartum
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8min
March 14, 2022 S4, Ep7: TARA BROUGHAN on bias, bisexuality, conscious parenting, chronic illness and identity.
Tara’s professional background is in child rights yet despite her dedication to children, the transition to parenthood was not exactly smooth. This discussion goes everywhere:
-How can we work through our own biases, raise aware humans and bring hesitant others into such conversations in positive ways?
-Does “the Australian identity” even exist?
-What was it like to grow up neurodivergent and queer in a regional area, and how has this shaped both outlook and parenting?
-What if you only realise you’re bisexual after you’re a mother, partnered with a man?
-How can chronic illness shatter the myths of “perfect motherhood” and bring benefit and depth to our children’s youth, not only challenge or lack as is often portrayed?
It’s a hard one to describe, but I know you’ll love it.
Connect with Tara on Instagram @tjbroughan and her parenting support programs with Meg via @megandtara and www.megandtara.com
Connect with Anna via her www.annacusack.com.au, grab her book www.annacusack.com.au/book and share your thoughts via Insta and Facebook @annacusackpostpartum
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56min
January 16, 2022 S4, Ep6. CARLY GRUBB - Why haven't we moved beyond sleep training?
Sleep training didn’t come to exist in a vacuum. Why did it become the “norm” and why won’t it just die? Join me in conversation with Carly Grubb, founder of The Beyond Sleep Training Project online peer support group and its charity/advisory arm Little Sparklers.
This is a discussion not on the ins and outs of sleep training and its alternative, but the power dynamics and interactions between parents trying to do the “right thing”, health practitioners and policy, and the ever-present multi-billion dollar baby industry.
Babies aren’t great sleepers, and parents do need support. So how can we as a society move beyond sleep training to a place where nurturing our babies and children is our cultural default, regardless of whether the sun is up or not?
Connect with Carly's work here:
Little Sparklers website https://www.littlesparklers.org/
Beyond Sleep Training Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-beyond-sleep-training-podcast/id1566481559
Beyond Sleep Training Project peer support and social media https://www.littlesparklers.org/the-beyond-sleep-training-project
Continue the conversation with Anna on social media www.instagram.com/annacusackpostpartum+ www.facebook.com/annacusackpostpartum . You can also grab her free postpartum prep guide at www.annacusack.com.au , get her book at www.annacusack.com.au/book (use the code SPARKLER at checkout on my site and $2 from every copy sold will be donated to Little Sparklers foundation) or become a supporter of the podcast at www.annacusack.com.au/products/135362-Become-A-Podcast-Patron
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43min
January 04, 2022 S4, Ep5: Now what? Info for breastfeeding/lactating people who test positive for COVID-19
With case rates in Australia through the roof I figured this was something I might need to know about, and you might too. ****This episode provides general information only and does not replace medical advice or conversations with your care providers. All information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge as at 4/1/22 and all sources listed below were accessed on this date. Always seek medical care if you are concerned about your or your child’s health.**** Helpful numbers for listeners in Australia:
National Breastfeeding Helpline (free, 24 hours) - 1800 626 286
HealthDirect helpline (free, 24 hours) - 1800 022 222
Ambulance - 000
Find a lactation consultant - www.lcanz.org
References:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html
2. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-breastfeeding
3. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/communities-of-practice/Pages/guide-pregnant-women-and-new-parents.aspx#feed
4. https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/covid-19
5. https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/phar.2649
6. https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/common-concerns%E2%80%93mum/supply
7. https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/coronavirus-covid-19-and-kids
8. https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/breastfeeding-bottle-feeding/expressing-working-travelling/expressing-breastmilk
9. https://www.instagram.com/p/CX_zS5psgai/?utm_medium=copy-link
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9min
December 20, 2021 S4, Ep4: What’s the deal with Omicron?
The newest COVID-kid on the block is causing headaches (and much worse) here in NSW and around the world right now. Here is a ten minute primer with what you need to know on the new variant, vaccination, and more. ***This information is general in nature and should not replace conversations and advice with your medical team.*** For further info see the ABC CoronaCast podcast with Dr Norman Swan, and the following doctors and science educators on Instagram: @deplatformdisease @pandemicpregnancyguide @thewholesomedoctor @dr.risahoshino
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13min
December 05, 2021 S4, Ep3. JESS NABB - What is Radical Inclusion?
Meet Jess Nabb - feminist spaceholder, accessible yoga teacher, and nervous system witch, with a side-gig as a church-going, tarot-reading heretic.
Jess offers their wealth of knowledge, practice and lived experience to this conversation, focusing on radical inclusion in community and in business, and radical self-care for parents in the era of intensive parenting.
We discuss the marginalisation of all parents, re-finding their voice, and the pros and cons of pandemic life in relation to our varying needs, identities and intersections.
This is a brilliant conversation with a brilliant human, and we are so pleased to bring it to your ears.
You can connect with Jess at www.liberatedparenthood.co and on Instagram @liberatedparenthood
And continue the conversation with Anna at www.annacusack.com.au, on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum, on Facebook www.facebook.com/annacusackpostpartum, and grab her book at www.annacusack.com.au/book
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48min
November 18, 2021 S4, E2. MARY GIORDANO - Language, culture, diversity and respectful doula practice in birth and perinatal care
With a background in anthropology, migrant and refugee resettlement and multilingual doula work, I asked Mary to join me in discussion of the interaction of linguistic and cultural diversity and doula care throughout the perinatal period.
This chat traverses systemic limitations, definitions of “safety” and reflects on the use of traditional practices in the space of birth and perinatal work.
You can connect with Mary at https//madreluna.com.au and on instagram @mary.giordano_madreluna
Connect with Anna @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book, blogs and more at www.annacusack.com.au
Become a patron of the podcast for $5/month to pay the people we learn from: https://www.annacusack.com.au/products/135362-Become-A-Podcast-Patron
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A few resources from Mary:
The Art of Birth with Naoli https://www.naolivinaver.com/mary-giordano.html
Playgroups and community hubs for culturally and linguistically diverse families:
https://vicsegnewfutures.org.au
https://communityhubs.org.au
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41min
October 25, 2021 S4, Ep 1: What’s in a name?
The Motherhood Made Magic podcast is evolving to “Anna Asks”, a place for parents and people to find actual answers to big questions. This is an unapologetically feminist, anti-racist, conscious parenting podcast with 3 primary aims: to pass the mic, pay the rent and become (and raise) better humans. Support the people you learn from here: https://www.annacusack.com.au/products/135362-Become-A-Podcast-Patron
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6min

FAQs about Anna Asks:

How many episodes does Anna Asks have?

The podcast currently has 83 episodes available.

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