In this episode, Tara dives into a raw conversation with Rebekah Higgs aka DIY MOM about her journey with overcoming adversity throughout motherhood from her birth experience to the balance of being a single mom, living with ADHD & trauma, and running a successful business & brand. Rebekah shares how she's turned her struggles into growth & triumphs. She shows that anyone can concur their dreams through determination, doing the self work, leading with a passionate heart. She also shares the tools (no pun intended) that has worked for her. This episode will give you bad-ass female energy!

About our guest:

Rebekah Higgs is a designer, entrepreneur, and the creator and star of the hit renovation series DIY MOM. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rebekah is the founder of Matriarch Productions Inc., a female-led production company dedicated to storytelling, design, and empowering women through creative media. With a bold pink aesthetic and fearless DIY spirit, Rebekah has become a leading voice in home renovation and interior design. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, and she offers full-service design and renovation projects for clients across Halifax. What started as a personal reinvention journey has grown into a nationally broadcast TV show and thriving business. DIY MOM is now in its fifth season, streaming on trybinge.tv, and continues to inspire women to take charge of their spaces—and their lives. Rebekah lives in a pink house in Halifax with her daughter Lennon and their rescue pup Ziggy, and she believes in the power of creativity, community, and a well-placed coat of paint. You can find Rebekah on Instagram: @diymom.ca and YouTube: diymom.ca and Facebook: DIY MOM Rebekah Higgs or her website: diymom.ca

In this episode, Tara sits down with a very special person with so much love and insightfulness on her journey of raising a child with disabilities/special needs. Tara interviews Charlene Hicks, a mother of two wonderful kiddos and she's a former Educational Assistant. Charlene gets very candid and provides us with the ups and downs she has endured while navigating the system and always being an advocate for her son. Charlene shares her very positive perspective on her son's gifts to the world and the teachable moments he has allowed her to experience. If you have a child with a visible and/or invisible disability/diagnosis, we hope this episode gives you some validation and if you need support, Charlene is open to sharing information to communicate.

TW: mention of birth trauma and mental health struggles

In this weeks episode, Sheryl Fogarty joins us to talk about Conscious Parenting and share her own insights and experiences with motherhood.

We are so excited for this special episode and know that there will be so much for anyone to take away from this!

Sheryl is a mom of two girls with an Honours Degree in Psychology and a certified Conscious Parenting Coach through Dr. Shefali's Online Conscious Parenting Coaching Institute. She wants to change the narrative around parenting that is based in fear and shame by empowering others to parent with mindfulness, confidence and connection.

You can find Sheryl on Instagram at @theconscious_ishmom and if you are interested in her services as a Conscious Parenting Coach, you can find more information on her website.

You can find Mamas With Trauma & Unpopular Opinions on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Make sure to like, follow, and subscribe to never miss an episode!

In this special episode, Tara sits down with her husband Brandon to dive deep into the evolution of their relationship and how they've managed to (somewhat) come out the other side together. They discuss all things parenting such as how they share the load, how the difference in their upbringings impacts their parenting style, and more. They also discuss the challenges that come along when one partner is facing their own personal demons and how this impacts their relationship and family unit. Get ready to hear a transparent insight into what it's really like surviving parenthood while also sharing some laughs.

TW: postpartum mental health, PTSD, alcoholism.

In this episode, Kennedy and Tara get together to discuss their thoughts and experiences with being a "working mom" and what that term means to them. This also leads to a discussion about the double standards that they have faced or see within society when it comes to how moms and dads are viewed. They chat about their struggles with being a mom, while trying to balance their workplace job and the mom guilt that plays into it. They are here to break the narrative on conventional double standards and challenge how society views men and women differently as parents.

We want to praise all moms, whether you're at home, at a workplace, doing both, a single mom, a mom with a partner or whatever kind of mom you are! We see you and we know you try to do it all, without complaining but, it's hard and we're in it together.

Trigger Warning: Postpartum mental health

We've reached our 20th episode, wow! We are sending a huge thank you to our continued and new listeners.

In this week's episode, Tara and Kennedy join together to chat about the transition and challenges with one to two kids. Tara welcomed a new baby in October and she shares her experience on the transition opening up about the challenges that come along with it. She also shares some of the things that has helped her cope and navigate the chaos. Kennedy shares her thoughts and feelings on the idea of welcoming another little one to her family as well.

Trigger Warning: post-partum mental health.

In this episode, Tara shares her birth story with baby two! She talks about how she made this experience different and more powerful. From what practices she used for pain management and mindfulness and how her partner supported her, to her birth preferences plan and after care products. You can also listen to her first birth story and Kennedy's in our first ever episode.

Trigger Warning: Birth trauma, postpartum mental health.

In this episode, Tara and Kennedy share a long overdue life update and discuss some changes in their personal lives around mental health, work, and discuss Tara's exciting news before revisiting their favourite topic: Boundaries! They explore the ongoing struggles with setting boundaries, the generational differences that exist, and the importance of breaking cycles with their children.

Trigger Warning: We discuss mental health, postpartum, interpersonal conflicts, and other topics that may be sensitive for some listeners. Please listen at your discretion.

In this episode, Tara goes solo to share her pregnancy announcement and second pregnancy experience/journey so far. She dives into why she is calling this her "redemption era" and gives some insight on how she plans to take back control after experiencing a heavy and difficult first pregnancy/post-partum period.

TW: This episode contains conversations around traumatic birth, post-partum anxiety and depression. Please listen at your own discretion.

In this episode, Tara follows up with our previous guest, Renee Pelletier, on her journey with surrogacy. If you missed the first interview, go to Episode 10. Renee shares her experience of the second half of her pregnancy, her (very difficult) birth story, and post-partum. She opens up about her very vulnerable and traumatic experience with the medical system and out-dated system and acceptance of surrogacy in New Brunswick. Renee provides us with an appreciation for what women's bodies are capable of and she hopes to inspire other folks considering the process. 

TW: Birth trauma, body-image