Startup Parent

#070 — What Surprised Me Most About Parenting

No one ever told me that ________ would happen in pregnancy. No one ever told me ________ about parenting.

Without a doubt, you have multiple responses to these fill-in-the-blank prompts. And when I asked the Startup Pregnant community to share what surprised them most about pregnancy and parenting, the answers were funny, thought-provoking, poignant—and raw.

Today, I’m sharing those responses with you, discussing the physical and emotional revelations that accompany becoming a mother as well as the impact the experience can have on your partnership. Listen in for insight around cultivating empathy for the wide range of pregnancy and parenting experiences and learn the immense value in sharing our stories! 

FULL SHOW NOTES

Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/070.

EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode: Aeroflow Breastpumps. They are dedicated to making the hassle of getting your breast pump a little bit easier—actually, a lot easier! Head to www.aeroflowbreastpumps.com/startup to have them help you qualify for a free breast pump through insurance.

All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Startup Pregnant Blog

THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST:

• Startup Pregnant
• Startup Pregnant on Facebook
• Startup Pregnant on Twitter
• Sponsor the Podcast
• Email [email protected]

#069 — The Power of Sisterhood

Nisha Moodley came to understand the power of sisterhood by accident. She started a group coaching program simply because she was out of one-on-one slots and something magical happened: The women involved experienced profound, lasting transformation.

Since then, Nisha’s work has come to focus on the power of women in groups to create a nourishing container that supports growth and expansion—a place of sensitivity, resilience, and compassion where women can rise in leadership.

Today, Nisha joins me to explain how she facilitates connection with groups of women, both in-person and online. She shares her pregnancy and parenting journey, including the messy experience of dealing with a lot of repressed anger and what it taught her about her values. I ask Nisha how her business has changed now that she’s a parent, and she offers insight around society’s responsibility to take care of mothers. Listen in for Nisha’s take on the power of sisterhood to create a safe space for truth!

FULL SHOW NOTES

Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/069.

EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER 

This podcast is made possible by sponsors like you! Consider supporting this podcast with a monthly donation on our Patreon page: Head to https://www.patreon.com/startuppregnant. We’ve got folks we call our ‘coffee friends’ who donate the equivalent of a cup of coffee each month to make this show possible, and we’re backed by companies we believe in that can help make the lives of busy entrepreneurs and parents a little bit easier. If you want to become one of our company sponsors, go to https://startuppregnant.com/podcast/ and get in touch!

All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors.

LEARN MORE ABOUT NISHA MOODLEY

Nisha Moodley is the founder and CEO of Nisha Moodley International, an organization that facilitates retreats, masterminds and coaching for ambitious women with a focus on heart-mind-message alignment. She is also the founder of Global Sisterhood Day, a worldwide event celebrating and supporting the connections between women. Nisha is passionate about helping women step more fully into their role as leaders with an expanded sense of freedom.

• Nisha’s Website

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Soul of Leadership
• Priestess Presence
• Hiro Boga

THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST

• Startup Pregnant
• Startup Pregnant Newsletter
• Email [email protected]

#068 — How I Launched the Mastermind + Lessons Learned

The first pillar of Startup Pregnant involves the podcast interviews I do every week with exceptional women, and if nothing else grew from this venture it would still be MORE than worth it to learn from the conversations we are having around business and parenting. But I recently launched the second pillar (and first paid offering associated with Startup Pregnant), the women’s leadership circle mastermind.

Today, I’m walking you through what it takes to put together a mastermind and explaining why I chose to do it now—in the middle of my second pregnancy. I discuss the lessons I learned about lead time and marketing, discussing exactly how I went about promoting the soft launch. Listen in to understand how building a niche audience served me in finding the right people for the mastermind group and learn why you shouldn’t give up after one launch!

FULL SHOW NOTES

Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/068. 

EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode: Acuity Scheduling. Acuity functions as an online assistant, helping to organize your schedule and collect client information. Take advantage of Acuity’s 45-day free trial for Startup Pregnant listeners at https://acuityscheduling.com/startuppregnant.

All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Why You Shouldn’t Give Up After One Launch

 
THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST

• Startup Pregnant
• Startup Pregnant on Facebook
• Startup Pregnant on Twitter
• Sponsor the Podcast
• Email [email protected]

#067 — Finding Your Artistic Voice As A Mother 

‘My artistic voice has emerged stronger and more clear than ever—more centered in the voice of a mother and a female, really coming from within with an agenda. This I only have because of my kids. It feels like it was a necessary process, but it was fucking hard.’

Peng Scheerer’s experience of giving birth was a difficult one. The birth itself was a brutal, life-or-death situation that unearthed a childhood trauma—leaving Peng depressed and suicidal for a full nine months afterward.

But after working through the psychological pain, Peng has emerged stronger than ever. She has regained her artistic voice and is working to break down the cultural construct that paints femininity as faulty or weak.

Today, Peng joins me to explain her change of heart around having children and discuss the challenges associated with parenting and pursuing a career as a freelance artist. She shares her incredibly traumatic birth experience and discusses the identity shift that came with pregnancy and motherhood. I ask her about her PhD work in the realm of feminine voices, and she describes what it means to be a mom in our capitalist, patriarchal world. Listen in for Peng’s insight on becoming part of what she calls a ‘rainbow family’ and learn how she and her husband negotiate parenting AND their work as creatives. 

FULL SHOW NOTES

Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/067.

EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER

This podcast is made possible by sponsors like you! Consider supporting this podcast with a monthly donation on our Patreon page: Head to https://www.patreon.com/startuppregnant. We’ve got folks we call our ‘coffee friends’ who donate the equivalent of a cup of coffee each month to make this show possible, and we’re backed by companies we believe in that can help make the lives of busy entrepreneurs and parents a little bit easier. If you want to become one of our company sponsors, go to https://startuppregnant.com/podcast/ and get in touch! 

All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PENG SCHEERER 

Peng Scheerer is a freelance stage and costume designer for theatre and opera, working in performance venues all over Europe. In addition, she is pursuing a PhD in the realm of powerful female narratives and ‘disintegrating into a queer consciousness.’ She is also the author of the children’s book Two Mothers for Oscar which will be available on Amazon in August 2018.

• Peng’s Website

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST

• Startup Pregnant
• Startup Pregnant Newsletter
• Email [email protected]

#066 — Morning Routines

There is a lot of noise on the interwebs around creating the perfect morning routine.

But here’s the thing about being a parent: There is no such thing as ‘routine.’ The demands placed on you by the tiny human in your life are ever-changing, and every morning looks vastly different from the one before.

I was interviewed for a book called My Morning Routine, and in it, I share my morning workout routine. The one I had before I became a mother. So, what do my mornings look like now? Is there even a way to establish some kind of routine in the mornings with a toddler running around?

Today, I’m discussing how I navigate the first few hours of every day now that I’m a parent. I share my recent epiphany around crafting a seasonal morning routine to fit what life looks like right now and offer insight on carving out time to write—in less-than-ideal circumstances. Listen in to find out how my husband and I divide parenting responsibilities, affording each other 30 minutes here and there to recharge, and learn how to design a morning routine that works for you this month, this week, or maybe just for today. 

FULL SHOW NOTES

Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/066.

EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER:

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode: Aeroflow Breastpumps. They are dedicated to making the hassle of getting your breast pump a little bit easier—actually, a lot easier! Head to www.aeroflowbreastpumps.com/startup to have them help you qualify for a free breast pump through insurance.

All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• My Morning Routine

THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST

• Startup Pregnant
• Startup Pregnant on Facebook
• Startup Pregnant on Twitter
• Sponsor the Podcast
• Email [email protected]

#065 — Planning Ahead for Maternity Leave as an Entrepreneur

Planning for maternity leave is a challenge for any working mother. But if you’re an entrepreneur, it’s all on you to figure out just how to keep the business moving forward—as your focus shifts to the delivery and care of a tiny human.

How do you decide what to automate? What to delegate? What to outsource? And how do you build those systems prior to the hard deadline that is the arrival of your baby?

Today, maternal health expert Arianna Taboada joins me to share her advice around planning for maternity leave as an entrepreneur, discussing how to assess both your personal and professional needs. She speaks to the psychological transition back to work after giving birth and the opportunity for entrepreneurs to phase in gradually. I ask Arianna about her personal parenting journey, and she explains how her business has changed in light of being a new mom and moving to the US. Listen in to understand Arianna’s policy research around access to leave for self-employed women and learn why maternity leave is a human rights issue. 

FULL SHOW NOTES

Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/065.

EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode: Acuity Scheduling. Acuity functions as an online assistant, helping to organize your schedule and collect client information. Take advantage of Acuity’s 45-day free trial for Startup Pregnant listeners at https://acuityscheduling.com/startuppregnant.

All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT ARIANNA TABOADA

Arianna Taboada is a maternal health expert and consultant who helps female founders design maternity leave plans that meet their personal and professional needs. She has more than a decade of experience as a health educator, social worker, reproductive health researcher, and yoga therapist. Arianna also speaks and writes on the topic of maternity leave as a social justice and economic equity issue, and her scientific work around reproductive health has been published in peer reviewed journals including the International Journal of Health Equity, Advances in Social Work, and Prevention Science, among many others.

• Arianna’s Website
• Arianna on Twitter
• Arianna on Instagram

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Arianna’s Eco-Map
• PL+US
• Arianna’s White Paper
• NPR Lost Mothers Series

THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST

• Startup Pregnant
• Startup Pregnant Newsletter
• Email [email protected]

#064 — Mental Health Toolkit

Life is an emotional roller coaster, and resilience is about handling the ups and downs without being swept away. Pregnancy and parenting present a brand-new set of challenges, and it’s incredibly valuable to have a mental health toolkit that equips you to navigate the sometimes-bumpy ride.

Today, I’m sharing the five resources in my own mental health toolkit, discussing how these restorative practices recharge my batteries and keep me a little closer to sanity despite the stress and sleep deprivation associated with being a new mom. I explain the unparalleled value I find in therapy and the idea of using medication as one tool in your kit should that become necessary. Listen in for ideas on how to build your own robust toolkit for emotional resilience as you take on the demanding role of mompreneur!

FULL SHOW NOTES

Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/064.

EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, the Transcend Podcast. Transcend is a monthly podcast dedicated to personal transformation hosted by Jeff Riddle. Head to http://transcendexperience.net/ for real stories of transformative experiences told by everyday people. 

All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Kathleen Shannon on Startup Pregnant EP051

THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST

• Startup Pregnant
• Startup Pregnant on Facebook
• Startup Pregnant on Twitter
• Sponsor the Podcast
• Email [email protected]

#063 — Changing Your Life In Four Minutes

How do you do self-care as the mother of five?

How do you do self-care as a mother of five who happens to be running her own business?

How do you do self-care as a mother of five, running her own business AND a living on a farm that serves as an animal sanctuary?

You might be surprised to learn that it is not only possible—but can be done in just four minutes!

Today, Rebekah Borucki joins me to share the contrast in her pregnancy journey from the first child to the fifth and offer insight around what women need to know about the experience of motherhood. She explains how meditation saves her life every day and how she leverages the practice to reframe negative fantasy and understand her own power. I ask Rebekah about life on the farm and how she has transformed part of the property into a community learning space or Lady Church, and she discusses her approach to getting clear on what you want and saying NO to everything else. Rebekah gets real about setting boundaries, building a business that fulfills your purpose, and indulging in a little Netflix along the way. Listen in and learn how to build self-care into your life—in just four minutes!

FULL SHOW NOTES

Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/063.

EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER

Community makes all the difference. So, at Startup Pregnant, we have launched a mastermind program for women from all walks of life who are interested in going deeper around questions about parenting, motherhood, and business. To get on our email list for the 2019 session OR learn more about starting a group of your own, go to https://startuppregnant.com/mastermind.

All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors.

LEARN MORE ABOUT REBEKAH BORUCKI

Rebekah ‘Bex’ Borucki is the creator of BEXLIFE and the BLISSED IN wellness movement. She is the mother of five AND a TV host, yoga and meditation teacher, Hay House author, birth doula, and transformational coach. Rebekah travels extensively, sharing her passion for yoga, wellness, and meditation, and she has appeared on Dr. Oz, the Lisa Oz Show, and Better TV. She is a regular contributor to online and print magazines, including MindBodyGreen, Positively Positive, and Daily Burn, and Rebekah is the author of You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life. 

• Rebekah’s Website
• Rebekah on YouTube
• Rebekah on Facebook
• Rebekah on Instagram
• Rebekah on Twitter
• Rebekah on Pinterest
• Blissed In Facebook Group

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life by Rebekah Borucki
• Be Here Now by Ram Dass
• Blocked 2 Blissed Group Coaching
• The New Bohemians

#062 — Building a Postpartum Support Team & Roadmap to Recovery

The sad and scary truth is that postpartum care in the US is abysmal. In other countries, new mothers are provided with four to eight physical therapy sessions and their healing is monitored. In the States, however, we get a single 20-minute appointment at the six-week mark. Period. So, what can you do during pregnancy to prepare for the first weeks and months after you’ve given birth? How can you build your own support team to get through the challenging period of brand spanking new motherhood? What might a roadmap to recovery look like?

Today, I’m sharing my experience of the big event that is childbirth and what transpired in the months following. I walk you through the steps I took to build a network of support that helped me figure out breastfeeding, kept me nourished, and answered questions as they came up. Listen in for insight around the benefit of looking at postpartum recovery in three-month intervals and learn to adjust your expectations and plan ahead for the first 12 months of new motherhood.

FULL SHOW NOTES:

Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/062.

EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode: Aeroflow Breastpumps. They are dedicated to making the hassle of getting your breast pump a little bit easier—actually, a lot easier! Head to www.aeroflowbreastpumps.com/startup to have them help you qualify for a free breast pump through insurance.

All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• NPR Social Series: Maternal Mortality in the US
• La Leche League USA
• Shefali Christopher on Startup Pregnant EP061
• Lily Nichols on Startup Pregnant EP059
• Preparing for the First 30 Days Postpartum: What to Buy, Research, and Say
• Preparing for the First 30 Days Postpartum After a C-Section
• Replens
• Danielle LaPorte on Startup Pregnant EP034
• The Startup Pregnant Mastermind

THE STARTUP PREGNANT PODCAST & HOST

• Startup Pregnant
• Startup Pregnant on Facebook
• Startup Pregnant on Twitter
• Sponsor the Podcast
• Email [email protected]

#061 — Postpartum Recovery: Healing the Body, Being an Athlete Before + After Pregnancy

If you’re a new mom and an athlete, it can be tempting to hit the trail or the gym asap after the six-week checkup. You want to regain a sense of normalcy and working out is likely a big part of your identity.

But it’s incredibly important to be cognizant of what your body just went through and give yourself the time to regain your core strength and allow the pelvic floor to heal. You may even have to relearn the correct use of certain muscles in order to avoid injury.

Physical therapist Dr. Shefali Christopher was taken aback by the fact that her postpartum body didn’t quite feel like her own: ‘You’re learning how to be in touch with your muscles again, how to contract them again, how to work them again. I think that was more shocking to me … and it took a lot of work." 

Today, Shefali joins me to offer her insight on postpartum care for athletes, explaining the importance of rebuilding core strength and giving the body time to heal. I ask Shefali about her own experience with pregnancy and postpartum recovery, and she shares her ongoing efforts at ‘mental forgiving and acceptance’ of her postpartum body. Listen in for Shefali’s advice around the best resources for postpartum exercise and learn why she shifted her career path to pursue research as a new mom.

FULL SHOW NOTES: 

Get the complete show notes with episode quotes, photos, and time stamps at http://www.startuppregnant.com/061.

EPISODE SPONSOR & SPECIAL OFFER 

Community makes all the difference. So, at Startup Pregnant, we are launching a mastermind program for women who are interested in going deeper around questions about parenting, motherhood, and business. To learn more and apply for the beta version starting in June, go to https://startuppregnant.com/mastermind.

All of our sponsor offers are available on our website for you to grab the perks and discounts offered to podcast listeners: http://startuppregnant.com/sponsors.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. SHEFALI CHRISTOPHER

Dr. Shefali Christopher is a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy. After four years of teaching in the Duke DPT program, Shefali joined the Elon University faculty in June of 2017. Her clinical passion lies in treating triathletes and distance runners as well as helping postpartum athletes return to their sport safely. Shefali is currently pursuing a PhD through the University of Newcastle, and her research focuses on understanding and addressing pain in postpartum endurance athletes.

• Shefali at Elon University

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Lily Nichols on Startup Pregnant EP059
• Jill Thein-Nissenbaum at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Everymom Athletics with Christine Iverson
• British Journal of Sports Medicine Pregnancy & Postpartum Series