Mama You Belong

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the invisible load of motherhood... This podcast is for you. Today, Kirsten and Molly talk about the messy middle of motherhood, from spring energy and cluttered homes to the reality that “finishing everything” is a myth: • spring transitions and the pressure to do it all  • "Type C" mom life, executive function, and choosing what actually matters  • the...

Kirsten and Molly trace how micro self care rituals, witnessing a transformative birth, and the mother tree metaphor point to a different way of caring and showing up for each other and our children. We share how mutual aid led by moms keeps communities alive while we practice radical acceptance and parenting through ongoing societal collapse and crisis. • micro choices that steady nervous systems...

This episode is a brief glimpse into our upcoming interview with Marsh Naidoo on her amazing podcast Raising Kellan . Please subscribe now to her podcast so you can listen to our full interview when it is released.  Raising Kellan Website here for more info! "Empowering, connecting and educating parents raising a child with a disability. For parents. By parents." In this episode on Mama...

We sit with the dissonance of parenting during a state crackdown in Minnesota, holding mother rage and grief while trying to protect childhood for our children. Stories from Minneapolis, a terrifying night terror, and our feelings as mothers. • naming the split between normal routines and escalating state force • how algorithms, media gaps and proximity shape what we know • whiteness, safety as il...

  In this episode, we talk openly about updates to toddler sleep struggles, no more night drives just to get a child to sleep, the decision to retire the crib, and how co-sleeping in a king bed changed everything. We unpack how loving, clear boundaries reduced bedtime chaos and how letting go of the “perfect” 7 p.m. bedtime helped ease our own mom guilt, shame, and anxiety around sleep.  From ther...

Winter presses in and everything gets louder, especially the expectations placed on moms during the holidays. In this episode, we return from a hiatus to talk honestly about the mental load of motherhood in December, the pressure to create holiday magic, and how easy it is to perform joy while running on empty. We swap stories, a road trip that dodged snowstorms, a surprise porcupine encounter, an...

We follow Kirsten’s path from noticing things about her child to an autism + ADHD diagnosis, showing how clarity changed home life, school decisions, and self-trust. We talk sensory needs, high masking in girls, 504 vs IEP, and choosing connection over forced resilience. • trusting instincts alongside expert guidance • sensory needs hidden as quirks and stims • second child as context for nervous...

Kirsten traces the journey from pressure-filled, sleep training newborn days to a more child-centered and connected approach to sleep. Together, we share how postpartum rage became a compass, how sensory needs shaped real rest, and why prioritizing relationship over rules brought relief. • check in: school strain reaches a tipping point and home education is considered; Molly pursuing an amazing c...

Why do so many moms feel like failures when their baby won’t sleep “the right way”? In this honest and vulnerable conversation, we dive into the guilt, shame, and societal pressure surrounding baby sleep regression and the unrealistic standards parents face. When one of us went through a sudden 15-month toddler sleep regression , she tried every sleep training tip recommended by experts and well-m...

Infertility is one of the most painful and isolating experiences a mother can face. In this raw conversation, we share one mom’s journey of turning pain into purpose—and why sharing real motherhood stories matters for building community and healing.  Meet Kathleen— craniosacral therapist, licensed massage therapist, breathwork teacher, entrepreneur, founder of Smoke Perfume , and mother to 15-mont...

Why don’t we talk more about the pelvic floor? From postpartum recovery to long-term health, moms are often left in the dark about this essential part of their bodies. In this episode, we break the silence and explore what every mother should know about pelvic floor health.  Pelvic health specialist and physical therapist Kirsten Desmarais, PT, DPT, OCS, shares her journey into pelvic health and e...

Have you ever found yourself spiraling with worry in the middle of the night? You’re not alone. In this vulnerable conversation, we talk about motherhood anxiety, the mental load of moms, and the fears that keep us awake long after our kids are asleep.  Hot dogs for dinner (AGAIN), and summer mom chronicles. We discuss the challenges of transitioning to summer with school-aged children and the str...

Perinatal mental health struggles like postpartum depression and anxiety impact far more moms than we realize. In this powerful interview we discuss the stigma, the silence, and the support moms deserve but rarely get.  Perinatal mental health specialist Celleste Schnellbach, MS, LMFT, PMH-C of Duluth Perinatal joins us to break down the realities of maternal mental health challenges, offering bot...

Parenting conversations often leave fathers out—but dads belong too. In this episode, Phil Desmarais and Chad Hilgenberg share their stories of becoming fathers, navigating belonging, and finding their voice in the journey of parenting alongside moms.  Phil Desmarais is the Director of Performance at Excel North Physical Therapy and Performance in Duluth, MN.  Chad Hilgenberg is a general contract...

Motherhood doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s deeply tied to politics, policies, and cultural expectations. In this episode, we explore why motherhood is political, how moms can find their voice, and why speaking up matters for ourselves and our communities.  In this thought-provoking and timely episode, we briefly explore the intricate relationship between motherhood and the current socio-political l...

What does “nervous system regulation” even mean when you’re a mom pulled in a million directions? We unpack the buzzword, talk about overstimulation, stress, and what finding calm looks like in the middle of messy, real-life motherhood.  Hint: Is it really regulating or is it us policing ourselves?  Our discussion begins with a candid reflection on exhaustion and coping methods, transitioning into...

Welcome to Mama You Belong—a podcast about the real, messy, and beautiful journey of matrescence. In our first episode, we share our own stories, why we started this podcast, and how we hope to build a community where every mom feels she belongs.  Kirsten, a physical therapist and birth doula shares her personal experiences with perinatal mental health challenges , including the impact of a trauma...