The Mama Circle: Why Motherhood Feels Like This

The Mama Circle: Why Motherhood Feels Like This

By Natalie K. MartinParentingKids & Family
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The Mama Circle: Why Motherhood Feels Like This episodes

  • A request and a short season break

    After 95 episodes, The Mama Circle is taking a short season break.

    The full archive is still here while I step out of weekly production for a few weeks and give some intentional thought to how the podcast grows and what comes next.

    The next new episode will be released around the middle of October. Make sure to follow The Mama Circle so it appears in your podcast app when it’s ready.

    Listener Survey: I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on the podcast and it takes just a few short minutes: https://tally.so/r/RGNEQK

    Instagram: @natalie.kmartin
    TikTok: @nataliek.martin

    2 min
  • 95. The money questions every couple should ask before having kids

    Most couples ask, “Can we afford to have a baby?” But that conversation often focuses on nappies, childcare and maternity leave, rather than what becoming parents could mean for each person’s financial future.

    In this episode, I’m sharing the money conversations I think couples should have before having children, during pregnancy or even after becoming parents. We talk about career goals, parental leave, part-time work, pensions, savings, financial independence, childcare, family planning and what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan.

    This isn’t financial advice, and there is no perfect way to organise money after children. It’s about making the invisible financial cost of care visible, so that one person doesn’t quietly absorb a family decision alone.


    🫂 Craving support from other mums who get it? Join IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.

    It's A Lot is my private WhatsApp community for mums who want an honest space to share motherhood without judgement, criticism or unsolicited advice. Try it free for three months, then it's €10 per month. Join here: ⁠⁠⁠www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠


    ⁠⁠⁠👭FREE GUIDE - The Five Villages Every Mum Needs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If this conversation resonated, download my free audio guide, The 5 Villages Every Mum Needs, where I explore the different kinds of support modern mothers need and why so many of us feel like we’re doing it alone. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get it here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    15% off Mother's Earth

    I've been using Mother's Earth laundry sheets for the last couple of months and genuinely love them. Use code NAT for 15% off your first order here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mothersearth.de/NAT ⁠⁠⁠


    Want to share your thoughts on this episode?

    TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliek.martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    ☕️ Support The Mama Circle Podcast: if you’re enjoying my podcast, you can buy me a virtual coffee here! Thank you 🫶🏽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/nataliekmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    New episodes every Wednesday🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a quick review — it really helps other mums find the show.

    33 min
  • 94. How do you make time for sex after having kids? with Alice Jackson

    How do you make time for sex after having kids when you’re exhausted, touched out and barely have time to speak to your partner?

    In Part 2 of my conversation with somatic intimacy coach and embodiment teacher Alice Jackson, we talk about what intimacy can realistically look like after becoming parents and why having less time doesn’t have to mean losing your connection completely.

    We talk about:

    • Making intimacy a priority without turning it into another obligation

    • Why scheduling sex doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with your relationship

    • Focusing on quality rather than how often you have sex

    • Feeling too tired, overwhelmed or overstimulated to be touched

    • Communicating what you need before resentment builds

    • Expanding intimacy beyond penetrative sex

    • Simple ways to reconnect when one partner has less desire

    • Dating, boundaries and sexuality as a single mum

    • Holding onto your relationship as a couple after becoming parents

    Sex after children may be different from what came before. Your desire can expand, contract and change through different seasons of motherhood, and that doesn’t mean it has disappeared forever.


    About Alice

    Alice Jackson is a Somatic Intimacy Coach and Embodiment Teacher with over a decade of experience helping women reconnect with their bodies, desires and sense of self. Through her somatic intimacy work, she supports women to rebuild trust in their bodies and create more fulfilling relationships with themselves and others.

    Get in touch with Alice at:

    ⁠https://www.alicejackson.life/⁠

    https://www.instagram.com/alice.e.jackson/

    I've been using Mother's Earth laundry sheets for the last couple of months and genuinely love them. Use code NAT for 15% off your first order here: ⁠⁠https://www.mothersearth.de/NAT ⁠⁠

    Missed Part 1?

    Go back and listen to Episode 93: Why don't I feel sexy since becoming a mum?, where Alice and I explore how motherhood can change our relationship with our bodies, sexuality, pleasure and desire.


    🫂 Craving support from other mums who get it? Join IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.

    It's A Lot is my private WhatsApp community for mums who want an honest space to share motherhood without judgement, criticism or unsolicited advice. Try it free for three months, then it's €10 per month. Join here: ⁠⁠www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠


    ⁠⁠👭FREE GUIDE - The Five Villages Every Mum Needs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If this conversation resonated, download my free audio guide, The 5 Villages Every Mum Needs, where I explore the different kinds of support modern mothers need and why so many of us feel like we’re doing it alone. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get it here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    Want to share your thoughts on this episode?

    TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliek.martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    ☕️ Support The Mama Circle Podcast: if you’re enjoying my podcast, you can buy me a virtual coffee here! Thank you 🫶🏽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/nataliekmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    New episodes every Wednesday🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a quick review — it really helps other mums find the show.


    28 min
  • 93. Why don't I feel sexy since becoming a mum? with Alice Jackson

    Why don’t I feel sexy since becoming a mum? If your desire has disappeared, your body no longer feels like your own or being touched is sometimes the last thing you want, there may be very good reasons.

    In this episode, I’m joined by somatic intimacy coach and embodiment teacher Alice Jackson for an honest conversation about sex, desire and reconnecting with your body after becoming a mum.

    We talk about:

    • Why pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding can change your relationship with your body

    • Feeling touched out, overstimulated and too overwhelmed for intimacy

    • Why libido can change across different seasons of motherhood

    • Broadening our definition of sex beyond penetration

    • Whether scheduling sex can actually help you reconnect

    • Finding intimacy when tiredness, childcare and everyday life keep getting in the way

    • How trying to conceive and IVF can turn sex from connection into pressure

    • Rebuilding desire without forcing yourself to feel something you don’t

    This isn’t about adding sex to your already overflowing to-do list. It’s about understanding what your body may be communicating and finding your way back to intimacy, desire and yourself without shame or pressure.

    And this conversation isn’t over. Next week, Alice and I move from our relationship with our own sexuality to sex and intimacy with somebody else: making time for sex after kids, mismatched desire, communication, and dating as a single mum.

    About Alice

    Alice Jackson is a Somatic Intimacy Coach and Embodiment Teacher with over a decade of experience helping women reconnect with their bodies, desires and sense of self. Through her somatic intimacy work, she supports women to rebuild trust in their bodies and create more fulfilling relationships with themselves and others.

    Get in touch with Alice at:

    https://www.alicejackson.life/

    https://www.instagram.com/alice.e.jackson/





    I've been using Mother's Earth laundry sheets for the last couple of months and genuinely love them. Use code NAT for 15% off your first order here: ⁠https://www.mothersearth.de/NAT ⁠


    🫂 Craving support from other mums who get it? Join IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.

    It's A Lot is my private WhatsApp community for mums who want an honest space to share motherhood without judgement, criticism or unsolicited advice. Try it free for three months, then it's €10 per month. Join here: ⁠www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠


    ⁠👭FREE GUIDE - The Five Villages Every Mum Needs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If this conversation resonated, download my free audio guide, The 5 Villages Every Mum Needs, where I explore the different kinds of support modern mothers need and why so many of us feel like we’re doing it alone. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get it here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    Want to share your thoughts on this episode?

    TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliek.martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    ☕️ Support The Mama Circle Podcast: if you’re enjoying my podcast, you can buy me a virtual coffee here! Thank you 🫶🏽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/nataliekmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    New episodes every Wednesday🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a quick review — it really helps other mums find the show.


    40 min
  • 92. What if my child prefers the other parent?

    What if your child prefers being at their other parent's house?

    It's a fear that caught me completely off guard when my son was away with his dad. Not because I thought he might love his dad more, but because their household can afford experiences that I sometimes can't.

    As a single mum parenting on a tighter budget, what happens when one house can say yes to festivals, meals out and more days out, while the other is packing snacks for the playground?

    In this episode, I'm talking about co-parenting after separation, comparing yourself with the other parent's household, the financial reality of single motherhood, and the fear of becoming the "boring" parent.

    • The fear that your child might prefer the other parent
    • Comparing two households after separation
    • How money gives parents more options, not necessarily more love
    • The pressure to spend money to make childhood experiences "count"
    • Being the parent who has to say no more often
    • Why ordinary childhood memories still matter
    • Remembering that your household has value that isn't financial


    Because after separation, it isn't only your finances that change. Your child's life splits into two versions, and suddenly there's another household you can measure your own against.


    I've been using Mother's Earth laundry sheets for the last couple of months and genuinely love them. Use code NAT for 15% off your first order here: https://www.mothersearth.de/NAT


    🫂 Craving support from other mums who get it? Join IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.

    It's A Lot is my private WhatsApp community for mums who want an honest space to share motherhood without judgement, criticism or unsolicited advice. Try it free for three months, then it's €10 per month. Join here: www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle


    👭FREE GUIDE - The Five Villages Every Mum Needs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If this conversation resonated, download my free audio guide, The 5 Villages Every Mum Needs, where I explore the different kinds of support modern mothers need and why so many of us feel like we’re doing it alone. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get it here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    Want to share your thoughts on this episode?

    TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliek.martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    ☕️ Support The Mama Circle Podcast: if you’re enjoying my podcast, you can buy me a virtual coffee here! Thank you 🫶🏽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/nataliekmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    New episodes every Wednesday🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a quick review — it really helps other mums find the show.

    17 min
  • 91. You can love your kids AND love time away from them

    I'm 3 days into a child-free week and I'm REALLY enjoying it.

    In this episode, we're talking about mum guilt, the mental load of motherhood, and why enjoying time away from your child doesn't make you a bad mum. What happens when your brain finally has space to think? And does loving your own freedom mean you love your child any less?

    • Mum guilt and time away from your child

    • The mental load of motherhood

    • Motherhood identity and remembering who you are beyond "Mum"

    • Missing your child while enjoying your own space


    Want to share your thoughts on this episode?

    TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliek.martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    💬 It's A Lot — My initimate WhatsApp group for mums who want to share what's actually going on, unfiltered, with no judgement and no well-meant advice unless you ask for it. Try it free for 30 days, followed by just €10/month. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    ⁠⁠👭 The Five Villages Every Mum Needs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If this conversation resonated, download my free audio guide, The 5 Villages Every Mum Needs, where I explore the different kinds of support modern mothers need and why so many of us feel like we’re doing it alone. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get it here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    🌱 Mother's Earth — this episode's sponsor. Plastic-free, organic laundry sheets that genuinely got the nursery mud out. 15% off your first order with code NAT at checkout: https://mothersearth.de/?snowball=NAT⁠


    and lastly, please subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a quick review — it really helps other mums find the show.


    17 min
  • 90. We can’t build a village while tearing other mums down

    We say mums need a village. But we cannot build one while publicly humiliating the women we disagree with.

    After Nara Smith appeared on Call Her Daddy to discuss the trad wife label, motherhood and her daughter’s cancer treatment, social media filled with reactions. Some offered thoughtful criticism of the unrealistic image of motherhood she has helped to create. Others became parody, personal attacks and thousands of comments tearing another woman down.

    This episode isn’t a defence of Nara Smith or the trad wife movement. It’s a conversation about what happens when valid criticism crosses into cruelty, and what that teaches other mums about whether it is safe to be visible, vulnerable or honest.

    I explore:

    • the difference between challenging someone’s ideas and humiliating them

    • why disagreement doesn’t require dehumanising another woman

    • what online pile-ons teach mums about sharing their real lives

    • the mistrust and competition sometimes described as the “sister wound”

    • why mums filter themselves, hide their struggles and become afraid to ask for help

    • how social media can make motherhood feel less safe

    • why wanting a village also requires learning how to be part of one

    If we want motherhood to feel less lonely, we need spaces where women can disagree without shaming one another for being imperfect, different or visible.

    We cannot keep saying that mums need more honesty, support and community while participating in the behaviour that makes other mums afraid to speak.


    This episode is sponsored by Mother's Earth. Use code NAT for 15% off: https://mothersearth.de/?snowball=NAT


    ⁠⁠👭 The Five Villages Every Mum Needs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If this conversation resonated, download my free audio guide, The 5 Villages Every Mum Needs, where I explore the different kinds of support modern mothers need and why so many of us feel like we’re doing it alone. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get it here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    🫂 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.

    We talk about this kind of stuff in It's A Lot. So, if you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it, this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    Want to share your thoughts on this episode?

    TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliek.martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    ☕️ Support The Mama Circle Podcast: if you’re enjoying my podcast, you can buy me a virtual coffee here! Thank you 🫶🏽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/nataliekmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    New episodes every Wednesday🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a quick review — it really helps other mums find the show.

    16 min
  • 89. I can't be honest with my friends since becoming a mum

    Where do mums go with the thoughts they can't say out loud?

    We all filter ourselves depending on who we're with. That's normal. But what happens when there is nowhere we can tell the whole truth?

    In this episode, Natalie explores why every mum needs at least one place where she can speak honestly without judgement, interruption or advice. From therapy and Mama Circles to It's A Lot, this conversation explores why safe containers matter—and why sometimes the greatest gift another mother can give us isn't advice, but recognition.


    🫂 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.

    We talk about this kind of stuff in It's A Lot. So, if you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it, this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    👭 The Five Villages Every Mum Needs⁠⁠⁠⁠ If this conversation resonated, download my free audio guide, The 5 Villages Every Mum Needs, where I explore the different kinds of support modern mothers need and why so many of us feel like we’re doing it alone. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get it here.⁠⁠⁠⁠


    Want to share your thoughts on this episode?

    TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliek.martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    ☕️ Support my work: if you’re enjoying my podcast, you can buy me a virtual coffee here! Thank you 🫶🏽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/nataliekmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    New episodes every Wednesday🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a quick review — it really helps other mums find the show.

    24 min
  • 88. Can you really afford to have kids?

    Most women prepare for pregnancy.

    Far fewer prepare for what motherhood does to their long-term finances.

    In this episode, Nat explores the motherhood penalty, why women's earnings often fall after having children while men's continue to rise, and why the biggest financial cost of motherhood isn't nappies or childcare, but the change to your entire financial trajectory.

    If you're already a mum, or you're thinking about becoming one, this is a conversation every family should have.

    👭 The Five Villages Every Mum Needs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ this FREE audio guide will walk you through the different levels of support mums need, and how to build them. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get it here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    🫂 Need a safe space to share how you REALLY feel? Join IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.

    We talk about this kind of stuff in It's A Lot. So, if you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it, this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    Want to share your thoughts on this episode?

    TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliek.martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    ☕️ Support my work: if you’re enjoying my podcast, you can buy me a virtual coffee here! Thank you 🫶🏽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/nataliekmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    New episodes every Wednesday🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a quick review — it really helps other mums find the show.

    31 min
  • 87. Sometimes I don't like my child

    Sometimes the hardest part of parenting isn't loving your child. It's feeling like you just don't click.

    In this episode, Nat explores a Reddit post that asks a question many parents are too afraid to admit out loud. Could it be that some parents and children are simply less naturally compatible? Together, we unpack why our children aren't "mini us", why personality matters more than we realise, and how curiosity can transform even the most challenging relationships.

    If you've ever wondered why one child feels easy while another leaves you feeling exhausted or disconnected, this episode is for you.

    🫂 Need a safe space to share how you REALLY feel? Join IT'S A LOT – free for 30 days.

    We talk about this kind of stuff in It's A Lot. So, if you’re feeling shaky having brought your new baby home, in the trenches of toddlerhood or just need a place to share the joys of being a mama with people who get it, this is your new support network. The best part? It’s all via voice notes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    👭 The Five Villages Every Mum Needs⁠⁠⁠ this FREE audio guide will walk you through the different levels of support mums need, and how to build them. ⁠⁠⁠Get it here.⁠⁠⁠


    Want to share your thoughts on this episode?

    TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nataliek.martin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natalie.kmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    ☕️ Support my work: if you’re enjoying my podcast, you can buy me a virtual coffee here! Thank you 🫶🏽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/nataliekmartin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    New episodes every Wednesday🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a quick review — it really helps other mums find the show.

    21 min

About The Mama Circle: Why Motherhood Feels Like This

From the publisher's feed

You can love your kids and still hate what modern motherhood asks of you. The invisible labour, financial squeeze, relationship strain, overwhelm and the feeling that somehow, you’re the problem. There’s a name for everything motherhood quietly costs women: The Motherhood Debt. And this is where we say it out loud.