The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast | Matrescence | Relationship after baby | Motherhood life

So many parents I work with tell me the same thing:

We talked about inherited patterns like emotional invalidation, the exhausting pendulum between too much control and too much guilt, and how nervous system work can help you shift in real-time, not just in hindsight.

💌 Don’t forget: This week’s newsletter includes an exclusive tool to help you track small emotional wins get it at markellakaplani.com/newsletter.

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Who is Jaspreet Chopra Lewis?

Jaspreet is a Trauma Informed Parent Coach and a Polyvagal Informed music interventionist. She strongly believes that focusing on behavior modification will never help you develop a deeply connected relationship with your child. Real change happens when parents do the work, heal from their own childhood, and see their child's experience from a fresh perspective and not from a lens that is colored by conventional thoughts, their own childhood experiences and their current stresses. And that's how children can be led into better behavior, better choices and emotional regulation.

Markella Kaplani, M.A.

What if healing isn’t something you have to do before parenting but something you do within it?

In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we explore what healing really looks like when you’re not at a retreat, but in a home full of snack crumbs, emotional meltdowns, and endless to-do lists.

This isn’t about becoming a brand new person.

We talk about how parenting can awaken the parts of us that were never truly seen, how to show up for ourselves while showing up for our kids, and why the smallest unseen moments, the breath, the pause, the whispered “I’m sorry,” are what changes everything.

Today we explore:

- Why healing during parenthood is harder — but more meaningful

- 4 gentle shifts to start healing even when you’re exhausted

- Why perfection isn’t the goal, presence is

- How to rewire your inner voice with compassion

💌 Don’t forget: This week’s newsletter includes an exclusive tool to help you track small emotional wins get it at markellakaplani.com/newsletter.

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 Full Transcript HERE.

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Markella Kaplani, M.A.

Have you ever caught yourself reacting to your child in a way that feels all too familiar, perhaps echoing your own parents' responses?

In Episode 57 of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we explore how these unseen scripts shape our parenting styles and emotional responses.

Join me as we delve into the transformative process of becoming more aware of our inherited parenting styles and learn how to foster a more intentional and connected relationship with our children.

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 Full Transcript HERE.

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Markella Kaplani, M.A.

Have you ever surprised yourself with how intensely you reacted to your child?

This episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast dives into the tender truth that parenting often reawakens childhood wounds—and that’s not a flaw, it’s an invitation. 

When our children act out, they're often unknowingly tapping into something buried within us: a memory, a hurt, a part of ourselves still waiting to be seen.

In this first episode of our May series, Healing the Past to Parent Better, we explore the concept of emotional triggers in parenting and why reactions like yelling, shutting down, or intense guilt often stem from the past, not the present. 

You’ll learn how to spot disproportionate emotional responses when shame might actually be a sign of something deeper, and how to gently begin reparenting yourself while raising your child.

If you're ready to break generational cycles, build self-awareness, and respond from wholeness instead of wounding—this conversation is for you.

Today we explore:

🔍 Why your child’s behavior triggers disproportionate reactions

💬 How to know if you’re reacting from an old wound

🧠 A powerful question to interrupt patterns

❤️ Why this isn’t just parenting—it’s healing

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 Full Transcript HERE.

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Markella Kaplani, M.A.

Why do couples who love each other still drift apart after having children?

Who is Lodovica Guidarelli?

Lodovica Guidarelli is an Italian-American Marriage and Family Therapist, married, and mother of two. She works with couples, individuals, and parents, both online and in person, in the state of California. In her work, she integrates somatic and trauma-informed approaches, such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, and Narrative Therapy.

And don’t forget to mention the Parenthood and Relationship Podcast and get your 50% discount for your first session, should you decide to work with Lodovica!

Markella Kaplani, M.A.

What if the problem isn’t your partner… but that you’re both trying to love each other in old ways that no longer fit?

In this gentle and reflective episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we explore how relearning love is essential after parenthood — especially when the spark feels faint, but the love is still there.

We’ll talk about why parenthood affects marriage, how to recognize the signs of emotional disconnection, and the quiet ache of missing your partner when they’re right next to you. If you've ever thought, “I love my partner, but I don’t feel in love,” this is for you.

No pressure. No perfection. Just simple, real-world tools for tired parents who want to feel close again—like micro rituals, weekly check-in questions, and using love languages in marriage as a compass, not a rulebook.

✨ This week’s free journaling prompt is designed to help you tune into what kind of love you need now—not what worked before kids. Download it via markellakaplani.com/newsletter.

Today we explore:

Markella Kaplani, M.A.

You’re doing your best—making lunches, folding laundry, handling bedtime routines.

Yet, something feels off. Your partner seems distant, and despite your efforts, the emotional connection is missing.​

In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we delve into the complexities of love languages in the context of parenting.

As responsibilities increase, couples often find themselves expressing love in ways that may not resonate with their partner.

This mismatch can lead to feelings of being unappreciated and misunderstood.​

We explore why these mismatches occur, especially during the demanding phase of early parenthood.

Factors like stress, fatigue, and changing personal needs can alter how we give and receive love. 

Understanding these dynamics is crucial for maintaining a strong emotional bond.​

This episode offers practical strategies to bridge the gap:​

- Recognizing and respecting each other’s love languages.​

- Implementing regular check-ins to stay emotionally connected.​

- Learning to express love in ways that resonate with your partner.​

By becoming more attuned to each other’s emotional needs, couples can foster a deeper connection, even amidst the chaos of parenting.

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To support this journey, I’ve created a free journaling prompt designed to help you reflect on your love language and better understand your partner’s. Sign up for my newsletter at markellakaplani.com/newsletter to receive this resource directly in your inbox.​

Remember, love languages can evolve, especially during significant life changes like becoming a parent.

By staying curious and open, you can navigate these changes together, strengthening your relationship along the way.​

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🎁 Want extra support?

Markella Kaplani, M.A.

Have you ever thought, “Why doesn’t love feel the same anymore?”

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.

In today’s episode, we talk about something a lot of people wonder but don’t always say out loud:

If you've been searching things like:

When we become parents, everything changes.

In this episode, I explain:

Whether you’re feeling emotionally distant in your relationship, wondering if something is wrong, or just confused about why your partner’s kind gestures don’t hit like they used to, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on.

And no, you’re not cold or ungrateful. You’re simply adjusting to a new season. Your needs have changed — and that’s okay.

We’ll also talk about matrescence and patrescence — two big words that describe how our identity changes when we become parents. These changes touch everything, including the way we love and connect.

At the end, I’ll walk you through 4 simple steps to figure out what kind of love and support you need now. It’s not about fixing yourself — it’s about getting curious and starting a fresh, honest conversation with yourself… and your partner.

🎁 Want extra support?

Markella Kaplani, M.A.

There’s a version of you that no one sees anymore—not because she’s gone, but because life got so loud and she got so quiet.

In today’s episode, we sit down with that forgotten part of you and whisper: “I still see you.”

Through real listener questions, I explore the hidden emotional terrain so many parents walk silently:

There is nothing wrong with you.

And together, we’ll name what’s been exiled, explore how identity gets reshaped in the trenches of caregiving, and discover how small acts of self-connection can start bringing you back.

Today we explore:

The invisible grief that lives inside parental love

Why your partner might be thriving while you feel lost

The neuroscience behind emotional numbness and creativity blocks

What it means to reclaim yourself—gently, without guilt

Whether you’re hiding in the bathroom with your earbuds or taking a quiet solo walk, this episode is your mirror.

Markella Kaplani, M.A.

Have you ever wondered if your back pain, discomfort during intimacy, or even that nagging feeling that “something’s just off” might be rooted in your birth experience — even if it happened years ago?

In today’s powerful conversation, I’m joined by Lynn Schulte, a pelvic health physical therapist with over 30 years of experience and a pioneer in recognizing what she calls the “open birthing pattern.”

Together, we unpack how childbirth — even when it seems “normal” — can leave lasting, unspoken impacts on our body, emotions, and relationships.

From misunderstood C-section scar pain to the quiet grief of disconnection after birth, we explore the stories that get trapped in our tissues — and how healing is always possible, no matter how long it’s been.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has given birth, loves someone who has, or wants to understand the hidden journey of postpartum recovery.

💥 Spoiler: It's never too late to heal.

Today we explore:

LISTEN IN!

Full Transcript HERE

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Website

How to Massage Your C-Section Scar

Center for Birth Healing Clinical Practice to set up one-on-one sessions in Person or Online

Institute for Birth Healing Online Courses for Providers

Confidence in Your Core, Pelvic Floor and More for MOMS

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Markella Kaplani, M.A.