Motherhood Unedited

What do you do when your expectations of motherhood do not turn out like you expected?  Many people when they find out they are pregnant go out and buy all the books and do all the research to prepare for motherhood. While some of those books and resources can be great, I truly believe nothing can prepare you for all the ups and downs that come with this new role. Honestly, even if people tell you all the struggle that can come with motherhood, it’s hard to truly imagine until you are in it. Unfortunately, when you’re in it, the hardest thing to do is give yourself grace and have the positive self-talk. Often time the commentary is far more negative, such as “I’m a failure”, “I can’t do this”, or “I shouldn’t have become a mother”.  This week on Motherhood Unedited I have the pleasure of speaking with Rachel Ousted about her motherhood experience. Specifically, she talks about how being a recovering perfectionist and the anxiety that surfaced as a result when it came to her role as a mother. She talks about how being a mom is a learning experience, and that you can never be fully prepared for what’s to come.  Rachel Olstad is a Life Coach and Home Organizer and Decluttering Expert. She helps women and moms get rid of mental and physical clutter in their home and their life, so they have more time, space, energy and peace to experience what matters most. If you are interested in connecting with Rachel reach out to her using the links below:  https://rachelolstad.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rachel_olstad/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesimplifiedlifegroup If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

Pregnancy and the postpartum time period comes with its fair share of challenges. An area that many mothers struggle with after giving birth is their bodies.  Many find it frustrating that their body did not bounce back like they thought it would after giving birth. They keep breastfeeding, try to eat right, and attempt to workout.  Yet, try as they might, they see little to no difference. The number on the scale doesn’t budge and they still don’t fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes. It can be really disappointing and frustrating when that becomes the reality. I think many moms out there know that being pregnant will take its toll on the body, but it's still frustrating when the body doesn't bounce back.  Jackie Kickish is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, certified pre and postnatal corrective exercise specialist and mom of 3 young children, including twins. Her mission is to help moms regain their strength and confidence throughout every stage of motherhood. She has 2 online programs, one specifically for postpartum moms to heal and  properly re-strengthen their core and improve pelvic floor dysfunction, which will launch in mid May 2022. Jackie is also the creator of the SHE in 30 method: simple, healthy and effective nutrition and home workouts in 30 minutes or less for moms on the go. SHE in 30 is not for newly postpartum moms. Both programs are virtual and include 1:1 coaching. If you would like to connect with Jackie please use the links below  Website  for more info: www.jackiekickish.com Free resource, 6 exercises every mom should do postpartum: https://jackiekickish.com/pages/simple-exercises Social media: IG:  @drjackiekickish FB  page: Dr. Jackie Kickish (https://www.facebook.com/drjackiekickish) Free  private FB group just for moms on their health and fitness journey called Healthy Mama Huddle:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthymamahuddle If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

Many people dream about becoming a mom and envision what that role will look and feel like when it happens.  However, when motherhood becomes the reality it can feel disappointing when it doesn’t meet those expectations.  People say that motherhood is difficult and that sleep is hard to come by, which is true, but there isn’t much else that is shared.  People often don’t talk about the anxiety, the thought that you’re not cut out for this, and the pressure of looking after this tiny human full-time with few breaks.  When a person first steps into the motherhood role, it can feel chaotic and disorienting, making it difficult to have a positive mindset.  This week we are talking with Courtney Wolf about the mom mindset and how it can ebb and flow throughout motherhood, and how she has worked to change her mindset along her journey.    Courtney is a business coach and mother of four young children.  She helps other mompreneurs create and grow their online business with Mama Made CEO Academy.  Courtney understands what it’s like to be a busy mom and also want to build a successful business. If you are mompreneur looking for help growing your business you can reach out to Courtney using the links below  Website: www.courtneywolfcoaching.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/courtneywolfcoaching Mama Made CEO Podcast: www.courtneywolfcoaching.com/podcast If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold at www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs a person can have.  I have a career and I am a mom, and I would say my full time gig is a breeze compared to motherhood.  Unfortunately, you don't get paid to be a mom.  This week we are talking with Prashanti B. about the ups and downs of motherhood and the importance of having financial freedom/independence.  Prashanthi talks about how essential it is for a mom, even as stay at home mom, to have some form of financial independence.  It could be selling your art on Etsy, selling a product that you enjoy, or providing a service.  Prashanthi is originally from India and currently lives in Texas with her family.  She talks about the differences in culture between the United States and India, particularly when it comes to financial independence.   Prashanthi is a Digital Entrepreneur.  She helps other businesses increase their following through social media marketing and content creation. Feel free to reach out to Prashanthi via phone or email.  Her contact information is below  email: prasy2022@gmail.com phone: (972) 742-8089 If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

I always say that everyone’s motherhood story is unique to them.  This week I am speaking with Nicole Hennesey about her journey, which has not been easy.  She talks about how at 17 years old she left her abusive boyfriend and immediately after, found out she was pregnant.  Nicole’s road has had its emotional ups and downs, and this week she talks about everything that she has overcome to get where she is today.  She has experienced some big waves, but that hasn’t stopped her from living out her dreams.  She currently lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, son, and grandson. Nicole is a photographer and life coach.  She strives to empower women to live their best lives, externally and internally.  Her life experiences have helped her see the importance of self love and a positive outlook on life. Her goal is to share her message and help other women, like her, reach their full potential. If you are interested in learning more about Nicole you can connect with her using the following links:  Website: http://www.thehennessyshouse.com/ Retreat: http://www.thehennessyshouse.com/womens-retreat/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicolehennessy2 Instagram: @thehennessyshouse If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

It is very common to compare yourself to others, especially when it comes to motherhood.  It’s not unheard of to look at other moms on social media or in your own life and like they are rocking motherhood in a way that you aren’t.  Other moms seem to be enjoying so much of their motherhood experience.  Is that reality? This week on Motherhood Unedited we are talking with Danyelle Hahn about her experience with motherhood and how comparison has come up on her journey.  We talk about how social media plays a big role in the comparisons moms make, and how so much of motherhood is not seen to the outside world.  Danyelle talks about so much of her experience as a mother, from navigating postpartum depression, raising 4 children, and how she decided to pursue her desire to be a podcast manager.  . Danyelle is a podcast manager, with a desire to help her fellow mom.  Specifically, she works with podcast hosts who serve moms so that they can have more time for their business and their passions. If you are a coach, therapist, or other helping professional and have a podcast that you need help managing please reach out to Danyelle.  You can connect with her using the links below.  Website: https://danyellenicole.wordpress.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danyelle.tullyhahn/ Calendly: https://calendly.com/dnvirtualsolutions/chat If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

Motherhood varies from culture to culture and from country to country. This week on Motherhood Unedited we are talking with Monica Prado about her motherhood experience.  Monica lives in the Philippines with her husband and 8 year old daughter.  Even though there are many differences between our cultures, and we live thousands of miles apart, we connected on so many levels.  During our discussion we talked about how there are expectations around being the perfect mom, but ultimately perfection is unattainable.  We also talked about how important it is to practice self care (even if it’s a work in progress), and how challenging it can be balancing a career and motherhood.  Monica and I had so many similarities.  What I learned from our discussion is that no matter where a person is in the world, moms everywhere feel similarly about the motherhood experience.  We all need help and need the time to center ourselves when we are frustrated or overwhelmed. Maria Monica F. Prado is a communication expert, speaker, writer, and author. In 2010, Monica established Communicare Training and Development, a communication learning program provider. Thousands of professionals from around the world have attended her training sessions and talks on topics that include Business Writing and Business Communication. A published author, Monica has already released two children’s books. Her first book, How Lisa Learned to Listen, aims to teach children the importance of listening. Through her latest book, Skip! Skip! Skip! (Lukso! Lukso! Lukso!), she hopes to encourage both children and adults to enjoy the simple things in life. From 2018 to 2020, Monica served as the business editor and eventually, the associate editor of the AICI (Association of Image Consultants International) Global Magazine. She still remains part of the team as a contributing writer. Known for her strong marketing background, Monica has written press releases and copies for advertisements of different brands. Monica obtained her Master of Arts Degree in Integrated Marketing Communication with Distinction and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication from Miriam College, Philippines. You can connect with Monica using the following link:  https://linktr.ee/mariamonicaprado If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold at www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

This week we are chatting with Arianna Stinson about her motherhood experience.  Arianna lives in New Jersey with her 3 kids, one of which she had during the pandemic.  She describes the anxiety she had around COVID, making sure her baby and the rest of her family were safe.  Unfortunately, that meant disappointing some family members and other special people in her life.  Arianna describes how motherhood came naturally to her, which she said  surprised her seeing she was young when she had her first child.  Nonetheless, she describes some of the challenges she has experienced navigating her motherhood journey, and offers some advice for the new moms out there. Arianna Stinson is a virtual assistant, event planner and social media manager.  She was previously a school teacher prior to the pandemic, but once she had her last child her priorities changed.  She wanted the opportunity to help other entrepreneurs all while being able to stay home with her children.   If you are an entrepreneur looking for some assistance with growing your business check out Arianna Web Assist using the following links. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariannawebassist/ website: https://ariannawebassist.wixsite.com/website If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

So much of life is out of our control, motherhood especially.  Oftentimes women strive to be the perfect mom, but perfection is unattainable.  Motherhood isn’t about being perfect.  It’s about showing up, taking chances, and being willing to make mistakes.  This week on Motherhood Unedited we get to hear from Tanya Marie Figueras Kraisinger also known as Tanya MFK.  Tanya shares her motherhood adventure and how after losing her husband to cancer, being cheated out of all her money by her ex-business partner, remarrying, giving birth to her son, and managing depression, she has found true happiness in her life.  She currently lives in the Czech Republic where she is a successful entrepreneur, and the best mom to her 6 year old son.   Even though there are many things in Tanya’s life that she can’t control, she explains that she is not powerless in those situations.  No woman has to stay stuck where they are in life.  While you can’t control every aspect of life, your power lies in how you respond to a certain situation.  Tanya’s life has been filled with struggle and the insight she has around her circumstance is powerful!     Tanya MFK is a Business and Life Coach who helps other entrepreneurs create a business and life they love.  In her work Tanya emphasizes the importance of living the life you want right now, instead of waiting for “someday”.  Tanya believes that “someday” doesn’t exist.  Life as a mom gets busy and making that change can be difficult, but sometimes that change is what you need to live the life for which you have dreamed.  Someday is right now! If you are a mompreneur looking to enhance your business and your life connect with Tanya using the links below  website: https://tanyamfk.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyamfk/ If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold, LCSW at www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

Motherhood is a learning journey.  As moms we often hear that we have to take care of ourselves in order to fully take care of our children.  While it might sound cliche, there is merit to those words. How we as moms interpret and experience our world greatly impacts those around us, including our children.  When our glass is empty because we give and give without taking that time for ourselves, so many aspects of our lives suffer. This week on Motherhood Unedited we are talking with Laura Lynn LaPointe about so many aspects of motherhood, including the importance of self care, thoughts around breastfeeding, and the challenges of potty training.  As a Parent Coach and Child Behavior Consultant Laura Lynn talks about some of her own experiences as a mom and also gives moms some tips and tricks about how to manage various stages of the motherhood journey. If you are a parent looking for additional support with any stage on your parenting journey please connect with Laura Lynn LaPointe using the following links:  Website: www.lauralynnlapointe.com Instagram: @lauralynnlapointe Work with me: www.lauralynnlapointe.com/workwithme Free discovery call: www.bit.ly/chatwithlauralynn If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold, LCSW at www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

“He was alive! I felt him! and then he was gone, and all I could think about was how my body did that to him.”  Grief and loss are never easy to talk about, especially when losing a baby unexpectedly.  While the topic is not an easy one, it is an important conversation to have when it comes to motherhood.  Therefore, to close out Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month Vera Chapman discusses how she has navigated losing her son Hayes at 37 weeks gestation and processing the shame and guilt that followed.  She also describes how she and her family have moved through their grief together, not shying away from talking about Hayes or the difficult emotions that come up around losing him.  In addition, Vera talks about how grateful she is to have an amazing support system, and how their community went above and beyond to make sure that she and her family were taken care of immediately following Hayes’ passing. Hayes has transformed Vera’s life in many ways and with his presence always with her she has built a career as an Intuitive Sound Healer and Reiki Practitioner, helping others on their healing journey.    Vera lives in Hamilton, NY with her husband and two living children.  Through her practice, Resonating Soul Wellness, she aims to help people find love and light in their lives, all while keeping it real, because everyone deserves peace in their life. You can connect with Vera Chapman using the following links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ResonatingSoulWellness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonatingsoulwellness/ If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold at www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

Postpartum depression and anxiety look different for everyone.  For some people it looks like rage.  Some people cry all the time or feel the emotional highs and lows.  For others, leaving the house with a baby feels like an insurmountable task, which causes significant distress.   This week in honor of mental health awareness month we are talking with Morgan Rahimi about postpartum mental health.   Morgan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Counselor and the Vice President of Central Florida Postpartum Alliance.  Morgan doesn’t just talk about her expertise in the perinatal mental health field, but her own experiences as well.  She talks about how she didn’t realize she struggled with postpartum challenges because it didn’t present for her the way it does in the media.  Morgan talks about the ways someone can get help who might be struggling with postpartum challenges.  She also emphasizes that if you don't feel like yourself, but don’t feel you have a diagnosable issue, support is still available. If you are interested in connecting with Morgan you can do so at the following links  website: https://climbcounseling.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climb.wellness.counseling/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLIMBcounseling If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold at www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

“I felt so much pressure when it came to being a new mom and having that instant intuition”, says Kellie Rensink, our amazing guest this week.  While some women can tap into their maternal instincts right off the bat, many women struggle.  The reality is that it’s not always as simple as intuition.  There is a lot of learning and growing that happens at the start of a woman’s motherhood journey.  However, the pressure women put on themselves to be perfect can be too much at times.  Stressed, overwhelmed, lonely and blissful, are some of the emotions that many women feel as moms.  Kellie experienced all of them! This week Kellie gets vulnerable on Motherhood Unedited talking about her experiences with postpartum depression and anxiety, and how there were moments when she felt overwhelmed and out of control.  She talks about her past struggles with an eating disorder and how she navigated pregnancy and postpartum knowing her body would never be the same.  However, despite many of the challenges she experienced, she also feels grateful for her supportive husband, adorable son, and a career she loves. Kellie Rensink is a virtual assistant helping women grow their professional businesses and find their entrepreneurial freedom again! Kellie is a wife and mother who wanted more than just the 9-5 job. She wanted to make her own hours, work with other women and businesses she was passionate about, and create a life that enjoys! If you are interested in learning more about Kellie's services you can connect with her and follow her on Facebook.   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellierensink If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold at www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

Connecting with other moms and having a social support system is an important part of motherhood, but what happens when you aren’t able to build that village? On this week’s episode we are chatting with Rachel Elder.  Rachel delivered her daughter right before the pandemic, and just when she felt comfortable bringing her out into the world and meeting other moms to share in her journey, the pandemic happened.  That connection that she wanted so badly wasn’t an option.  In addition, the anxiety she felt around the health and safety of her daughter and family only exacerbated the challenges she was experiencing.  This week Rachel gets vulnerable about her motherhood story, and how her experiences have impacted her role as a mom, her relationship with her spouse and friends, as well as in her career. Rachel Elder is a Couples Therapist and Relationship Coach helping career-driven women create a passionate relationship with their partner. She is a mom to a two-year-old, wife of a fellow entrepreneur, as well as a lover of iced mochas and The Office. If you are looking to put the spark back in your relationship please connect with Rachel.  She offers a variety of programs to help facilitate the change you are seeking in your relationship. Website: https://racheleldercoaching.com/ (On her website subscribe to get your free weekly relationship check-in guide) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racheleldercoaching/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/497923437708057/ If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to Shaina Feingold at www.mindfulreflections.com.  Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to be the mom you always wanted to be!

On this week’s episode we are getting real and raw with Leah Stine.  She dives deep into her motherhood experience raising 3 children all while having a successful career as a writer.  Motherhood was eye-opening for Leah.  She had so many expectations of what it was going to be like.  She envisioned having the perfect labor and delivery and being able to bond with her baby through breastfeeding.  However, with her first baby it didn’t quite work out that way.  She experienced much of the unexpected.  Even though the start to her motherhood journey did not happen like she planned, she took back her power by changing her mindset and not letting the unexpected get the best of her.  That mindset shift made a world of difference as she navigated her two other pregnancies, and helped shape the way she has experienced motherhood. Leah is an inspiration to many moms.  She homeschools all three of her children, writes podcast blogs, and even wrote a children’s book, A Boy and His Butterfly.  While she has many responsibilities as a mom and in her career, she has found a balance that helps her truly enjoy life. If you have a podcast and need help writing a blog to accompany it, or help writing your show notes, I strongly encourage you to reach out to Leah. You can find her contact information below.  Also, check out A Boy and His Butterfly, available on Amazon.   Instagram: www.instagram.com/leahstinewriting Facebook: www.facebook.com/leahstinewriting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-stine/ website: www.LeahStine.com If you or someone you know is struggling as a new mom please reach out to me. Even if you are in the midst of the struggle right now, there is an easier way.  It is possible to live a life you always wanted!

Cara always wanted to be a mom, but when she actually became one during the pandemic her thoughts totally changed. She questioned her decision and struggled with her identity as a mom. On this week’s episode we get to hear from Cara Bryans about all that she experienced jumping into motherhood, and how she learned to overcome so many obstacles. She even shares a traumatic experience, while in the hospital delivering her daughter, that contributed to the postpartum challenges she experienced during her daughter’s first year. Despite all the challenges, Cara was able to start her own social media business and have a new outlook on life and motherhood. Cara opened her business to help other mompreneurs manage their social media, so that they can focus on their craft and what they do best. For all the Motherhood Unedited listeners who are interested in working with Cara, she is offering 15% off the first month if you mention Motherhood Unedited.  To learn more about Cara and the amazing work she is doing please email her at carambryans@gmail.com.  You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram; Cara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cara.bryans.llc/ Cara's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074226920281 If you are enjoying Motherhood Unedited, please subscribe or download the episodes, so you can tune in to new ones each week.   Through this podcast my aim is to help moms everywhere feel validated in their motherhood journey, so please share Motherhood Unedited with as many people as you can. All moms need to know that they don't have to go through the struggle alone! Lastly, if you are a mom who is in the midst of the struggle, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.  Through my postpartum coaching and 1:1 therapy I am here to help you be the mom you always dreamed you would be! You can connect with me here Enjoy! Sound editing by Naava Feingold

On this week’s episode I talk about all the shoulds we tell ourselves as moms. “I should breastfeed '', “I should have a natural birth”, “I should be happy most of the time”, and “motherhood should be the most rewarding experience” just to name a few. I share some of my own experiences as a mom and discuss the pressure that gets put on moms when they don’t live up to the shoulds they hear. I touch on social media and how posts made by some experts in the field add shame to a mother’s experience, rather than confidence and understanding. I wrap up with words of encouragement to help moms everywhere see that they are doing the whole mom thing better than they think. If you are enjoying Motherhood Unedited, please subscribe or download the episode, so you can tune in to new ones each week.   Through this podcast my aim is to help moms everywhere feel validated in their motherhood journey, so please share this podcast with as many people as you can. All moms need to know that they don't have to go through the struggle alone!  Lastly, if you are a mom who is in the midst of the struggle, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.  Through my postpartum coaching and 1:1 therapy I am here to help you be the mom you always dreamed you would be!  You can connect with me here Enjoy!  Sound editing by Naava Feingold

Premiering April 26th, this podcast dives deep into the mom life.  On Motherhood Unedited we speak with moms from all over the globe about everything that goes into being a mom.  No topic is off limits! Each episode will either feature a deep and meaningful conversation with an amazing mom or some words of wisdom and truths from yours truly.  My mission through this podcast is to provide a space for every day moms, who are currently in the trenches of motherhood, to feel connected and validated.  No mom is alone on this journey.  On Motherhood Unedited we got you!