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Wondering what a home birth really looks like from the inside? Alyssa shares her home birth story with her husband Ryan, her mom Dianna, and midwife Karen Pope, CNM (Certified Nurse-Midwife).
Hear how trust, communication, and informed consent shaped every decision, from the first signs of labor to the moment baby arrived.
⚠️ This episode shares personal birth experiences and opinions. It is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth is different, so please talk with your own qualified healthcare provider about your care and birth decisions.
🎙️ In this episode:
- Alyssa's full home birth story, from her last date night to birth at home
- Dianna's honest first reactions to the idea of a home birth
- Karen's perspective on informed consent, trust, and communication with your midwife
- The difference between a pregnancy mindset and a labor mindset
- Supporting women in their birth choices, including elective C-sections
- Postpartum care, placenta delivery, and recovery
- Delayed cord clamping and minimal intervention
- How midwives work in home and hospital settings, and how emergency decisions are handled
Hosted by Alyssa Crone. Featuring Ryan, Dianna, and Karen Pope, CNM.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 🎙️ Introduction: Alyssa's Home Birth Story & Meet Karen Pope, CNM
02:36 🧠 Pregnancy Mindset vs. Labor Mindset
05:07 💬 Supporting Women in Their Birth Choices
07:04 👩👧 Dianna's First Thoughts on Home Birth
10:23 🤱 Postpartum Care & Placenta Delivery
15:45 🏡 Midwives in Home & Hospital Births
16:41 🌙 Labor Begins & Last Date Night
18:32 💧 Water Breaks & Early Signs of Labor
19:59 🤝 Karen Arrives & Checking Progress with Permission
23:23 🌸 Normal Birth & Avoiding Unnecessary Exams
25:14 ⏱️ Delayed Cord Clamping
30:04 🫶 Building Trust & the Labor Support Team
35:07 🌿 Supporting Women Through Transition & Recovery
37:30 🛁 Transition & Active Labor in the Pool
41:10 👶 Birth & Family Support
45:33 💪 Labor Pain, Blunt Support & Staying vs. Going to the Hospital
47:17 🤍 Respecting Birth Choices, Emergency Protocols & Final Reflections
👩⚕️ Connect with Karen Pope, CNM
🌐 Website: https://tucsonhomebirth.com
✉️ Email: [email protected]
✅ Karen offers free consultations and lists Tricare coverage.
📅 Karen is not taking clients May–June 2027 (as of September 2026).
🔗 Follow Momtroversial
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/momtroversial.podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momtroversial_podcast
Momtroversial is three military moms keeping it real. It's fine, we're fine, everything is fine!
⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode reflects personal experiences and opinions and is not medical advice. Please consult your own qualified healthcare provider about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.
#MomtroversialPodcast #MilitaryMoms #HomeBirthStory #WaterBirth #Midwife #BirthChoices #InformedConsent #MomPodcast #Motherhood #MilitaryFamily #ParentingPodcast #Tricare
⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode discusses personal experiences with home birth, mastitis, and postpartum mental health. Alyssa and Leeah are sharing what worked for them — this is not medical advice. Please consult your OB, midwife, or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.
Postpartum with baby #3 hits different — and Alyssa and Leeah are back to talk about exactly how. In this honest, practical conversation, they compare recovery, sleep, mastitis, and postpartum anxiety across multiple births, and share what actually felt easier this time around.
In this episode:
Notable Quotes:
Timestamped Chapters
00:00 🎙️ Why they missed each other and what this episode covers
02:52 👶 Comparing third postpartum experiences across multiple kids
03:49 🎒 Earlier prep for Killian and what stayed the same
05:29 🏠 Home birth prep — physical and mental readiness
07:25 🔄 How the transition home changed postpartum stress
08:12 👨👩👧👦 Bringing a newborn home with older siblings
10:44 💡 Why older kids can make postpartum easier
12:42 🤝 How home birth helped the older kids understand the baby
14:06 🗣️ What postpartum mental health topics they are (and aren't) covering
15:32 😴 Sleep deprivation, pain, and early feeding weeks
16:06 ✈️ Leeah's postpartum during a cross-world move
18:28 💕 Why Cillian felt like the right baby for this season
19:59 🌙 Safe co-sleeping and night feeds without waking dad
22:48 👶 Baby temperament and why baby #3 can feel easier
23:36 ☀️ Split-night support for a real morning sleep block
25:43 🔦 The red-light headlamp trick for night feeds
28:08 🍼 Swaddle transitions and rough sleep nights return
29:19 🚨 Mastitis hits — symptoms, speed, and how fast it changes
30:16 💊 What helped Alyssa avoid antibiotics
31:22 😣 Leeah's mastitis experience — her worst sickness
33:37 ⏳ Why mastitis can still happen later in postpartum
38:32 😰 Postpartum anxiety, fear spirals, and intrusive what-ifs
44:08 🌙 Leeah's anxiety showing up as dreams and nervous-system stress
45:39 🙏 Breathing exercises and prayer as grounding tools
47:34 👨👶 Why paternity leave matters so much
49:16 📊 Comparing Ryan's leave across different babies
52:00 🧭 How routine and support ease the postpartum transition
55:56 💬 Momtroversial Moments: snuggle time before bed
58:30 💬 Momtroversial Moments: kids learning games differently
#MomtroversialPodcast #MomtroversialMoments #PostpartumJourney #PostpartumRecovery #ThirdBaby #HomeBirth #MilitaryFamily #PCSLife #PostpartumAnxiety #NewbornSleep #BigSiblings #MotherhoodUnfiltered #MomLife #MilitaryMoms #ParentingJourney #NewbornCare #MomSupport
Becoming a mom for the first time changes everything — and no one can fully prepare you for it.
In this episode of Momtroversial, Alyssa sits down with guest Haddi Jean to talk through her journey into first-time motherhood: pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum season that followed. Haddi Jean opens up about learning to hold her birth plan loosely, the mental health realities of postpartum life, and what it took to build a community around her as a military spouse navigating it all far from her usual support system.
This conversation is honest, encouraging, and full of practical wisdom for any first-time (or expecting) mom — especially those facing pregnancy and postpartum without their usual village nearby.
In this episode:
📚 Mentioned in This Episode:
🔗 More From Momtroversial:
This episode discusses pregnancy, birth, and postpartum mental health. It is not a substitute for medical or mental health advice — please consult your provider for guidance specific to you.
#MomtroversialPodcast #MomtroversialMoments #MomPodcast #FirstTimeMom #PregnancyJourney #PostpartumSupport #Postpartumdepreassion #MilitarySpouseLife #BirthStory #NewMomTips #MotherhoodJourney #InformedConsent #ParentalRights #MomCommunity #ChristianMoms #RealMotherhood
Ever wonder what wine tasting and parenting have in common? In this episode of Momtroversial, Alyssa sits down with Danielle Frank, author of A Wine Lover's Guide to Parenting, for a hilarious and honest conversation about raising good humans — manners, independence, resilience, and giving kids room to see the world.
From teaching respect and independence to handling setbacks with grace, Danielle brings humor and heart to some of parenting's biggest challenges. This episode is packed with practical wisdom on cultivating a positive, worldly outlook in your kids — without losing your sense of humor (or your wine) along the way.
In this episode:
If you needed a reminder that parenting can be funny, hard, and worth celebrating all at once — this one's for you.
🔗 Connect with Momtroversial:
Linktree | Instagram
🔗 Connect with Danielle Frank:
Instagram | Author Website | A Wine Lover's Guide to Parenting (Amazon)
00:00 Introduction to Danielle Frank and Her Book
02:08 🍷 Wine Terminology Meets Parenting
04:06 🙏 Teaching Manners & Respect
06:12 🧭 Cultivating Independence in Kids
08:07 🌍 Exposing Kids to Diverse Cultures
09:54 ☀️ Teaching Positivity & Optimism
12:10 💪 Handling Setbacks & Building Resilience
13:57 👂 The Value of Outside Perspectives
15:52 😂 The Role of Humor in Raising Good Humans
17:59 ⚖️ Balancing Discipline with Autonomy
20:03 📖 Lessons from Danielle's Personal Journey
22:04 🌬️ Giving Kids Room to Breathe
23:56 🪞 Modeling Good Behavior
25:58 🌎 Creating a Worldly View for Children
28:12 🗺️ The Impact of Cultural Exposure
29:49 💬 Open Conversations About Taboo Topics
32:03 🎲 Accepting Life's Unpredictability
34:00 💛 Self-Compassion & Parental Authenticity
34:57 🎙️ Momtroversial Moments
#MomtroversialPodcast #Momtroversial #MomtroversialMoments #WineLoversGuideToParenting #DanielleFrank #ParentingWithHumor #RaisingGreatKids #ParentingManners #RaisingResilientKids #ParentingPodcast #MomLife #MotherhoodJourney #ParentingTips #MomsOfInstagram #ParentingHumor
Parental control just got literal. In this episode of Momtroversial, Alyssa sits down with her own parents to unpack how they raised her — and what they'd do differently.
Together they break down the four recognized parenting styles, why authoritarian parenting is rarer than people assume, and how childhood memories can skew our sense of what "discipline" really looked like growing up. The conversation moves into generational trauma, the politically charged debate around spanking, and what a biblical view of discipline actually says — versus what pop culture assumes it says.
From the "hot burner" analogy to natural vs. logical consequences, this episode digs into practical, real-world discipline strategies — plus an honest look at how gentle parenting trends and gender roles shape the way moms and dads approach authority differently at home.
Whether you're raising toddlers or teenagers, this conversation offers grace, perspective, and practical tools for building loving, respectful boundaries at home.
📚 Mentioned in this episode: Parenting With Love and Logic: Magic for Early Childhood
⚠️ Reminder: This episode reflects personal parenting experiences and opinions, not professional medical or psychological guidance. Please consult a qualified provider for advice specific to your family's needs.
⏱️ Episode Chapters
🔗 Links & Resources
📚 Mentioned in this Episode
👉 Parenting With Love and Logic: Magic for Early Childhood
🎙️ Follow Momtroversial
👉 Linktree
🏷️ Hashtags
#Momtroversial #MomtroversialPodcast #MomtroversialMoments#ParentingStyles #DisciplineAndLove #RaisingResponsibleKids #ParentalControl #FamilyBoundaries #GentleParenting #GenerationalParenting#ParentingTips #MotherhoodJourney #MomLife #ParentingAdvice #FaithBasedParenting #ParentingPodcast
Groceries are getting more expensive every year — but eating healthy doesn't have to break the bank. In this episode of Momtroversial, Alyssa sits down with Carol Ann Kates, a lifelong grocery industry insider turned cookbook author, to break down exactly how to shop smarter, eat healthier, and stop falling for grocery store marketing tricks.
Carol Ann grew up in her family's corner market and later navigated a legal battle with a major supermarket chain before pivoting into cookbooks and social media — and she's bringing decades of behind-the-counter knowledge straight to budget-conscious, health-minded moms.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Whether you're trying to eat "crunchy" on a real-world budget or just want to stop wasting money at the store, this episode is packed with practical, actionable tips you can use on your very next grocery run.
👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment letting us know your best grocery-saving hack!
Show Links
Connect with Carol Ann Kates
Chapters:00:00 🎙️ Introduction to Carol Ann Kates and her background
01:08 🏪 Growing up in a corner market and family business journey
02:02 ⚖️ Challenges faced with a large supermarket and legal battles
04:15 📚 Transition from business to cookbook author and social media
06:12 📈 Impact of inflation and food prices in 2002
07:16 📝 Importance of meal planning and grocery shopping strategies
09:38 🥦 Tips for healthier grocery shopping and frozen produce
12:54 🏷️ Understanding organic labels and the Dirty Dozen list
16:27 📦 Buying in bulk and organic options at Costco and Sam's Club
20:17 🍎 Maximizing produce freshness and quality
23:17 ❄️ Freezing eggs, milk, and other perishable items
27:24 🥫 Essential pantry staples for budget-friendly cooking
30:39 🧊 Organizing your fridge and pantry for efficiency
34:39 🍳 Quick, budget-friendly recipes for busy moms
38:10 💬 A controversial insight about grocery store pricing strategies
39:30 🤰 Personal stories about pregnancy and patience
41:27 🔗 Where to find Carol Ann Kates and her resources
#MomtroversialPodcast #MomtroversialMoments #CrunchyMom #MomBudgetTips #HealthyMomLife #BudgetFriendlyLiving #MomsOfInstagram #ParentingTips #MotherhoodJourney#CrunchyMomOnABudget #GroceryShoppingSecrets #BudgetGroceryShopping #OrganicOnABudget #MealPlanningTips #DirtyDozen #FoodWasteTips
In this episode of Momtroversial, host Alyssa sits down with Lauren Kimber, a certified sonographer, to break down the science behind ultrasounds — how the technology actually works, what's safe, and what every expecting parent should understand before their next scan.
Lauren walks through the physics of ultrasound and tissue heating, the ALARA principle that guides responsible scanning, and what the research really says about ultrasound safety, cavitation myths, and Doppler use — including at-home Doppler devices. The conversation then turns emotional: what it's like to see your baby on screen for the first time, how 2D, 3D, and 4D scans differ, why fetal heartbeat detection matters, and how ultrasound imaging has become one of the most powerful tools in pro-life advocacy.
This is a science-grounded, faith-informed conversation for anyone who's ever stared at a sonogram and wondered what's actually happening on that screen — or why it hits so hard.
Educational content only — not medical advice. Talk to your OB or a licensed sonographer about anything specific to your pregnancy.
🔗 Follow Momtroversial:
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 🎙️ Intro to Sonography & Guest Lauren Kimber02:10 🔬 What Is a Sonogram? Ultrasound vs. Sonogram vs. Doppler05:31 ⚠️ Ultrasound Safety: Tissue Heating & the ALARA Principle08:54 📊 What the Research Says About Ultrasound Safety12:12 🩺 Doppler Ultrasound & Safety Considerations14:47 ❓ Cavitation: Separating Ultrasound Myths from Facts17:52 💗 The Emotional Impact of Seeing Your Baby in the Womb22:03 ✊ Ultrasound as a Tool for Pro-Life Advocacy25:55 📸 2D vs. 3D vs. 4D Ultrasound Explained29:52 💓 Fetal Heartbeat & the Power of Early Detection32:57 🏠 Using At-Home Doppler Devices Safely35:00 👶 Do Babies Have Personalities in the Womb?39:12 ✨ Final Thoughts: Ultrasound & Informed Consent#MomtroversialPodcast
🏷️ HASHTAGS
#MomtroversialS2E5#LaurenKimber #Sonography #UltrasoundSafety #FetalDevelopment #ProLife#Pregnancy #PregnancyPodcast #MomPodcast #ExpectingMom #ModernMotherhood
In this episode of Momtroversial, host Alyssa sits down with Audra Phelps — founder of Mama Audra — to talk about leaving the Mormon church, rebuilding her identity from the ground up, and helping other women do the same.
Audra opens up about the moment she began questioning long-held beliefs, the loneliness and grief that came with stepping away from a faith that shaped her entire identity, and how she rebuilt trust in herself after years of conditioning. The conversation moves through mom guilt and parenting with autonomy.
This is an honest, vulnerable conversation about faith, motherhood, and the process of becoming who you actually are underneath what you were taught. Whether you've walked a similar path or are just curious what a faith transition really looks like from the inside, this episode offers real, unfiltered insight.
🎙️ Connect with Audra:
📖 Scripture Referenced:
🔗 Follow Momtroversial:
00:00 🎙️ Introduction to Audra Phelps & Her Background
01:59 🛤️ Audra's Journey from Mormon to Coach
06:55 💔 Leaving the Church & the Demand for Support
10:09 👶 Mom Guilt & Beliefs About Children
15:00 🧠 Trusting Yourself & Overcoming Conditioning
20:10 🌱 Parenting with Autonomy & Boundary Setting
25:04 🙏 Faith, Grace & Unconditional Love
29:57 🔍 The Impact of Religious Doctrine on Identity
34:52 😨 Overcoming Fear of Damnation
40:00 ✨ Exploring Different Spiritual Beliefs
44:57 🧭 Building a New Moral Compass for Your Family
50:08 📚 Resources for Ex-Mormon Women
55:00 💬 Closing Thoughts & Momtroversial Moments#MomtroversialPodcast #MomtroversialS2E4 #AudraPhelps#LeavingMormonism #ExMormon #FaithTransition#RebuildingIdentity #MomGuilt #ChristianMotherhood#FaithJourney #ModernMotherhood #MomPodcast#ParentingPodcast #TrustYourself #SpiritualGrowth
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This episode reflects personal opinions and research only. We are not medical professionals or licensed healthcare providers. This content is not medical advice — please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions for your family.
In this episode of Momtroversial, hosts Alyssa and guest co-host Rachel dive into the controversial and often taboo topic of childhood vaccines. They walk through vaccine ingredients, safety concerns, and the evolving vaccine schedule — from flu and COVID shots to MMR, chicken pox, Hepatitis A, HPV, and the new RSV vaccine.
This isn't about telling you what to do — it's about equipping parents with information so they can make informed, confident decisions for their families. Alyssa and Rachel share their own research, questions, and concerns in a real, unfiltered conversation about a topic most people are afraid to talk about openly.
Whether you vaccinate on schedule, delay, selectively vaccinate, or opt out entirely — this episode is for moms who want to understand the "why" behind the choice, not just follow a schedule blindly.
📚 Resources Mentioned:
🔗 Follow Momtroversial:
⚠️ REMINDER: This content is for informational purposes only and reflects personal opinions, not medical advice. Always consult your child's pediatrician or a licensed healthcare provider before making vaccination decisions.
#InformedConsent #ParentalRights #MomtroversialPodcast #Momtroversial #VaccineIngredients #VaccineFreedom #InformedParenting #MomLife #MotherhoodUnfiltered #ParentingPodcast #RealTalkMoms #ModernMotherhood
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content in this episode represents personal opinions and lived experiences only. Nothing shared here constitutes medical advice. Please consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your child's health.
Alyssa and Rachel are back for Part 2 of their honest, research-driven conversation on childhood vaccines. In this episode, they dig deeper into specific vaccines — including Rotavirus, Polio, Hib, and DTaP — examining historical data, ingredients, and the questions parents often feel they can't ask out loud.
They also explore the relationship between vaccines and SIDS, the role of nutrition in immune health, natural immunity, herd immunity, and how to navigate vaccine reactions. The goal isn't fear — it's empowerment. Because informed parents make better decisions for their families.
If you missed Part 1, start there first — then come back for this one.
🔗 Episode Resources
📘 The Vaccine-Friendly Plan — Book referenced in this episode
💉 Just the Inserts — Read the actual vaccine package inserts
📄 Vaccine Reference Guide — Supplemental research document (Google Doc — personal opinions, not medical advice)
🌿 Momtroversial Linktree — All our links in one place
📸 Instagram — Follow us for more
The views expressed in this episode are those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your child's health and vaccination decisions.00:00 🎙️ Introduction & Part 2 Overview
02:13 💊 Rotavirus, Polio & Vaccine Convenience
10:43 🛡️ Natural Immunity vs. Vaccination
13:19 📊 Historical Data, Herd Immunity & Vaccine Efficacy
24:27 🥦 Nutrition, Immune Health & Choosing Your Battles
28:40 💉 Hib & DTaP — Risks & Considerations
44:23 ⚠️ Vaccines, SIDS & Parental Concerns
50:41 🧪 Vaccine Ingredients & Reactions
57:12 👶 Fever, Medication & Child Health
59:54 💪 Empowering Parents Through Knowledge & Personal Insights#MomtroversialPodcast #VaccinePart2 #MomtroversialVaccines
#InformedConsent #ParentalRights #VaccineIngredients
#DTaP #HibVaccine #PolioVaccine #RotavirusVaccine
#NaturalImmunity #HerdImmunity #VaccineFriendlyPlan
#ChristianMoms #ModernMotherhood #MomPodcast
#EmpoweredParents #HealthyKids #MindfulParenting
#ParentingPodcast
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