Most touring musicians are juggling a lot, but when you add kids into the mix, it becomes a whole different kind of balancing act. Amber Bauer, a Canadian musician and mom of two, is right in the middle of it. She’s living proof that motherhood and a music career don’t have to cancel each other out, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

In this episode, Amber gets real about what it actually looks like to bring your kids on the road, and the trade-offs that come with it. From postpartum anxiety while touring to the everyday weight of mom guilt, she shares the parts people don’t always talk about.

We get into:

•  What it’s really like managing babies on the road (spoiler: it’s a bit chaotic) 
•  The reality of childcare when your job doesn’t stay in one place 
•  How her career unexpectedly grew after becoming a mom 
•  Her unconventional path into music 
•  Why having a strong support system makes all the difference 
•  And what she’s dreaming up next, including overseas living and online teaching 

Amber also challenges a lot of the assumptions around working moms in music. Instead of framing it as choosing between career or family, she talks about making decisions that actually line up with your values, even when they’re hard.

This one’s for:

•  Musicians who want a family but aren’t sure how it fits 
•  Parents trying to make a non-traditional career work 
•  Anyone craving an honest take on chasing big dreams while raising kids 

At the end of the day, Amber’s story isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about figuring out what works for you, leaning on your people, and being okay with a little chaos along the way.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can build a life that holds both your ambitions and your family, this episode might shift how you see it.

Thanks for being part of this conversation. Mother Makes Music is all about honesty, connection, and reminding each other that we’re not doing this alone. If this episode spoke to you, we’d love for you to share it and keep the conversation going.

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Mother Makes Music is hosted by Megan McKay
Podcast Artwork by Emily Pond
Podcast Theme by Matty McKay
Funding generously provided by Calgary Arts Development