Happy Mama Movement With Amy Taylor-kabbaz

Our appearance is one aspect of who we are, it is not all of who we are and throughout the journey of matresence there is still a fuzzy line which is delivered as our body undergoes significant changes and levels of acceptance. My guest today is Nicole Mathieson who has impacted the lives of thousands of women through her writing, speaking, podcasts and work as a counsellor. In her book, The Beauty Load, Nicole explains our personal perception of our beauty, or the lack of it, can make us feel anything from numb to anxious, stressed and ashamed, and at worst like we don’t belong and that we are not worthy of being loved. Listen as Amy and Nicole extend the conversation and discuss:Seeing ourselves to feel a sense of acceptability and representation to belong.Generational changes and cultural messages which are still embedded in us, even as we unveil and uncover different versions of beauty.Opening up conversations about the beauty load and each other in order to dismantle our own isolation and heal

What does matresence look and feel like when you are aware of what is approaching? When you have the knowledge and understanding that many of us do not have before being engulfed into the fourth trimester? How is it different for each pregnancy? How can we prepare for the changes that are coming? Curious questions such as these and more are discussed with Anna Cusack. Anna is a postpartum doula and motherhood support mentor, guiding new and experienced parents through pregnancy, the fourth trimester and beyond. Listen as Amy and Anna dive into conversation including:The space of waiting. Being in the thick of matresence and curiously wondering what is in store.When our fantasies and visions are vastly different to what we had began to imagine and the expectations that come alongside motherhood.How our feelings can be passed through generations unknowingly.How amazing we are as mothers alongside the invisible work of parenting and the motherload.Anna reminds us that we are all worthy of all the support we feel

Can we talk for a moment about grief? I don't think it's something we do very well because so often we see our future in a certain way and letting go can be really hard work. Listen as I reflect on a recent conversation I had and talk about:What happens when you experience the start of life? Do your priorities change? Are you a different person? That's what matresence is.The grief of who we thought we were going to be.Grief is a process, like all of these seasons and cycles in our life.How grief can be exhausting, and also a catalyst for great change too.There needs to be a change in the way mothers are valued and seen in our society. We are here to spread the whispers of Matrescence together. Find out more and receive your Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helen Bryce is a poet, writer, mother of four and outward feminist. Her collection of poetry, Motherhood Minus the Medals, writes from a point of view of how invisible, unseen, uncelebrated, unvalued and unsupported motherhood can be within the systemic patriarchs of society. This conversation demonstrates how many different layers and factors we experience daily within motherhood and oozes motivation and breathtaking moments shared. Listen as Helen and Amy discuss:Generational changes and choices we now have entering into motherhood, how that is impacting decisions to become a mother.Journaling to find release, reflect on experiences, continue, celebrate and find a voice on the page.Stripping back to diving feminine qualities and appreciating beauty for the sake of it.Having a self within motherhood, whatever that may look like.The good mother myth and idea of perfectionism and loving every minute of motherhood.Helen delights us with one of her pieces from her book at the end of this conversation. It is a po

When we can be kinder to ourselves as mothers, we have a much nicer experience of motherhood. Sounds simple, right? There’s a lot of talk around being a conscious mother and conscious motherhood, but what does it really mean? After the conversation with my guest, Cathy Spooner, today I think you’ll be surprised to find its not what we are fed or led to believe. Listen to this delicious conversation as Amy and Cathy discuss:The beauty of imperfection where life gets real, what that looks like and what we can do to live alongside the messy beautiful.How different parts of our bodies are intertwined and sometimes the idea of ‘flicking a switch’ actually can dismiss and stall us in our acceptance and progress within Matresence.When trying to accept the external, it has to start with accepting the internal because there are several different ways matresence affects us.Demonstrating how giving to yourself can also benefit others, especially our children.Often, as Mamas, we are all making a much bigger impact than w

The Mama Rising Movement was born out of a desire to revolutionise the way motherhood is seen, valued and supported in this world because the world really needs mamas to rise. Since it’s birth four years ago I have wanted to tell stories of matresence far and wide, wanted to see success for women and connect us throughout the world. Because, at the core, matresence is an acknowledgement that we are not machines. We don’t just show up and do motherhood without a deep, significant and lifelong change. Afterall, we are divine complicated human beings who need to grow and grieve and figure it out together.I reflect today on what Mama Rising has evolved to. What she is destined to become. The lives she has impacted and the lives she will impact into the future. Listen as I touch on:The diversity, range and amazing community that has been built inside the Mama Rising space.Supporting, inspiring, seeing, valuing, cheerleading those who are out there supporting Mamas and creating a change.Rituals, powerful questions,

It excites me continuously that more and more people are starting to talk within the matresence space and my guest today is no different. Kamya O'Keeffe is a senior facilitator of Rites of Passage programs and a mentor to women coaches and leaders. She creates safe held respectful individual and group circles and rites of passage programmes. Amy and Kamya explore what that means for matresence in this conversation, covering areas such as:How rites of passage are not just life altering and significant moments such has creating life and the birth of a baby. These moments need to be acknowledged, honoured alongside rituals and celebration.The community aspect of rites of passage and what that looks like within motherhood.Separation, transformation and integration within a rites of passage.The signs of a transition coming or transition needed and trusting the approach, even when we don't know exactly where we are going.This conversation is deep, rich and nourishing and paramount as we develop our own un

One of my dear mentors, Jane Hedwick Collins often says that every pregnancy results in a birth and shows the mother, what she most needs to know for the next season of her life. Miscarriage and early pregnancy loss impacts us in ways which are definitely underacknowledged and we need to be having more conversations, such as this one, with my guest Katrina Thompson. Kat is a Mama of four:  two healthy Earthside children and two angels.  Her miscarriage experiences were traumatic and led to huge crackings open into a dark period of her life. Listen to this vulnerable conversation about:Fully experiencing, accepting and allowing permission for the fourth trimester of matresence, no matter when we give birth and what other trimesters we may, or may not, have experienced.Assumptions that birth, motherhood and pregnancy is something we 'should' just be able to do. The rush and pressure to try again after pregnancy loss, how that can impact the grief process.Questioning our body when it falls short and ho

Matresence creates waves of change. Big, small, monumental and profoundly significant. Within this change, we also often have a strong desire to step into the next season of life. Because, matresence also creates dreams, desires, hopes and and yearning. Listen to this solo episode where Amy observes how matresence has taught her and thoughts surrounding:There is a part of us that is ready for more, while also wanting to enjoy every single part of motherhood as she evolves. The look of longing and how we can acknowledge the longing lovingly and with progress.The power of daily reminders, because it will come.Honouring our dreams, even if it is in the smallest of ways.You are invited to listen (or relisten) to the episode referred to in this episode by following the link below.https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/ep-74-your-dharma-will-wait-for-you-with-debra-poneman/If you would like a deeper understanding of matresence and how we support women differently, Mama Rising facilitator training opens just once a year. F

When I listened to the TEDx talk in preparation for this conversation, I was moved to tears because my guest, Jacqueline Kerr, really brings to light what Mum burnout looks like. And it has absolutely nothing to do with how much is on her to do list. Please note - there is discussion around suicidal ideation within this interview so please be mindful if this is right for you and check in with yourself, reaching out to others if required.Within this discussion, Amy and Jacqueline explore:Standing in the position of being triggered by several experiences and situations which lead us to feeling that we are not being able to show gratitude and thank others.How our body can tell us that we need a new life, do things differently and the serious consequences that can happen if we push it down considerably.The systematic, cultural, societal and individual change that needs to happen in how much we ask of mothers.The conditions of burnout - including lack of reward, injustice, value conflicts, autonomy to name a few.T

I feel so privileged to be able to speak to so many women around the world about how we need to do matresence differently. Even when the conversation cannot provide ‘easy’ answers. Even when we realise that, perhaps, the system is too broken. I already knew we need to honour the transition to motherhood and support women differently and this conversation only opened my eyes, yet again, to the requirements of midwifing ourselves and continuing to do it better. Listen as Amy and Rachelle talk about:Cultural understandings, immigrating as a new mother and finding yourself in a brand new surroundings when the veil lifts and how we can look around and realise how much we desire more.How our programming and conditioning can get potentised by the intensity of birth and how that can affect our birth experience.Tuning into how mothers really feel, because as mothers we carry life and we provide an important aspect for humanity’s health.Taking responsibility and being in a good way with our power, in order to exalt and

This episode marks 200 episodes of the Happy Mama Movement Podcast. It has been such a journey and what an opportune moment to reflect on what I have learnt from the podcast, while also building an amazing movement of matresence. In this episode you can listen to Amy reflect on:    What success looks and feels like at different stages of motherhood and how sometimes we don’t realise we’re in the middle of the biggest growth of our lives.The universe is equal and balanced, and how that relates to the infinity sign.That Mamas have just as much wisdom to share alongside all the other podcasts and interviews over a long media career.The divine feminine way is to hold space and let it happen. We know what we’re doing as Mamas and as women.Thank you from my heart to yours for being right here. For being a part of this world of change we are creating. I look forward to sharing my reflections on the 400th episode and sharing more beauty every step of the way.If you would like a deeper understandin

One of my favourite parts of spreading matresence into the world is being able to talk to these Mamas a few years after we first connected and see the massive change and transformation in them, in their sense of self, their happiness within themselves. My guest today is no different. Gemma Mercer is a Mama Rising facilitator and shares her story of her own inner split and figuring out who she was without a corporate identity. Listen as Amy and Gemma discuss:When levels of stress and anxiety in our career can mean struggles with fertility and our entire wellbeing.How the transformation of matresence can begin the moment you contemplate motherhood.The intensity of motherhood alongside the pandemic and when we don't feel like we have as much to strive for as we did within our career.Making sure we are bringing some new parts back into our life from a place of rest and health first.The conversation with Gemma is inspiring because it demonstrates how much matresence came into her ear and finally gave words to exac

Every single time I have these conversations, I learn more and go deeper and my conversation with Jenna Ward did not disappoint. Jenna is a feminine embodiment for women and coaches who value sensitivity and sensation, and this exchange is practical and profoundly inspiration. Listen as we discuss:Catching up with ourselves, our emotional energy and all of the data and unexpressed life force that can become frozen.Happy Instagram snaps and the obsession we can fall into for the bright, shiny, peak beautiful experiences – understanding that there is beauty of all shades in all seasons.How we try to put an ocean in a bucket and the representation of how we try to compress our emotions and were we can find safety instead.Learning about failing better at life and being okay with failing harder, better, and losing all the fluff.This conversation absolutely lit me up and I hope it does exactly the same for you. It constantly surprises me how much more there is for us to understand around this. To find out more abou

The topic of breastfeeding is often a controversial one, with it recently becoming a hot topic, again. It is such an intense topic, full of emotions and personal moments of healing. Erin Bailey is a Holistic Nutritionist, Naturopath, breastfeeding advocate and counsellor. What this conversation is really about, is how there is still an immense amount of work to do to support the mother, the emotive side, the pride and connection to her body and her intuition - no matter what the experience of breastfeeding has been or is right now.Listen as Erin and Amy disucss:Challenges within the medical model and how well meaning approaches can fail to acknowledge and support the mother, at many different stages of the breastfeeding journey.The mechanics of nipple to mouth and consumption of milk as an 'end result' and driver of success.How to respect, listen, help, encourage and support in whatever ways you can.The healing that can be required to continue for years, even decades, after a traumatic feeding journey.The way

Amy contemplates how her experience of matresence has not always felt equal and balanced. There have been times throughout where it has felt okay and other times it has not. Motherhood can squish you and you hit the maternal wall, it demands all and more of us. And therefore, other parts of us are unable to flourish. Listen as Amy explores:  How easy it is for us to loose ourselves in the role of Mama, especially as the role of mother stretches into every corner of our world.What we need as Mama’s – dreams, desires and the need for space.      The dance between being the Mama we long to be and the Mama we can actually beAnd most importantly, acknowledging and reclaiming ourselves as a woman too.If you would like a deeper understanding of matresence and how we support women differently, Mama Rising facilitator training opens just once a year. For early offers and to join the 5 days to a motherhood revolution event before August, please jump on the link to join the wait l

Conversations present a myriad of opportunities, and the Happy Mama Movement Podcast is no exception. My conversation today lit an absolute fire in my belly and blew my mind to new possibilities and conversations I hadn’t yet thought about. Lisa Fitzpatrick is a registered physiotherapist and trains others in pelvic floor and hormone balancing. Listen as Amy and Lisa discuss:History of yogic practices and how they can support feminine and motherhood with more awareness, alongside understanding benefits and purposes of yoga specifically for women and mothers.History of women’s literacy and patriarchal hierarchies. Including, what has shifted today and what we can do about it.The individual nature of our experiences and what that means for our bodies, including trauma, triggers and health conditions.Hormonal fluctuation and how, as women, we cannot do linear very well.To find out more about Lisa’s amazing work please visit www.lisafitzpatrick.com.au.You can find a link to her self paced pelvic floor yoga teache

Maybe matresence is so hard to define because of the vastly different experiences a woman can have from birth to birth. My guest today, Layla O'Mara is no exception. Layla had two of her children in Germany and her third in her hometown of Ireland. That led her on the journey towards matresence activism and also deepened her understanding of the different elements and seasons within us. Listen as Amy and Layla discuss:When our partners go back to work and how profound that can be in a country where there is little family support.Cultural expectations post birth and allowing healing and rest in different capacities.How the seasons of motherhood can work together and how each is necessary for growth, retreat, acceptance and change.Following our curiosities alongside acceptance and trust, each season will pass and return and each is fully necessary and a beautiful part of motherhood.To find out more about Layla's work please visit https://www.instagram.com/nuanuaonline/.There needs to be a change in the way moth

Have you ever noticed the inner mantra that plays in circles after a tough day in motherhood? The feeling of there is always something more. The feeling that you can’t stay on top of things. The feeling that it is always up to you. We are not meant to be doing this all alone. It is not mean to be that we look around and see one thing after another.Listen to this solo episode as Amy expands on her thoughts and journey, including:The never-ending list and what that creates for us within motherhood.Isolation and loneliness and how that is closely linked to our sense of community.The patriarchal masculine and challenging feminine approach to ticking the boxes and ‘completion’ we have created within society.Reframe and remap as we recreate different approaches to the overwhelm.Within these conversations we change the way mothers are valued and seen in our society and spread the whispers of Matrescence together.Find out more and receive your Matrescence map here https://www.amytaylorkabbaz.com/matrescence/  Ho

Our guest today is quite the Podcast veteran. Sophie Walker is the host of the Australian Birth Stories Podcast, which has just released its 300th episodes.The journey of pregnancy and birth is an important part of the Matresence picture, and it is vital that we are not telling women that birth looks the same for everybody. Listen as Amy and Sophie discuss:How our own birth experiences are closely tied to that of becoming a Mama.While birth is only one day, it is a very powerful and important day.How we don’t always feel comfortable sharing our birth stories because we don’t want to scare anyone off and/or because we don’t want to boast or celebrate what we have been through in fear of making the person who’s listening feel bad or undermined.The leap straight into motherhood that is often hard to see when we are in the pregnant phase and concentrating on birth.You can find out more about Sophie’s work and Podcast at https://www.australianbirthstories.com/ which includes stories for women across all sorts of e