How is it the end of the year already!? Welcome to our wrap up of 2024! What a BIG year it’s been! Join us in our final ep of the year as we discuss peaks and pits, wrap up a fabulous year of podcasting and Hannah also shares some big news! (Don’t worry it’s not a pregnancy announcement 🤣).

As always we need to say a HUGE thank you to all of you, our listeners, our community, who are now our friends! We wouldn’t be here without you, and your support by following the podcast and tuning in each week means so much to us. 

Thank you to all of our amazing guests for 2024 who have given us their time to come on and share their wisdom! We’ve learnt so much this year and hope you have too! And thank you to our incredible sponsors, the brands we’ve partnered with throughout 2024 who have helped us keep the lights on. 

If we’ve been able to lighten the mental load of parenting, give you a weekday lol, or even just bring a smile to your face on a hard day, then our job here is done! 

Wishing everyone a safe and beautiful holiday season spent with your loved ones. We’ll be back in your ears at the end of January. 

New Baby Brain Merch! 

You might have noticed we’ve dropped merch!! To support the podcast and buy yourself an amazing mum (or dad) cap, head to the link below:

https://www.babybrainpodcast.com.au/store-1

This week’s sponsor:

This week is sponsored by Lust Minerals our favourite range of mineral makeup and natural skin care helping us look fresh for over 3 years now! Order at lustminerals.com.au and use the code BABYBRAIN for $20 off your order when spending over $50.

Lust products are highly concentrated and use the highest possible percentage of ingredients for maximum benefits and results. All lust minerals products include clinically studied ingredients so you can trust they will actually do what they say they will. 

It is absolutely the most amazing range for anyone out there looking to feel firm and fresh. Lust Minerals even do trial sizes in all their skin care products so you can jump on their website and grab some of those to trial if you are wanting to test them out first. Check out Lust Minerals on instagram @lust__minerals, and head to their website to make your order at lustminerals.com.au . Use the code BABYBRAIN for $20 off your order when spending over $50.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered what kind of money content creators make? What talent agencies look for in mum influencers, and the best ways to grow your audience online? This week we have an amazing bonus episode with our friend Chip from Blue Chip Talent, where he spills the tea on all the behind the scenes info on social media influencers and content creators!

We discuss social media as a platform, how to create content that resonates with mum audiences, knowing your value, pitching to brands and so much more! This episode is full of useful information for anyone considering becoming a content creator or growing their audience, but also for anyone who’se just a little bit nosey (like us) and wants to know the ins and outs of how the industry works!

This bonus episode of the show is brought to you by Blue Chip Talent. Blue Chip has provided the Baby Brain Podcast with some of its favourite guests like Janelle Spies, Elisha Bakes and Kayla Brannan from their wonderful Talent Roster. Whether you are a brand looking for a Talent OR a Talent looking for representation to take you to the next level, look no further than our friends of the show – Blue Chip Talent.

Through all of our dealings with Chip and his team, they have been an absolute pleasure, an authentic voice in the talent landscape with years of wisdom and industry knowledge. 

To learn more, head to the links below:

https://www.bluechiptalent.com.au/

Instagram: 

For talent: @blue_chip_talent

For sport: @blue_chip_sport

For media: @blue_chip_media

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you feeling overwhelmed with all the events and presents and neverending to do list for the holiday period? Chances are your kids are too! This week we’re chatting to Lily, a paediatric OT and Founder of Regulated and Ready, to give us tips on how to regulate ourselves and our children over the christmas period.

We discuss tactics for managing expectations and emotions when we’re out of the usual routine, tips for taking kids to big events and also advice on gift giving in a way that won’t be overwhelming for our little ones. This is the perfect episode to pop in your ears in the lead up to the silly season!

Lily is a dedicated paediatric occupational therapist and the director of Excel Occupational Therapy and Regulated and Ready.

Through Regulated and Ready, Lily and her sister Mia have created programs, tools, and resources designed to empower parents and carers to support children’s regulation, development, and overall well-being. Their mission at Regulated and Ready is to provide families with practical and accessible tools that foster connection, regulation and growth in children.

For more information and to shop Lily's amazing products, head to the links below:

www.regulatedandready.com.au

Product: The Connection Journal PRE ORDER: https://regulatedandready.com.au/products/coming-soon-connection-journal

instagram @regulatedandready

tik tok @regulatedandready

 

New Baby Brain Merch! 

You might have noticed we’ve dropped merch!! To support the podcast and buy yourself an amazing mum (or dad) cap, head to the link below:

https://www.babybrainpodcast.com.au/store-1

This week’s sponsor:

This week is sponsored by Once Upon, the most incredible photo printing and photo book printing service to help you create lifelong memories and stories. 

Are you struggling with Christmas present ideas? Well there is one gift that everyone wants, even if they don't know it yet! A gift so personal and thoughtful you'll be the number one gift giver this Christmas season, using Once Upon. 

It's as simple as downloading the Once Upon App or using the Once Upon web browser to begin creating beautiful photo books and prints that will last a lifetime. You just download the app, sync the app with your photos and start selecting.  

You can easily change layouts, cover photos and even add text if you wanted to tell more of the story or write a special note for someone to keep and read forever. One of the coolest features is that you can even co-create a photobook with someone else by simply sending them a private link to your photobook and voila! all your family photos are combined!

Head to onceupon.photo or download the Once Upon app and use the code babybrain25 for 25% off until December 17th.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we have an amazing listener on the podcast who shares her experience navigating pregnancy and early parenthood as a paramedic. We discuss the balancing act of conception, pregnancy and the early days of parenting while working long shifts over days and nights. This lovely listener shares some insights on what it’s like to work as a paramedic, and how she separates work life from parenting life as a front line worker. 

If you want to keep up to date with all things Baby Brain, make sure to follow us on socials

Instagram: @babybrain.podcast 

Tiktok: @babybrainpodcast

Facebook: Baby Brain Podcast

Head to our website for more info and to purchase our merch! www.babybrainpodcast.com.au

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we have the amazing Claire Andrews from Safe Hands Parenting back on the podcast with us to chat about what baggage we’ve brought into parenting. In this episode we break down ideas around childhood trauma and how this can unconsciously impact how we parent our children. Claire takes us through the questions we can ask ourselves, and discussions we can have with our partners or support team to make sure we’re raising our children in the way we want to, without being influenced by things we’d like to leave behind in our own past. 

Claire is a mum, Maternal Child Health Nurse, and Midwife who started Safe Hands Parenting to cut through the noise of early parenthood. With her Thrive programs, you get real, evidence-based support that actually helps as you navigate life with a baby or toddler—because you deserve to feel seen, supported, and ready for anything.

To learn more about Claire and check out her amazing resources, head to the links below:

Instagram @safehandsparenting

Website/Access to Thrive programs: https://www.safehandsparenting.com.au/store

For anyone who is expecting their baby soon, you can download your free Prepare to Thrive eBook: https://www.safehandsparenting.com.au/opt-in-80506abb-452d-4447-abba-9c16eea866b5

New Baby Brain Merch! 

You might have noticed we’ve dropped merch!! To support the podcast and buy yourself an amazing mum (or dad) cap, head to the link below:

https://www.babybrainpodcast.com.au/store-1

This week’s sponsor:

This week is sponsored by Once Upon, the most incredible photo printing and photo book printing service to help you create lifelong memories and stories. 

Are you struggling with Christmas present ideas? Well there is one gift that everyone wants, even if they don't know it yet! A gift so personal and thoughtful you'll be the number one gift giver this Christmas season, using Once Upon. 

It's as simple as downloading the Once Upon App or using the Once Upon web browser to begin creating beautiful photo books and prints that will last a lifetime. You just download the app, sync the app with your photos and start selecting.  

You can easily change layouts, cover photos and even add text if you wanted to tell more of the story or write a special note for someone to keep and read forever. One of the coolest features is that you can even co-create a photobook with someone else by simply sending them a private link to your photobook and voila! all your family photos are combined!

Head to onceupon.photo or download the Once Upon app and use the code babybrain25 for 25% off until December 17th.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re chatting to the incredible Alita Blanchard on tips for raising boys. Through testosterone surges, hormonal shifts, processing anger and emotions, raising boys can hold it’s challenges, but Alita gives us some wonderful tips on how to work through these situations and leave our children feeling loved and supported. 

We discuss different hormonal and emotional stages boys might go through, how anger and aggression might present itself in boys, how to support our boys in working through their emotions rather than suppressing them, and what the “boy code” is, and how we might steer our children away from these toxic ideals. 

Alita Blanchard is an Australian based parent coach, holistic counsellor, and mother of four boys, committed to helping parents create safe, connected, and compassionate homes. With training in nervous system care, Rites of Passage, and Women’s Circles, Alita guides mothers through the transformative journey of parenthood, offering tools to navigate overwhelm, anger, and anxiety without shame or fear. Rooted in her own experience raising sensitive, deeply feeling children, Alita’s work empowers parents to co-regulate, embrace vulnerability, and foster connection with their kids.

For more about Alita and her amazing services, follow the links below:

Instagram: @alitablanchard_ 

Website: www.theawaremama.com.au

 

New Baby Brain Merch! 

You might have noticed we’ve dropped merch!! To support the podcast and buy yourself an amazing mum (or dad) cap, head to the link below:

https://www.babybrainpodcast.com.au/store-1

 

This week’s sponsor:

This week is sponsored by Once Upon, the most incredible photo printing and photo book printing service to help you create lifelong memories and stories. 

Are you struggling with Christmas present ideas? Well there is one gift that everyone wants, even if they don't know it yet! A gift so personal and thoughtful you'll be the number one gift giver this Christmas season, using Once Upon. 

It's as simple as downloading the Once Upon App or using the Once Upon web browser to begin creating beautiful photo books and prints that will last a lifetime. You just download the app, sync the app with your photos and start selecting.  

You can easily change layouts, cover photos and even add text if you wanted to tell more of the story or write a special note for someone to keep and read forever. One of the coolest features is that you can even co-create a photobook with someone else by simply sending them a private link to your photobook and voila! all your family photos are combined!

Head to onceupon.photo or download the Once Upon app and use the code babybrain25 for 25% off until December 17th.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus ep!! Last night we attended the Australian Podcast Awards for our nomination for Baby Brain in the parenting category! Sadly we didn't take it home this year, but we had the best time getting all glammed up and hanging with some other amazing podcasters. 

Tune in to listen to all the goss in our quick 10 minute rundown, recorded at the crack of dawn this morning while we were still a little dusty from last night 🤣

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is Perinatal Mental Health Week, and we're joined by one of our lovely listeners who tells us her story of experiencing mental health challenges in the perinatal period. This mum thought she was suffering the 'baby blues' - but soon realised it was much more. She tells us about the strain this placed on her marriage, and how she found her way back to hope. 

If you have a story you'd like to tell anonymously, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a message on instagram @babybrain.podcast or via email [email protected] We will keep all of your details completely anonymous and confidential.

Free support is available via the PANDA Helpline on 1300 726 306 (9am-7:30pm Monday-Friday and 9am - 4pm Saturday) or panda.org.au.

PANDA also offers an online mental health checklist for new and expecting parents to check for possible signs of perinatal anxiety, depression, and well-being concerns. 

PANDA has recently launched an online chatbot to help new parents navigate PANDA's resources and exercises to support them through the perinatal journey.

If you want to keep up to date with all things Baby Brain, make sure to follow us on socials

Instagram: @babybrain.podcast 

Tiktok: @babybrainpodcast

Facebook: Baby Brain Podcast

Merch available at www.babybrainpodcast.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is perinatal mental health week, and we’re sharing an incredible chat with Julie Borninkhof, CEO of PANDA. 

Julie talks us through some of the challenges parents face during pregnancy and postpartum, how we can support our friends and family who might be in this situation, and what support services we could access through PANDA.

Julie Borninkhof is PANDA CEO and a recognised leader in the primary health sector. Julie is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked across primary and tertiary settings, namely with people from vulnerable and diverse communities. She is passionate about ensuring that people’s lived experience informs the development of progressive services and supports. 

For anyone in need of support, please see the below info on the amazing services PANDA provides:

Free support is available via the PANDA Helpline on 1300 726 306 (9am-7:30pm Monday-Friday and 9am - 4pm Saturday) or panda.org.au.

PANDA also offers an online mental health checklist for new and expecting parents to check for possible signs of perinatal anxiety, depression, and well-being concerns. 

PANDA has recently launched an online chatbot to help new parents navigate PANDA's resources and exercises to support them through the perinatal journey.

Follow PANDA on social media @pandanational 

This week’s sponsor:

This week is sponsored by Once Upon, the most incredible photo printing and photo book printing service to help you create lifelong memories and stories. 

Are you struggling with Christmas present ideas? Well there is one gift that everyone wants, even if they don't know it yet! A gift so personal and thoughtful you'll be the number one gift giver this Christmas season, using Once Upon. 

It's as simple as downloading the Once Upon App or using the Once Upon web browser to begin creating beautiful photo books and prints that will last a lifetime. You just download the app, sync the app with your photos and start selecting.  

You can easily change layouts, cover photos and even add text if you wanted to tell more of the story or write a special note for someone to keep and read forever. One of the coolest features is that you can even co-create a photobook with someone else by simply sending them a private link to your photobook and voila! all your family photos are combined!

Head to onceupon.photo or download the Once Upon app and use the code babybrain25 for 25% off until December 17th.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re joined by the beautiful Lisa Messenger and Sarah Megginson who share their story of friendship, connection and surrogacy. Lisa speaks about her infertility journey, how Sarah had offered to be a surrogate, what that process involved and how they navigated it all together as best friends! We hear all about the pregnancy and birth of the beautiful baby Hugo, and what life looks like now as a modern family. 

Lisa Messenger is the vibrant, game-changing founder and CEO of The Messenger Group, and founder and editor-in-chief of Collective Hub™. Lisa has authored over forty books, produced 55 issues of a magazine which was distributed in 37 countries. She is an international speaker and passionate humanitarian. She is now the proud and doting Mama Bear to Hugo.

Sarah Megginson has 20 years' experience in property and financial journalism. She's a seasoned lifestyle columnist and editor, with bylines in Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Mamamia and Kidspot, and she's ghost-written or edited more than 30 non-fiction books. An expert in personal finance, she's a regular media commentator, appearing weekly on TV, radio and in digital and print media. Mum to Lila, Noa and Jesse, Sarah is a passionate advocate for financial literacy and is all about making money easy – especially for women and kids!

Friends for over a decade and now chosen family, Lisa and Sarah's friendship began as a working relationship. Collaborating across many projects, their professional relationship developed into a deep friendship. Both passionate storytellers who believe in the power of kindness and doing good in the world, Lisa and Sarah are responsible for 70 books between them. In The Power of Two, their new book about their surrogacy journey, they seek to inspire and motivate others.

To purchase your copy of The Power of Two, head to:

https://www.panterapress.com.au/product/the-power-of-two/?srsltid=AfmBOordPyM95DoYr1x1M342-m0SnH-k4U4XwMc09iK-CWbtIS1_FzWs

Follow Lisa on Instagram: @lisamessenger

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahmegginsonmoney 

This week’s sponsor:

This week is sponsored by Il Tutto, Australia's go to brand for high-quality, stylish and functional ergonomic nursing chairs. With a range of gliders, recliners, electric recliners and rocking chairs providing parents with the support your body needs, they make your feeding journey more relaxing and enjoyable. The right nursing chair can truly transform the feeding experience.

Not only does Il Tutto have the best and largest range of nursing chairs they have an array of award-winning products, including the CoZee Bedside Co-Sleeper Bassinets, chests, change tables, baby cots, and bedding. Their industry-leading collection is made from premium fabrics ensuring ultimate comfort and support for parents as they embark on their feeding, bonding, and sleep journey with their little ones.

Emma has an Il Tutto nursing chair and swears by it! To add comfort and style to your nursery or bedroom check at Il Tutto at iltutto.com.au or on instagram @iltutto and use the code babybrain20 for 20% off until November 18th.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.