The Woman Within

In this episode of The Woman Within, we’re exploring how to identify, advocate for, and meet our own needs while navigating a season of motherhood and caregiving. Inspired by our previous conversation about women’s rage, we unpack the connection between feeling unsupported, constantly putting others first, and the resentment and overwhelm that can build when our own needs go unmet.We talk about the difference between making sacrifices and self-sacrifice, why self-care doesn't always have to mean time away from your kids, and how to recognize what actually feels nourishing versus what simply helps us numb out. We also explore practical ways to meet our needs through small daily moments, setting boundaries, asking for help, communicating with our partners, and finding ways to care for ourselves alongside the people we care for.Because meeting our own needs isn't selfish or separate from being a good mother or caretaker. It's part of what allows us to show up with more patience, presence, and capacity.In this conversation, we cover:Identifying your needs during motherhood and seasons of caregivingThe difference between sacrifice and self-sacrificeThe connection between unmet needs, resentment, overwhelm, and rageRethinking self-care and finding small, meaningful moments to rechargeSetting boundaries and advocating for yourselfAsking for support instead of waiting for someone to offerBalancing your needs with the needs of your childrenLetting go of the pressure to do it all aloneA conversation about self-connection, motherhood, support, and learning that caring for yourself and caring for others don't have to be mutually exclusive.If this conversation resonates with you, share it with a woman who might need to hear it, and join us in continuing the conversation.Join our email list to get reminders about new episodes and future offerings⁠https://womanwithinpod.myflodesk.com/joinus⁠Follow us on Instagram@womanwithinpod @nicole_mejia @soulfully_sarah_stew

Why do so many women experience rage for the first time after becoming mothers? And what happens when the pressure of caregiving, overstimulation, sleep deprivation, and unmet needs finally boils over?In this episode of The Woman Within, we explore the complex reality of motherhood rage, postpartum anger, and the shame women often feel around their biggest emotions. Through honest personal stories and vulnerable shares from our community, we unpack what rage can look and feel like, why it may surface in motherhood, and what it can reveal about our needs, boundaries, and capacity for self-sacrifice.We explore the difference between anger and rage, the physical signs of emotions building in the body, and how being touched out, undersupported, and overwhelmed can push us to our breaking point. We also challenge the expectation that women should always be patient, grateful, regulated, and endlessly selfless—even when their own needs aren't being met.Rather than viewing rage as something to simply suppress or feel ashamed of, we explore how it can signal a need for change, space, support, and reconnection with ourselves. We talk about practical ways to release built-up emotional energy, recognize our limits sooner, and begin building the village so many mothers are missing.This is an honest conversation about the parts of motherhood we don't always feel comfortable admitting out loud—and a reminder that the answer isn't always to sacrifice more of ourselves.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your own anger, struggled with mom guilt after losing your patience, or wondered why motherhood has brought out emotions you never experienced before, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we explore:Motherhood rage and postpartum angerWhy rage can emerge after having childrenThe difference between anger and rageOverstimulation, being touched out, and sleep deprivationMaternal burnout, unmet needs, and self-abandonmentMom guilt, shame, and the pressure to be a “good mother”Emotional regulation and healthy ways to release angerBoundaries, self-preservation, and learning to ask for supportThe importance of building a village and finding community in motherhoodThe Woman Within is a podcast exploring the deeper layers of what it means to be a woman, mother, wife, friend, and human navigating life in the modern world.If this conversation resonates with you, share it with a woman who might need to hear it, and join us in continuing the conversation.Join our email list to get reminders about new episodes and future offerings⁠https://womanwithinpod.myflodesk.com/joinus⁠Follow us on Instagram@womanwithinpod @nicole_mejia @soulfully_sarah_stewThanks so much for listening!

The first trimester of pregnancy can feel like the wild, wild west. From nausea, extreme fatigue, food aversions, bloating, and hormonal changes to the emotional uncertainty of early pregnancy, there's a lot happening in your body, mind, and identity.In this episode of The Woman Within, we share our experiences navigating the first trimester in our first and second pregnancies, exploring everything from pregnancy symptoms and nervous system changes to miscarriage, body image, and the process of becoming a mother. We discuss the concept of matrescence, why giving yourself permission to slow down matters, and how shifting your mindset can help you embrace pregnancy rather than resist it.We also explore the less-talked-about parts of early pregnancy, including pregnancy rage, changing libido, intimacy, and the pressure to figure everything out before you're ready. Through honest storytelling, we reflect on the importance of listening to your body, asking for support, and finding connection in the uncertainty.In this episode, we discuss:First trimester pregnancy symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, and food aversionsHormonal changes, pregnancy rage, and emotional shiftsNervous system regulation and giving yourself permission to restMiscarriage, pregnancy loss, and the uncertainty of early pregnancyBody image, movement, and nourishing yourself during pregnancyMatrescence and the identity shift into motherhoodPregnancy, sex, intimacy, and changing libidoFinding the silver linings and embracing the first trimester with more compassionWhether you're newly pregnant, preparing for your first baby, experiencing your second pregnancy, or navigating the transition into motherhood, this conversation offers honest perspective and a reminder to give yourself grace through the changes.Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical or nutritional advice to pregnant women. Please consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your pregnancy and health.New Episodes drop every Monday!Join our email list to get reminders about new episodes and future offerings⁠https://womanwithinpod.myflodesk.com/joinus⁠Follow us on Instagram@womanwithinpod @nicole_mejia @soulfully_sarah_stewIf this episode resonates with you, don't forget to like and subscribe.Thank you so much for listening!

Is having another baby something you truly want, or something you feel like you're supposed to do? In this episode of The Woman Within, we explore the complexities of family planning, the transition from one child to two, and why deciding whether to have another baby can feel different from one day to the next.As Sarah navigates her second pregnancy and Nicole processes life after miscarriage, we discuss pregnancy loss, sibling age gaps, breastfeeding, postpartum changes, and the trade-offs that come with growing a family. We also unpack societal pressure around family size, the question of having one child or two, and how our relationships, support systems, and personal capacity influence our readiness for another baby.Together, we explore perfectionism, the desire to control the unknown, and what it really means to feel ready for motherhood. Because maybe readiness isn't about having everything figured out, but learning to trust yourself, embrace uncertainty, and make family planning decisions rooted in your own values.Whether you're considering your first baby, deciding to have a second child, or navigating pregnancy after miscarriage, this conversation is a reminder that there's no one right timeline or way to build a family.In this episode, we discuss:Deciding whether to have another babyMiscarriage, pregnancy loss, and emotional healingSibling age gaps and only-child stereotypesBreastfeeding, postpartum, and personal capacityMotherhood, perfectionism, and societal expectationsRelationships, support systems, and finding your villageFamily planning, personal growth, and trusting your own timingNew Episodes drop every Monday!Join our email list to get reminders about new episodes and future offerings⁠https://womanwithinpod.myflodesk.com/joinus⁠Follow us on Instagram@womanwithinpod @nicole_mejia @soulfully_sarah_stewIf this episode resonates with you, don't forget to like and subscribe.Thank you so much for listening!

In this third installment of our toddlerhood series, we’re getting into two of the biggest—and often most charged—parts of toddlerhood: potty training and sleep.In this episode of The Woman Within Podcast, we share our very different experiences with potty training, including regressions, accidents, pull-ups, training underwear, bodily awareness, and learning to meet our kids where they are instead of forcing a timeline. We talk about autonomy, temperament, learning through failure, and the ways potty training has taught us more about how our individual children learn.Then we dive deep into toddler sleep—co-sleeping, sleep training, night waking, sleep regressions, breastfeeding, night weaning, and the anxiety and pressure that can surround how our children sleep. We get honest about the seasons when sleep felt all-consuming, the decisions that eventually helped, and how our perspectives have shifted from trying to “fix” sleep to understanding what our kids—and we as mothers—actually need.At the heart of both conversations is the same lesson: there isn’t one timeline, one method, or one right way to do this. Sometimes parenting means pushing forward, sometimes it means taking a break, and sometimes it means releasing control and trusting that our kids will get there in their own time.In this episode, we talk about:Toddler potty trainingPotty training regressions & accidentsBodily awareness & autonomyPotty training timelines & expectationsTraining underwear vs. pull-upsLearning through failureToddler temperament & individual differencesToddler sleep & sleep regressionsCo-sleeping & sleep trainingNight waking & split nightsBreastfeeding & night weaningSleep anxiety & parental pressureCo-regulation & independenceLetting go of controlTrusting your child’s unique timelineNew Episodes drop every Monday!Join our email list to get reminders about new episodes and future offerings⁠https://womanwithinpod.myflodesk.com/joinus⁠Follow us on Instagram@womanwithinpod @nicole_mejia @soulfully_sarah_stewIf this episode resonates with you, don't forget to like and subscribe.Thank you so much for listening!