Mum Mind Unpacked

Ever caught yourself reaching for your phone while your child is trying to tell you something? In this episode, Hugh van Cuylenburg joins Mum Mind Unpacked for a heartfelt, funny and thought-provoking conversation about the simple practices that can transform our wellbeing: gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. Bree shares the deeply personal story of how Hugh's work through The Resilience Project h...

So many of us grew up being the “good girl” — the one who stayed quiet, worked hard, kept the peace and held it all together for everyone else. But what happens when that story follows us into motherhood? In this episode, Lael Stone returns to Mum Mind Unpacked for another deeply honest and powerful conversation about the hidden pressures women carry and the emotional toll of always trying to be “...

Motherhood doesn’t always follow the script… and neither does love. In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Palmer — recently single mum of two, creator of Mental as a Mother , fierce feminist and one of the most refreshingly honest voices in the motherhood space. Lauren opens up about her journey through IVF in a same-sex relationship, the breakdown of her marriage, and what it really looks like...

Dreams don’t disappear when you become a mum… but they can feel further away. In this episode, we sit down with Adelaide mum, high school teacher and Australian Idol Top 8 finalist Simela Petridis to talk about what it really looks like to go after your dreams in the thick of motherhood. Simela’s audition went viral (over a million views 👀), but behind it is a story of stepping away from music, l...

Mum rage. The kind that comes out of nowhere… except it actually doesn’t. In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Novak, author of Meltdown, to unpack what’s really going on when we lose it. We explore why rage builds over the day, what’s happening in our brains and bodies, and why so many of us feel like we’re failing — when actually, there’s a reason we feel this way. From the build-up of tiny...

Have you ever caught yourself caring a little too much about your child’s performance at school or on the sports field? In this episode, Gia and Bree unpack a confronting truth:sometimes the pressure we place on our kids is actually a reflection of us. After a particularly rage-y week, Gia shares a moment that spiraled — what should have been a simple breakfast before NAPLAN turned into a full-blo...

Ever had a moment where everything just feels like too much? In this episode, Bree opens up about a really tough summer that almost saw her walk away from the podcast altogether. With pressure mounting to finish her counseling course in a tight timeframe — mixed with holiday chaos and some seriously raging peri hormones — it became the perfect storm. Bree shares what that period looked like behind...

What’s your picture of the perfect mother ? We all carry a version — shaped by how we were raised, what was modeled to us, what society celebrates, and the stories women have been sold for generations. But spoiler alert: the perfect mother doesn’t exist. In this episode, we sit down with motherhood studies sociologist Dr. Sophie Brock to unpack the cultural myths that quietly shape how mothers thi...

Be honest… has becoming parents changed your relationship more than you ever expected? Do you and your partner fight differently now? Avoid conflict? Go quiet? Or feel like you’re speaking totally different languages? Do you ever wonder what your kids are absorbing when they see (or feel) tension between you? You’re definitely not alone. In this episode, Bree and Gia open up about the messy, vulne...

Help, my fussy kids won’t eat anything healthy! Do you struggle to get your kids to eat anything green? Do you feel guilty when they flat-out refuse their veggies at dinnertime? Do you ever feel like you’re failing at the absolute basics of feeding your kids? You’re not alone.  In this episode, Bree and G sit down with Naturopath Jessica Donovan from Natural Super Kids to unpack the pressure, myth...

December 10, 2025 marks a major turning point in Australia’s digital landscape. A world-first piece of legislation has officially raised the minimum age for social media accounts from 13 to 16 , giving teens a 36-month buffer to emotionally mature before entering the online world. The hope? To curb the escalating mental-health impacts linked to social media overexposure. In this episode, Gia and B...

Gia and Bree sit down with the incredible Dr Kristy Goodwin — neuro-performance scientist, author, speaker, and one of Australia’s leading digital wellbeing experts — for a conversation every modern mum needs to hear. Together, they unpack why so many of us feel constantly overwhelmed by the relentless pings, dings, and demands of digital life, and why it’s not a personal failing. Our brains simpl...

It’s time for an honest catch-up as Bree and G unpack what’s really been going on — from surgery and recovery to grief, gym therapy, and family life in full swing. Bree shares her hysterectomy recovery journey — the physical healing, emotional ups and downs, and the relief of no more heavy periods (hallelujah!). She opens up about learning to rest, tune into her body, and embrace this new season o...

In this honest and practical episode, Bree and Gia are joined by Relationship Psychologist Dr Stuart Naughten, who Bree credits with helping save her marriage! Together, they unpack what really happens to romantic relationships after kids arrive and how to weather the inevitable “cyclone” of change that parenthood brings. With warmth, humour, and honesty, Dr Naughten offers practical tools to help...

💬 Part of our Story Behind the Smile Series This episode is part of our Story Behind the Smile series — showcasing the real, raw, and remarkable stories of everyday women who’ve faced deep hardships and come out stronger, using their experiences to inspire and uplift others. 🎧 Episode Summary: This week, we sit down with the incredible Alice Colgrave — a mother of six, celebrant, and fierce advo...

Perimenopause: it’s the phase of life no one really talks about... until you’re in it and wondering what on earth is going on with your body and mind. In this episode of Mum Mind Unpacked , we’re joined by Nat Kringoudis —Doctor of Chinese Medicine, acupuncturist, author, speaker, mum, and self-confessed Hormone Revolutionist—for a no-fluff, super practical, and refreshingly honest conversation ab...

Hosts: Bree & Gia Guest: Penny Moodie, author of The Joy Thief & co-host of It’s Not What You Think 🎧 Episode Summary When most people hear “OCD,” they picture someone who’s neat, tidy, and obsessed with organisation. But Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is so much more — and so often misunderstood. In this deeply honest episode, we sit down with Penny Moodie — mum of three, author, and ment...

In this raw and relatable episode, Bree and Gia unpack the heavy, often unspoken burden of mum guilt. From breastfeeding struggles to battling unrealistic expectations to be the “perfect mum” and feeling bad for wanting more than motherhood, they get candid about the moments that make mothers feel like they're not enough — and why that's just not true. ✨ What You’ll Hear: • The daily toll of mum...

🎧 Episode Summary: In this deeply personal and emotionally charged episode of Mum Mind Unpacked , Bree and Gia, both mothers of three, discuss their experiences with miscarriage — a topic often shrouded in silence. They share their personal stories, emotional turmoil, and the process of coping with pregnancy loss. Bree recounts her three miscarriages and the medical journey that led to her having...

🎧 Episode Summary In this raw and heartfelt episode of Mum Mind. Unpacked , we sit down with the incredible Lauren Smedley — mum of two, founder of Bronte Co, and one of the strongest, most grounded women we know. Lauren shares her powerful story of navigating early motherhood while launching a successful kids' swimwear label, all while facing the unimaginable: the diagnosis of her youngest son,...

In this episode, Gia and Bree dive into the often-unseen realities of mental load and burnout, particularly in the context of motherhood. They share personal stories that highlight the countless invisible tasks mothers juggle—like remembering school events, scheduling appointments, managing family routines, and being the emotional anchor for everyone at home. From coordinating daily logistics to c...

Returning to work after becoming a mum can feel overwhelming — not just practically, but emotionally too. In this episode, we’re unpacking the identity shifts, the pressure to “do it all,” and how to find a work-life family balance that actually works for you. We’re joined by career counsellor and mum of four, Vicki Clothier, who shares practical tips on – Advocating for flexible, family-friendly...

In this episode of Mum Mind Unpacked , hosts Gia Hogarth and Bree Sheridan sit down with parent counsellor, educator, and social worker Caroline Ellen for a powerful and heartfelt conversation about the real-life complexities of parenting. Together, they explore a wide range of topics — from managing emotional challenges to understanding the parenting styles that shape our homes. Caroline shares p...

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we’re diving into a condition that affects millions of women but often goes unrecognised: Postnatal Depletion. If you've ever felt like you're running on fumes long after giving birth, you're not alone—and you're not imagining it. We unpack what postnatal depletion really is, how it differs from postnatal depression, and why so many mothers silently suffer...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we dive deep into the complex and often unspoken experience of mum rage —a raw, emotional response that many mothers silently carry. Parenting educator Lael Stone joins us to explore the emotional roots of mum rage, weaving together personal stories, professional insights, and years of experience in parenting support. 💬 We discuss: 🎬 We also talk about the...