Postpartum like a boss

Originally published late December 2024 - In this episode I briefly announce the recent separation of my husband and I. After publishing the episode, I reflected on emotional and logistical aspects of separating and took this episode down for a short time to sort through those things. I am now in a better place with it all, so the episode back up. If you weren't aware of the recent separation, thi...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by Johanna Badenhorst - a therapist, coach, podcast host and mother of two who lives with ADHD. Johanna shares her journey with ADHD and the compassionate, community focused ways she supports other women and mothers who have or suspect they have ADHD.  Resources: 1:1 Counselling support Book a 1:1 counselling session  with Gemma today   Connect with Johann...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by Natalie @kikiandthequads as she shares her unique transition to second time parenthood as the mother of quadruplets. From the complex logistics to the emotional rollercoaster of raising five children (four of whom are the same age) - Natalie gives us an authentic insight into how she's navigated each stage of quadruplet parenthood. Thank you Natalie for...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by Postpartum Doula and self proclaimed sweary feminist mother of two, Steph. Steph shares both the challenging and healing experiences she had navigating the medical system during pregnancy and birth as a plus size woman. We also chat about Steph's two vastly different postpartum experiences, as well as her work providing postpartum care for other women a...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by my lovely friend Sheridan to talk about how on earth young families are supposed to navigate the property market in Australia right now. Sheridan has a multifaceted background having joined the navy out of school, then studied business/ accounting only to find working for a 'big four' wasn't a career she found fulfilment in. Next throw in a personal tra...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by my lovely friend Sheridan to talk about how on earth young families are supposed to navigate the property market in Australia right now. Sheridan has a multifaceted background having joined the navy out of school, then studied business/ accounting only to find working for a 'big four' wasn't a career she found fulfilment in. Next throw in a personal tra...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by New York based actress, producer, wife, mother of two and host of @thequeerfamilypodcast - Jaimie Kelton. Jaimie speaks about her transition to parenthood with her wife, including touching on many important aspects of family planning that are unique to queer families. As we discuss the challenges Jaimie has experienced in her journey to and within queer...

In this episode we are joined by Jen and Kristelle, founders of @keeping_mum_. Jen & Kristelle come from different career backgrounds but their parenting journeys and shared a love of physical fitness saw them become great friends and business partners. Jen & Kristelle discuss the surprising and challenging experiences they both had in the transition to motherhood with each of their children and h...

In this chat series episode Kathryn and I discuss the ways we maintain our sanity navigating sickness, parenting, work and life with young kids. We also use recent personal examples of tough parenting moments to reflect on our strategies and learnings from this 'figure it out as you go' parenting gig.  Resources: 1:1 Counselling support -  Book a 1:1 counselling session  with Gemma today Connect w...

In this episode I am lucky enough to be joined by Ariane Beeston, author of ' Because I'm Not Myself, You See - A Memoir of Motherhood, Madness and Coming Back From the Brink'.  Ariane and I discuss her story including reflecting on her time as a child protection caseworker, as a writer for Fairfax Media, as a dancer and choreographer and as a person who has experienced postpartum psychosis first-...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by Dr Rachel Bushing, mother of three and lead clinical psychologist/ owner of @poppsychologyclinic + @threelittlebirdspsychology. Dr Rach shares her insights on perinatal mental health from 20 years of professional practice as a family/ child focussed psychologist as well as her own journey into motherhood which started with adjusting to the complexities...

In this episode we chat with father of two, sports performance coach, nutritionist and owner of Rebuild Health and Fitness - James Batey. James and I chat all things health and fitness in early parenthood, including James' own journey. From playing national representative rugby in Wales to owning performance gyms in Brisbane, hear all about what James has learnt about setting yourself up for healt...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by Terri who is a mother of two, emergency response worker and previous owner of kids clothing company Little Bloom Collective. Terri and I discuss her journey into motherhood and the whirlwind experience of being a surrogate for one of her best friends in between having her own two boys.  Resources: 1:1 Counselling support -  Book a 1:1 counselling sessio...

In this episode we are so lucky to be joined by Amber-lee @thepowerofbirth to talk all things HG. Amber-lee is a final year Master of Psychology student who experienced HG in both of her unexpected pregnancies. I love the way Amber-lee so eloquently describes the complexity of living with HG both during and after pregnancy as we chat through HG's biological, psychological and social impacts and th...

In this episode I chat with life and mindset coach Sarah Kate about her tricky transition to parenthood during COVID and how she uses her psych science/ counselling background in her coaching work with mothers. Specifically, Sarah Kate and I focus her unique framework for working with mothers experiencing guilt.  Resources: 1:1 Counselling support -  Book a 1:1 counselling session  with Gemma at T...

In this episode we are joined by Yara Heary, principal psychologist and owner of @lifeafterbirthpsychology. Yara and I spoke about her poignant journey to this work through motherhood, the concept of matricentric feminism and how it applies to our lived experiences as women and mothers. There are so many beautiful reflections in this episode, particularly around the sacredness of connections betwe...

Welcome back to our first episode of 2024!  We are so happy to be back with our first chat series episode for the year - all about feeling 'stuck' and working through it. We chat about what we've found challenging recently, how we know when we are getting stuck and what things help us the most (plus the bonus things that most certainly do not help in retrospect but are good for a laugh).  A quick...

In the very first episode of my new 'Chat series' on the podcast - I team up with guest co-host Kathryn @_motherup to chat through a big end of year topic for many early years parents - preparing for daycare, kindy (pre-school) or primary school parenthood.  Resources: 1:1 Counselling support - Book a 1:1 counselling session  with Gemma today Connect with Kathryn  - @_motherup on Instagram  Trigge...

In this episode I explore the many ways new and expectant parents might feel isolated in the perinatal period. This includes discussion around isolation:  Physically/ geographically From experiences/ hobbies Within relationships Regarding purpose I also share several top mental health and connectivity tips/ things to try when feeling isolated during this time.  Resources: 1:1 Counselling support –...

In this episode we are lucky to hear from Steph Trethewey. Steph is a mother of two, journalist, author, podcast host and the founder of @motherlandaustralia, a national charity supporting and connecting rural mothers. In this episode Steph and I chat about her:  Journalism career pre-children   Very challenging first postpartum experience   Feelings of isolation that deepened upon moving to rural...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by Sarah Bolitho, a Master's qualified Child & Family Play Therapist, mother of three and founder of @securefoundations. In this episode we chat about:  Sarah's work in child protection prior to parenthood and how this interacted with her early parenting experiences  Sarah's birth experiences, in particular her difficult first birth and subsequent challeng...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by Sally, personal trainer of 17 years, mother of two and the owner of perinatal specific fitness providers @fitphilosophyau. In this episode I chat with Sally all about her: Life as a PT in Europe pre-motherhood  Several year fertility journey Pregnancy losses Experience of motherhood after loss  Feelings of strength and connection gained from perinatal e...

In this episode we are lucky enough to be joined by boudoir and branding photographer @jodiplumbleyphotography. In this ep Jodi and I chat all things:  - How Jodi's experience of becoming a mother influenced her choice to pursue her passion in photography - How that passion evolved naturally into empowering women through boudoir work  - Common reservations about booking a boudoir shoot  - What a b...

In this episode we are super lucky to have Leonie Akhidenor, host of the @parenthoodpod on to chat about the taboo subjects in parenthood - the things we don't talk about! Leonie started her podcast, which aims to take the stigma out of the hard parts of parenthood, in her second postpartum after experiencing pre and postnatal depression with both of her children. In this episode you'll hear all a...

In this episode we are joined by psychologist Dr Elyse McNeil. After noticing the difference in household roles in her own partnership, Dr Elyse set out to learn more from academic literature about how to navigate sharing this better. Upon not finding anything particularly helpful, Elyse embarked on a PhD about mental labour to help others gain awareness and language to navigate sharing the househ...