Mums Who Question

In this episode, we’re joined by Kate Pope, founder of Regenerative Cooking School and known online as the Wild Nutritionist.

Kate is a mother, nutritional therapy practitioner and GAPS practitioner who takes a food-first approach to family health.

We chat about C-sections, the gut microbiome, breastfeeding, starting solids and the importance of building strong nutritional foundations for our children.

Kate shares her perspective on:

• The connection between birth, the microbiome and children's health
• Breastfeeding, extended breastfeeding and weaning
• When and how to introduce solids
• Meat stock, bone broth and Kate's approach to first foods
• Organic food, local food systems and cooking from scratch
• Packaged foods and creating healthier food habits for our children
• Childhood allergies, eczema and food sensitivities
• Building the gut and immune system through nutrition
• Helping children become more comfortable with whole, nutrient dense foods
• The importance of family values and making informed choices

A thought-provoking conversation for any mum wanting to look more closely at how we nourish ourselves and our families.

As always, this episode is a conversation sharing personal experiences and perspectives and is not medical advice. Please speak with a qualified health professional about your individual circumstances, particularly when it comes to allergies or other medical concerns.

Two Miscarriages, Autoimmune Disease & a 30-Week Birth

In this deeply personal episode, Jasmin shares her journey through two miscarriages, discovering she had antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and becoming a mum to Evie, who was born at just 30 weeks and spent six weeks in special care.

She opens up about miscarriage, pregnancy after loss, severe pre-eclampsia, a traumatic emergency C-section, NICU life, breastfeeding and the guilt and emotions that came with having a premature baby.

Jasmin also shares her subsequent pregnancy with Ezra, daily Clexane injections, making it to 38 weeks and experiencing a very different and healing birth.

A raw and honest conversation about loss, motherhood, trauma, healing and learning to trust your body again.

Content warning: This episode discusses miscarriage, premature birth, NICU experiences and traumatic birth.

The version of Valentina's birth story most women never hear about - the shock, the fear, the medical uncertainty, and the moment everything changes. Valentina shares the raw, unfiltered truth behind her pregnancies and births, from unexpected positive tests to NICU scares, emergency decisions, and the very different paths that led her to motherhood.

Valentina opens up about going from assuming infertility to discovering she was pregnant, the panic that followed, and the intense lead-up to Saskia's birth.

You'll hear them unpack:

• the shock of an unexpected pregnancy when IVF was being discussed
• the reality of a baby being taken to NICU and the helplessness that follows
• the contrast of and why a planned C-section felt like the safer choice for Arlette
• the hidden emotional weight of postpartum anxiety, breastfeeding stress, and recovery

They also get into the parts people rarely talk about - shame around fertility fears, the loneliness of early motherhood, and why some birth stories stay with you long after the hospital stay ends.

Instagram: @mumswhoquestion.podcast

Valentina: @pmosbestie

C-sections are major surgery, yet many mums are sent home with very little information about what recovery can actually look and feel like.

In this episode, we’re joined by Ash Christie, a myotherapist, Pilates instructor and mum of two behind Flourish Myotherapy and Pilates. Ash specialises in supporting women through pregnancy and postpartum, with a particular passion for C-section scar care and rehabilitation.

We chat all about what happens to your body after a C-section and why so many mums experience numbness, pulling, tightness and disconnection long after their birth.

Ash explains the different layers involved in a C-section, how scar tissue can affect the body, and why recovery isn’t always as simple as being told to “keep it clean and dry” and then being cleared to return to normal life at six weeks.

We also talk about scar massage, scar desensitisation, breathwork, rebuilding your core connection, returning to exercise, the popular “C-section shelf”, cupping, and what you can do even months or years after your C-section.

Most importantly, this conversation is a reminder to listen to your body, take your recovery at your own pace and know that support is available.

In this episode, we cover:

• What is actually happening in your body after a C-section
• Why numbness, tingling and unusual sensations around the scar are common
• The emotional side of C-section scars and feeling disconnected from your body
• What can contribute to the “C-section shelf”
• How scar tissue may affect movement throughout the body
• When to start scar desensitisation and scar massage
• How to use breathwork to reconnect with your body and support recovery
• A simple scar breathing exercise you can try at home
• Rebuilding your core after a C-section
• Returning to exercise and why six weeks isn’t necessarily an “all clear”
• C-section scar massage and cupping
• Whether it’s too late to work on a C-section scar years later
• When to consider seeing a practitioner for support

Whether you’ve recently had a C-section, you’re planning for one, or your C-section was years ago, we hope this episode helps you better understand your recovery and feel more supported in your postpartum journey.

About Ash:

Ash Christie is a myotherapist, Pilates instructor and mum of two behind Flourish Myotherapy and Pilates. She supports women through pregnancy and postpartum with a particular passion for C-section scar care and rehabilitation.

Ash helps mums understand their changing bodies and feel more comfortable and confident in their recovery, with practical advice that fits into the reality of motherhood.

You can find Ash at Flourish Myotherapy and Pilates and on Instagram at @flourishmyoandpilates.

As always, the information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Please speak with a qualified health professional about your individual circumstances.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with another mum who might need to hear it, and don’t forget to follow Mums Who Question for more honest and curious conversations around motherhood, children’s health and family wellbeing.

Looking for a qualified C-section scar release practitioner?

Ash mentioned The C-Section Release Method during this episode. You can find a directory of qualified practitioners who have completed The C-Section Release Method training here:

View the directory of trained practitioners

This week, we’re opening up our bathrooms and sharing the low-tox swaps we actually use in real life - from shampoo, skincare and makeup to toothpaste, period products, kids’ bath products and even what we clean the bathroom with.

We chat about why we personally choose to reduce things like synthetic fragrance, PFAS, talc and unnecessary ingredients where we can, without pretending you need to throw your entire bathroom in the bin overnight. This is all about becoming a little more aware of what you’re using every day and making swaps gradually as products run out.

Products mentioned in the episode:

Hair

• Shampoo: Cooki Shampoo Bar
• Conditioner: Cooki Conditioner Bar
• Hair styling: No Nasties Hair Gel
• Dry shampoo: By Blanca Dry Shampoo
• Razor: Ever Eco Reusable Razor

Body + shower

• Lavender & clay soap bar from Source Bulk Foods
• Organic cotton or sisal soap bag
• Dr Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap
• Endota 100% natural hemp exfoliating mitt
• Deodorant: MooGoo Fragrance Free
• Biologika deodorant

Oral care

• Kids toothpaste: Grants Strawberry
• Adult toothpaste: Grants Whitening with hydroxyapatite
• Floss: Young Living Thieves Dental Floss
• Toothbrush: Gaia Guy boar-bristle toothbrush
• Mouthwash: MooGoo

Skincare

• Cleanser: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
• Moisturiser: Beef Tallow
• Liminal Elixirs Original Face Balm
• Serum: MooGoo Anti-Ageing Peptide Serum
• CastorGuard by Biome as an alternative to petroleum jelly
• Sunscreen: Wotnot

Makeup + lips

• INIKA talc-free powder
• Wotnot BB Cream
• INIKA concealer
• INIKA blush
• Ere Perez
• Eco by Sonya Glory Lips
• Little Urchin
• Hurraw! lip balm
• Lanolin

Fragrance

• Recreation Bondi Beach natural fragrance / essential-oil-based perfume

Hands

• Source Bulk Foods coconut hand wash
• PAUME hand sanitiser

Periods

• TOM Organic pads
• Modibodi period underwear

Baby + kids

• MooGoo Natural 2-in-1 Bubbly Wash
• Honeysticks bath crayons
• Honeysticks bath products made with ingredients such as beeswax/soy wax and food-grade pigments

Bathroom cleaning

• SABA Organics multipurpose lemon spray
• ecostore Bathroom & Shower Cleaner
• SABA Organics toilet cleaner
• ecostore Toilet Cleaner

The biggest takeaway?

Low-tox living doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Start with the things you use most often, replace products when they run out, and make choices that work for your family, budget and lifestyle.

Find us on Instagram: @mumswhoquestion.podcast
Tiktok: @mumswhoquestionpodcast

This week I’m joined by my dear friend Tamsyn Zaskin for a very real conversation about birth, postpartum and motherhood.

Tam shares her incredible twin birth story - from advocating for the birth she wanted despite a lot of pressure for intervention, to finally holding both of her babies on her chest and thinking, I did it.

We also talk about navigating postpartum with twins and a toddler, sleep deprivation, the days where everything feels like too much, accepting help, shifting your perspective and somehow still finding things to laugh about along the way.

A really beautiful, honest chat about trusting yourself, getting through the hard seasons and remembering that even the most overwhelming stages of motherhood are temporary.

Find us on Instagram: @mumswhoquestion.podcast
Tiktok: @mumswhoquestionpodcast

What do you actually do when your child is melting down, ignoring everything you say, hitting their sibling or pushing every boundary you set?

In this episode, we sit down with Izzy from Calmer Parenting to talk about the moments that can make parenting feel really hard and how understanding what’s happening underneath our children's behaviour can completely change the way we respond.

With a background in early childhood education and over 12 years spent working with children and families, Izzy shares practical tools for navigating big emotions while still holding boundaries (because calm parenting definitely doesn't mean letting your kids do whatever they want!).

We talk about:

• Why toddlers seem to suddenly stop listening
• What to do during a big tantrum or meltdown
• How to get your child to cooperate without repeating yourself 20 times
• Using play and choice instead of constant instructions
• Consequences that actually make sense — and why empty threats don't work
• What to do when your child hits you or their sibling
• Whether children should always be expected to share
• How to repair and reconnect after you've lost your cool
• The difference between gentle parenting and calm parenting
• Why poor sleep can show up as bigger behaviours
• Simple regulation tools you can try at home
• Holding firm boundaries around safety
• Time-outs vs "time-ins"
• How to support a shy child without forcing them to interact

We also ask whether parenting has swung too far from the strict approach many of us grew up with and how we can find the middle ground between giving our children autonomy and still being the parent who holds the boundary.

This episode is full of practical ideas you can actually try with your kids - but also a reminder that you don't have to be the perfectly calm mum 24/7. Sometimes the most important part is what you do after the hard moment.

Find Izzy: Instagram: @calmer.parenting Website: calmerparenting.com

Find us:

Instagram: @mumswhoquestion.podcast

Tiktok: @mumswhoquestionpodcast

In Part 2 of our conversation with holistic dentist Dr. Rita Trak, we dive deeper into the topics that spark the most questions for parents. From braces and wisdom teeth to mercury fillings, mouth ulcers, and everyday habits that support healthy development, this episode encourages curiosity and informed decision-making.

We talk about:

• What to look out for as your child's teeth develop
• Braces, jaw development, and when to seek an assessment
• Mercury fillings and considerations around safe removal
• Mouth ulcers and recurring oral health concerns
• Wisdom teeth and why questioning routine procedures matters
• Three simple changes parents can make to support their family's oral health

As always, this conversation isn't about telling you what to think - it's about exploring different perspectives, asking thoughtful questions, and helping you make informed decisions that feel right for your family.

Find Dr. Rita Trak:
Website: www.dentalandskin.com.au
Instagram: @dentalandskin

What if everything you thought you knew about dental health was only part of the picture?

In the first of our two-part conversation with holistic dentist Dr. Rita Trak, we explore her journey into holistic dentistry, what inspired her to transform her practice, and why oral health is about so much more than teeth.

We talk about:

• Dr. Rita's journey into holistic dentistry

• How she created a dental clinic children actually enjoy visiting

• What fluoride is and the role it plays

• The best types of toothbrushes for babies and children

• Why mouth breathing and teeth grinding deserve more attention

• Simple ways to support your child's oral health from the very beginning

  
  

Whether you're expecting your first baby or raising older children, this episode is filled with practical, evidence-informed insights that may completely change the way you think about your family's oral health.

This is Part 1 of our conversation with Dr. Rita Trak, with Part 2 coming next week.

Find Dr. Rita Trak:

Website: www.dentalandskin.com.au

Instagram: @dentalandskin

Postpartum isn’t always what you expect.

In this episode, we share our own experiences with postpartum anxiety, the pressures of new motherhood, and the parts that often stay behind closed doors.

We talk about:

• Our personal postpartum journeys
• What postpartum anxiety felt like for us
• The expectations placed on new mums
• What helped, what didn’t, and what we wish we’d known

As the conversation unfolds, we find ourselves opening up about things we’d never properly spoken about before - making this one of our most honest episodes yet.

Content warning: This episode discusses postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression and pregnancy loss.