Episode Description

What if the care you actually needed wasn’t covered by insurance—and what if there was a better way? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Samantha O’Brien of The Hive Wellness Center and Dr. Amy Fetch of Chicago Mama PT to talk about the game-changing potential of cash-based healthcare for women and families. We unpack how this model empowers providers to offer deeper, more holistic care, gives patients more control and clarity, and allows moms especially to feel seen, heard, and genuinely supported.

From postpartum recovery to pediatric chiropractic to endometriosis pain to poop explosions during a session (yep, we went there), this conversation dives into the messy realities and surprising joys of care that actually cares. Whether you're a birthworker, a parent, or someone who's ever walked out of a 5-minute appointment wondering “was that it?”—this one's for you.

Main Topics Covered

• What cash-based care really is—and isn’t
• How traditional insurance models limit quality care
• Why longer sessions mean better outcomes for patients
• Pediatric and perinatal chiropractic explained
• Holistic pelvic floor PT for real-life motherhood
• Patient advocacy, transparency, and emotional support
• Busting myths about cost and accessibility
• When providers finally have time to care

How to Connect with the Guests

Dr. Samantha O’Brien – Chiropractor, Pediatric & Perinatal Care
📍 Geneva, IL
🔗 Website: thehivewc.com
📷 Instagram: @thehive.wc
📘 Facebook: The Hive Wellness Center

Dr. Amy Fetch – Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist & Women's Health Advocate
📍 Barrington, IL
🔗 Website: chicagomamapt.com
📷 Instagram: @chicagomamapt
📘 Facebook: Chicago Mama PT

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a digital marketing company supporting makers, creatives, and small business owners with all things digital and design.

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Episode Description

What happens when your child is sick and you need to be close—but also need a place to sleep, eat, and breathe?

In this powerful episode, Jessica sits down with Holly Buckendahl, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana, to talk about the critical (and often misunderstood) work of Ronald McDonald House (RMH).

As both a nonprofit leader and a mom, Holly shares how RMH supports entire families through some of the hardest days of their lives. From hospital-adjacent “mini Ronald McDonald House” to full-service family houses to mobile medical units, RMH is doing more than most people realize—and this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how it all works.

Jessica also shares her personal story of staying at the Ronald McDonald House after her son’s NICU birth, and why this conversation is especially meaningful to record.

Main Topics Covered

• The mission behind Ronald McDonald House and who they serve
• The difference between family rooms, houses, and mobile medical units
• What it actually looks like to stay at a Ronald McDonald House
• Volunteer stories, funny moments, and the power of showing up
• How RMH partners with hospital networks and McDonald’s
• Ways to support RMH: volunteer roles, wish list donations, Round-Up at checkout
• What’s ahead for the organization, including an upcoming rebrand

Resources Mentioned

• RMH Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana
• RMH National Website
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Ways to Give
• Upcoming Fundraising Events

Connect with Ronald McDonald House 

• Website: www.ronaldmcdonaldhousechicago.org/
• Instagram: @ronaldmcdonaldhousechicago
• Facebook: @ronaldmcdonaldhousechicago
• YouTube: @ronaldmcdonaldhousechicago

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a digital marketing company supporting makers, creatives, and small business owners with all things digital and design.

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Share and subscribe to the podcast: click this link
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Episode Description
Ever wonder why music class makes such a big impact on your little one? In this episode, Jessica talks with Esther Bertram, CMO of Mini Maestros Australia, to explore how music helps babies and toddlers build stronger brains, regulate emotions, and connect more deeply with caregivers.

From her days touring the world as a professional musician to leading one of the most trusted early childhood music education programs in Australia, Esther shares the science, structure, and soul behind musical learning—and why every parent (yes, even you!) is more musical than you think.

Whether your child is shy, spirited, or somewhere in between, this episode will give you insight and confidence to bring music into your everyday routine.

Main Topics Covered

• Esther’s journey from professional musician to music educator and executive
• The developmental benefits of music for babies and toddlers
• Why repetition and structure are more important than musical “talent”
• How music supports emotional regulation and resilience in young kids
• What happens in a Mini Maestros class (and how it works virtually!)
• How music can be adapted for all learning styles and neurodiverse children
• Turning everyday parenting moments into musical opportunities for connection
• The power of singing as a tool for calm, learning, and growth

Resources Mentioned

• Mini Maestros On-Demand: Try a class!
• Mini Maestros Blog: Read Here
• Researcher: Dr. Anita Collins — "How playing an instrument benefits your brain"
• Book reference: The Music Advantage by Dr. Anita Collins

Connect with Esther & Mini Maestros

• Website: minimaestros.com.au
• Instagram: @minimaestros

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a digital marketing company supporting makers, creatives, and small business owners with all things digital and design.

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Episode Description

In this tender, wise, and radically honest episode, Jessica welcomes Dr. Margo Lowy, psychotherapist and author of Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments and Bitter Truths of Motherhood. Together, they explore what it really means to love your children deeply and feel conflicting emotions—without shame or guilt.

This conversation is a balm for any mother who has ever whispered to herself, “Am I the only one feeling this way?” (Spoiler: you're not.)

They dive into the messy, beautiful terrain of maternal identity, emotional flow, breaking cycles, and rewriting the silent rules so many of us have internalized.

Whether you’re in the newborn trenches or parenting grown children, this one reminds you: your full humanity belongs in motherhood.

Main Topics Covered

• What maternal ambivalence means and why it’s normal
• Why “flow” is the missing link for many overwhelmed moms
• The difference between guilt and shame—and how to release both
• Social media’s role in shaping perfectionism in motherhood
• Letting go of being the “perfect parent” and embracing emotional honesty
• Re-mothering yourself while raising your children
• How ambivalence can actually deepen connection with our kids

Connect with Dr. Margo Lowy

• Maternal Ambivalence by Dr. Margo Lowy — Buy the book
• Website: drmargolowy.com
• Instagram: @drmargolowy

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a digital marketing company supporting makers, creatives, and small business owners with all things digital and design.

Follow The Mama Making Podcast on socials on Instagram and Facebook!
Share and subscribe to the podcast: click this link
Watch on YouTube: Click here!

Episode Description

What if your prenatal education came with a built-in village?

In this episode, Jessica talks with Georgia Kastaris, founder of Expecting Together, a prenatal social club that blends expert-led education with real community. Based in Chicago and inspired by European models of group care, Expecting Together creates small, curated cohorts of expecting parents—matched by due date and neighborhood - to foster support that lasts well beyond the birth.

Whether you’re expecting your first baby or dreaming of a better way to help families prepare, this conversation is a must-listen. Georgia shares how she’s rethinking the prenatal experience to include connection, trust, and the kind of friendships that make early parenthood less isolating.

Use code LAUNCH100 for $100 off your cohort.

Main Topics Covered

• Georgia’s background in healthcare innovation and her journey to birthwork
• How Expecting Together reimagines prenatal education through small group cohorts
• The power of community and shared experience in the perinatal season
• Differences between U.S. prenatal care and European group models
• What support really looks like for new parents
• How friendship and familiarity can reduce postpartum anxiety and stress

Resources Mentioned

• Expecting Together: expectingtogether.com
• Discount Code: LAUNCH100 for $100 off cohort registration
• Instagram: @expecting.together
  
  

Connect with Georgia Kastaris

Website: expectingtogether.com
Instagram: @expecting.together
LinkedIn: @expectingtogether

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a digital marketing company supporting makers, creatives, and small business owners with all things digital and design.

Follow The Mama Making Podcast on socials on Instagram and Facebook!
Share and subscribe to the podcast: click this link
Watch on YouTube: Click here!

Episode Description

Ever wish there was a family operating system to keep track of everything from your child’s passport to your emergency contacts?

Meet Nat Robinson, founder and CEO of Trustworthy—the digital assistant for modern families. In this episode, Nat shares the story behind the platform (spoiler: he sold a company and became a dad on the same day), how Trustworthy helps lighten the mental load for parents, and why smart tech should feel like a helping hand, not another to-do list.

We talk digital legacy, family systems, and what it really means to design tech that centers emotional as well as practical needs.

Main Topics Covered

• Nat’s personal story of becoming a dad and building Trustworthy
• The difference between document storage vs. intelligent organization
• Real-world use cases that shaped the platform
• Trustworthy’s focus on privacy, security, and peace of mind
• How AI + human support creates a better family admin experience
• Parenting, legacy planning, and redefining control in chaos

Connect with Nat Robinson

• Website: trustworthy.com
• Instagram: @trustworthyco
• YouTube: @Trustworthy-fos
• LinkedIn: Trustworthy & Nat Robinson

*This episode is sponsored by Trustworthy* 

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a digital marketing company supporting makers, creatives, and small business owners with all things digital and design.

Follow The Mama Making Podcast on socials on Instagram and Facebook!
Share and subscribe to the podcast: click this link
Watch on YouTube: Click here!

Episode Description

In this episode, Jessica sits down with Anna Rodney, the powerhouse behind Chicago Family Doulas and Birth & Baby University, for a deeply insightful conversation about what it takes to build a mission-driven birth business, support hundreds of families, and raise three daughters - all at the same time.

From a transformative first birth experience to launching one of the largest doula agencies in the country, Anna shares how her personal journey sparked a career shift, the business lessons learned through rapid growth, and the importance of childbirth education, not just for families - but for doulas too.

This is a must-listen for anyone navigating the world of birth work, motherhood, or values-driven entrepreneurship.

Main Topics Covered

• How Anna’s first birth experience inspired her career pivot
• The story behind founding Chicago Family Doulas
• Why she launched Birth & Baby University to fill a critical gap
• The myths about doula care - and what doulas actually do
• How education empowers both families and professionals
• Growing a business that serves 300+ doulas and countless families
• The personal cost of growth - and how Anna structured her business to support motherhood and freedom
• What new parents really need to know before birth
• The power of postpartum support and when families need it most
• Why doulas don’t replace education - and education doesn’t replace support

Resources Mentioned

• Chicago Family Doulas
• Birth & Baby University
• Bump to Baby Event (Chicago – October 18)
• Contact: [email protected]
  
  

Connect with Anna Rodney

• Website: chicagofamilydoulas.com
• Website: birthandbabyuniversity.com
• Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @chicagofamilydoulas
  | @birthandbabyuniversity
• For professionals: Birth & Baby University
  
  

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a digital marketing company supporting makers, creatives, and small business owners with all things digital and design.

Follow The Mama Making Podcast on socials on Instagram and Facebook!
Share and subscribe to the podcast: click this link
Watch on YouTube: Click here!

Episode Description

In this solo episode, host Jessica Lamb peels back the curtain on what’s coming in Season 4 of The Mama Making Podcast - and reflects on the journey that brought her here. From rediscovering her identity after a layoff to launching a storytelling-based business, Jessica shares candid insights on motherhood, imposter syndrome, entrepreneurship, and building a community for moms in the messy middle.

This is a behind-the-scenes look at where the show is headed, what’s changing, and what will always remain the same: real talk, mom stories, and space to feel less alone.

Main Topics Covered

• The origin story of Collabs Creative and its mission
• The podcast’s evolving focus on storytelling and entrepreneurship
• What to expect from Season 4: solo episodes, guest convos, and video
• Creating connection through community, newsletters, and DMs

 Resources Mentioned

• Jessica’s Digital Marketing business: Collabs Creative
• Newsletter: The Mama Making Insider
• Podcast YouTube channel: YouTube.com/@themamamakingpodcast
  
  

Connect with Jessica

• Website: themamamakingpodcast.com
• Instagram: @themamamakingpodcast
• TikTok: @themamamakingpodcast
• Newsletter sign-up: Subscribe here

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a digital marketing company supporting makers, creatives, and small business owners with all things digital and design.

Follow The Mama Making Podcast on socials on Instagram and Facebook!
Share and subscribe to the podcast: click this link
Watch on YouTube: Click here!

Episode Description

This rewind episode brings back one of our most informative and empowering conversations - how to prepare for pregnancy in your 30s and beyond—featuring holistic fertility coach Nora DeBora of Naturally Nora.

Together, we dive into what true preconception prep looks like, beyond the basics. Nora breaks down cycle tracking, hormonal red flags, nutritional foundations, and how to support your body for pregnancy (even if you’re not trying right now).

If you’re thinking about baby #1 or baby #3, or just want to understand your body better, this episode is packed with insight - and full of “why didn’t anyone teach us this?” moments.

Main Topics Covered

• How your body naturally prepares for pregnancy
• Preconception foundations: sleep, stress, food, and movement
• Cycle awareness + signs of hormone imbalance
• TTC in your 30s: how to support your eggs and energy
• What to ask your doctor before you start trying
• Why your period is a monthly report card
• The importance of mindset and patience during the process

Connect with Nora DeBora

• Website: naturallynora.ca
• Instagram: @naturally_nora
  
  

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a digital marketing company supporting makers, creatives, and small business owners with all things digital and design.

Follow The Mama Making Podcast on socials on Instagram and Facebook!
Share and subscribe to the podcast: click this link
Watch on YouTube: Click here!

Episode Description

This rewind episode brings back one of our most-loved conversations—a real, empowering look at home birth, mindset, and the deep trust that comes with bringing babies into the world on your own terms.

Jessica is joined by Hayley Matossian, a mom of three, to revisit her two unique home birth stories: her first, a fast and powerful labor that changed how she saw herself, and her second—a twin birth at home filled with surrender, trust in her birth team, and one unforgettable moment when her baby needed extra support right after delivery.

Hayley shares what led her to midwifery care, how she mentally prepared for birthing twins, and what early postpartum looked like with two newborns. If you’ve ever questioned your strength, your voice, or your path—this episode will meet you where you are.

Main Topics Covered:

• Choosing home birth and building a supportive team
• Birth mindset and reframing fear into confidence
• What it was like to deliver twins at home
• When birth doesn’t go exactly to plan—and how to respond with calm
• Postpartum recovery with multiples
• What she wants every mom to know about their options

Resources Mentioned:

• The Business of Being Born (documentary)
• Hypnobirthing classes

Connect with Hayley:

• Instagram: @hayleymatossian

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a digital marketing company supporting makers, creatives, and small business owners with all things digital and design.

Follow The Mama Making Podcast on socials on Instagram and Facebook!
Share and subscribe to the podcast: click this link
Watch on YouTube: Click here!