In this heartfelt episode of Delivered, we explore Together for Mama: A Story of Hope and Healing by Pooja Makhijani—a beautifully written children's book that opens the door to meaningful conversations about maternal mental health, family, and resilience. Pooja joins us to discuss her passion for writing to support a positive motherhood journey.

Together, we discuss the unique cultural experiences many Asian American families face when it comes to mental health, including the stigma, expectations, and silence that can make asking for help feel especially difficult. We examine how cultural values can shape the postpartum experience while emphasizing that seeking support is not a sign of weakness—it's an act of courage and love for yourself and your family.

Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or someone supporting a loved one, this conversation offers hope, compassion, and practical encouragement. Join us as we break down barriers, normalize conversations around maternal mental health, and remind every mama that healing begins when we reach out and realize we don't have to carry the weight alone. Because no matter your culture or background, every mother deserves to be seen, supported, and surrounded by hope.

To order your copy of Together for Mama: A Story of Hope and Healing, click here!

To learn more about Pooja Makhijani & her other books, click here!

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In this special episode of Delivered, we are joined by a very experienced physician, Dr. Kenga Sivarajah. Dr. Kenga Sivarajah is well versed in the antepartum and postpartum spaces, working throughout London, UK. Join us as we sit down and discuss how preparing for pregnancy is about so much more than prenatal vitamins and doctor's appointments. It's also about caring for your emotional well-being. In this episode, we explore why your mental health deserves a place at the center of your pregnancy planning journey.

Whether you're dreaming about starting a family soon or simply thinking ahead, we'll discuss how stress, anxiety, past experiences, relationships, and self-care can all impact the transition into parenthood. You'll learn practical ways to build emotional resilience, identify areas where you may need support, and create a strong foundation before pregnancy begins.

Join us for an honest conversation about breaking the stigma around mental health, prioritizing yourself without guilt, and embracing the idea that one of the greatest gifts you can give your future child is a healthy, supported, and emotionally well parent. Because caring for your baby starts with caring for you!

To learn more about Delivered and sign up for my newsletter, go to https://athenaestelle.com/

For more information on Dr. Kenga Sivarajah, or to book an appointment click here!

Mental Health Resources:

Maternal Mental Health Alliance: Click Here!

Postpartum Support International: Click Here!

Pandas Foundation UK: Click Here!

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In this special episode of Delivered, we are joined by our first couple, Reggie & Brionna! We have all experienced the truth that, bringing home a baby changes everything—including your relationship. Between sleepless nights, endless responsibilities, and the constant demands of caring for a newborn, it's easy for your partnership to take a back seat. But your relationship deserves care, too!

In this episode, we explore what it really looks like to reconnect as a couple during the postpartum season. We discuss the common challenges new parents face and practical ways to strengthen your relationship without adding more pressure to an already full plate. Whether you're navigating your first postpartum experience or adjusting to life with another little one, this conversation offers encouragement, realistic expectations, and simple strategies to help you rediscover the friendship and connection that brought you together in the first place.

Because while becoming parents is life-changing, your story as partners is still being written—and investing in your relationship is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourselves and your family.

Don't forget to subscribe, download, and share this episode with another parent who could use the reminder that they're more than just Mom and Dad.

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In this deeply honest episode of Delivered, we are joined by a very well experienced Postpartum Chef & Nutritionist, Erika Morris, who is joining us from London! Join us as we sit down to explore the importance of nourishing yourself during the fourth trimester—physically, emotionally, and mentally. We discuss what true postpartum nourishment looks like beyond food alone, from supporting your body's recovery and prioritizing rest to protecting your mental health and embracing the emotional changes that come with new motherhood.

Whether you're newly postpartum, preparing for birth, or supporting someone in their journey, this episode offers encouragement and tangible reminders that your well-being matters, too. Because when we nourish the fourth trimester, we create the foundation for healthier, more supported parents—and families. Tune in for an honest and empowering conversation about feeding your body, mind, and soul after birth.

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Erika's Instagram: @nourishthefourth

Erika's Email: [email protected]

The Postnatal Depletion Cure book: Click Here to buy

The First Forty Days: Click here to buy

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In this deeply honest episode of Delivered, we are joined by one of my closest friends, Katy. We explore what it looks like to navigate depression alongside a best friend who is walking a similar path. This isn't a story of one person saving the other—it's about mutual support, messy moments, and the quiet strength of showing up for each other, when neither of you feels okay.

We talk about the unspoken bond that forms in shared struggle, how to hold space without losing yourself, and the balance between giving support and asking for it. From late-night check-ins to the small victories that feel huge, this conversation highlights the power of connection in the middle of darkness. If you've ever leaned on a friend while trying to heal—or wondered how to support someone when you're struggling too—this episode will remind you that healing doesn't have to happen alone!

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In this special episode of Delivered, we are joined by a childhood friend, Amanda, who is a fantastic Mama of twins! Welcoming one baby into the world is life-changing...welcoming two at once can feel like a beautiful, exhausting whirlwind. In this episode, we dive into the unique realities of postpartum life with twins—the double feedings, the constant juggling, and the emotional highs and lows that often come in waves.

We're unpacking what it means to find balance when everything feels like a blur, from navigating sleep deprivation and identity shifts to managing expectations (your own and everyone else's). This episode offers reassurance that it's okay to feel overwhelmed, and that finding your rhythm doesn't happen overnight—it happens in small, grace-filled moments. Whether you're in the thick of twin postpartum life or preparing for what's ahead, this conversation is here to remind you that you're NOT alone! There is strength in the chaos, beauty in the mess, and support waiting to meet you right where you are.

Amanda's Instagram: @amandaschmigz

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In this special episode of Delivered, we are sitting down with Ashley, a resilient mama who was faced with the unknown world of autism as her son was developing. We're breaking down the harmful myths and outdated narratives surrounding autism and neurodivergence — and replacing them with truth, dignity, and empowerment. Too often, autistic individuals are misunderstood, underestimated, or pressured to conform to neurotypical standards. But being neurodivergent doesn't mean being less. It means being different — and different is not a deficit.

We'll explore what it really means to live with autism, the impact of stigma on individuals and families, and how language, advocacy, and education can shift the conversation. Whether you're a parent, partner, provider, or someone navigating your own neurodivergent identity, this episode offers insight, validation, and practical ways to foster inclusion and understanding.

Because when we challenge stigma, we create space — space for authenticity, for strengths to shine, and for every brain to be valued exactly as it is!!

Ashley's Instagram: @ashmundy_

Autism Resources & Support for Northeast Florida: CLICK HERE!

To learn more about Autism: CLICK HERE!

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In this special episode of Delivered, we are joined by AnnaMarie, a first time mom who finally said Enough is Enough! Join us as we're naming what so many moms feel but rarely say out loud: the pressure to "bounce back," keep it together, and somehow do it all with a smile. From the unrealistic expectations on social media to the silent comparisons happening in our own homes, postpartum pressure is real—and it's heavy. Today, we're drawing a line in the sand and saying what more mothers need to hear: enough is enough!

We're unpacking where this pressure comes from, how it shows up in our thoughts and daily routines, and why so many women feel like they're failing in a season that is already so vulnerable. If you've been feeling stretched thin, overstimulated, or quietly questioning why this feels harder than you expected, this conversation is for you. Let this episode be the permission slip you didn't know you needed—to slow down, to ask for help, to set boundaries, and to release the impossible standard of perfection. You are not failing. You are human! And you deserve support in this season!

To learn more about Delivered and sign up for my newsletter, go to https://athenaestelle.com/

AnnaMarie's Instagram: a_marie_knight

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In this special episode of Delivered, we are joined by Jen Keeney, who is a well experienced nurse and lactation consultant. She joins us this week to discuss the ever-evolving topic of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is often portrayed as this natural, beautiful bonding experience — but for so many moms, the reality is far more complex. In this honest and compassionate episode, we pull back the curtain on the parts of breastfeeding that no one really prepares you for: the physical pain, the emotional toll, the pressure to "get it right," and the silent struggles so many moms carry alone.

From latching difficulties and supply worries to exhaustion, guilt, and mental overload, we're having the conversations that are usually whispered, not shared. Whether breastfeeding came easily for you, felt impossible, or landed somewhere in between, this episode is about validation, truth, and support — not perfection. If you're in the thick of feeding struggles or carrying shame about how your journey looks, let this episode remind you: you are not broken, you are not failing, and you are not alone. Your feeding journey is valid, your mental health matters, and your baby needs you — not a flawless feeding story.

This is for the moms who are trying, the moms who are tired, and the moms who just need someone to say: you're doing an incredible job.

Jen's Instagram: @wavesoflovelactation

To contact Jen for more information: [email protected]

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In this special episode of Delivered, we are joined by Christina, a first time Mom who was faced with Postpartum Anxiety after delivering her baby girl 18 months ago. Postpartum anxiety often hides in plain sight—masked as constant worry, racing thoughts, or the feeling of being completely overstimulated by even the smallest moments. In this episode, we're breaking down what postpartum anxiety really looks like, why it's so commonly misunderstood, and how it can quietly take over during a season that's supposed to feel joyful.

Join us as Christina opens up about the difference between "normal new-parent stress" and anxiety that deserves attention. We dive into the impact of sensory overload and mental exhaustion, and why so many parents struggle in silence. Whether you're feeling on edge, emotionally flooded, or simply not like yourself, this conversation offers validation and reassurance that you are NOT alone—and that support is available.

If you've ever thought, "Why can't I calm down?" or "Is this normal?" this episode is for you!!

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In this special episode of Delivered, we are joined by Erin Ference, MSW. You may remember Erin from Episode 33—and now she's back to share the next chapter of her story. In this powerful episode, we explore what happens when the people we trust with our care get it wrong and how finding your voice can change everything. This episode dives into the emotional, physical, and mental toll of being misdiagnosed, while offering practical tools to help you advocate for yourself with clarity and confidence.

Join us to hear Erin's story of resilience, lessons learned through frustration, and the transformative moment when speaking up becomes a form of self-protection. Whether you've felt dismissed, overlooked, or misunderstood, this conversation reminds you that your body, your intuition, and your experiences matter.

If you're navigating your own uncertainty or searching for answers, this episode will empower you to step forward, ask the right questions, and insist on the care you deserve. Your voice isn't just valid—it's vital!!

Erin's Instagram: @emr.mrs

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