The Mama Circle

34. It took us four years to feel OK again after becoming parents

What if your relationship doesn’t ‘bounce back’ after the baby? What if it actually takes years?
In this Mums Talk episode, I sit down with my friend Sophie Jane Hardy - writer, coach and host of the Menstruality Podcast, to talk about the unspoken parts of motherhood and how long it can take to feel like you again.
We talk about:✨ Sophie’s four-year journey to rebuild her relationship after becoming parents✨ The grief and rage underneath infertility, birth that didn’t go to plan and letting go of the version of motherhood you’d imagined✨ The invisible mental load and the surrender that nobody prepares you for✨ The moment Sophie realised she had to stop trying to control everything and trust her partner’s way of parenting too✨ Why nervous system care is the real work, and how we find our way back to ourselves (and each other)
If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this feel so hard?” this one is for you.
Want to connect with Sophie?
Sophie’s website: https://www.sophiejanehardy.comInstagram: @sophie.jane.hardyMenstruality Podcast: https://www.redschool.net/podcast 
 
Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com
📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.
And, if you're in the trenches right now:🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here  www.nataliekmartin.com👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here: subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo

33. Your kid wears one - why don't you?

In this voice note from a very sunny (and sweaty!) Berlin, I’m sharing something that’s been on my mind during our time here. As I’ve been walking and cycling around with Jackson, I’ve noticed something that honestly made me pause. Every child I see on a bike is wearing a helmet (which is great!), but hardly any of the parents are.
It reminded me of a short video I saw from a paediatric doctor who made a really simple point: if you’re riding a bike, you need protecting too. Especially when your child is relying on you.
This episode isn’t about guilt, it’s just a loving nudge. I know how easy it is to put our own safety last when we’re focused on our kids. But the truth is, they don’t just need to be protected. They need us. Healthy, safe, and here.
Sending you all the sunny vibes from Berlin,Nat 💛
Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com
📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.
And, if you're in the trenches right now:🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here  www.nataliekmartin.com👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here: subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo
 

32. The Woman Who Made Placenta Pills and Smoothies Mainstream

Ever wondered what actually happens to your placenta after birth or why some mums choose to eat it?
In today’s episode of The Mama Circle, I’m joined by my longtime friend, Lynnea Arnold (formerly Lynnea Shrief) - doula, baby massage therapist, and founder of Europe’s first placenta encapsulation network, IPEN. She’s also a mum of four, a creator of change, and someone who has quietly shaped birth support for thousands of women.
Together, we dive into:
What doulas really do (and why they can change your whole birth experience)
The truth about placenta encapsulation: how it works, why people do it, and what you need to know
Baby massage as a tool for bonding, emotional regulation, and deep connection
Building a legacy while raising a family and why you don’t need to be loud to make an impact
Mentioned in this episode:
👋🏽 Connect with Lynnea: https://www.everwelltherapies.co.uk/ 🤓 Learn more about placenta encapsulation: https://www.placentanetwork.com/ 💌 Join my mailing list and get your free Overwhelm Busting Bingo for quick wins when motherhood feels overwhelming: subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo 
Get in touch!
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com 

31. Should We Be Having Kids Sooner in Relationships?

In today’s voice note (recorded on my walk to work), I’m diving into something that’s been on my mind: what if our modern relationship timeline is setting us up for failure when it comes to parenting?
We’ve all heard of or experienced the heartbreak of feeling disconnected from your partner after having children. But what if the problem isn’t just them changing... but us expecting things to stay the same?
In this episode, I explore:
The relationship escalator and why it might not serve parents
Why parenting is such a profound identity shift
Whether having children earlier in a relationship could actually help
The gap between expectations and reality in parenting roles
Why knowing someone pre-kids might not prepare you for the real deal
I’m not claiming to have all the answers here – just sharing a curious thought and inviting you to reflect with me. I’d love to hear your take!
Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com
📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.
And, if you're in the trenches right now:🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here  www.nataliekmartin.com👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here: subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo
 

30. Terrified of Vomit as a Mum?! Living with (and healing from) Emetophobia

Okayyy - it's time I talk about Emetophobia, the thing I've carried around with me for the last 37 years!
This week I'm sharing my journey with fear of vomiting and how it’s shaped my life. From a traumatic experience at four years old to how I avoided certain foods, places, and even situations that most people take for granted. But that changed this year. Because becoming a mum made me realise: I needed to get a grip on this phobia for myself, and for my son.
I walk you through:
What emetophobia actually is and how it shows up in day-to-day life
My personal origin story (and why it’s not actually the root cause)
The behavioural patterns that kept the fear alive
Why motherhood made me face it head-on
The Thrive Programme that finally helped me feel better
The progress I’ve made and what I hope for you too
Whether you’ve experienced this fear yourself or know someone who has, I hope this episode reminds you: you’re not alone, and it can get better.
If you or a loved one has Emetophobia too, here are the resourced mentioned:
Emetophobia Free Podcast
The Thrive Programme and Emetophobia.co.uk (for more info)
Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com
📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.
And, if you're in the trenches right now:🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here  www.nataliekmartin.com👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here: subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo
 

29. From Pill Problems to Peaceful Pregnancy and a New Life in France - Mum's Talk with Amanda Baumann

In this Mums Talk episode, I’m joined by Amanda Baumann — a fertility awareness educator, yoga teacher, and mum — to share her honest and inspiring journey through conception, matrescence, and starting over in a new country.
Amanda talks about how hormonal contraception led to anxiety and burnout in her twenties, and how discovering cycle awareness helped her reconnect with her body and conceive her daughter with calm and confidence. Now living in the South of France with her young family, she reflects on identity shifts, expat life with a toddler, and what it really takes to juggle motherhood and self-care.
We explore:
The emotional whiplash of going from avoiding pregnancy to trying for a baby
Why so many of us grow up fearing our bodies — and how to shift that
Moving from London to rural France with a toddler (and no village)
Letting go of control and trusting your instincts as a parent
What changed when Amanda became a mum — in her body, mind, and career
Bullet journaling, yoga nidra, and other self-care tools that actually fit mum life
Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Comment on Spotify or:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com
📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.
And, if you're in the trenches right now:🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here  www.nataliekmartin.com👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here: subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo

28. Too Busy to Breathe? [Voice Note] How to Find Micro-Moments for Yourself in Your Day

If you're constantly rushing, from nappy changes to school runs to work emails, and wondering when you’ll ever get a moment to just breathe, this episode is for you.
In today’s quick voice note, I share a gentle reminder from the sunny banks of the Danube: that sometimes, rest is closer than we think. You don’t need a spa day to feel human again. You just need 30 seconds of intention.
Tune in to hear:
Why waiting for “enough time” can keep you stuck in burnout
Simple, everyday places you can build in a pause (yep, even on the loo!)
How slowing down just a little can reconnect you to yourself
A reminder that you're allowed to rest — even for one minute
💛 Share this episode with a mum who needs a breather today. And don’t forget to rate or follow if you haven’t already - it helps this show reach more mums who need it.
Share your thoughts with me:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com
And if you're in the trenches right now:🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here  www.nataliekmartin.com👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here: subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo

27. Have You Lost Your Spiritual Practice Since Becoming a Mum?

In today’s solo episode, I share something I’ve never really heard anyone talk about: how my deep connection to my spiritual self was quietly lost when I became pregnant, and how that disconnection lingered into motherhood.
I talk about:
The unexpected shift in my relationship with yoga, meditation, and cycle tracking
Why pregnancy felt like being in emotional ‘no man’s land’
How motherhood became both my disconnection and my practice
The shame I felt seeing other spiritual mums still thriving
What’s helping me reconnect now
This one is close to my heart. If you’ve ever felt untethered from your spiritual self as a mother, please know: you’re not alone. I hope this episode gives you a sense of understanding and a gentle invitation to come back to yourself.
Do you feel this too? Let me know in the comment section on Spotify or:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com
📢 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.
And, if you're in the trenches right now:🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here  www.nataliekmartin.com👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here: subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo

26. This Has Just Helped Save My Relationship [Voice Note] The Dance of Anger

In this short but powerful voice note episode, I'm sharing the one book that completely shifted my understanding of anger, and honestly helped my relationship in the process.
If you’ve been feeling constantly irritated, resentful, or just off - especially in your closest relationships - this one’s for you. I talk about the emotional impact of The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner, how it landed in a moment of crisis, and why every woman (especially mothers and partners) should read or listen to it.Read the book 👉 The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner 🎧 Also available as an audiobook on Spotify.
Share your thoughts with me:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com
And if you're in the trenches right now:🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here  www.nataliekmartin.com👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here: subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo

25. Backpacking with a 5 Year Old - Mum's Talk with Janina Breitling

Building a Life and Biz On The Road 
What would it take to quit your job, sell everything, and travel the world for six years - with your kid in tow?
In today’s inspiring Mum's Talk episode, I’m joined by Janina Breitling: mother, adventurer, entrepreneur, and founder of the sustainable menstrual product brand Nookees. Together, we dive into her story of leaving behind a stable freelance journalism career to give her son a different kind of education - one built on experience, connection, and a deep respect for the world.
We talk about:
How Janina prepared for a global trip with her five-year-old
What worldschooling actually looked like in practice
Starting a mission-driven product business from a kitchen table in Bali
Creating the Nookees Foundation and tackling period poverty across three continents
Motherhood, identity, and how to follow your instincts (even when everyone says you’re crazy)
Whether you’ve ever dreamt of leaving it all behind or you just need a dose of bravery and bold motherhood, this one’s for you.
📲 Follow Janina @janina.breitling and Nookes @nookes_ on Instagram🩸 Curious about Nookees? Explore Janina’s foundation and products https://nookees.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooZj__VlNCrVkOAC557z7N1aIpR-RWz8LUuZ7j0MG2m5ir0ZdEw 
Come say hi:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com
🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here  www.nataliekmartin.com👉🏽 Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light hearted fun! Download my Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet here: subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo
🎧 Share this with a mama who dreams of more. And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review—every click helps get these stories heard.