Welcome back to our first episode of 2024!  We are so happy to be back with our first chat series episode for the year - all about feeling 'stuck' and working through it. We chat about what we've found challenging recently, how we know when we are getting stuck and what things help us the most (plus the bonus things that most certainly do not help in retrospect but are good for a laugh).  A quick reminder I am now available again for face to face counselling for the first time in several...

In the very first episode of my new 'Chat series' on the podcast - I team up with guest co-host Kathryn @_motherup to chat through a big end of year topic for many early years parents - preparing for daycare, kindy (pre-school) or primary school parenthood.  Resources: 1:1 Counselling support - Book a 1:1 counselling session with Gemma today Connect with Kathryn  - @_motherup on Instagram  Trigger warnings This episode discusses chronic illness, fertility complications,...

In this episode I explore the many ways new and expectant parents might feel isolated in the perinatal period. This includes discussion around isolation:  Physically/ geographically From experiences/ hobbies Within relationships Regarding purpose I also share several top mental health and connectivity tips/ things to try when feeling isolated during this time.  Resources: 1:1 Counselling support – Book a 1:1 counselling session with Gemma today As discussed in the episode: ...

In this episode we are lucky to hear from Steph Trethewey. Steph is a mother of two, journalist, author, podcast host and the founder of @motherlandaustralia, a national charity supporting and connecting rural mothers. In this episode Steph and I chat about her:  Journalism career pre-children   Very challenging first postpartum experience   Feelings of isolation that deepened upon moving to rural Tasmania as a new mother  Creation of the Motherland podcast and online mother's groups for...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by Sarah Bolitho, a Master's qualified Child & Family Play Therapist, mother of three and founder of @securefoundations. In this episode we chat about:  Sarah's work in child protection prior to parenthood and how this interacted with her early parenting experiences  Sarah's birth experiences, in particular her difficult first birth and subsequent challenging transition to infant parenthood  How Sarah's study of play therapy transformed the way...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by Sally, personal trainer of 17 years, mother of two and the owner of perinatal specific fitness providers @fitphilosophyau. In this episode I chat with Sally all about her: Life as a PT in Europe pre-motherhood  Several year fertility journey Pregnancy losses Experience of motherhood after loss  Feelings of strength and connection gained from perinatal exercise.  Thank you Sally for your willingness to share so openly about a lot of challenging...

In this episode we are lucky enough to be joined by boudoir and branding photographer @jodiplumbleyphotography. In this ep Jodi and I chat all things:  - How Jodi's experience of becoming a mother influenced her choice to pursue her passion in photography - How that passion evolved naturally into empowering women through boudoir work  - Common reservations about booking a boudoir shoot  - What a boudoir shoot is actually like before, during and after (including my experience of working...

In this episode we are super lucky to have Leonie Akhidenor, host of the @parenthoodpod on to chat about the taboo subjects in parenthood - the things we don't talk about! Leonie started her podcast, which aims to take the stigma out of the hard parts of parenthood, in her second postpartum after experiencing pre and postnatal depression with both of her children. In this episode you'll hear all about:  - Leonie's differing experiences of pre and postnatal depression, her first ever...

In this episode we are joined by psychologist Dr Elyse McNeil. After noticing the difference in household roles in her own partnership, Dr Elyse set out to learn more from academic literature about how to navigate sharing this better. Upon not finding anything particularly helpful, Elyse embarked on a PhD about mental labour to help others gain awareness and language to navigate sharing the household load more effectively. In this episode you will hear about:  What mental labour/ the mental...

In this episode we are joined by Lily Eid @launchmama_, career practitioner for mothers to talk all things career transitions in motherhood. In this episode we cover common: Challenges in career planning for mothers   Thoughts or feelings while on parental leave  Questions about working motherhood  Ways mothers can approach career transitions/ changes to your career pathway Thanks Lily for your insights and assistance navigating this inherently complex topic.  Resources: 1:1 Counselling...

In this episode I chat with one of my mother's group besties Eleanor about all things travel with kids. Eleanor is a mother of three, works for an airline and has done lots of travel (domestic and international) with her husband little ones. We both chat about our travel experiences with kids including how we navigate:  - Different holiday types  - Packing for holidays  - Travelling/ transit  - Activities/ typical days on holiday - Our own expectations of holidays with family ...

In this episode I am lucky enough to be joined by the wonderful Danielle Rhodes. Danielle is a hypnobirthing practitioner, mother of two, former corporate businesswoman and 100% someone you want on your team if you're looking to have a positive birth (especially if it's after one you don't feel great about). In this episode Danielle shares:  Her two polarising birth experiences  Her challenges with postpartum anxiety  Key tips on planning for your pregnancy and birth More details about how...

In this snapshot episode - I am lucky enough to cohost with fellow Brisbane perinatal mental health professional, Courtney Wilton @nourished_psychology. Courtney and I both share our personal and professional experiences navigating: Feelings about and experiences of anger across the lifespan The (many) triggers for anger in motherhood What to do with anger when it arises Repairing with others after anger Self-compassion in motherhood  Resources: 1:1 Counselling support – Book a...

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by one of my favourite humans - Talia Wells, owner of @everydaymums. Inspired by her own experience seeking social connection after moving to Ipswich during her first pregnancy, Talia has created a wonderful space for mothers, partners and young families in the Ipswich area and surrounds to connect. In this episode find out more about how Talia personally navigated:  Two completely different pregnancy, birth and postpartum journeys with her two...

March is Endometriosis awareness month, and in this episode we are joined by the lovely Lauren Tench aka @motherhoodandendometriosis. Lauren shares her experiences navigating: Endometriosis diagnosis as a young woman  Pregnancy loss, conception and pregnancy with endometriosis  A traumatic birth experience  Endometriosis in early motherhood  Mental health challenges  Sharing her story and creating a community on instagram  A big thank you to Lauren for sharing so openly about a number of...

In this episode I am joined by the lovely @dorotheemarossero - Engineer, scientist, yoga teacher and coach. Dorothee shares her experiences:  Pre-motherhood growing up in France Studying engineering and science while living and working abroad in the USA, Asia and Europe Her surprise pregnancy and move to Australia with her husband Motherhood as an expat navigating life in a bi-lingual family abroad  Reflections on working motherhood, values and experience of mothering after the loss of her...

In this episode we are joined by two wonderful women, Kelsey and Cassidy – hosts of the Australian Abortion Stories podcast. With three abortion experiences between them, as well as Kelsey’s transition to motherhood years after her abortion, we will hear about many common elements of the abortion journey including:   -       Common experiences in decision making -       Emotions in early pregnancy -       Logistics and process of having an abortion -       Postpartum care (physical/...

In this episode we are joined by the talented @dr.aliyoung. Ali is a mother of two who has been a practicing Chiropractor for 20 years and is the author of the book 'Work. Mama. Life'. Dr Ali's passion is helping working mothers creating strategies to find health, decrease stress and fins themselves again in working parenthood. In this episode you'll hear about:  - How Dr Ali navigated her own transition to working motherhood including; living rurally and internationally while building her...

In our first episode of 2023 we are lucky enough to speak about our fertility and women's health journey as mothers with Maddy - registered nurse, trained natural fertility educator and owner of @natural.fertility.collective. Maddy is the queen of evidence-based natural fertility information and in this episode you'll hear about:  - How Maddy made family planning choices around her experiences of Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) in pregnancy x3 - How you can best navigate choices around...

In our final snapshot episode of 2022, I take some time to explore the concept of boundary setting. Boundaries are particularly relevant during the perinatal period and, very often, during the festive season. So in this episode I will take you through: What boundaries actually are Why boundaries are important Signs you might need to set boundaries with someone A simple boundary setting process for you to try How to revisit boundaries as required  This is also the final episode of...

In this episode we are joined by Victoria Vanstone: Host of @soberawkward – A comedy podcast about two ex-party animals navigating parenting and socialising without their old buddy booze. She’s also an author and the CEO of www.cuppa.community, the free social network for the sober and sober curious. Vic describes herself as an all-round professional party pooper. She was forced to address her drinking habit after having children in her mid 30’s and eventually, after suffering from hangover...

In this episode we are lucky enough to be joined by Jess Rosenberg - mother, social worker, maternal health advocate and founder of moode. Noticing fertility was feeling very one-dimensional, Jess decided to challenge that by offering an inclusive and honest insight to the reproductive health conversation - as well as formulating and crafting her first vitamins- The Prenatal by moode. In this episode Jess shares her experiences of the transition to motherhood (x3) and within her career -...

In this episode we are joined by Seven Network Journalist, newsreader, event speaker/MC, ambassador for @beyonddv and mother of two Samanatha Heathwood.  Samantha openly shares about her journey into motherhood as someone in the media, where she navigated:  - Her unexpected first pregnancy - Contract negotiations as one of the first news presenters to require maternity consideration - Returning to work at just eight weeks postpartum  - Interstate moves and the juggle of night/weekend...

In our sixth snapshot episode, I take some time to unpack the concept of 'gender disappointment'. Not widely/ publicly spoken about until more recent years, gender disappointment is fast becoming something many people in the perinatal period identify with. Identifying with gender disappointment is often accompanied by shame or guilt, so in order to help you process how you feel about your relationship to gender disappointment this episode explores: What gender disappointment is  Who...