The Sage Mother Podcast

We did it—Season 2 of The Sage Mother Podcast is a wrap! 🎉 In this special finale, Andrea and Kristin take a heartfelt look back at the evolution of Sage Mother Co., what’s worked (and what hasn’t), and how conversations with real moms have reshaped their mission moving forward. From humble beginnings to launching a tech-enabled tool for postpartum care, this episode is part reflection, part behi...

You walk into a room and forget why. You mix up your kids’ names. You feel like your brain hasn’t been the same since giving birth. But what if “mom brain” is more evolution than failure? In this episode, Andrea and Kristin get into the science behind mom brain—what actually happens to the brain during pregnancy and postpartum, why it affects memory and emotional regulation, and… what surprising a...

What happens when you move in with your in-laws two weeks before giving birth… during a pandemic… in the middle of a hurricane? In this episode Jessy Dengler —working mom of two, Iowa native, and creative problem solver— shares what it’s really like to raise a family right next door to your in-laws . From daycare decisions and postpartum realities to building a home on family land and navigating r...

Description: What do birth trauma, bone broth, lactation cookies, and career pivots have in common? For Samantha Byington, they all played a part in her journey to becoming a postpartum doula and certified lactation counselor. In this episode, we talk with Samantha about the miscarriage that changed how she viewed maternal care, the home birth that followed, and how postpartum rocked her in ways s...

“You think this is hard? Just you wait…” We’ve all heard it—maybe from a well-meaning family member, a stranger in the checkout line, or even another mom. But what is the just you wait comment really doing? In this episode, Andrea and Kristin unpack the layered meaning behind one of the most common phrases in motherhood and explore how just you wait moments might actually be missed opportunities f...

What happens when you let your kids put the goat in the car? You get real-life lessons in curiosity, connection—and a little bit of chaos. In this episode, we’re joined by Jennifer Bryerton, editor-in chief of Charlottesville Family Magazine , and a longtime advocate for outdoor family life. From backyard chickens and bunnies to fairy gardens and food-growing adventures, Jennifer shares how garden...

In this episode, Andrea and Kristin share the real story of what happens when a family who can’t plan more than three weeks ahead decides to take on Disney World? No perfect itineraries, no Pinterest-worthy plans—just honest reflections on spontaneity, overstimulation, and what actually makes a vacation worth it with little kids. Listen now for a judgment-free, real-life look at the magic, the mel...

We knew this was going to be a conversation about perfectionism in motherhood... but we didn’t expect just how personal—and powerful—it would be. In this episode, Elizabeth Robbins, the creative voice behind @creekgrown and author of The Courage to Be Imperfect , takes us back to where her story really begins. After navigating a heartbreaking family tragedy that forced her to grow up fast, Elizabe...

What does postpartum care look like after a home birth—and how is it different from what happens in the hospital? In this episode, Andrea sits down with Certified Nurse Midwife Kelly Sicoli to walk through the hours, days, and weeks following a home birth. From in-home visits to personalized newborn care, they explore how this model of support can shape a mother’s postpartum experience. Kelly has...

From daycare to nanny shares, homeschool to public school—there are a million options for how to provide care for your children, and yet... it can be so rare to find a solution that really feels perfect. No matter what you choose you’re trading something. We’re pulling back the curtain on the real-life childcare and school decisions we’ve faced over the past few years. From emotional meltdowns (ou...

We get asked all the time: How do you do it all? But the real question might be— should we be trying to? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the idea of the “Supermom” —where it came from, how it shows up in our lives, and why the pressure to be everything to everyone might be doing more harm than good. In This Episode: ⏳ 00:00 – “I don’t want to be a supermom. I want to be a rested mom.”...

We’ve all heard it: “Get ready to never sleep again.” But what if that didn’t have to be true? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Daniella Marchetti , board-certified clinical psychologist and sleep specialist, to talk about how sleep—yes, even in the postpartum period—can be improved. She shares the surprising research on how insomnia affects mood, bonding, and mental health, and what moms can...

Ever wonder how other moms actually structure their days? In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain and sharing a real, unfiltered look at what our own daily routines look like as two working moms with young kids. From early mornings, school drop-offs, and work schedules to dinner, bedtime, and finding time for ourselves, we’re getting honest about what’s working, what’s not, and how our rou...

Spearfisherwoman, freediver, ex-lawyer, and chef - Valentine Thomas holds many titles that you don’t typically associate with motherhood. She joins us to share her raw and refreshing take on how becoming a mom has reshaped her perspective on adventure, identity, and independence. As a public figure who doesn’t conform to traditional motherhood norms, Valentine has faced criticism for many her choi...

We had so much to cover in our conversation with Elena Bridgers (Ep.45) that we barely scratched the surface of her fascinating journal article on postpartum mood disorders. Soin this episode, we’re doing a deep dive—journal club style—to unpack her research on how the modern motherhood experience may be contributing to the rise in perinatal mental health struggles. In This Episode: ⏳ 00:00 – How...

For most of human history, motherhood looked nothing like it does today. So why does it feel so much harder now? In this episode, we sit down with Elena Bridgers, science writer and author of the popular Substack “Motherhood Until Yesterday” , to explore the evolutionary mismatch between how we evolved to mother and how we mother today. From infant sleep to postpartum mental health and the loss of...

Let us reintroduce ourselves: We're Andrea & Kristin - co-founders of Sage Mother Co. We're physicians, girl-moms & best friends. We're on a mission to help mothers feel supported in motherhood. Our goal at Sage Mother Co is to help women live a more joyful, fulfilled motherhood. We started recording this podcast to share our knowledge and that of other motherhood experts. Season 1 was all...

Have you felt the weight of parenting lately? Did the surgeon general's advisory - on the mental health and well being of parents and how parents levels of stress and anxiety are at an all time high - hit home for you? Why does it feel so hard to parent right now? Drs. Andrea & Kristin dive into 3 common parenting styles, going into detail on which is actually the best and why. Where does...

Is your baby starting to crawl? Are you anticipating those first steps any day now? What about moving into a new home that now has open stairs or a pool? This episode goes through a pediatrician's perspective on everything you need to know about baby proofing your home. From two physician moms of very active children, we give you the most important things to do in your life to keep you baby/child...

"You're going to make such a good mom someday." This is something I heard so much growing up. I love kids and it was so easy to babysit or run a kids camp at that time of life. Then why do I feel like I'm failing at motherhood? Why don't I feel like a good mom these days? What even makes a good mom anyway? Listen to physician mamas having such an authentic conversation about visions of motherhood...

Joining us on this episode is yoga instructor and breath work coach Astrit Reynolds, whose personal experience with two very different births launched her on a mission to help women prepare and recover from birth. Listen in to hear how different her first and second birth experiences were and how she made an empowering change the second time around. RELATED RESOURCES - Breath & Birth Instagram...

Are you nervous about your child getting sick heading into the holidays? Want to have a pediatrician's education and recommendations in your back pocket? This episode features clips from the Sage Mother Co Illness Season Survival Guide - a resource created for you to decrease the worry and overwhelm that comes with sickness in the family. This guide is formatted with videos and a searchable docume...

So much spit-up! Are you in that phase of spit-ups, fussiness and baby always needing held or know someone in the thick of it? Even as medical doctors, we sometimes have to phone a friend when dealing with concerns regarding our own children. Right now, Andrea's third baby is struggling with spit ups and fussiness. She's one of those koala babies who wants to be held all day, so she phoned in her...

Does your child hate going to the doctor? Do they fight you and the staff at every step? Or do you just want to help encourage your child to be comfortable with the medical setting? The title says it all for this episode! We are joined by Katelyn Beyer, who works as a Child Life Specialist - she's in the hospital helping kids understand, process & cope with medical situations every day. Listen...

By her third pregnancy, Dr. Andrea was pretty sure she knew how birth would go. But birth has a way of surprising you and this was no exception. From baby picking her own timing, to preparing for birth while fielding two little ones and a busy work schedule, this pregnancy came with it's own lessons. Listen in to hear Andrea recount her birth story and how postpartum with three little ones is goin...