In the forty-third episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Emily, a mother of two, perinatal therapist, and coauthor of the upcoming guided reflective journal 'Your NICU Story.'

In this conversation, Emily shares her personal and professional experiences with motherhood, chronic illness, and neurodivergence, offering a deeply honest look at what it means to care for yourself while caring for others. It’s a grounding and insightful discussion that I'm sure will resonate with so many listeners.

Texts mentioned in this episode

Podcasts:

Mom and Mind with Dr Kat

Books:

• 'Body Full of Stars: Female Rage and My Passage into Motherhood' by Molly Caro May
• ‘Birth Story Brave, Reimagined: An Updated Guide for Reflecting on Your Childbirth Experience’ by Emily Souder
• ‘Birth Story Held for Loss: A Guide for Reflecting on Your Fertility Experience, Miscarriage, Abortion, TFMR, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss’ by Emily Souder
• ‘Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience’ by Mahaley Patel and Emily Souder - coming out on the 15th September 2025

In the forty-second episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Mahaley, therapist, co-author of 'Your NICU Story', and mother of four. She shares the loss of her second daughter, Sacchi, and talks about how it shaped her subsequent birth and surrogacy journey, and what it means to parent while living with grief and fear.

We talk about the ongoing balance of honouring loss without letting it overshadow the lives of her living children - and how she works to give them a full, joyful childhood while carrying such profound grief.

Texts mentioned in this episode:

• 'Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience' by Mahaly Patel and Emily Souder
• 'The Whole Brain Child' by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
• 'How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen' by Joanna Faber and Julie King
• 'The Family Firm: A Data-Driven Guide to Better Decision Making in the Early School Years' by Emily Oster
• Dr Becky Kennedy's ouvre
• 'Untangled' by Lisa Damour
• 'Reviving Ophelia; by Mary Pipher

In this special episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by two deeply compassionate and knowledgeable guests, Ali Heppell and Bronte Taylor.

Ali is a mother of two, a postpartum doula, matrescence educator, motherhood studies practitioner, and women’s circle facilitator. Her work centres around helping mothers reconnect with their stories, their needs, and their sense of self in the postpartum space.

Bronte is a mother of one, an accredited mental health social worker, a motherhood studies practitioner, and a skilled EMDR and Schema therapist. She also facilitates group work supporting mothers in their healing journeys.

Together, Ali and Bronte bring a unique, trauma-informed approach that weaves together the mind, body, and heart. They support mothers in making sense of their birth experiences, understanding how those moments shape identity and relationships, and navigating the emotional and physical imprints of trauma.

In this conversation, we explore what birth trauma really is and how it can show up in ways that are often missed or misunderstood. We also talk about the cultural silence around maternal pain, what true healing can look like, and how we can better support mothers - not just in crisis, but in their everyday lives.

Whether you’re a mother, a birth worker, or someone who simply wants to understand these conversations more deeply, this episode offers insight, compassion, and, above all, a sense of permission to honour what’s real.

You can find Ali and Bronte on Instagram:

@aliheppell_mothercare @bronte_heartfelttherapy

In this special episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Emily Souder and Mahaley Patel - therapists, authors, and mothers - who have both lived and worked through the complexities of NICU experiences in deeply personal ways.

Their upcoming book, 'Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience', is more than a guide - it's a compassionate companion for families navigating the aftermath of a NICU stay.

In this episode, we explore the emotional layers of NICU trauma, grief, healing, and what it means to hold space for conflicting emotions like gratitude and heartbreak. We also talk about the unique journeys of birthing parents, the often-overlooked experiences of partners, and how writing about trauma became a shared path to healing.

Whether you’ve walked a NICU journey yourself, supported someone who has, or want to better understand what families truly need - this conversation is for you.

You can find Emily & Mahaley on Instagram:

@emily.souder.lscwc @mahaleypatel

You can find updates about 'Your NICU Story' at www.yournicustorybook.com

In the thirty-ninth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Haley, as she shares about her experience with the isolation of postpartum during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing effort of staying true to her values as a new mother, and the importance of speaking honestly about both the highs and lows of motherhood. 

Sources mentioned in this episode:

Instagram

Whole Body Pregnancy

Life After Birth with Yara Heary

Terra de mama

The Breastfeeding Mentor

Birth Resources

The Bradley Method

Books

‘Good Inside’ by Dr Becky Kennedy

‘The Whole Brain Child’ by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

‘The Gardener and the Carpenter’ by Alison Gopnik

In the thirty-eighth episode of The Motherwhelm, I’m joined by Rachel, a mother whose journey into parenthood took an unexpected turn when her daughter Milla was born prematurely. Rachel shares with honesty and heart what it meant to navigate those early, fragile days - and how the experience reshaped her understanding of motherhood.

Together, we talk about the importance of slowing down, learning to surrender when life doesn't follow the script, and honouring your own path, even when it doesn't match the expectations around you.

Sources mentioned in the show

On Instagram: @miraclebabiesfoundation

https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/

In the thirty-eighth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Ariane Beeston - a postpartum psychosis survivor, perinatal mental health advocate, trained psychologist, and author of the powerful memoir, 'Because I’m Not Myself, You See: A Memoir of Motherhood, Madness, and Coming Back From the Brink.'

We talk about the unraveling and the rebuilding. The silence surrounding maternal mental illness. And how writing her memoir became part of the healing process - not just for her, but for the countless women who see themselves reflected in her story.

This is a conversation about vulnerability, strength, and what it really means to come back from the brink.

Sources mentioned in this episode

'Because I’m Not Myself, You See: A Memoir of Motherhood, Madness, and Coming Back From the Brink' by Ariane Beeston

COPE - Centre of Perinatal Excellence

https://www.cope.org.au/

Perinatal Stories Australia podcast

https://www.perinatalstoriesaustralia.com/

Karen Kleiman & The Postpartum Stress Centre

https://www.postpartumstress.com/about/media

In the thirty-seventh episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Madeline, a mother of two, cosplayer, gamer, and passionate math teacher.

We talk about the highs and lows of navigating motherhood while honouring your own needs and passions, and the best ways we can show up for our children and ourselves. 

This is an honest, affirming conversation about identity, self-acceptance, and finding joy in the little things.

Sources mentioned in this episode

TikTok: @domesticblisters

Instagram:

@biglittlefeelings

@responsive_parenting

Facebook:

Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids

In the thirty-sixth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Jess, a mum of 3 who shares with real honesty about the emotional journey of her marriage breakdown and what it taught her about identity and resilience; The often-overlooked challenge of rediscovering yourself after becoming a mother, and how reconnecting with your interests, no matter your age or life stage, can be a powerful path back to yourself.

This is a conversation about letting go, starting over, and finding freedom in self-discovery. Jess’s openness is not only comforting but incredibly empowering.

In the thirty-fifth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Polly, who shares with us her journey navigating the complexities of IVF, the power of finding a supportive community in motherhood, and the ongoing practice of self-acceptance.