In this episode of Motherhood After Trauma, I sit down with therapist Talia Bombola to unpack how trauma shows up in our lives as mothers. We talk about why we sometimes over-please, avoid, or even over-assert ourselves—and how these patterns are often rooted in our nervous system trying to keep us safe.

Talia shares practical, compassionate strategies to help us build confidence, set boundaries, and tune into ourselves without guilt. We also discuss overcoming self-neglect, managing overwhelm, and creating healthier relationships—with ourselves and those around us. This conversation is full of insight, encouragement, and gentle reminders that healing is a journey best taken with kindness and patience.

Key Takeaways:

Trauma can show up as people-pleasing, avoidance, or over-assertiveness—these are survival patterns, not flaws.

Our nervous system plays a huge role in shaping these behaviors and responses.

Confidence, assertiveness, and self-awareness are skills that can be built, step by step.

Taking care of yourself and managing overwhelm helps improve your relationships with yourself and others.

Healing is a gradual process—patience and self-compassion matter more than perfection.

There are resources and support available—you don’t have to do this alone.

Connect with Talia:

Motherhood after trauma isn’t neat and tidy—it’s messy, it’s non-linear, and it often feels like you’re taking two steps forward, one step back. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what healing really looks like for mamas like us. Just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you’re human, and healing is happening, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

I’ll also share about Beyond the Trigger, my six-month group program for mamas who are ready to stop living in survival mode and finally find peace. You don’t have to do this alone, and the truth is, when you heal, your kids get to heal too.

Key Takeaways:

Healing isn’t a straight line—it’s messy, and that’s normal.

Struggling ≠ broken. It’s part of the process.

Asking for help is strength, not weakness.

Your healing ripples out to your children.

Beyond the Trigger is for mamas who want to shift from survival into peace.

Download the free Unlocking Peace Guide to support your journey.

Ever feel like the weight of your past is quietly shaping the way you mother—no matter how hard you try to break free?

Have you ever felt like you’re just going through the motions — checking off all the boxes of what life is “supposed” to look like, yet feeling numb, disconnected, and exhausted underneath it all?

In this episode of Mamahood After Trauma, I’m sharing the story of my personal turning point — the day I stopped living on autopilot and became aware that trauma was shaping my motherhood.

It wasn’t a dramatic breakdown or lightning-bolt moment. It was a quiet realization on the couch, looking at my baby, whispering to myself: “There has to be a better way.”

You’ll hear:

What survival mode looked like in my life (and how I didn’t even realize I was in it)

The moment motherhood cracked me open and all my repressed emotions came rushing in

How awareness — not shame — became the first step of my healing

Why healing doesn’t start with massive change, but with noticing and choosing differently

If you’re feeling stuck in survival, this episode is an invitation to recognize that awareness itself is progress. You don’t have to have it all figured out — just becoming conscious is where healing begins.

Resources + Links:

Take the Where Am I Now? Quiz: https://freebie.mamahoodaftertrauma.ca/quiz

Grab the Unlocking Peace Guide: https://freebie.mamahoodaftertrauma.ca/guide

Learn more about Mamahood After Trauma: mamahoodaftertrauma.com

If this episode resonated, share it with a fellow mama who might need the reminder: survival isn’t the end of the story. Awareness is the beginning of healing. 💜

Ever feel triggered or overwhelmed trying to understand your toddler’s needs? You’re not alone.

In this episode, I sit down with Jessie, a pediatric speech therapist and mom of two, to talk about how to support your little one’s language development without losing your cool.

You’ll learn:

How baby sign language can ease the frustration

Why wait time is a powerful (and underused) tool

Simple ways to model speech and encourage connection

What realistic communication milestones actually look like

Bonus: These strategies don’t just help your child—they help you heal through calm, connected parenting moments.

🎧 Ready to feel more confident and less reactive during toddler talk struggles? Hit play and take the first step.

Ever felt like it’s too late for you to heal? Like you’re too broken, too damaged, or too far gone?

In this gentle but powerful episode, I’m speaking straight to the mama who feels stuck in the dark. We’ll explore:

Why the “too broken” belief isn’t your truth

How trauma wires us to doubt our worth

Why awareness—not action—is the first step to healing

If you’ve noticed something feels off, that’s not weakness. That’s your strength.

✨ Grab these free tools I mention inside the episode:

https://freebie.mamahoodaftertrauma.ca/guide 

https://freebie.mamahoodaftertrauma.ca/5keys 

You're not too broken. You're already rising. Let’s take this step together.

What if your darkest moments could become the doorway to your greatest healing?

In this raw and powerful episode, I sit down with certified life coach Jennifer Chase. Once caught in the grip of generational trauma and addiction, Jennifer shares her journey from being the child of an alcoholic, to becoming an addict herself, to finally choosing recovery—for herself and her son.

You’ll hear:

How trauma shows up in motherhood (even when you think it’s behind you)

Why addiction is often a survival strategy, not a failure

The role of shame, stigma, and silence in keeping moms stuck

Practical ways to regulate your nervous system when you're triggered

What it really means to break the cycle, one day at a time

Jennifer’s story will meet you right where you are—with compassion, honesty, and hope.

Ready to take your first step?

You're not alone. Let’s rise together.

Ever feel like you're failing at motherhood—but deep down, you know there's more to the story?

You’re not broken. You’re likely a cycle breaker whose nervous system is still in survival mode.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:

Why “small” triggers hit so hard

How trauma shows up in motherhood (even if you’ve “moved on”)

The critical first step to stop blaming yourself

You’ll walk away with a powerful reframe that can change everything about how you see yourself, your reactions, and your healing journey.

👉 Ready to get clarity on where you are in the healing process? Take the Cycle Breaker Quiz.

You’re not alone in this. Let’s rise together.

Have you ever felt like your past experiences were silently shaping your present, influencing your relationships and parenting in ways you couldn't quite grasp? For many of us, trauma casts a long shadow, making the journey through motherhood feel like navigating a minefield of triggers and self-doubt.

In this raw and revealing episode, I sit down with Jasmina Sabi, a woman whose life has been profoundly shaped by trauma - from her multicultural upbringing to the heartbreak of abandonment during pregnancy. Through her story, we explore the hidden ways our brains respond to trauma and how understanding these mechanisms can be the key to healing.

Jasmina shares her journey of self-discovery, from feeling trapped by her past to pursuing education as a means of understanding her own behavior. You'll gain insight into:

Through vulnerability and hard-won wisdom, Jasmina offers a new perspective on motherhood after trauma. She challenges conventional wisdom, encouraging us to:

This conversation isn't just about understanding trauma - it's about taking action. Jasmina shares practical strategies for:

Perhaps most powerfully, Jasmina challenges us to embrace every part of our story - even the messy, uncomfortable bits. She reminds us that true healing comes not from erasing our past, but from understanding it and choosing a new path forward.

Are you ready to explore the hidden influences shaping your motherhood journey? To challenge societal expectations and find a path to healing that's uniquely yours? This conversation offers a compassionate guide for every mama seeking to break free from the grip of past trauma and create a more peaceful, joyful experience of motherhood.

Your journey to understanding and healing starts here. Listen now and take the first step towards becoming the mother you've always wanted to be – for yourself and your children.

Have you ever felt the stirring of hope, even in the midst of your deepest struggles as a mama? That tiny spark that whispers, "Maybe things can be different"? As we wrap up this powerful series on Breaking Free, I want to celebrate the incredible journey we've been on together and shine a light on what's possible when we commit to breaking the cycle of generational trauma.

Over the past few weeks, we've explored trauma responses, nervous system regulation, triggers, and the transformative power of compassion. You've bravely faced your pain, perhaps shedding tears as you finally saw your experiences reflected in words. Maybe you've started tracking your triggers or experimenting with new regulation tools. Or perhaps you've simply allowed yourself to believe that healing is within reach.

Here's the beautiful truth: cycle breaking isn't always dramatic. It's in the small, consistent choices we make every day:

These moments might seem insignificant, but they're the building blocks of profound change. They're how we rewrite our story and create a new legacy for our children.

As we continue this journey beyond the book launch, I want you to envision the possibilities that await:

I've lived this transformation, and I've witnessed it in countless other mamas. It's not about perfection – it's about showing up, again and again, even when it's hard.

If you've felt a shift during this series – a new awareness, a different response to an old trigger, or simply a sense of being truly seen – I want to encourage you: don't stop now.

Breaking Free isn't meant to be a one-time read. It's a resource to return to, a foundation for your ongoing healing journey. Whether you've dog-eared every page or you're just getting started, the path forward is laid out for you.

And if you're ready to take the next step, I invite you to explore Beyond the Trigger. Whether you choose the self-paced option or join me for personalized coaching, know that you don't have to walk this path alone anymore.

You're not just a reader or a listener. You're a cycle breaker, a change maker, a legacy shifter. And you're doing an incredible job.

So grab your copy of Breaking Free if you haven't already, dive into the workbook and bonus materials, and let's continue this journey together. Because this isn't the end – it's just the beginning of your story of healing and transformation.