The Gossip | Podcast in RSS.com

The Gossip

di Samantha O'Donovan and Mia Briski

Salute mentale Relazioni genitoriali

Stagione 1

Modalities of Care

There’s a difference between being informed… and being pressured. On the podcast this week, Mia (birth coach) and Sam (OT) spoke about modalities of care, hospital policies, and the way many women can feel pushed into decisions instead of genuinely supported through them. We spoke about the importance of continuity of care — having a trusted midwife who knows you, who listens, who allows space for questions, who respects your “no,” and who supports informed choice rather than fear-based decision making. Because women deserve care that is relational, not transactional. Birth should never feel like something happening to you. It should feel like care that happens with you.

Pregnancy after Loss

Pregnancy after loss can hold so many emotions at once — hope, fear, excitement, and anxiety all living side by side. In this episode, Mia (birth coach) and Sam (OT) have an open and honest conversation about navigating pregnancy after loss. Sam shares her own personal journey, speaking to the emotional complexity of feeling both deeply anxious and cautiously excited. Together, they explore gentle, practical ways to cope with the uncertainty — from simple regulating strategies to support your nervous system, to the importance of having the right people around you during this time. This episode is a reminder that your feelings are valid, you’re not alone, and it’s okay for joy and fear to coexist. A supportive listen for anyone walking this tender path 🤍

Sleep in Motherhood

In this episode, Mia (birth coach) and Sam (OT) explore the realities of sleep in motherhood — from co-sleeping and night waking to the ever-changing flow of children’s sleep. They discuss how sleep isn’t linear, but instead moves through phases shaped by development, growth, and connection. Together, they reflect on the impact of sleep deprivation — the mental load, exhaustion, and emotional toll that comes with broken nights — and gently shift the focus away from “fixing” children’s sleep, toward supporting mothers instead. Mia and Sam share simple, realistic strategies for coping, including prioritising rest (even without sleep), creating calming sleep environments through meditation, music or white noise, and finding small moments to reset throughout the day. A validating and reassuring conversation for any mother navigating the challenges of sleep — reminding you that this is a season, and you’re not alone in it. Find Mia and Sam on instagram: _theempoweredbirthexperience rewoven_matrescence_by_mbm

Work/Life Balance

In this episode of The Gossip, Sam (OT) and Mia (birth coach) have an honest conversation about the reality of trying to balance work and motherhood. They unpack the mental load so many mothers carry — the constant juggling, the feeling of trying to fit everything in, and the guilt that can arise when time is split between work and family. Sam and Mia reflect on how work–life balance often feels like a daily negotiation rather than something perfectly achieved. They talk about practical ways they try to support themselves, including setting clearer boundaries, switching off “work brain” when they are with their children, and using simple systems like to-do lists to focus on one task at a time while at work. The conversation also explores the importance of not spreading yourself too thin, recognising that some seasons of life are naturally busier than others, and allowing space to outsource or ask for help when needed. They also highlight the role partners can play in sharing the mental load — sometimes by simply naming tasks and inviting them into the responsibility. This episode is a validating and practical reflection on the imperfect reality of balancing work, motherhood, and everything in between. To reach out contact: Sam: sam@mbmot.com.au Mia: mia_briski@hotmail.com

Planning for Pregnancy

In this episode of The Gossip, Sam (OT) and Mia (birth coach) dive into planning for pregnancy with a grounded, evidence-informed lens. They explore the often-overlooked role of men in conception and placental health, unpack the importance of preconception supplements — including probiotics and their potential influence on GBS — and discuss how nutrients like folic acid may intersect with concerns such as tongue ties. The conversation also covers understanding cervical mucus as a sign of ovulation and learning to trust your body’s innate rhythms. Woven throughout is a candid reflection on self-regulation in real time — as both hosts navigated recording after a night of poor sleep — modelling the nervous system awareness they encourage in others. This episode is a thoughtful blend of science, embodiment, and practical guidance for those preparing to conceive. Please contact us to be a part of our podcast: Sam - sam@mbmot.com.au Mia - mia_briski@hotmail.com

From Puberty to Parenthood: The Weight of Womanhood

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of self-harm and mental health challenges. In this deeply honest conversation, Sam (Occupational Therapist) and Mia (Birth Coach) reflect on the trials and tribulations of womanhood — starting from puberty and following the thread all the way into adulthood and motherhood. They speak candidly about: The early experiences of puberty and the confusion, shame, and emotional upheaval that often come with it Being prescribed the contraceptive pill at a young age, and how hormonal intervention is frequently used as a first (and sometimes only) solution The mental health challenges many young women face, including anxiety, depression, and experiences of self-harm How the medical system can default to “more pills” rather than deeper investigation, listening, or holistic care The long-term impact this can have in adulthood — on mental health, identity, and trust in healthcare The added layer of fear and responsibility that comes with raising daughters, and worrying about them navigating the same systems and struggles This episode is a reflective, compassionate look at how women’s bodies and emotions are often misunderstood or medicalised — and why listening, education, and better support matter so deeply. Find Sam at https://www.instagram.com/rewoven_matrescence_by_mbm/ Find Mia at https://www.instagram.com/_theempoweredbirthexperience/

Pregnancy

In this episode, Mia (birth coach) and Sam (occupational therapist) share their personal pregnancy journeys and the realities they experienced along the way. They discuss the therapies that supported them through pregnancy, including acupuncture, massage, exercise physiology, chiropractic care, pelvic floor physiotherapist and more. Together, they unpack practical strategies they used to support their bodies, manage both low and high blood pressure, navigate supplementation, and maintain wellbeing throughout pregnancy. This honest conversation blends professional insight with lived experience, offering reassurance and guidance for anyone currently pregnant or supporting someone who is. If you would like further support, please reach out to us at 📧 sam@mbmot.com.au or mia_briski@hotmail.com

Early Postpartum - What's Really Happening

In this episode, we’re talking about early postpartum—a season that is often underestimated, rushed, or misunderstood. Early postpartum isn’t just about physical recovery. It’s a whole-life transition. Your emotions, relationships, body, sleep, and sense of self are all changing at the same time. This is matrescence in motion. We spoke about emotional changes—how it’s normal to feel tender, overwhelmed, tearful, or deeply sensitive. These shifts are influenced by hormones, exhaustion, and the enormity of becoming responsible for a new life. Feeling “all over the place” doesn’t mean something is wrong—it means something big is happening. We explored how sleep deprivation affects everything. When sleep is fragmented, your nervous system stays on high alert. This can make emotions feel louder, coping feel harder, and decision-making more challenging. This isn’t a personal weakness—it’s biology. We also talked about how relationships shift in early postpartum. Dynamics with partners can change, communication can feel harder, and expectations—spoken or unspoken—can create tension. Learning to communicate needs clearly and gently, and revisiting roles and responsibilities, becomes essential during this time. A big focus of the conversation was what mothers actually need in early postpartum. Support from community isn’t optional—it’s foundational. We were never meant to mother alone. Practical help, emotional holding, and being witnessed matter deeply. We spoke about the importance of time to yourself, even in small moments. Space to breathe, shower, rest, or simply be quiet helps regulate the nervous system and reconnect you to yourself. We also named that self-care isn’t selfish. Nourishing your body, resting, eating well, and tending to your emotional needs isn’t indulgent—it’s necessary. Caring for yourself is part of caring for your baby. We discussed nurturing the postpartum body—honouring recovery, slowing down, and releasing pressure to “bounce back.” Your body deserves patience, gentleness, and respect as it heals and adapts. Finally, we highlighted the importance of communication with partners—sharing how you’re really feeling, asking for help, and letting needs be known without guilt or apology. Early postpartum is not the time to push through alone. This episode is an invitation to soften expectations, widen support, and remember: You are not meant to do this perfectly. You are meant to be supported.

Emotional Realities of Motherhood

In this episode of The Gossip, the hosts open an honest, compassionate conversation about the emotional realities of motherhood that are so often left unspoken. Drawing on questionnaire responses and their combined experience as an OT and birth coach, they explore what it feels like to be unheard in maternity systems, how emotional wounds and trauma can surface long after birth, and the many forms of loss that accompany motherhood — from miscarriage and IVF to invisible losses of identity, sleep, and independence. The episode also unpacks guilt, anger, shame, and resentment, reframing them as valid signals rather than personal failures. Grounded in the concept of matrescence, the discussion closes with gentle, practical pathways toward integration and healing, reminding listeners that being heard, naming loss, and finding support can meaningfully lighten the load.

Breastfeeding

In this episode, we share our own breastfeeding journeys—honest, personal, and deeply real. Sam reflects on an overall ease with breastfeeding, alongside challenges including tongue ties with both children, engorgement, and a fast let-down. Mia speaks to the hard work of feeding her first child, navigating repeated bouts of mastitis across her breastfeeding experiences, and the persistence it took to keep going. Together, we talk openly about the realities of breastfeeding, the effort often hidden behind it, and the importance of normalising breastfeeding in public. This conversation offers reassurance that there is no single “right” feeding story—only real ones, shaped by bodies, babies, and circumstances.

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