No Textbook for Life

Postpartum is often framed as a personal struggle — but what if it’s actually a system failure? In this episode, I talk about why postpartum feels so overwhelming even when moms are doing everything right. From the lack of medical follow-up to disappearing support and unrealistic expectations, this conversation reframes postpartum as a failure of systems — not of mothers. This episode is for anyon...

Postpartum doesn’t end at six weeks — and for many moms, it’s just the beginning of a much deeper emotional and identity shift. In this episode, I talk about what it really looks like to rebuild yourself after postpartum. We discuss identity loss, confidence, routines, and why healing after having a baby takes far longer than society prepares us for. This conversation is for moms who feel stuck in...

Postpartum doesn’t just change moms — it changes relationships. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, we talk about why the postpartum season is so hard on marriages and partnerships, and why so many couples feel disconnected, resentful, or misunderstood after having a baby. This conversation covers: • The invisible mental load mothers carry • Why “his tired” and “her tired” are not the same •...

Postpartum is so often talked about as just depression — but for many moms, it looks nothing like what we expected. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, I talk honestly about the postpartum experience that so many women go through but don’t have words for: anxiety, hormonal crashes, sleep deprivation, physical changes, and the identity shock that comes after having a baby. We dive into: • Why...

Postpartum is one of the hardest seasons of life — and yet so many moms feel completely unprepared for how overwhelming it can be. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, Malia shares her honest postpartum experience, the emotional and mental shifts no one warns you about, and why struggling after having a baby does not mean you’re doing something wrong. This episode is for new moms, expecting mo...

In this episode, my husband shares what it was like growing up with big, themed Christmases every single year. From movie-inspired celebrations to elaborate decorations, food, and traditions, he walks through the magic, creativity, and memories that shaped his childhood Christmas experience. We talk about what made those themed Christmases so memorable, why they still matter to him today, and whic...

This season is all about holiday traditions! In this episode, I’m sharing how my husband and I are building Christmas magic for our girls—from the simple traditions I grew up with to the extravagant ones he had as a kid. We’ve created a “heritage Christmas” each year, inspired by our DNA, and this year is Germany! I dive into the decorations, food, service ideas, special routines, our Grinch-in-a-...

Birth is physical, but your mindset drives the experience. Today we’re breaking down a research-backed mental toolkit for labor and early postpartum. This includes visualization, calming techniques, fear reframing, support system prep, and how your hormones actually work with you during birth. I’ll share the tools that helped me through both of my births, plus the mistakes I wouldn’t repeat. If yo...

Birth doesn’t have to be confusing. In this episode, we break down the real differences between hospital birth, birth centers, and home birth—minus the pressure, hype, or fear. You’ll hear what actually matters for your birth experience: monitoring, mobility, interventions, pain management, environment, and how each option changes your labor. I’ll share what I learned from my own births, what surp...

Pregnancy can be exciting—but it can also be complicated. Anxiety, guilt, fear, and delayed bonding with your baby are more common than you think. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, Malia shares her personal experiences with pregnancy and birth, including hospital and home birth stories, and what it was like to bond with her babies differently each time. We also dive into research-backed ins...

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the 10 things I don’t apologize for — as a woman, a mom, a wife, and a human being trying to stay sane. If you’ve ever said “sorry” for resting, setting boundaries, not responding to a text instantly, or making parenting choices that work for your family… this episode is for you. Research shows women apologize 3–8x more than men (yes, really). But the more w...

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 12 baby items that truly made my life easier as a new mom. After wasting money on things I never used, I finally found the products that were worth every penny — from the Baby Brezza to the perfect travel stroller setup. 💬 Tune in if you’re building your baby registry or wondering what’s actually useful postpartum! 🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube: Modern America...

In today’s episode of No Textbook for Life, I’m breaking down the 12 baby items I completely regret buying as a first-time mom. From the fancy crib we never used to the wipe warmer that collected dust — I’m sharing the honest truth about what wasn’t worth it. Whether you’re a new mom trying to prep for baby or building your registry, this episode will save you money, time, and space. 🎧 Watch the...

In this episode of No Textbook for Life, my husband and I share the raw, real story of our first home birth — and what made it so different from our first hospital birth. We talk about why we chose to have a home birth, what it was really like during labor and delivery, how my husband handled being my main support, and what recovery looked like afterward. From the emotional highs to the hard lesso...

It’s officially been one year since I gave birth to my second baby — and this year has taught me more than I ever expected. In this episode, I’m opening up about my first year postpartum — from the early weeks of recovery after my home birth to the heavy mental and emotional challenges that followed. I talk honestly about postpartum depression, suicidal thoughts, and finally discovering that my th...

In this special episode, my 4-year-old daughter joins me on the podcast to share her experience of becoming a big sister at just 3.5 years old. She talks about what it was like meeting her baby sister for the first time, the fun moments they share, the challenges, and what she loves most about being a big sister. This conversation is full of sweetness, honesty, and the unfiltered thoughts of a 4-y...

September threw me everything from failed sourdough starters to bathtub disasters, four lost chickens, and podcast crashes. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, I share 5 key lessons I learned about leaning into new roles, perseverance, persistence, community, and resilience. Real stories, practical insights, and encouragement for anyone navigating the messy, unpredictable parts of adulting.

Join us for a special episode featuring our first ever guest! My husband! Lol. We have a 40 minute episode for y’all because talking about love takes longer than just 20 minutes. We never expected to meet in the Missionary Training Center (MTC), but that’s exactly where our love story began. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, Colt and I share how we first met as missionaries, the two weeks w...

At 18 years old, just weeks before starting college, I was hospitalized with West Nile meningitis — a rare and life-altering complication of West Nile virus. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, I share my experience in the hospital, the miracles that gave me strength, and the lessons I learned about resilience, faith, and finding purpose in pain. If you’ve ever felt blindsided by life, this s...

In this very first episode of No Textbook for Life, I’m sharing the story of my first real taste of adulting — moving away for college at 18. From working a factory job, buying my first car, and navigating life after high school, to battling illness, heartbreak, and paying rent without a safety net — it was nothing like I expected. Join me as I share the struggles, the small miracles, and the life...

No Textbook for Life is a podcast about the real lessons school forgot to teach us. I’m Malia, a wife and mom sharing honest stories, hard-earned wisdom, and practical advice about navigating adulthood. From paying bills and managing a household to relationships, faith, and finding your way in life — this podcast is about learning as we go. Subscribe now and join me on the journey — because life d...