Birth is physical, but your mindset drives the experience. Today we’re breaking down a research-backed mental toolkit for labor and early postpartum. This includes visualization, calming techniques, fear reframing, support system prep, and how your hormones actually work with you during birth.

I’ll share the tools that helped me through both of my births, plus the mistakes I wouldn’t repeat. If you want to walk into birth feeling prepared instead of overwhelmed, this episode gives you the mental roadmap.

There’s no textbook for birth mindset—but you can train for it.

Birth doesn’t have to be confusing. In this episode, we break down the real differences between hospital birth, birth centers, and home birth—minus the pressure, hype, or fear. You’ll hear what actually matters for your birth experience: monitoring, mobility, interventions, pain management, environment, and how each option changes your labor.

I’ll share what I learned from my own births, what surprised me, and what I wish I had known. If you’re pregnant and trying to figure out what’s actually best for you, this episode gives you a clear starting point.

There’s no textbook for birth plans, but there is a way to choose confidently.

Pregnancy can be exciting—but it can also be complicated. Anxiety, guilt, fear, and delayed bonding with your baby are more common than you think. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, Malia shares her personal experiences with pregnancy and birth, including hospital and home birth stories, and what it was like to bond with her babies differently each time.

We also dive into research-backed insights on:

• Anxiety and fear during pregnancy

• How social loss affects expectant moms

• Why bonding doesn’t always happen immediately

• Mental preparation strategies for birth and early motherhood

Plus, practical tips you can try today to feel more connected with your baby, manage fear, and navigate complex emotions without guilt.

This episode is fast-paced, relatable, and full of little-known facts, helping first-time moms—and anyone supporting them—feel empowered and seen.

Listen and learn how to:

• Handle fear and guilt during pregnancy

• Foster bonding with your baby, even if it doesn’t come naturally

• Mentally prepare for birth and postpartum life

• Understand that delayed bonding or complicated emotions is normal

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the 10 things I don’t apologize for — as a woman, a mom, a wife, and a human being trying to stay sane.

If you’ve ever said “sorry” for resting, setting boundaries, not responding to a text instantly, or making parenting choices that work for your family… this episode is for you.

Research shows women apologize 3–8x more than men (yes, really). But the more we apologize for things that don’t require an apology, the more we shrink ourselves.

So today, I’m sharing:

✨ 10 things I never apologize for

✨ The science + facts behind why these choices matter

✨ Real-life examples from my own family

✨ Quotes from Brené Brown, Carol Dweck, Matthew Walker & more

✨ How living unapologetically actually improves your mental health

If you’re ready for less guilt and more confidence — listen in.

🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: Modern American Mama

https://youtube.com/@ModernAmericanMama

New episodes every Friday ♡

Thanks for listening to No Textbook for Life.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 12 baby items that truly made my life easier as a new mom. After wasting money on things I never used, I finally found the products that were worth every penny — from the Baby Brezza to the perfect travel stroller setup.

💬 Tune in if you’re building your baby registry or wondering what’s actually useful postpartum!

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube: Modern American Mama

In today’s episode of No Textbook for Life, I’m breaking down the 12 baby items I completely regret buying as a first-time mom. From the fancy crib we never used to the wipe warmer that collected dust — I’m sharing the honest truth about what wasn’t worth it.

Whether you’re a new mom trying to prep for baby or building your registry, this episode will save you money, time, and space.

🎧 Watch the video version on my YouTube channel, Modern American Mama — where I share my postpartum healing journey, motherhood moments, and real-life lessons school forgot to teach us.

New episodes every Friday 💛

In this episode of No Textbook for Life, my husband and I share the raw, real story of our first home birth — and what made it so different from our first hospital birth.

We talk about why we chose to have a home birth, what it was really like during labor and delivery, how my husband handled being my main support, and what recovery looked like afterward. From the emotional highs to the hard lessons, we’re opening up about everything we wish we’d known before choosing a home birth.

If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or just love authentic birth stories, this episode gives you an honest look at what to expect and how to prepare. 💛

🎥 Watch the video version on my YouTube channel → Modern American Mama

📺 youtube.com/@ModernAmericanMama

Follow No Textbook for Life for more real stories on motherhood, marriage, and healing after baby.

It’s officially been one year since I gave birth to my second baby — and this year has taught me more than I ever expected.

In this episode, I’m opening up about my first year postpartum — from the early weeks of recovery after my home birth to the heavy mental and emotional challenges that followed. I talk honestly about postpartum depression, suicidal thoughts, and finally discovering that my thyroid wasn’t working properly. Since starting medication and rebuilding my wellness habits — prayer, journaling, exercise, gratitude, and faith — I’ve slowly begun to heal.

Whether you’re a new mom, a partner trying to understand, or someone walking through their own healing season, this episode shares the lessons, facts, and real-life truths about postpartum recovery. You’ll hear how partners can support new mothers better, why asking for help isn’t weakness, and the habits that helped me rebuild from the inside out.

One year later, I’m still learning — but I can finally say I’m healing.

In this special episode, my 4-year-old daughter joins me on the podcast to share her experience of becoming a big sister at just 3.5 years old. She talks about what it was like meeting her baby sister for the first time, the fun moments they share, the challenges, and what she loves most about being a big sister.

This conversation is full of sweetness, honesty, and the unfiltered thoughts of a 4-year-old. Sometimes the biggest lessons in life come from the littlest voices.

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

📺 Watch the video version on YouTube @ Modern American Mama

September threw me everything from failed sourdough starters to bathtub disasters, four lost chickens, and podcast crashes. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, I share 5 key lessons I learned about leaning into new roles, perseverance, persistence, community, and resilience. Real stories, practical insights, and encouragement for anyone navigating the messy, unpredictable parts of adulting.