Barely Balanced

Most postpartum blood tests come back "normal" and you're sent on your way. But normal and optimal are two very different things, especially when you're a few months out from growing and birthing a human.

In this episode Shelley and Katherine are getting into exactly what blood work you should be asking for in early postpartum, what the ideal reference ranges actually look like from a postpartum lens, and why the standard ranges your GP uses probably aren't cutting it.

They also do something a little different this episode and analyse Katherine's own blood work from three months postpartum in real time. No filter, no perfecting it first. Just two nutritionists breaking it down together so you can hear what it actually sounds like to look at results with a trained eye.

They talk about why working with a practitioner who understands postpartum physiology is so important, and what to look for when you're trying to find someone qualified to help you navigate this season properly.

If you've ever been told your results look fine but you still feel anything but, this one is for you.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

✨ All Things Better – A carefully curated online wellness store bringing together the best in natural products, home essentials, and feel-good finds. They source brands that align with health, sustainability, and style, so you can shop knowing you’re choosing better for yourself, your family, and the planet. ⁠Explore their range⁠.

n this episode, Kappi opens up about her postpartum journey from three to six months after welcoming her second child. She shares the emotional and mental realities of this season, what has surprised her most this time around, and how matrescence continues to shape her.

Together, we explore the pressure society places on mothers to "bounce back" and return to work, the invisible load of running a household, and the challenge of meeting the needs of children at different ages and stages. It's a conversation about the constant stretch of motherhood, the shifting identity that comes with it, and the truth that so many families are navigating without the support of the village that once existed.

If you're currently in the thick of postpartum life, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone. And if you're beyond this stage but have friends, sisters, daughters, or loved ones welcoming babies, consider this your reminder to check in, offer support, and hold space for them.

A raw, honest conversation about motherhood, matrescence, and the becoming that continues long after birth.

Links for additional support:

• https://www.panda.org.au/
• https://comfykoalas.com.au/collections
• https://www.dineamic.com.au/
• https://www.dineamic.com.au/collection

Emma Morris episode: The overachieving Mother

• https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/lWaiUEh143b

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

✨ This episode is proudly brought to you by Comfy Koalas, our go-to low-tox nappy and wipe brand. If you haven’t tried their subscription boxes yet, they’re a total game changer — no more running out of nappies mid-week! You can get $35 off your first box with the code BARELYBALANCED, which pretty much means two free bags of nappies.

We're sitting down with Liv Brown, Melbourne-based personal stylist and founder of Rattle Style, and this one is so good. Liv started her whole business during her fourth trimester because she kept having the same conversation with mums who felt like they'd lost themselves somewhere between the positive test and the newborn haze. Sound familiar?

We get into all of it. Dressing a bump without losing your personality, navigating the postpartum body you don't quite recognise yet, the breastfeeding wardrobe struggle that nobody warns you about, and what it actually looks like to come out the other side feeling like yourself again.

Because here's the thing, style is not a luxury. It's part of how we show up for ourselves. And as two mums who know how easy it is to put yourself last, we loved every second of this conversation.

Find Liv and everything Rattle Style here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rattle_style/

Website: rattlestyle.com

Todays Sponsor:

✨ This episode is brought to you by Chief Nutrition — the brand we’re a little bit obsessed with. Their clean, high-protein snacks are made from real food, nothing fake or processed, and they actually taste amazing. Whether it’s their beef bars, collagen bars, or liver capsules — we’re huge fans. Use the code BARELYBALANCED for 20% off your order.

If your to-do list is the only thing that makes you feel in control, this one's for you.

This week Shelley and Katherine sit down with Emma Morris, nutritionist, psychology graduate, and someone who has genuinely lived this, to talk about the High-Achiever Mother archetype. The woman who was rewarded her whole life for being capable, competent, and getting it right. Then motherhood showed up with no grades, no KPIs, no gold stars. So she made her own.

Emma breaks down exactly where this pattern comes from, what it looks like in your body (wired at 7am, collapsed by 2pm, jaw clenched, PMS spiking, sound familiar?), and why slowing down feels physically impossible when your nervous system only knows how to cope by doing.

This isn't a lecture. It's a conversation between women who get it.

Follow Emma:

• https://www.instagram.com/emmamorris.co/
• https://www.instagram.com/maiamothers.collective/
• https://www.maiamothers.com.au/

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

✨ This episode is proudly brought to you by Comfy Koalas, our go-to low-tox nappy and wipe brand. If you haven’t tried their subscription boxes yet, they’re a total game changer — no more running out of nappies mid-week! You can get $35 off your first box with the code BARELYBALANCED, which pretty much means two free bags of nappies.

Today we are joined by Dr Sarah Jane, spinal energetics practitioner and a dear friend of the podcast.

In this episode, we explore the world of spinal energetics and what it actually means for your body, your energy, and your overall wellbeing. Dr Sarah Jane breaks down what spinal energetics is, how it works, and why more and more people are turning to this modality as part of their healing journey.

We also dive into the shift Dr Sarah Jane is seeing in the wellness and spiritual space right now. From energy work becoming more mainstream to the growing awareness of the mind-body connection, this conversation opens up an honest discussion around where things are heading.

One of the most important parts of this episode is learning how to find the balance. How do we know what is physical, what is emotional, and what might be energetic? And how do we stay grounded while exploring these different layers of health?

This is a really expansive conversation that invites curiosity, challenges perspectives, and helps you better understand your body beyond just the physical.

If you’ve ever been curious about energy work, or you’re navigating your own healing journey, this episode is for you.

✨ This episode is brought to you by Chief Nutrition — the brand we’re a little bit obsessed with. Their clean, high-protein snacks are made from real food, nothing fake or processed, and they actually taste amazing. Whether it’s their beef bars, collagen bars, or liver capsules — we’re huge fans. Use the code BARELYBALANCED for 20% off your order.

When it comes to your baby’s immune system, the first two years are everything.

In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how to support your little one’s immunity from newborn through to toddlerhood in a way that feels simple, practical and evidence-based.

We cover the supplements we personally use and recommend in clinic, how to navigate fussier eaters without the stress, and what your baby may actually need whether they’re breastfed or formula fed. We also dive into the key foods that can naturally support immune development, and how to incorporate them into your child’s diet in a realistic way.

This is the episode to listen to if you want to feel more confident supporting your child’s immune system without the overwhelm.

In this episode, we cover:

• Immune development in babies from 0–2 years• Supplements for newborns, infants and toddlers• Breastfed vs formula fed considerations• How to support fussy eaters• Immune-supportive foods and nutrients• Practical tips you can start implementing straight away

This episode is proudly sponsored by All Things Better

If you’re looking for a simple, high-quality way to support your child’s immune system, their Better Immune range is one we genuinely use and recommend.

It’s thoughtfully formulated to support immune health, gut function and overall resilience in growing bodies, making it a great addition during those early years when their immune system is still developing.

You can check them out here:
https://allthingsbetter.com.au

Today we’re joined by Clare from The Womb Rooms, a qualified midwife and lactation consultant, for a deeply practical and supportive conversation around breastfeeding and early postpartum.

In this episode, we cover how to set yourself up before birth so feeding feels less overwhelming when baby arrives, and why having the right support around you can make all the difference to your breastfeeding journey.

We also dive into the big questions many mums have, including whether colostrum harvesting is worth it, how to position your baby for a comfortable and effective latch, and the small but powerful things that can support both you and your baby in those early days.

Importantly, we also touch on maternal mental health and how to care for yourself during a time that can feel both beautiful and incredibly demanding.

This is a practical, reassuring episode filled with tips you can actually implement, whether you are preparing for birth or already navigating those early postpartum days.

If breastfeeding is on your mind, this is one to save, share, and come back to.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

✨ This episode is proudly brought to you by Comfy Koalas, our go-to low-tox nappy and wipe brand. If you haven’t tried their subscription boxes yet, they’re a total game changer — no more running out of nappies mid-week! You can get $35 off your first box with the code BARELYBALANCED, which pretty much means two free bags of nappies.

Today we’re joined by the incredible Nicola Laye — a breathwork coach who specialises in guiding women to reconnect with their bodies and find calm through the power of breath.

This session is completely pregnancy-safe and perfect for the woman who’s feeling overwhelmed, scattered in her thoughts, or simply craving a moment of stillness.

Take this time for you — to pause, slow down, and calm your nervous system. Allow Nicola’s gentle guidance to help you drop back into your body and breathe a little easier.

Save this episode so you can revisit it whenever life feels a little full — and gift yourself a few moments to simply breathe.

Today we chat with Alex, host of The Space Between Two Lines podcast. After navigating her own deeply personal fertility journey, Alex created this podcast to give a voice to the parts of infertility, pregnancy and loss that often go unspoken. Through honest, long-form conversations, she shares real stories from individuals and couples moving through IVF, pregnancy loss, secondary infertility, endometriosis, male factor infertility and pregnancy after loss.

Her mission is to create a safe space for connection, validation and emotional truth. A place where listeners feel seen in the in-between, without pressure for quick fixes or toxic positivity.

A reminder that you are not alone in the in-between.

If you have ever found yourself living in the space between what you hoped for and what has unfolded, this podcast is for you.

The Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-space-between-two-lines/id1860498547

Website: https://www.twolines.space/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespacebetweentwolines?igsh=MWI1MXZwM3J3emg1Nw==

Have you ever been told your thyroid tests are “normal” but you still feel exhausted, flat, anxious or unlike yourself?

In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about thyroid health — from understanding how this powerful master control gland works, to learning how to read your own blood pathology results with confidence.

We talk about why thyroid dysfunction can be brewing beneath the surface for years before showing clearly in standard blood tests, the symptoms women are often dismissed for, and what you can actually do to support your thyroid long term.

You’ll learn:

• What thyroid blood tests really mean (TSH, T3, T4, antibodies)
• Why “within range” doesn’t always mean optimal
• Early symptoms of thyroid dysfunction
• The connection between thyroid health, hormones, energy and mood
• Nutrition, lifestyle and long-term strategies for thyroid support

If you’ve ever felt like something is off but you can’t quite explain it — this episode is for you.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

✨ All Things Better – A carefully curated online wellness store bringing together the best in natural products, home essentials, and feel-good finds. They source brands that align with health, sustainability, and style, so you can shop knowing you’re choosing better for yourself, your family, and the planet. ⁠Explore their range⁠.