Welcome to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!

Today we’re joined by Alison Beder Solway, an inspiring debut author, fitness expert, and founder of ABS Fitness.

Alison's work is built on the idea that hope is a conscious choice, one rooted in strength and resilience. With a background in environmental policy, teaching, and fitness, Alison brings a unique perspective to empowering women in both body and mind. Her debut memoir, The Miles We Run, offers readers a deeply personal look at her journey navigating surrogacy, fertility, and marathon training—all experiences that underscored her belief in the strength of hope and perseverance.

We talk about:

1. Holding Gratitude: Finding resilience and doing what we need to do during the hardest motherhood moments.
2. How Alison’s experiences with surrogacy and fertility have shaped her understanding of endurance and strength.
3. Her unique philosophy of hope as a “brave and deliberate decision,” and how this outlook has guided her work and personal life.
4. The mental and physical preparation involved in training for the New York City Marathon and the life lessons she’s drawn from it.
5. Insights from her upcoming memoir, The Miles We Run, exploring the relationship between physical strength, mental endurance, and overcoming life’s biggest challenges.

I hope Alison’s story offers you new insights and motivation. If it resonates with you, please share this episode with others so that mothers everywhere can gain the support and encouragement they need.

ABOUT ALISON BEDER SOLWAY:

Alison Beder Solway is an author, fitness expert, and founder of ABS Fitness, an online platform dedicated to supporting women’s health and empowerment. With a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and a background in policy and teaching, Alison has continually dedicated herself to helping others, especially through her focus on the mental and physical connection in her fitness programs. Her memoir, The Miles We Run, recounts her journey with surrogacy, fertility, and marathon training, all of which taught her profound lessons about hope, resilience, and personal strength.

RESOURCES:

• Website: The Miles We Run
• Instagram: @themileswerun
• Twitter: @arianebeeston
• The Miles We Run Blog: Sign up here

If you’re interested in exploring Alison’s fitness work, visit ABS Fitness and follow along on social media at @absfitnessca.

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Welcome to The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!

Today’s episode brings a truly insightful conversation with Shradha Biyani, an editor, book writing coach, and the visionary founder of Tashi Press. With her unique blend of journalism training and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Harvard University, Shradha helps writers articulate impactful narratives. She has worked with numerous publishing houses, including Pan Macmillan, Westland Books, and Penguin Random House, and her workshops and coaching embody her passion for storytelling, language, and the power of shared human experiences.

We talk about:

1. A Pyramid of Mothers: Early life in India and the strong support for new mothers, from the many mothers in the community.
2. New Mothers need to heal: The essential focus on healing and well-being during the first period of motherhood.
3. The "Great Loss" in Modernity: How New Mothers are surviving without strong support and community care, and how this has affected modern motherhood.
4. Community Strength: Building strong relationships and creating a community of support available to everyone.
5. Passing down values: Being a good role model and educating the next generation about the power of community

I hope today’s episode gives you practical insights and inspiration, and if you find it valuable, please share it to help other mothers access the support and wisdom they need.

ABOUT SHRADHA BIYANI:

Shradha Biyani is an editor, book writing coach, and founder of Tashi Press. Trained as a journalist with a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Harvard University, Shradha’s career bridges the worlds of narrative and urban studies. She has collaborated with major publishers like Pan Macmillan, Westland Books, and Penguin Random House to guide authors through every step of their creative journey. Her workshops combine her love for urban anthropology and her understanding of migration stories, creating a space where emerging and seasoned writers alike can flourish. Shradha is dedicated to helping storytellers connect with readers in impactful, lasting ways.

RESOURCES:

• Website: Tashi Press
• LinkedIn: Shradha Biyani
• Instagram: @tashipress
• Offers: If you’ve been considering writing a book and could use some guidance, feel free to book a free connect call with Shradha at tashipress.com/contact.

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Welcome back, Mamas, to this week's episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!

Today, we're joined by Rachel Somerstein, a powerhouse in maternal health journalism and the author of Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section. Combining personal stories, investigative research, and historical insights, Rachel’s work seeks to drive essential conversations around c-sections and maternal health.

We in-depth on:

• The ups and downs: in her motherhood journey
• The Unseen Side of C-Sections: Rachel shares the profound and often overlooked realities surrounding cesarean sections, which are the most frequently performed operation worldwide.
• Changing the narrative: The societal and medical structures that impact maternal well-being and how storytelling can influence systemic change.

I hope this conversation leaves you feeling informed and empowered. If you found it valuable, please share it to help mothers everywhere access the support and information they deserve.

ABOUT RACHEL SOMERSTEIN:

Rachel Somerstein is the author of Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section (Ecco 2024), a groundbreaking book that investigates the history and nuances of c-sections through a unique blend of memoir, research, and reporting. Her work has appeared in The Boston Globe, The Guardian, Longreads, The Washington Post, Women’s Health, and more, and she has been featured on NPR. With a PhD in mass communications and an MFA in creative writing, Rachel is committed to using narrative and rigorous research to elevate critical discussions on maternal health. She is currently an associate professor of journalism at SUNY New Paltz.

RESOURCES:

Website: www.rachelsomerstein.com

LinkedIn: Rachel Somerstein

Instagram: @rachelesomerstein

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Welcome to another empowering episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!

In today’s session, we’re diving deep into the sacred feminine journey with the wonderful Jade Estelle.

Jade is a Feminine Space Holder and Rites of Passage Coach, specializing in menstruation, matrescence, and menopause.

She brings a beautiful and restorative approach to embracing the feminine, and today we explore her work in guiding women of all ages to reconnect with themselves and honour their life cycles.

Here’s what we cover:

1. The Power of Rites of Passage: How Jade helps women navigate key life transitions such as menstruation, motherhood, and menopause with grace and awareness.
2. The Motherhood Journey: Jade shares her motherhood experience with her two children.
3. Exhaustion, Postnatal Depression and Anxiety: The weight of motherhood and the light inside.
4. Discovering Matrescence: How Jade came upon matrescence and the huge impact it had on her life and outlook..
5. Girl Becoming: Exploring the Rite of Passage around womanhood and her program, to guide and support woman of all ages.

I hope today’s conversation inspires and uplifts you. If you found it valuable, don’t hesitate to share it so more mothers can access this nurturing support and wisdom!

ABOUT JADE ESTELLE:

Jade Estelle is a Feminine Space Holder, Rites of Passage Coach, and Yoga & Embodiment Teacher who specializes in supporting females of all ages through significant life transitions. Whether it’s menstruation, matrescence, or menopause, Jade provides deep healing through womb connection, movement, and rituals. She is passionate about empowering women to embrace their self-worth, nourish their bodies, and feel a sense of community. Jade’s mission is one of service, providing education to young girls, healing feminine bodies, and fostering connection through breath and movement.

RESOURCES:

socials: @jadeestelleyoga

website: jadeestelle.com

email: [email protected]

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Welcome to another heartfelt episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!

Today, I’m thrilled to dive into a meaningful conversation with Jessie Harrold. Jessie has dedicated over fifteen years to guiding women through profound transformations and life’s pivotal rites of passage. As a coach, doula, and author, her insights are bound to resonate with mothers at every stage of their journey.

We explore:

1. The Transition to Motherhood: Jessie unpacks the concept of matrescence and how it redefines motherhood as a rite of passage.
2. The MotherSHIFT : Learn about Jessie’s experience around motherhood, her new book, and how she supports women to find 'solid ground' in a fragile system..
3. The Loss of Identity: Jessie shares personal insights on understanding the struggle within the greater social context.
4. The Hurdles ahead: What challenges mothers and women have yet to face and how we can best be poised to overcome them..
5. Our modern mindset around motherhood: How we have held the role of motherhood and where its placed now, and what to do next.

I hope this conversation brings you inspiration and insight. If you feel it might help another mama on her journey, please share it so we can continue to build a supportive community for mothers everywhere.

FULL YOUTUBE PRESENTATION HERE: https://youtu.be/ziiaR-Nx9Vk

ABOUT JESSIE HARROLD:

Jessie Harrold is a coach and doula who has been supporting women through radical life transformations and other rites of passage for over fifteen years. She works one-on-one with women and mothers, facilitates mentorship programs, women’s circles, and rituals, and hosts retreats and nature-based experiences. Jessie holds degrees in Neuroscience and Health Promotion, with award-winning research published internationally. She’s also the author of Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage and Project Body Love. She lives on the east coast of Canada, where she mothers her two children, writes, and stewards the land.

RESOURCES:

Website: www.jessieharrold.com

Instagram: @jessie.es.harrold

Email: [email protected]

Catch Jessie's previous episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ep-145-the-liminal-space-in-motherhood-with-jessie-harrold/id1203707859?i=1000487939343

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Welcome to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.

This week’s guest is Nicole Amery.

With over 20 years of experience as a registered Occupational Therapist, Nicole is a Motherhood Coach who specializes in supporting neurodivergent families. She is passionate about helping mothers and caregivers as they navigate the unique challenges of raising neurodivergent children.

We talk about:

1. The importance of supporting mothers in neurodivergent families and how this positively impacts the child.
2. Nicole's personal experiences as an autistic mother and how it informs her approach to parenting.
3. The concept of postnatal depletion and autistic burnout and the effects it has on mothers like herself.
4. The journey to redefining womanhood and motherhood, and how Nicola has reframed these roles in her own life.
5. Moving through grief and coming to accept our Neurodiverse situation: to better cope and and even thrive on this parenting journey.

I hope this conversation resonates with you, and if it does, please spread the word so more mothers can find the encouragement and resources they need to flourish.

ABOUT NICOLE AMERY:

Nicole Amery is a registered Occupational Therapist and Motherhood Coach with a wealth of experience in supporting neurodivergent families. As an autistic mother of three neurodivergent girls, she brings a unique perspective to her work, deeply influenced by her own experiences of postnatal depletion and burnout. Nicole is dedicated to empowering mothers to navigate their own journeys of self-discovery and redefinition, providing compassionate support for those balancing motherhood with the complexities of neurodivergence.

RESOURCES:

• Website: https://nourishandconnect.com/
• Follow Nicole on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nourishandconnect/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nourishandconnect

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Welcome back, Mamas to The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!

This week’s guest is Kasey Edwards, a leading Australian columnist and bestselling author known for her insightful and humorous takes on parenting, work satisfaction, and body image. Kasey’s work has reached over 10 million readers worldwide, making her a powerful voice for women and girls everywhere.

We talk about:

1. The importance of raising girls who like themselves – How building self-worth and confidence in young girls sets them up for success in life.
2. Work satisfaction and finding purpose – Kasey shares her personal journey of feeling 'over it' in her thirties and how she pivoted towards more fulfilling work.
3. Motherhood and societal expectations – Discussing the pressures mothers face and how Kasey navigates those while staying true to herself.
4. Body image and self-acceptance – Tackling how women can cultivate a healthier relationship with their bodies in a world filled with unrealistic expectations.
5. Bringing up boys who like themselves – Kasey shares insights from her latest book on how to raise boys who are confident, kind, and emotionally aware.

I hope you find this conversation useful, and if you do, please share it widely so mothers everywhere can access the support and information they need to thrive.

ABOUT KASEY EDWARDS

Kasey Edwards is a bestselling author of eight books, including Thirty Something and Over It, Raising Girls Who Like Themselves, and Bringing Up Boys Who Like Themselves. With her engaging writing style that blends humor and research, Kasey tackles issues like motherhood, body image, and work satisfaction. Her audience of over 10 million readers worldwide makes her one of Australia’s most influential voices for women and girls.

RESOURCES

INSTAGRAM: @kaseyedwardswriter

WEBSITE: https://www.raisinggirlswholikethemselves.com/

https://www.boyswholikethemselves.com/

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/KaseyEdwardsWriter/

BOOK LINKS: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/raising-girls-who-like-themselves-9781760894368

https://www.penguin.com.au/books/bringing-up-boys-who-like-themselves-9780143778738

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Welcome to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.

This week’s guest is Kelley Pickett, a Registered Psychologist, Meditation Teacher, and Mama Rising Coach, dedicated to helping mothers understand themselves and thrive through holistic mental health practices.

She shares with us:

• The Importance of Self-Awareness: Kelley shares how tools and practices can help mothers understand who they are and why they feel certain ways, leading to personal growth and empowerment.
• Navigating Stress and Anxiety: Kelley discusses how recognizing emotions and thought patterns can prevent burnout and support healing, particularly during motherhood.
• Kelley’s Personal Journey: From burnout to balance, Kelley explains her own experiences and the committed action it took for her to reclaim her energy and mindset.
• Holistic Approach to Mental Health: Kelley emphasizes the importance of a multi-faceted, holistic approach to mental health, incorporating meditation, mindfulness, and wellness practices.
• Supporting Mothers Through Matrescence: Kelley shares how her recent Mama Rising studies on maternity leave transformed her understanding of motherhood and how she applies it in her private practice.

I hope you find this episode useful, and if you do, please share it widely so mothers everywhere can access the support and information they need to thrive.

Full YouTube presentation here: https://youtu.be/wCIRZDLCC4E

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ABOUT KELLEY PICKETT:

Kelley Pickett is a Registered Psychologist, Meditation Teacher, and Mama Rising Coach. With 9 years of experience, Kelley recently started her private practice in Torquay, Victoria, and is passionate about empowering mothers with holistic mental health tools. Kelley is committed to helping her clients regain energy, nurture personal growth, and prevent burnout through mindfulness and meditation.

RESOURCES:

Website: www.kokorohealth.com.au

Instagram: @kokoropsychologyandhealth

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068884960076

Be sure to check out her upcoming online mini-course for mums!

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Welcome to this week’s solo episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.

In today’s episode, I dive deep into a powerful and often unspoken experience of motherhood: maternal rage and anger. As mothers, we can feel a sense of overwhelming responsibility and crushing pressure, and yet, so often, we are not acknowledged or supported in the ways we truly need.

But there is a way through planning and care.

We explore:

• What maternal rage really is, and how it differs from typical frustration or stress.
• Why mothers are so often left to navigate this emotional overwhelm alone.
• The systems that fail to support mothers, leaving us feeling isolated and undervalued.
• The emotional toll of societal expectations on motherhood, and how these expectations can fuel feelings of resentment.
• How we can begin to heal, find support, and create the change we need in our lives and society.

I hope you find this conversation insightful. If you do, please share it widely so mothers everywhere can access the support and information they need to thrive.

ABOUT AMY TAYLOR-KABBAZ:

Amy is an internationally recognized coach, author, and advocate for mothers. Through her work with 'Mama Rising' and "The Happy Mama Movement Podcast", Amy brings to light the struggles and triumphs of modern motherhood, helping mothers understand the concept of matrescence and navigate the complex emotions and challenges of this life transition.

RESOURCES:

Cristalle Hayes, author of 'Angry Mother, Assertive Mother' - https://www.amazon.com.au/Angry-Mother-Assertive-maternal-radical/dp/1781336504

Here's the link to the playlist I mention in the episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0spIOjXzxJxNRT2SrCZlYi?si=a650051bc5cd4350

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Welcome back, Mama's, to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.

This week’s guest is Erin Spahr, a licensed therapist, maternal mental health advocate, and podcast host based in Raleigh, NC, who uses a feminist lens in her work to help mothers break free from societal pressures and cultivate self-compassion.

We get serious about:

• The impact of societal expectations on mothers' mental health.
• How feminism can be a tool for navigating motherhood with more confidence.
• The importance of inclusivity and identity-affirming care for mothers.
• Erin’s journey through motherhood and coming to terms with the mental load.
• How mothers can reclaim their sense of self and compassion in a society that often demands too much.

I hope you find this conversation useful, and if you do, please share it widely so mothers everywhere can access the support and information they need to thrive.

ABOUT ERIN SPAHR: Erin Spahr is a licensed therapist, mother, feminist, podcast host, and maternal mental health advocate based out of Raleigh, NC. Using a feminist lens in her work with mothers, Erin helps them liberate themselves from oppressive societal expectations and fosters greater self-confidence and self-compassion. She hosts The Feminist Mom Podcast, where she dives into the intersection of feminism and motherhood with inspiring guests. Erin also launched the Inclusive Provider Directory, which connects mothers, birthing individuals, and families in the U.S. and Canada with perinatal providers who prioritize inclusivity and identity-affirming care. In her private practice, she supports clients in North Carolina and Maryland. Erin lives in Raleigh with her husband and two kids.

RESOURCES:

• Erin’s website https://www.erinspahrtherapy.com/
• Follow Erin on Instagram: @erinspahr www.instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapist
• Listen to The Feminist Mom Podcast https://www.feministmompodcast.com/
• Explore the Inclusive Provider Directory https://www.inclusiveproviders.com/

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Welcome to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast.

This week’s guest is Sophia Pallas, an astrologer, copywriter, and online business strategist who pivoted her entire career to focus on the ancient practice of astrology after discovering its profound impact on her life.

Sophia and I get into the nitty-gritty on:

• How astrology helped Sophia find clarity and direction during a challenging period in her life.
• The transformative power of understanding your birth chart in both personal and business decisions.
• Sophia’s journey through motherhood, divorce, a second marriage, and a new baby.
• Astrological insights and how they can change our mindset.
• How astrology can serve as a tool for self-discovery and empowerment.
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I hope you find this conversation useful, and if you do, please share it widely so mothers everywhere can access the support and information they need to thrive.

ABOUT SOPHIA PALLAS:

Sophia Pallas is an astrologer, copywriter, and online business strategist. She’s also the host of the award-winning podcast, Cosmic Business BreakthroughⓇ. After spending 15+ years working with brands and entrepreneurs to improve their copy and marketing with traditional strategies, she’s flipped the script. Now, Sophia uses the ancient wisdom of astrology to help her clients dig deep, understand themselves, and crystallize their message for more growth and satisfaction in business.

Perpetually curious about the big questions, Sophia started exploring astrology at a young age, but her Capricornian skepticism got in the way. It wasn't until her life and business 'imploded' in 2019 that she was drawn back in and forever changed by what she discovered about herself through astrology. The Gold Coast mum of three has now helped hundreds of online entrepreneurs uncover their unique message and do business in a way that works with their cosmic style.

RESOURCES:

• Sophia’s website
• Follow Sophia on Instagram: @sophiapallas https://www.instagram.com/sophiapallas/
• Listen to Cosmic Business Breakthrough podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2026215
• Watch Sophia’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@sophiapallas for more insights on using the power of astrology in your business.

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