Natalie K. Martin
The Mama Circle
I love being a mum. What I don’t love is what modern motherhood has become: the overwhelm, the invisible labour, the financial squeeze, the loneliness. This is what I call The Motherhood Debt, and this podcast is where we get real about all of it: This is honest talk for women who love their families, but want a version of motherhood that feels more sustainable, more joyful and more supported. Hosted by writer and educator Natalie K. Martin, every episode mixes lived experience, social insight and practical permission to do things differently.
Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: themamacirclepodcast.podbean.com
Author
Natalie K. Martin
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Sep 16, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
46. Motherhood was my money wake-up call 30.09.2025 33:45
Money is one of those things we don’t talk about enough, especially as mums. In this episode, I’m sharing my own money wake-up call and how motherhood completely changed the way I look at finances. I open up about: The messy money habits I carried into my thirties How motherhood magnified the gaps in my financial safety net Why I never want my son to worry about my financial wellbeing ...
45. When your partner sleeps through the baby cries (and what to do about it) 23.09.2025 20:13
In today’s Reddit episode, we dive into a post that so many of us will relate to: “My husband slept through the baby crying -right next to her bassinet.” This story isn’t just about night wakings. It’s about postpartum exhaustion, resentment when we say “yes” to things we don’t want to do, and how trust in our partner can wobble when we feel like we’re carrying everything alone. Inside the episode...
44. Going back to work after baby? You're more qualified than ever! Here's why. 16.09.2025 43:39
Going back to work after kids can feel terrifying. Will your brain still work? Can you juggle the home stuff as well as job deadlines? In this episode, I’m here to remind you that not only can you do it - you’re already highly qualified. Motherhood is like running a business. You’ve been project managing, negotiating, crisis handling, and leading every single day. These are not “soft skills.” They...
43. I have an easy baby… so why do I feel guilty? 09.09.2025 16:25
Have you ever felt guilty because motherhood is easier than you thought it would be? Maybe your baby sleeps well, rarely gets sick, and you’re actually enjoying this season but instead of celebrating, you feel bad about it. In this episode, Nat unpacks a Reddit post from a mum who admitted she was finding things surprisingly smooth, and the guilt and isolation that came with it. We'll hear: -...
42. I’m financially dependent on my partner… is my family safe? 02.09.2025 44:02
This week I’m opening up about something that feels raw but vital: financial independence for mums. It started with a viral comment I left on a reel by Tori Dunlap ( Her First $100K ). The conversation that followed showed me how many women still believe 'my partner handles the money, so I don’t need to worry.' But is that really safe? What happens if life changes through divorce, illness,...
41. Back to basics: the self-care hierarchy for overwhelmed mums 26.08.2025 29:56
In this episode of The Mama Circle Podcast , Nat gets real about self-care — not the glossy Instagram version, but the kind that actually keeps you functioning as a mum. She shares her take on the self-care hierarchy — a simple triage approach inspired by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. At the base are the survival basics: water, sleep, food, movement. Once those are in place, you can layer on soothi...
40. Holidays with kids: how to make them fun (and actually relaxing) 19.08.2025 24:14
It's holiday time! Once you’ve got kids though, they'll look very different to how they used to — but that doesn’t mean they can’t be fun, memorable and even (dare I say it) relaxing. In this episode, I’m sharing tips fresh from my own trip to Spain with my toddler. From flights and airports to naps and meals, I’ll walk you through the small mindset shifts and realistic travel tips for mum...
39. Parenting in 1990 vs 2025: The Brutal Money Gap 12.08.2025 24:46
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Why can’t I just cope like my mum did?” — this episode will make you feel seen. Nat breaks down the real numbers behind the parenting struggle in 2025, comparing wages, housing, childcare, energy bills, food, holidays, and petrol costs today with those from the 1990s. Spoiler: the maths is brutal. 💥 Jaw-drop stat: In 1990, the average UK family had the eq...
38. The easiest thing you'll do on a tough day (a gentle hard day protocol—no “shoulds,” just relief) 05.08.2025 13:01
Having a rough day? This episode offers the simplest reset you’ll try: a Hard Day Protocol that skips the “shoulds” and leans into what you already do that helps. I share my own list to show you just how easy it really is. 🎶 My Hard Day playlists RAGE: Metal, hardcore and music to scream in the car (or silently) to Retreat Everyday: Mantras, spiritual and generally chill vibes to help you find yo...
37. How to survive sick days with your toddler (without losing your mind) 29.07.2025 20:32
When your toddler is sick and everything falls apart – the routine, the sleep, the house – it’s easy to feel like you're on the edge. In this honest and helpful episode, Natalie shares how she survived a week of solo parenting while her toddler was unwell – and how she actually came out of it feeling more rested than expected. From letting go of tidying to reclaiming nap times for rest, this i...
36. Why your child’s sleep will never be perfect! with sleep expert Hannah Clapham 22.07.2025 1:21:52
In this episode of The Mama Circle Podcast, Natalie chats with Hannah Clapham from Little Nest Sleep about the reality of baby and toddler sleep. Hannah shares how she went from feeling out of control and exhausted to helping families find what works for them, without rigid routines or guilt. They talk honestly about why there’s so much pressure to ‘do sleep right’ and how easy it is to feel like...
35. From deep in the trench - a raw day in motherhood [Voice Note] 15.07.2025 9:44
This episode is not a pep talk. It’s a personal share from the floor of my son's bedroom, nap-trapped with my sick toddler on my chest, period pain in full force, and all the ‘shoulds’ swirling in my head. This is real life: the messy moments that don’t make it onto Pinterest boards. I share how sometimes the healthiest thing is not to ‘fix’ yourself but to let yourself be distracted (yep, eve...
34. It took us four years to feel OK again after becoming parents 08.07.2025 1:07:36
What if your relationship doesn’t ‘bounce back’ after the baby? What if it actually takes years? In this Mums Talk episode, I sit down with my friend Sophie Jane Hardy - writer, coach and host of the Menstruality Podcast, to talk about the unspoken parts of motherhood and how long it can take to feel like you again. We talk about: Sophie’s four-year journey to rebuild her relationship after becomi...
33. Your kid wears one - why don't you? 01.07.2025 5:50
In this voice note from a very sunny (and sweaty!) Berlin, I’m sharing something that’s been on my mind during our time here. As I’ve been walking and cycling around with Jackson, I’ve noticed something that honestly made me pause. Every child I see on a bike is wearing a helmet (which is great!), but hardly any of the parents are. It reminded me of a short video I saw from a paediatric doctor who...
32. The Woman Who Made Placenta Pills and Smoothies Mainstream 25.06.2025 56:14
Ever wondered what actually happens to your placenta after birth or why some mums choose to eat it? In today’s episode of The Mama Circle , I’m joined by my longtime friend, Lynnea Arnold (formerly Lynnea Shrief) - doula, baby massage therapist, and founder of Europe’s first placenta encapsulation network, IPEN. She’s also a mum of four, a creator of change, and someone who has quietly shaped birt...
31. Should We Be Having Kids Sooner in Relationships? 17.06.2025 9:53
In today’s voice note (recorded on my walk to work), I’m diving into something that’s been on my mind: what if our modern relationship timeline is setting us up for failure when it comes to parenting? We’ve all heard of or experienced the heartbreak of feeling disconnected from your partner after having children. But what if the problem isn’t just them changing... but us expecting things to stay t...
30. Terrified of Vomit as a Mum?! Living with (and healing from) Emetophobia 10.06.2025 43:08
Okayyy - it's time I talk about Emetophobia, the thing I've carried around with me for the last 37 years! This week I'm sharing my journey with fear of vomiting and how it’s shaped my life. From a traumatic experience at four years old to how I avoided certain foods, places, and even situations that most people take for granted. But that changed this year. Because becoming a mum made m...
29. Want another baby? Work on your fertility - Mum's Talk with Amanda Baumann 03.06.2025 52:31
In this Mums Talk episode, I’m joined by Amanda Baumann — a fertility awareness educator, yoga teacher, and mum — to share her honest and inspiring journey through conception, matrescence, and starting over in a new country. Amanda talks about how hormonal contraception led to anxiety and burnout in her twenties, and how discovering cycle awareness helped her reconnect with her body and conceive h...
28. Too Busy to Breathe? How to Find Micro-Moments for Yourself in Your Day 27.05.2025 6:20
If you're constantly rushing, from nappy changes to school runs to work emails, and wondering when you’ll ever get a moment to just breathe , this episode is for you. In today’s quick voice note, I share a gentle reminder from the sunny banks of the Danube: that sometimes, rest is closer than we think. You don’t need a spa day to feel human again. You just need 30 seconds of intention . Tune i...
27. Have You Lost Your Spiritual Practice Since Becoming a Mum? 20.05.2025 18:28
In today’s solo episode, I share something I’ve never really heard anyone talk about: how my deep connection to my spiritual self was quietly lost when I became pregnant, and how that disconnection lingered into motherhood. I talk about: The unexpected shift in my relationship with yoga, meditation, and cycle tracking Why pregnancy felt like being in emotional ‘no man’s land’ How motherhood became...
26. This might just save your relationship [Voice Note] 18.05.2025 7:01
In this short but powerful voice note episode, I'm sharing the one book that completely shifted my understanding of anger, and honestly helped my relationship in the process. If you’ve been feeling constantly irritated, resentful, or just off - especially in your closest relationships - this one’s for you. I talk about the emotional impact of The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner, how it landed...
25. Backpacking with a 5 Year Old - Mum's Talk with Janina Breitling 13.05.2025 58:04
Building a Life and Biz On The Road What would it take to quit your job, sell everything, and travel the world for six years - with your kid in tow? In today’s inspiring Mum's Talk episode, I’m joined by Janina Breitling: mother, adventurer, entrepreneur, and founder of the sustainable menstrual product brand Nookees . Together, we dive into her story of leaving behind a stable freelance jour...
24. Even Rihanna Struggles with This: A Pep Talk for When You're Feeling Overwhelmed 10.05.2025 5:49
You might not feel like you’ve got much in common with a global superstar like Rihanna but you do! Yep, even the rich and famous wrestle with the identity shift that comes with motherhood. From feeling guilty about working, to navigating body changes, and struggling with the new 'mum' version of themselves… yes, even Rihanna has said 'same.' I share why Rihanna’s recent comments st...
23. Struggling With Money Since Becoming a Mum? Here’s What I Wish I Knew About Maternity Pay and Baby Expenses 06.05.2025 37:41
If you're struggling with money since becoming a mum or expanding your family, you are not alone. In this episode, I share what I wish I'd heard before having a child, including: Why maternity pay isn’t a full salary replacement What I would have done differently financially Common mistakes self-employed mums make Honest tips to cut costs without cutting joy How my family saves on clothes...
22. Feeling Overwhelmed? This One Change Helped Me Feel Like Me Again 23.04.2025 7:11
Hellooooo! I'm back after a short pause, and today’s episode is a gentle re-entry into both the podcast and my personal practice. I share why I stepped away, what I learned during that time, and how I’ve been carving out space for myself again. This episode is about what it looks like to intentionally rework your mornings to feel more grounded, supported, and alive, especially in the chaos of...
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