The Mama Circle

21. A Personal Update: When life gives you lemons

Hi my loves! As we hit 20 episodes, I've decided to take a little pause to regroup and reground because life has been a LOT! But don't worry, I've got some great episodes already recorded for you and I can't wait to share them!
➡️ In the meantime, don't forget to hit FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to get the latest episode automatically when I return.Come say hi!
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com 
Don't forget...🌀 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
 

20. Co-Sleeping vs Sleep Training: Why Nuance Matters

This topic gets people fired up: co-sleeping vs sleep training. Which is better? Which is “right”? In today’s episode, I dive into the real conversation around these parenting choices, sharing my personal experience and the bigger picture that often gets missed.
We explore:
The problem with black and white thinking in motherhood
Why guilt-based messaging can do more harm than good
What happened when we transitioned from co-sleeping to a crib
How to make the right decision for your family without shame
As always, there’s no one-size-fits-all in motherhood. This is a space for nuance, for sharing, and for reminding yourself that you’re doing your best.
📲 What has YOUR sleep journey looked like? Share with me here in the comments or:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com 
Don't forget...🌀 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
 

19. Who am I now? The struggle of identity loss after becoming a mum

Becoming a mother is one of the biggest transformations a woman can go through, and yet, it’s rarely acknowledged as the profound identity shift that it is. If you’ve been feeling lost, struggling to recognise yourself, or grieving the freedom of your pre-mum life, this episode is for you.I’m diving into the archetypes of the maiden and the mother: what they represent, why it can feel so hard to let go of the maiden, and how we can move through this transition with more ease and acceptance. We’ll explore how to honour the identity shift of motherhood, ways to keep your inner maiden alive, and how to integrate her into this next chapter of your life.
Resources & mentions:🎶 My Inner Maiden Playlist
🤯 Download my FREE Overwhelm Busting Bingo Sheet subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo 🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle👋🏽 Come say hello!
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin Website: www.nataliekmartin.comFacebook: Motherhood and EmpowermentLove the podcast?⭐ Please rate & review—your support helps other mums find this space!

18. Real Mums Share Their Best Self-Care Tips (You’ll Want to Try These!)

Self-care looks different for everyone, and I wanted to hear from YOU! In this episode, I’m sharing real self-care ideas from mums just like you, because let’s be honest, finding time for ourselves as mums isn’t always easy.From quick morning routines to spa days, movement, and reconnecting with friends, these are real-life self-care practices that work. If you’ve been struggling to make time for yourself, this episode is packed with ideas to help you recharge in ways that feel doable and enjoyable.
What does YOUR self-care look like? Share with me here in the comments or:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com 
Don't forget...🌀 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
 

17. Your brain is not the same after having a baby (and science says so!)

If you feel like motherhood has completely rewired your brain since giving birth, you're right! Science proves that pregnancy and postpartum change your brain in ways that affect memory, emotions, and even your sense of self. This transition, called matrescence, is as real as puberty, but no one talks about it.In this episode, I dive into the real, biological shifts that happen in your brain after having a baby, why you might feel different (or even unrecognisable to yourself), and how to navigate this identity shift with more self-compassion.What we cover in this episode:✔️ Why your brain is scientifically different after motherhood✔️ How these changes impact your emotions, memory, and identity✔️ Why society expects mums to ‘bounce back’ when that’s impossible✔️ How to embrace matrescence instead of resisting it👉 Let’s chat! Did matrescence hit you hard, or did you ease into it? Comment on the episode or DM me on Instagram @natalie.kmartinResources & mentions:📌 Research on how pregnancy changes the brain https://www.science.org/content/article/pregnancy-resculpts-women-s-brains-least-2-years
🤯 Download my FREE Overwhelm Busting Bingo Sheet subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo 🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle👋🏽 Come say hello!
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin Website: www.nataliekmartin.comFacebook: Motherhood and EmpowermentLove the podcast?⭐ Please rate & review—your support helps other mums find this space!

16. Why Pregnancy Feels Like a No Man’s Land (And How It’s Actually Preparing You for Motherhood)

If you’re pregnant right now and feeling like you’re stuck in a weird inbetween space where your old life doesn’t quite fit anymore but you’re not yet a mother, this episode is for you. This transitional phase can feel unsettling, but what if it’s actually preparing you for what’s to come?In this episode, we dive into:✔ The emotional and physical shifts of pregnancy that feel like a loss but are actually a soft landing into motherhood.✔ Why pregnancy can make you feel disconnected from your old passions and interests.✔ How to embrace this liminal space instead of resisting it.✔ The role of support and guidance from those who’ve walked this path before you.This is part one of a three-episode arc. Next up, we’ll dive into matrescence - the identity shift that happens when you become a mother. And after that, we’ll explore how to honour the maiden version of yourself as you step into this new chapter.
If you'd like to submit your own topic idea  share with me here in the comments or:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Email: info@nataliekmartin.com 
Don't forget...🌀 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
 

15. Is It Child Abuse or Good Parenting? The Internet’s Obsession With Mum Shaming and Why It Has To Stop!

Whether it's on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, Mumsnet, or elsewhere, the judgment and cruelty some mothers experience online is shocking. From breastfeeding choices to sleep training, house cleanliness, and even how someone becomes a mother, the internet seems to think it has a say in it all. In this episode, I break down why this needs to stop, the damage it causes, and why we need to support each other instead of tearing each other down.
In This Episode, I Cover:
The surge of online mum shaming and why it’s so harmful
The recent backlash against Lily Collins and the wider implications of judging mothers
The brutal comments mothers receive about breastfeeding, sleep training, and parenting choices
Why no one has the right to judge another mother’s experience
The power of stopping and reflecting before shaming others
Why “let them be wrong about you” is a phrase to live by
Resources, Links, & Mentions:
🤯 Download my FREE Overwhelm Busting Bingo Sheet subscribepage.io/overwhelmbingo 🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle here https://www.nataliekmartin.com/mama-circle👋🏽 Come say hello!
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin Website: www.nataliekmartin.comFacebook: Motherhood and Empowerment

14. THANK YOU! [Voice Memo]

Eeek! The Mama Circle Podcast is a little over a month old and I am sending a HUGE thanks to you. I truly value your support with this show! Please do get involved with any topic ideas or anything else you'd like to share with me here in the comments or:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Don't forget...🌀 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
 

13. I love my kid, but I also need space! Sound familiar?

In this raw and unfiltered episode, I open up about one of those nights where everything felt like it was spiraling out of control. From Jackson’s acrobatic nursing routines to the overwhelming mix of exhaustion, anger, and guilt, I share the honest reality of a mom struggling to hold it all together. This episode isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about acknowledging that feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failing; it just means you’re human.Links & Resources:Download my FREE Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet with 25 quick, fun tips to turn things aroundDon't forget...🌀 You can join a real-life Mama Circle: https://www.nataliekmartin.comCome say hello!
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin
Facebook: motherhoodandempowerment
Website: www.nataliekmartin.com
If you loved this episode, please leave a review—it really helps!

12. This is the BEST self-care activity I've found yet

What if I told you that grappling on the floor with bulky men and trying to flip them over is the BEST thing I've found to help relieve stress in my motherhood journey so far? Yep, I'm talking about BJJ - Brazilian Ju-Jitstu. And it might just help you too. Have you ever tried BJJ? What are the best things you've found so far to help manage your stress as a mum? Share  your thoughts and tips with me here in the comments or:
Instagram: @natalie.kmartin 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment
Here's where I'm practicing BJJ: Anonymous Ju-Jitsu Addicts
Don't forget...🌀 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