The Mama Circle

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Hi my loves! As we hit 20 episodes, I've decided to take a little pause to regroup and reground because life has been a LOT! But don't worry, I've got some great episodes already recorded for you and I can't wait to share them! ➡️ In the meantime, don't forget to hit FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to get the latest episode automatically when I return. 🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT...

This topic gets people fired up: co-sleeping vs sleep training. Which is better? Which is “right”? In today’s episode, I dive into the real conversation around these parenting choices, sharing my personal experience and the bigger picture that often gets missed. We explore: The problem with black and white thinking in motherhood Why guilt-based messaging can do more harm than good What happened wh...

Becoming a mother is one of the biggest transformations a woman can go through, and yet, it’s rarely acknowledged as the profound identity shift that it is. If you’ve been feeling lost, struggling to recognise yourself, or grieving the freedom of your pre-mum life, this episode is for you. I’m diving into the archetypes of the maiden and the mother: what they represent, why it can feel so hard to...

Self-care looks different for everyone, and I wanted to hear from YOU! In this episode, I’m sharing real self-care ideas from mums just like you, because let’s be honest, finding time for ourselves as mums isn’t always easy. From quick morning routines to spa days, movement, and reconnecting with friends, these are real-life self-care practices that work. If you’ve been struggling to make time for...

If you feel like motherhood has completely rewired your brain since giving birth, you're right! Science proves that pregnancy and postpartum change your brain in ways that affect memory, emotions, and even your sense of self. This transition, called matrescence, is as real as puberty, but no one talks about it. In this episode, I dive into the real, biological shifts that happen in your brain...

If you’re pregnant right now and feeling like you’re stuck in a weird inbetween space where your old life doesn’t quite fit anymore but you’re not yet a mother, this episode is for you. This transitional phase can feel unsettling, but what if it’s actually preparing you for what’s to come? In this episode, we dive into: ✔ The emotional and physical shifts of pregnancy that feel like a loss but are...

Whether it's on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, Mumsnet, or elsewhere, the judgment and cruelty some mothers experience online is shocking. From breastfeeding choices to sleep training, house cleanliness, and even how someone becomes a mother, the internet seems to think it has a say in it all. In this episode, I break down why this needs to stop, the damage it causes, and why we need to support...

Eeek! The Mama Circle Podcast is a little over a month old and I am sending a HUGE thanks to you.  I truly value your support with this show! Please do get involved with any topic ideas or anything else you'd like to share with me here in the comments or: Instagram:  @natalie.kmartin  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment 🤩 Join a loving community of mums in IT'S A...

In this raw and unfiltered episode, I open up about one of those nights where everything felt like it was spiraling out of control. From Jackson’s acrobatic nursing routines to the overwhelming mix of exhaustion, anger, and guilt, I share the honest reality of a mom struggling to hold it all together.  This episode isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about acknowledging that feeling overwh...

What if I told you that grappling on the floor with bulky men and trying to flip them over is the BEST thing I've found to help relieve stress in my motherhood journey so far? Yep, I'm talking about BJJ - Brazilian Ju-Jitstu. And it might just help you too.  Have you ever tried BJJ? What are the best things you've found so far to help manage your stress as a mum? Share  your thoughts a...