The M Take

It’s time to take on motherhood - without the filter. This week, Mel & Michelle sit down with Kaitlyn Nilles (@honestly.kaitlyn) for a raw and relatable chat about all things motherhood. We double click on the mental load, the never-ending rush, and the balance (or lack thereof) between personal and professional life.

Mel, Michelle, & Kaitlyn dive into what being a “good mom” really means, why giving 100% looks different every day, and how to meet yourself where you are. If you’ve ever felt the weight of motherhood or just needed a moment to feel seen, this honest and validating convo is for you!

Looking for more relatable takes on motherhood?

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YouTube: @honestly.kaitlyn

It’s time to take on milestones!!! Listen in as we celebrate our 50th episode (!!) by taking on milestones! From celebrating our own milestone to reflecting on professional pivots, parenting wins, personal growth, and all the "firsts" and "lasts" along the way, we’re unpacking what it really means to mark progress. We talk about the comparison trap, the pressure of timelines, and how the most meaningful milestones are often the ones you define for yourself. Tune in as we celebrate, reflect, and remind you that wherever you are in your journey - you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

It’s time to take on birth stories. In this solo episode, Mel shares her birth story: a journey that was beautiful, complicated, empowering, and at times, overwhelming. From a surprise induction to postpartum preeclampsia, and a magnesium drip that nearly broke her, this story covers it all — the raw, the ridiculous, the tender, and the true.

This isn’t the most dramatic birth story ever told, but it’s not your average, uneventful one either. It’s real, reflective, and shared in hopes of helping you feel seen, soothed, and maybe even a little more prepared for whatever your birth story looks like. Whether you’re expecting, postpartum, or just curious — this one’s for you.

If you have a birth story of your own, we’d love to hear it. Send us a DM on Instagram @themtakepodcast to be featured on a future birth story spotlight share! 💌

It's time to take on YOU time. Listen in as Mel & Michelle dive into the importance of making time for yourself - why it matters and how everyone benefits when you do. We've all felt stretched thin, running on empty, and struggling to find a moment for ourselves, no matter the phase or stage of life... If you're looking for ways to build self-awareness around prioritizing you time, this episode is for you!

Key takeaway? Sometimes, carving out space for yourself means knowing when to say yes - and when to say no. You deserve to have time for YOU.

It's time to take on the fourth trimester. Listen in as Mel and Michelle dive into what to expect right after baby arrives and the rapid transition into the fourth trimester. From navigating the hormonal roller coaster to setting boundaries with those in and outside your circle, we cover it all—whether you're experiencing it firsthand or supporting someone who is.

We take a deep dive into the journey from the L&D room to the postpartum room, the drive home, and the adjustment period of settling in with your newborn. As always, it's essential to meet people where they are, recognizing that every path looks and feels different. If you are looking for ways to support yourself, your partner, or someone in your life who is stepping into or alongside the fourth trimester, this episode is for you.

And remember, no matter what phase or stage you're in—2TNL: You can take care of someone and yourself at the same time.

It's time to take on dopamine playbooks! Listen in as Mel & Michelle chat about making active choices to strategically link our dopamine playbooks to joy tickets—those small, intentional actions that spark bursts of happiness. We’ll share items from our own dopamine playbooks to inspire you to create your own go-to strategies for a positive mood boost.

Key takeaways? Protect your light, recognize what’s in and out of your control (2TNL!), and build positive habits with achievable, realistic actions. Your dopamine playbook fits perfectly under your self-TLC umbrella—consider it an instant upgrade!

It's time to take on morning routines. Listen in as Mel & Michelle shine a light on their past, present, and maybe even future routines -- because let’s be real, we’re all WIPs, so give yourself some grace. We’re sharing our favorite hacks as a gift to your future self, along with ways to support our ever-evolving kiddos to make mornings just a little smoother for everyone. The good news? Every day brings a new opportunity to reflect, tweak, and try again.

Key takeaway? Aim to share more of our calm and less of our chaos -- always, but especially during the morning hustle. And remember, the only constant in routines is that they evolve and change through every phase and stage.

It's time to take on labor & delivery. Listen in as Mel & Michelle dive into what to expect when planning for labor and delivery. We double-click on the before, during, and after stages of labor & delivery, from what actually belongs in your hospital bag to reframing your birth plan and embracing the ultimate truth: You. Do. Not. Have. Control.

Whether you’re gearing up for labor in the coming weeks or months or supporting someone who is, remember this: You can do hard things, for a short period of time.

It's time to take on a mini solo chat with Michelle! Listen in as Michelle embraces flexibility and leans into plan B after last week's recording schedule didn’t go as planned. In our very first, “If We Can We Will” episodes - Michelle carves out space to lift the hood on The M Take and share the latest pulse on our current happenings. Consider this episode your permission to meet yourself where you are and repeat after us -- "If I Can, I Will."

Xx, M + M

It's time to take on the balancing act. Listen in as Mel and Michelle share their take on the ever-evolving act of balance—between career, parenthood, self-TLC, and the shifting landscapes of responsibility. They explore the paradox of trying to juggle it all while acknowledging that you simply can’t—and you have permission to say, "that's okay."

If you’re craving an honest, heartfelt conversation about redefining balance, giving yourself permission to shift, and embracing the imperfect juggle, this episode is here to remind you: you’re not alone!

Key takeaways? What does the ultimate done goal of your balancing act look like right now? Because balance isn’t about having it all—it’s about finding what works for you in this phase and stage.