Life After Birth with Yara Heary

Hi Mamas.

This week is a double episode as I wind up the poddy for 2024 and beyond. It has been nothing less than an absolute privilege to share space with all my wonderful guests as they share some of their most intimate truths about what mothering has been like for them.

I have been creating this podcast for 2 years now and for the time being it going to be on pause while I shift focus to some other projects happening at Life After Birth Psychology. I do plan to bring the podcast back but I'm not quite sure when. So for now its goodbye.. until some time later. Thank you so much for all the support I have received in the time I've been creating the show so far.

Wishing you a wonderful Holiday season!

Today, I’m joined by the brilliant Ruth Whippman, author of Boy Mom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity. Ruth is a writer, thinker, and mama to three boys.

During our chat, Ruth shares her journey from her early days as a mother in the UK to raising three boys in California. We chat candidly about Ruth’s experience with the pressures of societal expectations around motherhood, and how she found her way back to herself through therapy and self-discovery.

We chat about:

• Ruth’s experience navigating postpartum depression and the societal stigma surrounding it
• How society’s narratives shape the way women approach and experience motherhood
• The profound loss of selfhood Ruth felt after becoming a mother and how she rediscovered herself
• Why parenting books and one-size-fits-all advice often fall short in the reality of motherhood
• The challenges and joys of raising boys in a world of shifting gender norms and the inspiration behind her book Boy Mom. 

Connect with Ruth
Follow Ruth on Instagram @ruthwhippman and visit Ruth’s website at www.ruthwhippman.com.

Subscribe to her Substack, I Blame Society, where she dives into motherhood, gender, and masculinity, and don’t miss Ruth’s incredible book, Boy Mom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity.

Here is where you can find out more about me (Yara), how to work with me and some resources:

Free Inner Critic Workbook

Free Values Aligned Living Workbook

Why Am I So Angry Workshop

*** Waitlist for The Rebirth, Group Coaching for Mamas *** This is my signature 3 months online group coaching container for mothers which covers family of origin, inner child work, nervous system basics, anger, boundaries and much more. 

Waitlist For Bloom: Perinatal Therapist Membership

@lifeafterbirthpsychology  

www.lifeafterbirth.com.au

Looking for support for anger while you mother? To access my Why Am I So Angry Workshop click HERE

Hi Mamas!

This week is a double episode as I wind up the poddy for 2024 and beyond. It has been nothing less than an absolute privilege to share space with all my wonderful guests as they share some of their most intimate truths about what mothering has been like for them.

I have been creating this podcast for 2 years now and for the time being it going to be on pause while I shift focus to some other projects happening at Life After Birth Psychology. I do plan to bring the podcast back but I'm not quite sure when. So for now its goodbye.. until some time later. Thank you so much for all the support I have received in the time I've been creating the show so far. 

Wishing you a wonderful Holiday season! 

In this episode I chat with Amanda Ruggeri, an award-winning journalist with a focus on psychology, parenting, and child development. I love the way Amanda breaks down parenting research into relatable insights, but today she joins us to explore her personal journey into motherhood.

In this episode, Amanda opens up about how her non-traditional homeschooling background shaped her worldview, her experience navigating birth and motherhood during COVID, and the lessons she’s learned about patience, connection, and self-discovery.

We chat about:

• Amanda’s reflections on how her upbringing influenced her parenting style
• The challenges of building a support system while parenting far from family
• Her journey through loss and how it shaped her perspective on pregnancy and motherhood
• How becoming a mother deepened her empathy and understanding
• The importance of fostering a parenting relationship rooted in connection rather than perfection

Amanda’s story is a beautiful reminder of the resilience and strength found in the everyday experiences of motherhood.

Connect with Amanda:
Find Amanda on Instagram and TikTok, or visit her website at www.amandaruggeri.com.

Here is where you can find out more about me (Yara), how to work with me and some resources:

Free Inner Critic Workbook

Free Values Aligned Living Workbook

Why Am I So Angry Workshop

*** Waitlist for The Rebirth, Group Coaching for Mamas *** This is my signature 3 months online group coaching container for mothers which covers family of origin, inner child work, nervous system basics, anger, boundaries and much more. 

Waitlist For Bloom: Perinatal Therapist Membership

@lifeafterbirthpsychology  

www.lifeafterbirth.com.au

Looking for support for anger while you mother? To access my Why Am I So Angry Workshop click HERE

Hi Mamas.

Today, I have an incredibly special guest, Jayde Couldwell. You may know her as the co-host of Beyond the Bump and Beyond the Balls, two popular podcasts for mums and dads navigating the ups and downs of parenting. 

In this powerful conversation, Jayde opens up about her journey through motherhood and the unexpected lessons that have shaped her along the way. From her experience with postnatal depression after her third child, the challenges as a mama of three, and the deep sense of self-discovery she found along the way, Jayde’s story is a reminder of resilience and growth.

We chat about:

• Jayde’s reflection on embracing imperfection through her motherhood journey
• Her experience with postnatal depression and the strength she found in reaching out for support
• Discovering her ADHD and how it transformed her approach to self-care
• How therapy and personal growth have helped her cultivate a deep sense of self-compassion, and the positive impacts on her approach to parenting
• The importance of how her experiences of hardship has only deepened her connection to herself and her family

Follow Jayde on Instagram and while you’re there, check out Beyond the Bump and Beyond the Balls. 

Looking for Jayde’s podcasts? Tune in to Beyond the Bump Podcast and Beyond the Balls Podcast.

Here is where you can find out more about me (Yara), how to work with me and some resources:

Why Am I So Angry Workshop

*** Waitlist for The Rebirth, Group Coaching for Mamas *** This is my signature 3 months online group coaching container for mothers which covers family of origin, inner child work, nervous system basics, anger, boundaries and much more. 

@lifeafterbirthpsychology  

www.lifeafterbirth.com.au

Free Inner Critic Workbook

Free Values Aligned Living Workbook

Looking for support for anger while you mother? To access my Why Am I So Angry Workshop click HERE

Hi Mamas.

This week I’m talking about grief. The grief that’s in me and I’m guessing may also be in you. We have the grief that comes from our personal lives/mothering, and then there is the grief that comes from knowing about the harm and loss that is occurring in the world around us – and from feeling unable to change that. It’s been a big year of loss and atrocities, and as we approach the holiday season in a post US election moment – I’m REALLY feeling it.

 So I’m briefly talking about grief this week and then I’m re-sharing a being-with-grief practice that I shared in June of 2023. This practice is to support you in acknowledging, hearing and feeling the parts within you that are holding grief. It is not intended to help you “fix” your grief, because there is nothing to be fixed. We are human after all, and part of being human is grieving. It’s all about being with.

I am planning to host a free online gathering for mamas in the next few weeks with the wonderful Kelly Wright who works alongside me. The aim is to explore as a community what it might look like to be with our feelings/parts and how we might do that. If you are interested in joining us, please join my mailing list HERE so you get notified when we’ve organised a date. 

I hope this episode provides just what you are needing at this time. Go gently with yourself.

Here is where you can find out more about me (Yara), how to work with me and some resources:

Free Inner Critic Workbook

Free Values Aligned Living Workbook

Why Am I So Angry Workshop

*** Waitlist for The Rebirth, Group Coaching for Mamas *** This is my signature 3 months online group coaching container for mothers which covers family of origin, inner child work, nervous system basics, anger, boundaries and much more. 

Waitlist For Bloom: Perinatal Therapist Membership

@lifeafterbirthpsychology  

www.lifeafterbirth.com.au

Looking for support for anger while you mother? To access my Why Am I So Angry Workshop click HERE

Hi Mamas. 

Today, I have the pleasure of talking with Bernadette Lack, the founder of Core and Floor Restore and co-creator of Motheration. In this powerful conversation, Bernadette opens up about her journey through parenting, sharing her heartwarming stories of fostering children and the raw realities of her own motherhood experience. We also discuss the challenges and growth she experienced during her postpartum journey, highlighting how community and connection became her anchor.

In this episode, you’ll hear about: 

• Bernadette’s days of fostering children and how it influenced her understanding of parenthood
• The unexpected beauty and challenges in her first months as a mother
• How launching Core and Floor Restore helped her find a supportive and life changing community
• The importance of finding safety in feeling all emotions, and parenting from a place of calm
• How motherhood has taught Bernadette to embrace every part of her journey

Bernadette’s story is an inspiring reminder of the power of connection and self-compassion.

You can connect with Bernadette on Instagram @coreandfloorrestore and learn more about how to work with her here.

Here is where you can find out more about me (Yara), how to work with me and some resources:

Why Am I So Angry Workshop

*** Waitlist for The Rebirth, Group Coaching for Mamas *** This is my signature 3 months online group coaching container for mothers which covers family of origin, inner child work, nervous system basics, anger, boundaries and much more. 

@lifeafterbirthpsychology  

www.lifeafterbirth.com.au

Free Inner Critic Workbook

Free Values Aligned Living Workbook 

Looking for support for anger while you mother? To access my Why Am I So Angry Workshop click HERE

Hi mamas. 

Today, I have the pleasure of talking to Kendra Blake, an occupational therapist who has been supporting women throughout all stages of life for nearly a decade. In this powerful episode, Kendra shares her personal journey through motherhood, especially now as a mother of two young children, with her newest little one being just two weeks old!

We discuss her transition into motherhood, the unravelling of her perfectionism, and how she has come to deeply trust herself in this new role. Kendra talks about how the birth of her children has transformed her and how it's helping her grow as both a mother and a woman. 

Here's what we cover:

Kendra’s journey into motherhood and the unexpected ways her perfectionism was challenged as she welcomed her first child and now, with her second.

• The emotional adjustment to life with two children
• Learning to trust herself and let go of control
• How motherhood has taught her the importance of trusting in her capacity
• How navigating motherhood without family support nearby has shaped her connection with her husband and her role as a mother
• The balance between meeting her own needs and caring for her children

Kendra’s honesty and self-reflection is an empowering reminder that we are all doing our best, even when it feels messy.

You can find more about Kendra at her website or on Instagram at @mamathrive_

Here is where you can find out more about me (Yara), how to work with me and some resources:

Why Am I So Angry Workshop

*** Waitlist for The Rebirth, Group Coaching for Mamas *** This is my signature 3 months online group coaching container for mothers which covers family of origin, inner child work, nervous system basics, anger, boundaries and much more. 

@lifeafterbirthpsychology  

www.lifeafterbirth.com.au

Free Inner Critic Workbook

Free Values Aligned Living Workbook

Looking for support for anger while you mother? To access my Why Am I So Angry Workshop click HERE

What You Need To Know About: Perimenopause and Motherhood

Hi mama.

Today, I'm diving into a topic that doesn't get enough attention: mothering during perimenopause. This is something I've been exploring lately, both through my own experiences and those of the incredible women I work with, so I wanted to shed some light on this often overlooked phase that so many of us may be navigating without even realising it. 

In this episode, I discuss:

• The hormonal changes that occur during this transition period leading up to menopause.
• How these changes can impact our mind and body, especially when we're raising young children.
• The common symptoms, signs and feelings of perimenopause.
• The power of understanding what is happening in our bodies and how that can help us approach this phase with more self-compassion.
• My own journey of noticing hormonal shifts throughout my cycle and how understanding them has made a difference in how I navigate my relationships and daily life.
• Drawing connections between the transitions of matrescence and perimenopause.

I hope this episode brings some comfort and insight into your journey. Remember, mama, knowledge is power and you're not alone.

Want to learn more about perimenopause and motherhood? Check out these resources:

Dr Louise Newson - Maybe It’s Menopause on The Imperfects Podcast

Healthy Hormones App - An Australian-based app that provides an incredible wealth of information, moderated by specialist doctors.

Confessions Of A Menopausal Mother Article

Books:

Perimenopause Power by Maisie Hill

Preparing for the Perimenopause and Menopause by Louise Newson

The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change With Purpose, Power, and Facts’ by Mary Claire Haver, MD

Looking for support for anger while you mother? To access my Why Am I So Angry Workshop click HERE

Hi Mamas.

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Alex Field, a holistic psychotherapist and naturopath who brings so much wisdom and heart to the conversation about discovering yourself during motherhood. Alex opens up about her incredible life journey, from her adventurous days as an underwater filmmaker in Egypt to her transformational experience as a mother to two teenagers in Australia.

Alex and I discuss:

• How her time in Egypt encouraged self-discovery, and how moving to Australia marked a new chapter in her life.
• The impact that her family of origin had on her sense of self.
• Navigating motherhood when parenting teenagers.
• Why anger is one of the most misunderstood emotions in motherhood and how to approach it with compassion for ourselves and our kids.
• The concept of becoming your own best friend and how self-compassion plays a key role in healing and showing up authentically in our lives.

And much more. 

Alex's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of nurturing ourselves and exploring our identities during motherhood.

Here is where you can find out more about me (Yara), how to work with me and some resources:

Why Am I So Angry Workshop

*** Waitlist for The Rebirth, Group Coaching for Mamas *** This is my signature 3 months online group coaching container for mothers which covers family of origin, inner child work, nervous system basics, anger, boundaries and much more. 

@lifeafterbirthpsychology  

www.lifeafterbirth.com.au

Free Inner Critic Workbook

Free Values Aligned Living Workbook 

Find out more about Alex:

@my.holistic.therapist

www.healforlifeprograms.com

Looking for support for anger while you mother? To access my Why Am I So Angry Workshop click HERE

Hi mamas. Today on the podcast, I’m diving into a therapeutic approach that has been a complete game changer for so many of the mothers I work with—Internal Family Systems (IFS). This modality helps us understand the different “parts” within ourselves, heal intergenerational wounds, and cultivate self-leadership. I know many of you are on this path of exploring your inner world, and IFS offers such a profound way to do that.

In this episode, I’ll guide you through:

• Understanding our mind as an internal family system made up of different parts, each with its own role, feelings, and needs.
• How our inner parts can show up as we mother. Parenting can often trigger old wounds, and I’ll talk about how our different parts show up during challenging moments.
• The importance of allowing our calm, curious, compassionate Self to take the lead in parenting and in our lives.
• How IFS offers us a chance to go back and witness our vulnerable parts with deep compassion and provide them with what they needed but didn’t receive.
• Simple and practical ways to incorporate parts work into your daily routine.

This is a rich and meaningful practice that helps us not only reparent ourselves but also break cycles and shift the patterns we pass down to our children. You won’t want to miss this one.

Here is where you can find out more about me (Yara), how to work with me and some resources:

My Website

Why Am I So Angry Workshop

*** Waitlist for The Rebirth, Group Coaching for Mamas *** This is my signature 3 months online group coaching container for mothers which covers family of origin, inner child work, nervous system basics, anger, boundaries and much more.

@lifeafterbirthpsychology

Looking for the resources on IFS I mentioned? Find them below:

Insight Timer

No Bad Parts by Richard C. Schwartz

You Are The One You've Been Waiting For by Richard C. Schwartz

Looking for support for anger while you mother? To access my Why Am I So Angry Workshop click HERE

Hi mamas. Join me as I speak with Jane McFadden, mum of three and the woman behind the ADHD Mums podcast.

In this episode, Jane reflects on her childhood growing up with now-diagnosed ADHD and autism, how this impacted her school years, her approach to work and her experience of becoming a mother. We discuss the struggle that so many of us experience with regards to perfectionism and high-performance, and how this can often be heightened when we become mothers, due to the many societal expectations that exacerbate this. We also discuss Jane’s journey of working on intentionally slowing down, and moving away from using work as a way to avoid sitting with the challenging emotions and feelings that are so often underneath these numbing strategies. 

We also discuss:

• How we can model sitting with emotions for our children too, to equip them with the skills to be able to handle challenging emotions, that so many of us lacked in our own upbringings
• The power of self-compassion, honouring our needs and well as our family’s, recognising that our behaviours are often in place to keep us safe, and acknowledging that we are each a “works in progress”
• How we can foster bonding and connection with our children in small ways , that are sustainable 
• The growth opportunity that motherhood can bring, in terms of knowing ourselves more, and learning how to advocate for our needs, as well as our children.

And much more. 

Here is where you can find out more about me (Yara), how to work with me and some resources:

Why Am I So Angry Workshop

*** Waitlist for The Rebirth, Group Coaching for Mamas *** This is my signature 3 months online group coaching container for mothers which covers family of origin, inner child work, nervous system basics, anger, boundaries and much more. 

@lifeafterbirthpsychology  

www.lifeafterbirth.com.au

Free Inner Critic Workbook

Free Values Aligned Living Workbook 

Find out more about Jane:

@adhd_mums 

Listen to the ADHD Mums podcast

Join Jane in her community FB group -  ADHD Mum's in Australia: 

here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/777102743903210/

Jane’s Free ADHD Resources: https://adhdmums.com.au/resources/

Looking for support for anger while you mother? To access my Why Am I So Angry Workshop click HERE