Better Relationships After Baby

Ever feel like your brain has 27 tabs open—and none of them can close? We kept having the same fight about chores, schedules + who does what… so we built a system to fix it ( Get it here !) That’s the invisible load of parenthood: The endless mental and emotional labor that keeps a family running but often falls on one parent without ever being named. In this episode, Chelsea and Mike break down:...

Tired of having the same fight on repeat with your partner? One of you wants to hash it out right now, the other goes silent, and suddenly you’re not even arguing about the actual issue anymore. You’re arguing about how you argue. Sound familiar? In this episode, Chelsea and Mike break down processing styles in marriage after baby —external vs. internal processors—and why these differences get lou...

Early parenthood has a way of putting every crack in your relationship under a spotlight. In this candid conversation, Chelsea and Mike pull back the curtain on the pain points they faced after having kids and the lessons they wish they’d learned sooner. From buried baggage that resurfaces under pressure to communication breakdowns and the mental load that nearly pulled them apart, they share the...

Are you constantly saying “yes” when you really want to say “no”? In this episode, Chelsea and Mike get honest about people-pleasing, the “eldest daughter” martyr mindset, and how overstuffed calendars and invisible expectations quietly drain your marriage and family life. Together, they share how learning to set boundaries, stop overscheduling, and get clear on your values (instead of everyone el...

On this off-the-cuff parenting podcast episode , Chelsea and Mike get real about fatherhood, parenting grief, and the pressure to be present. From crying at the bus stop to reflecting on kids growing up and what it means for your marriage, this conversation covers micro-griefs in parenting, dads and emotions, and communication in parenting. If you’re a mom or dad navigating parenting transitions a...

Motherhood was never meant to be a solo act. In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Stephanie Fornaro, founder of Hello Nanny , to talk about why accepting help isn’t a weakness, it’s wisdom. We explore the emotional, relational, and practical layers of building your support system, from financial independence and partnership dynamics to the difference between nannies and family assistants. Steph...

Is your stress response a sign you're failing, or a sign you're human? In this episode, Chelsea and Mike get real about what stress is actually trying to tell us and how it impacts connection in relationships. We'll explore how everyday tension can become a source of strength if we know how to come back to safety, together. You’ll hear: The psychology of rupture and repair—and why it m...

“Let’s just figure it all out right now…” You’ve said it. Or your partner has. And before you know it, it’s 10:30pm, you’re in survival mode, and the ‘solution’ turns into another fight. In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby, Chelsea and Mike get honest about why trying to fix your relationship during fight-or-flight doesn’t work and what to do instead. You’ll learn: What happens in y...

Ever felt like you want a connection, but the thought of one more person touching you makes your skin crawl? You’re not cold. You’re not broken. You might just be touched out. In this episode, Chelsea and Mike dig into what’s really happening when physical affection feels like too much, especially in the postpartum season. Using Polyvagal Theory as a framework, they explore how your nervous system...

You’re in the same room, but it feels like miles apart. You love your partner, but you feel more like co-managers than a couple. Sound familiar? In this episode, Chelsea and Mike get real about the signs of emotional disconnection that show up after having a baby, often quietly and gradually. From scorekeeping and silence to intimacy struggles and the nervous system overload no one warns you about...

When the world feels like it’s burning politically, socially, & emotionally, what do we do as parents? In this episode, Chelsea and Mike get honest about what it means to raise kids in today’s tense climate and why your home might just be the most powerful place of resistance. From stress-induced doomscrolling to boundary-setting in your own house, they unpack how overwhelmed couples can prote...

<<GET THE FREE MENTAL LOAD LIST TEMPLATE: ⁠ https://chelseaskaggs.kit.com/9116bb8436 ⁠ >> Once we learned about the mental load, we thought we were on the same page. But that first conversation? It brought up more frustration than clarity. In this episode, we share how our first attempt to talk about the mental load went sideways, the common mistakes couples make in these moments, and...

< https://chelseaskaggs.kit.com/9116bb8436 >> For the first 4 years of our parenting journey, we didn’t know what the mental load was, let alone how deeply it was impacting our connection, our communication, and our resentment. In this honest conversation, we share what our relationship looked like before we had the words, how the invisible labor kept building tension, and what shifted wh...

From postpartum rage to career stress to spiritual deconstruction, we’ve walked through some serious identity earthquakes and nearly walked away from our marriage. We know what it’s like to sit in silence at the end of a long day, feeling more like roommates than partners. To wonder if things will ever feel good again. To carry the mental load, the emotional labor, and the resentment that builds w...

If your emotional hangover keeps crashing your good days, or your confidence lives and dies by your partner’s mood… we need to talk. This one’s coming in hot with equal parts spicy and supportive. In this tough love episode, I'm channeling my no-BS grandma to call out three common ways women self-sabotage in relationships and life: Expecting the good to fall apart Handing your power over to your p...

Feel like you're the only one trying to keep the conversation (and the relationship) alive? In this episode, Chelsea Skaggs breaks down how to get your partner to open up and communicate— without nagging, resentment, or repeating yourself 100 times. We’ll talk about why your partner may be emotionally shut down, how gender conditioning plays a role in communication breakdowns, and how to use curio...

Feeling touched out as a mom is so real — and so under-talked about. In this episode, we’re diving into what it means to feel touched out, how overstimulation affects your connection in marriage and motherhood, and what to do when your nervous system is begging for a break. Host Chelsea Skaggs (mom, relationship coach, and author of upcoming release: Talk Like a Team ) shares her personal story of...

You planned the trip. Packed the bags. Hoped for rest. But somehow, you’re still managing tantrums, tracking snacks, and wondering why your partner is chilling while you're losing it in the hotel bathroom. Sound familiar? In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many family vacations leave one parent drained (usually you), and how to shift the dynamic before, during, and after the trip — so both...

In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby , we’re not just opening the windows and scrubbing baseboards—we’re clearing out the emotional dust bunnies that quietly build up in your relationship. Inspired by a junk drawer declutter (spoiler: it wasn’t even my stuff), I’m diving into the invisible messes—like unspoken expectations, unchosen roles, and the quiet resentment that chips away at...

Arguments happen. Misunderstandings are inevitable. But what separates thriving couples from those who grow distant isn’t how often they argue—it’s how they repair after a fight. In this episode, Chelsea Skaggs dives into why your arguments aren’t the real problem in relationships, and how emotional repair can strengthen your bond. She breaks down how your body and brain store emotional memories (...

Is your relationship feeling “fine” but not exactly thriving? Relationship drift is real, and it can happen to even the strongest couples. In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby , Chelsea Skaggs breaks down the differences between relationship coaching and therapy, explaining why coaching might be the proactive solution your relationship needs to get back on track. From feeling disconn...

In this powerful and raw conversation, Chelsea sits down with Fred Van Riper, a Fair Play facilitator and men’s relationship coach, to explore the invisible forces shaping modern partnerships. Together, they dive deep into the impact of patriarchy, gendered expectations, and the emotional labor that often goes unrecognized in relationships. They explore how societal norms influence both men and wo...

Has your relationship felt heavier lately? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re tackling the rising tension many couples are facing, especially during this emotionally charged election season. Whether you’re in a marriage, co-parenting partnership, or navigating family and friendships, political conversations are starting to feel like landmines. I’m not here to tell you who to vote for—I’m her...

Ever feel disconnected from your partner—even when you’re spending time together? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m diving into the quiet loneliness that can settle into long-term relationships. We’ll talk about why emotional distance creeps in, how love and loneliness can coexist, and—most importantly—how to rebuild a sense of connection with your partner. I’m sharing personal experiences, i...

New parents often feel the weight of doing it all—managing the baby, the house, the career—without asking for help. But the cost of that is high. In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby , I sit down with Nicole Buckley , a licensed perinatal therapist and the voice behind Raising Good Parents , to talk about why so many new parents, especially moms, feel like they have to do it all alon...