Content Warning: Infertility and Pregnancy Loss

Welcome to Episode 8 of the OM Momma’s Podcast! Join me as I have a beautiful conversation with Windy Ezzell centered around a discussion of Infertility and Pregnancy Loss. In this episode we dive into possible causes of infertility, the importance of beginning holistic education from a young age, some tools to help support you through infertility and pregnancy losses, and so much more.

Windy Ezzell is Clinical Mental Health Counselor and creator of Fertile Affirmations. She has a passion for reproductive health across the lifespan and is honored to hold space for those looking for direction and support wherever they are in their journey.

We Discuss:

• Windy's journey and how Fertile Affirmations was started

• How leaning into the heavier emotions and being in the process is part of our healing

• Some tools that helped Windy get through pregnancy losses and her fertility journey

• The importance of having a therapist and other to talk to

• Common themes of infertility causes that Windy is seeing in her work

• The positive long-term impact that holistic, integrative, age-appropriate education can have

• and more!

Memorable Quotes:

• We could do so many great things with primary prevention and awareness.

• Clarify. Communicate. Create. When we clarify with ourselves and others, it builds a bridge to better communication which builds a bridge to creating a happier, healthier, life relationship and just being.

Connect with Windy:

Website - https://linktr.ee/fertileaffirmations (https://linktr.ee/fertileaffirmations)

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fertileaffirmations (https://www.instagram.com/fertileaffirmations)

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/windyezzell/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/windyezzell/)

**Please leave a review and share this platform with a woman in your life who can benefit from the message. Our book Momtras: Mantras for Mindful Moms is https://www.amazon.com/Momtras-Mantras-Mindful-Kristine-McGlinchey-Yap/dp/B08DSZ3394/ref=sr_1_5?crid=J3XWYAL5I3APanddchild=1andkeywords=momtras+mantras+for+mindful+momsandqid=1619711301andsprefix=momtras+%2Caps%2C185andsr=8-5 (available on Amazon). If you’d like to continue the conversation, connect with us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ommommas (@ommommas) .

Welcome to Episode 7 of the OM Momma’s Podcast! Join me as I have an important conversation with Jane Shomof centered around a discussion of Postpartum Planning. In this episode we dive into all things postpartum planning and support, and why a postpartum plan is more important than a birth plan.

Jane Shomof is mother of 3, a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, and a licensed psychotherapist, specializing in Maternal Mental Health and Substance Abuse/Addiction. She has a passion for helping to prevent and treat postpartum mood disorders through education and early intervention. Jane is in the process of launching a one of a kind insurance based virtual treatment program for women and their families in the peripartum period, providing treatment and support during this transition.

In this episode, we Discuss:

• The postpartum period as an afterthought in our society

• Postpartum Mood Disorders, especially anxiety, are so universal, yet most women experiencing them feel alone

• When moms should seek help and support

• The dangerous gap between pregnancy and motherhood

• Jane's virtual treatment program for women within pregnancy and postpartum

Memorable Quotes:

• It’s something that’s not really advocated for and talked about. We want to trust our instincts, but when they’re misfiring because we’re not feeling confident within our instincts, you can always look to your child.

• You just went from being “me” to being “mom” which is a big, big shift and adds all these layers to who you already were. You’re trying to navigate that and you’re expected to not just bounce back physically, but to bounce back emotionally which is even harder.

• We really want to be there because honestly this should be part of the normal scope of care. And so many postpartum mood disorder diagnoses, and worse, can be avoided.

Connect with Jane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsinbloome (www.instagram.com/momsinbloome)

**Please leave a review and share this platform with a woman in your life who can benefit from the message. Our book Momtras: Mantras for Mindful Moms is https://www.amazon.com/Momtras-Mantras-Mindful-Kristine-McGlinchey-Yap/dp/B08DSZ3394/ref=sr_1_5?crid=J3XWYAL5I3APanddchild=1andkeywords=momtras+mantras+for+mindful+momsandqid=1619711301andsprefix=momtras+%2Caps%2C185andsr=8-5 (available on Amazon). If you’d like to continue the conversation, connect with us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ommommas (@ommommas) .

Welcome to Episode 6 of the OM Momma’s Podcast! Join me as I have a beautiful conversation with Jessica Sechoka centered around a discussion of Honoring Your Individual Journey. This episode is a beautiful reminder to be gentle and compassionate with yourself, really honoring where you are on your journey, and remembering to take time for yourself.

Jessica is a mama, wife, and newly a mamapreneur. Jessica worked in the early childhood field for over 15 years and became a mom herself during this time. What she learned while working with children and their families and raising a family herself is that mamas often experience a disconnect with themselves, they prioritize family life and work life and often fill everyone’s cup from their own and face burn out. She experienced this herself and decided to start helping families in a new way. Jessica now offers one-on-one coaching to support and empower mamas on their journey of self-discovery to reconnect with themselves and live a balanced and fulfilled life.

We Discuss:

• The importance of having a holistic approach to family dynamics

• Realizing there are different seasons and cycles of motherhood and that balance isn't a one-size-fits-all situation

• Creating a birth plan and setting an intention for the birth process as a way to educate and further empower mothers

• Insight and recommendation on how moms can make time for self-care and prioritizing themselves

• How when mother's make themselves the priority, things begin to positively shift for everyone around them too

• Finding the balance, flow, and alignment in all areas of life through self-care and self-prioritization

Memorable Quotes:

• We have to be really flexible. We have to try not to control everything and just go with the flow, because the more that we try to control or resist what’s happening in our lives the more chaos ensues.

• We really need to figure out first what works and what feels good for us. I think really spending a lot of intentional time reflecting around that is important and I always suggest to moms too to just learn by trial and error...There is no right or wrong answer and you can change things as often as you like.

Connect with Jessica:

https://www.instagram.com/theswellnessskipper (https://www.instagram.com/theswellnessskipper)

**Please leave a review and share this platform with a woman in your life who can benefit from the message. Our book Momtras: Mantras for Mindful Moms is https://www.amazon.com/Momtras-Mantras-Mindful-Kristine-McGlinchey-Yap/dp/B08DSZ3394/ref=sr_1_5?crid=J3XWYAL5I3APanddchild=1andkeywords=momtras+mantras+for+mindful+momsandqid=1619711301andsprefix=momtras+%2Caps%2C185andsr=8-5 (available on Amazon). If you’d like to continue the conversation, connect with us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ommommas (@ommommas) .

Welcome to Episode 5 of the OM Momma’s Podcast! Join me as I have a beautiful conversation with Margaret Becker centered around a discussion of The New Norms of Breastfeeding. In this episode we illuminate and demystify some of the common misconceptions of breastfeeding. Through listening, I hope that you will feel you've been given support and information as we unravelling some of the layers and levels of everything that's involved in the world of breastfeeding.

Margaret Becker is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Registered Nurse (RN,BSN) that has been working with moms and babies since 2012. From the acute Breastfeeding Friendly hospital setting in the Neonatal Intensive Care and Postpartum Units to home visits, classroom education and support group settings for grief, solo parenting, breastfeeding, and postpartum support, she has cared for a variety of mothers and babies at every stage.

As a mother of three, including multiples, and as a military spouse often solo through those early trying days of motherhood, Margaret understand first-hand the necessity for safe, personalized and guilt-free care. She resides in the beautiful south of Spain with her family where she owns and operates The Mobile Milk Maid LLC, a virtual lactation private practice and hosts The Mobile Milk Maid Podcast. Additionally, Margaret serves as the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Visiting Nurse for Rota, Spain offering free home visits, community support groups and perinatal classes to my community to de-isolate motherhood abroad.

We Discuss:

• Some of the most common misconceptions women have about breastfeeding

• How Western society as a whole is not really supportive of the breastfeeding process

• Challenges that Margaret and other women in their industry have faced in educating women about our bodies

• The importance of accommodating, normalizing and providing spaces to let mothers feel safe while being able to nurture their children and breastfeed

Memorable Quotes:

• We’re telling people breastfeeding is what they need to do, but there isn’t enough support. Having affordable access to lots and lots of support in mom-to-mom mentor programs as well as from professionals is key.

• Unfortunately, we do have a culture that prizes women's bodies for a sexual nature, so the function of breastfeeding is seen as second and that shouldn’t be.

Connect with Margaret:

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/themobilemilkmaid/ (https://www.facebook.com/themobilemilkmaid/)

Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/themobilemilkmaid (www.instagram.com/themobilemilkmaid)

Website — https://www.themobilemilkmaid.com (www.themobilemilkmaid.com)

**Please leave a review and share this platform with a woman in your life who can benefit from the message. Our book Momtras: Mantras for Mindful Moms is https://www.amazon.com/Momtras-Mantras-Mindful-Kristine-McGlinchey-Yap/dp/B08DSZ3394/ref=sr_1_5?crid=J3XWYAL5I3APanddchild=1andkeywords=momtras+mantras+for+mindful+momsandqid=1619711301andsprefix=momtras+%2Caps%2C185andsr=8-5 (available on Amazon). If you’d like to continue the conversation, connect with us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ommommas (@ommommas) .

Welcome to Episode 4 of the OM Momma’s Podcast! Join me as I have a powerful and intentional conversation with Denise Castro centered around a discussion of Embracing The New Normal. In this episode we talk about self-worth, empowerment, and mental health for moms during the pandemic and postpartum itself as we begin to embrace #thisnewnormal .

Denise is a Cuban American who currently resides in Miami, Florida. She is Mother to her three year old son and baby daughter. Her entrepreneurial background highlight marketing strategies, graphic consulting, and business leadership expertise. She is Founder and owner of Virtual Mom Collective and Dac Mac Photography. She's an active Mom blogger published by Scary Mommy, The B(e)aring All Project, Motherhood: The Real Deal, The Manifestation, and The Selkie UK. She holds a dual BFA in Photography and Graphic Design and Marketing and Business Management, and an MBA in Leadership from Florida International University.

Denise is passionate about empowering Moms to speak about their own stories; her own journey into Motherhood is what sparked her venture into writing. She is an advocate for gender equality in the workplace for women. Treating gender diversity like the business priority it is, promotes self-worth empowerment for working Mothers. The Virtual Mom Collective was founded on this principle. Her desire is that the VMC serves as a platform of support and community that enable Moms to speak their truths during #thisnewnormal.

We Discuss:

• The importance of listening to your body as you develop self-worth, especially if you suffer from postpartum depression

• Connection and relating to others through sharing your raw motherhood experiences as a deep healing experience

• The need for normalizing the sharing of "messy" and "ugly" motherhood realities

• How communities of other moms are a lifeline during times of isolation

• and so much more!

Memorable Quotes:

• The funny thing about shame is it inhibits your true feelings of not seeking help.

• The journey of motherhood is just a continuous evolution. Just milestones upon milestones. When you have that self-realization and that acceptance, and that wild compassion for yourself and that gratitude, I think that’s when we can start to shift things and begin to take off all of that pressure.

• Know your self worth in your best and worst state. Because if you don’t understand the sadness that you go through you won’t really understand what true joy feels like. (Denise's Personal Momtra)

Connect with Denise:

Virtual Mom Collective

Instagram: www.instagram.com/virtualmomcollective

Website: https://www.virtualmomcollective.com (www.virtualmomcollective.com)

Dac Mac Photography

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dacmacphotography

Website: https://www.dacmacphotography.com (www.dacmacphotography.com)

**Please leave a review and share this platform with a woman in your life who can benefit from the message. Our book Momtras: Mantras for Mindful Moms is https://www.amazon.com/Momtras-Mantras-Mindful-Kristine-McGlinchey-Yap/dp/B08DSZ3394/ref=sr_1_5?crid=J3XWYAL5I3APanddchild=1andkeywords=momtras+mantras+for+mindful+momsandqid=1619711301andsprefix=momtras+%2Caps%2C185andsr=8-5 (available on Amazon). If you’d like to continue the conversation, connect with us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ommommas (@ommommas) .

Welcome to Episode 3 of the OM Momma’s Podcast! Join me as I have a very important conversation with Dr. Kat Castro where we discuss The Power of the Pelvis. In this episode we talk about pelvic health and the importance of connection with your pelvic floor.

Dr. Kat Castro PT, DPT is a physical therapist, movement teacher and intuitive guide. She specializes in pelvic floor health and supporting women throughout their prenatal + postpartum journey. She is also the Director of Growth and Development at PhysioElements in CT + NY. Her own personal healing work as a first generation Filipino - American and woman of color been rooted in movement and mindfulness practices.

We Discuss:

• How Kat personally helps women overcome blocks and disconnection from their pelvic floors

• The presence of shame and its effect

• Energetic shifts that happen when you connect with your pelvic floor

• How sacral chakras and pelvic floors become stagnant

• Recommendations for women and mother's who want to begin to reconnect and reintegrate into their bodies

• A simple practice we can do daily on our own to make sure we’re keeping our pelvis strong and maintaining that connection

Memorable Quotes:

• "What’s really illuminated for me within the last two years is honoring the womb and coming back to self and body. Seeing how when you do the deep inner work everything around you changes and shifts."

• "To consciously connect to your pelvic floor is such a strong energy shift. Connecting to your body is also energy work. I’m really big on the intuitive energy healing side of spirituality, but I feel like the bridge has to be developed around embodying that so that you’re feeling the sense of wholeness and wellbeing."

Connect with Kat:

Instagram - https://my.captivate.fm/www.instagram.com/katcastropt (www.instagram.com/katcastropt)

Websites - https://katcastro.co/ (https://katcastro.co/) and https://www.physioelementsny.com/ (https://www.physioelementsny.com/)

**Please leave a review and share this platform with a woman in your life who can benefit from the message. Our book Momtras: Mantras for Mindful Moms is https://www.amazon.com/Momtras-Mantras-Mindful-Kristine-McGlinchey-Yap/dp/B08DSZ3394/ref=sr_1_5?crid=J3XWYAL5I3APanddchild=1andkeywords=momtras+mantras+for+mindful+momsandqid=1619711301andsprefix=momtras+%2Caps%2C185andsr=8-5 (available on Amazon). If you’d like to continue the conversation, connect with us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ommommas (@ommommas) .

Welcome to Episode 2 of the OM Momma’s Podcast! Join me as I have a great conversation with Keri Setaro where we discuss Toxic Positivity and Mindfulness Hacks. In this episode we get real about the struggles moms face and the problem with using toxic positivity to numb our minds in order to get through the day, and share some incredibly simple mindfulness hacks you can begin using today.

We Discuss:

• Keri’s journey into motherhood: from unhappiness in her career to “medicating” through yoga and meditation to deciding to have a baby with her partner.

• Using toxic positivity and spiritual bypassing as a way to numb the mental pain of our struggles in motherhood.

• The importance of showing our children when we’re upset and struggling, as well as the recovery and success we experience.

• Investment in self - however that looks - as a necessity.

• and more!

Welcome to Episode One of the OM Momma’s Podcast! Join me as I share an introduction to this podcast and lay out what will be coming in this space. This platform is long overdue and I’m excited to be sharing this journey with you.

We Discuss:

• The OM Momma’s history and background

• Craving community of supportive, like-minded momma’s

• Three powerful lessons learned when stepping into motherhood

• Motherhood as a role, not an identity

• and more!

Want to share your thoughts and discuss this episode with other moms like you? Join the free OM Mommas community at www.ommommas.com/community.