Happy Mama Movement With Amy Taylor-kabbaz

If I could use one word to sum up the struggles and challenges that I have faced over the past 10 years of motherhood, it would be: identity. Who am I now I am a mother? Who am I now so many parts of my independence and freedom have changed? How do I be a partner and a mother when so much of my life was about everything BUT these roles? As I have shared in earlier episodes, I have recently discovered the study of 'matrescence': the transition from women to mother. Since then, I have been on the hunt to understand it more, and how we might move through this change with more grace and ease. Which has brought me to Dr Catherine Birndorf, the co-founder and medical director of The Motherhood Centre, New York. Dr Birndorf is one of the few in the world leading the conversation about motherhood in this way: that we must start looking at what happens to a woman's identity during the early motherhood years if we are to truly honour and support mothers. And if you'd like to join my R E D E F I N E 40 Day Program to lo

If we love our children so much, and we love being a mama, why are feelings like resentment, anger and bitterness so quick to rise up? Why, when we commit to spending time with them, we find ourselves not being the mama we want to be?Because, we are lacking in another part of our life. Balance as a woman requires us to acknowledge that we can't just give ourselves to those we love without some sort of rebalancing in other areas. And it is when all of this is OUT of balance that we snap, get angry, then feel guilty.In this episode, I share how we can stop the resentment rising, and balance ourselves so we are the mamas and women we want to be.What if you could live with this sense of inner balance all of the time? My FREE 5 Days to Real Balance program starts on Monday 22nd October. Sign up here, and join a simple but powerful program to begin to bring real balance back into your life again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We can't have it all - that's the belief of writer, mama and creativity mentor Anna Lovind. And after trying to have it all, and witnessing hundreds of mamas do the same, I agree. Anna is a mama who, at her very core, is a creative spirit, but when motherhood and the realities of two small children came along, she felt that she lost who she was. At her core, she didn't know how to be herself within her new family. And so for a time, she couldn't. This episode is a beautiful insight into the importance of fierce priorities - of knowing that we might not be able to have it all, but we can have what we want the most. As long as we are clear on what that is. You can read more of Anna's beautiful reflections on motherhood, creativity and life at her website, or follow her on instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we change and adapt to how we are going to juggle all the roles in our lives right now, so too do the people around us. Sometimes, that change is easy - our relationship grows with us, and our friendships evolve alongside our lives. But often, this is not the case. Our partners can feel ignored and angry about the changes in our relationship and intimacy. Our friendships can feel empty and lonely now our interests have so dramatically changed. And we can feel like we need to apologise, or even hide, how we are changing to keep everything the same. In this episode, I speak about the importance of not holding ourselves back out of fear of what others will say or do. I talk about the fact that where we are right now is the start of a whole new chapter in our life, and that chapter may need new characters and plot lines. And that's OK. We are changing, and the people around us need to know that too. We just need to accept that change within ourselves first, so we can bring in the right people and support for t

In our current world, we have been undervaluing what it means to be a woman, and a mother. But in many ancient traditions and teachings, the mother is celebrated and revered for her power to create and sustain life. In my search for a better understanding of who I was becoming, and why I struggled so much to value this current season of my life, Kundalini yoga has been one of those ancient teachings that has guided me to a new understanding. Alexandra Di Cecco has been a Kundalini yoga teacher since before she was a mama. She has been teaching and guiding women through pregnancy, birth and beyond for nearly 15 years, and her dedication to inspiring women to live a more conscious and grace-filled life is truly contagious. Just listen to the way she talks about what it means to be a mother - it will change how you feel forever. In this episode, I spoke to Alexandra about the kundalini teachings, but also about how we can live with less anger and more grace, how we can switch off the 'superwoman addiction', and

This is an episode with a difference. For ten years, Amy has been exploring what happens when a woman becomes a mother: the transition, the changes, the loss of self and the gain of a new self, and how we can move through it all without burn out or anger. Recently, she's discovered something that brings it all together, and brings the pieces of the puzzle together: Matrescence. The anthropological term to describe the complete transformation a woman goes through when she becomes a mother, and she continues to go through for years to come.This podcast is the recording of a Facebook Live Amy recently held on the topic, which has become her most popular so far. It is a real and honest conversation with other mamas about who we are as mothers and women, and how we can start to redefine ourselves, in our own way.The brand new R E D E F I N E 40 Day Practice - based on matrescence and the need for women to redefine themselves now they are mothers - starts Sunday 16th September. Join here. Hosted on Acast. See acast

Looking back at the start of her motherhood journey, Amy can now see that things might have been very different if someone had told her it was OK she felt completely lost. Not lost about the day-to-day reality of a new baby, but lost within herself. Lost about who she was now, lost in her place in the world. Would it have been different if someone had said to her - "it's OK. You're meant to feel like that. This is a new you, too"?In this episode, Amy looks at how important it is for us to understand the transition we go through as women, and just how long that transition can take. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before mamahood, the world revolves around us. As independent women, with the world at our feet, it’s easy to get wrapped up in our future and our own problems. But mamahood changes that. Our world expands, and our sense of connection to the greater future does too. Suddenly we’re worried about what our children will inherit and we feel more connected to other mothers and children around the world, even if their world is vastly different to ours. But that sense of inheritance can feel heavy. How do we ensure our children’s world is safe and healthy when we are just trying to stay on top of our day-to-day worlds? In this inspiring episode, Amy talks with Kristy Fox, co-founder of She The Change, a global movement that inspires women to be a part of the change in this world, no matter how small their role. And as a mama to three, Kristy knows the challenge of following that call to do more while raising a family. You can learn more about She The Change, and attend their rallies here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.

Marianne Williamson says that when it comes to relationships, women need to feel adored, and men need to feel respected - but most mamas I have spoken to over the years don’t feel adored right now. They feel like they’re the mother, the organiser, the cook and the cleaner. And they’re completely disconnected from their partner. How do we bring passion back into our lives again? How do we even begin to connect with our partners again after focusing on parenting for so long? In this episode, Amy shares how she has navigated back to her relationship in a completely new and empowering way, and the very first steps we can all take to start to feel adored in our own lives again, no matter what state our relationship is right now. For more insights, and step-by-step resources to reunite with your partner in a new way, the brand new short course - R E U N I T E - is now available here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's very nice to think that we can think positive thoughts, live more in the flow of life, and everything will still get done. It's lovely to believe that we can find a balance between all the action that is required of us, and the slower life-style we crave. But how do we get all-the-things done? Staying organised is a must for mamas of young children, but so too is learning to switch off our addiction to busyness, and trust the Universe a little more. In this episode, Amy talks to Kelly Pietrangeli, mama, author and organisational guru, about the day-to-day tools to stay in aligned action, but also work with the Laws of Attraction. Part practical, part inspirational, this is the podcast for mamas who want to be on top of things, but are sick of being ruled by their to-do list. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes, we make things a lot harder for ourselves than they need to be - harsh, but true. We allow a story - that inner mean mama voice that is always chattering away in the background - to run the show, letting it take us down a spiral of negativity.And sometimes, it means we totally self-sabotage ourselves.Have you ever heard yourself saying big statements like 'This ALWAYS happens!', or 'Why is it ALWAYS like this?' Big, generalisations like this are a sure sign that that little voice inside is running the show again. And it is this voice, and these big statements, that often cause us to react in a negative way.So how do we undo these self-sabotaging ways?In this episode, Amy reflects on her own 'favourite' self-sabotaging story, and how she's trying to change it, one day at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're not getting enough rest - that much is obvious. We prioritise the housework, our emails and social media over sleep, and we worship busy-ness over slow living. Is it any wonder we're so burnt out and disconnected from what's important? But rest is not just a matter of getting more sleep - it's a shift in how we prioritise our lives. And that's takes courage. Karen Brody is a mama, playwright, author of 'Daring to Rest', and creator of the 'Daring to Rest Academy'. It is her life mission to share the phenomenal benefits of yoga nidra: the sleep of the yogi. After seeing first-hand the healing power of this ancient technique, she has been daring men, women and families all over the world to rethink rest.In this episode, Karen shares how yoga nidra works (it's more than that quick nap at the end of a yoga class), how to do it quickly and easily in your busy life, why women struggle so much to prioritise rest, and how feminism has caused us to push beyond our limits. You can read all about her work, and dow

As long as I take time every morning to light a candle to my life, it remains my life. But if I hurry into work without that small moment of quiet, then I've already lost myself, and the day."These simple but profound words, from 'Circle of Stones' by Judith Duerk, are at the core of what we are craving as women in this time of our life: a way to honour ourselves before our day, and our life, slips away. We need rituals like this, and without them, resentment, bitterness, anger and overwhelm take their place.So how do we start to light a candle to our life?How do we honour ourselves as women, first and foremost, before the day gets away from us?In this episode, Amy reflects on the power of this simple idea, and how we can all start to bring this into our lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a deep-seated belief in this world that we must hustle to get anywhere, and that hard work creates success. It's a belief that is seeing thousands upon thousands of mamas burn out in the attempt to create a life of abundance - while missing out on what they most want. But in the online world of entrepreneurs, there's one shining example of how to do success without the burn out, and that is - Denise Duffield-Thomas. As a mama of three (having had her third child just days after recording this interview!), Denise is showing us that abundance is more than just your bank account balance - it's a belief system. And it's one we can all have.This episode will have you cheering for more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is so much pressure on us as women and mothers. We are expected to juggle so much each day, and no one is acknowledging it. No one is giving is celebrating what we’re doing, or appreciating all it takes. And that’s mostly because we know that everyone else is doing the same.Everyone is in the same boat - doing the best they can each day.But if we don’t start to acknowledge what we do each day, and celebrate it, then the woman next to us won’t feel like she can celebrate what she’s done either. And the fact is, we’re not going to change how the world views motherhood and womanhood unless we change the way we view ourselves first.So how do we stop feeling like we’ve never done enough? How do we start to value who we are, and what we do? In this episode, Amy shares a daily practice that she uses to change the way she feels about all that she does, and acknowledges to herself - “I’ve done enough for now.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we cope with the pressure everyday? When the world is demanding so much of us, what tools are we given to get through as best we can? The truth is - most of us have been handed down unhealthy ways of dealing with pressure. And whether it's alcohol, over-eating, social media, or something else that just drains you even more, it's time we acknowledged as women that we need a new way. We need to learn how to honour rest and what our body is telling us. Talitha Cummins' story is so important to share: after chasing a career in TV journalism for many years, Talitha found her reliance on alcohol was getting out of control. Now as a mama to one (with one on the way), she is here to share with us how she faced her addictions, and found a healthier set of tools to really live a fulfilled life. Yes, this is a story about alcoholism, but it's also a story about all of us, and the tools we use to help us in times of struggle. For more information on the tools you can use in your life, please go to Talitha's websit

A really rough night's sleep, and a super frantic morning, is something most of us have to deal with. As women with so much on our plate, the realities of our lives can sometimes make our whole body fill with anxiety. So how did a recent morning just like this, and the subsequent fall out, help Amy see what she most needed? And how can we pull ourselves back in the moment to stop that free fall into overwhelm? In this brief solo episode, Amy reflects on the tools she used to reconnect to herself in the middle of a panic, and why what we most need is often right in front of us.And if you want to learn more of these short, in the moment tools to get you back to yourself again, the 40 Day Reconnect Program is about to start again (and for the last time) on 24th June.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Vanessa Lapointe has an interesting take on the purpose of parenting. Sure, having children is about expanding your family and experiencing unconditional love, but at the core of it, she believes that parenting is here to challenge us - to challenge us to grow, to look at our old belief patterns, and to push us to expand and grow. Looking back, it's obvious that's what parenting is all about. We have a false belief that becoming a mama will be the happiest time in our lives - and hard truth: it's actually one of the least happiest. At least, that's what the research Dr Lapointe shares in this podcast says. However, despite the struggles and challenges, the same research also shows us that it is the most fulfilling time of our lives. So how do we navigate all the deep challenges of raising another human being? In this inspiring episode, Dr Lapointe walks us through an understanding of how our brains work, and how we can be kind towards ourselves as we grow along side our children. Hosted on Acast. See acas

Let's face it - we live in a masculine world. We celebrate strength and endurance, we define success by how quickly we climb the ladder and how busy we are, and we push down any emotions that may be seen as 'weak'. Our society worships busyness and getting on with the job, and so anything that is opposite to that feels like a failure.Including resting, slowing down, being vulnerable, and honouring our intuition over logic. But our denial of these beautiful and important feminine qualities is what is at the heart of so much of our unhappiness, mamas. And it's also the key to our burnout, anxiety and overwhelm. So how do we start to turn the feminine back on in our lives again? How do we start to honour this part of ourselves, and connect back to the women we really are? In this episode, Amy outlines a few simple steps to start your journey back to your feminine self. Even with little ones.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following on from one of the most downloaded episodes of all time - Amy's reflection on social media and why we struggle with it so much - here, we talk to Dr Kristy Goodwin about how to take this a little further, and really disconnect to connect. In this episode, Amy shares her experience of taking herself and her children completely offline and 'out bush' for five days, and the effect it had on both her own wellbeing and her children's. How can we continue that feeling once we get home though?Here, Dr Goodwin shares the psychological and physical affects our phones have on us, and how we can transform that effect. Plus, she shares the reality of devices in her home as a mama to two boys. No guilt or overwhelm here, mamas - this is all about balance and understanding.Learn all about how much screen time is OK for your child's age, plus other insights and techniques, at Dr Goodwin's website - https://drkristygoodwin.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.