Love this episode? Send me a message here! Hey friends, this is the season 5 wrap up episode where I share stats and reflections on the past season--but it's more than that too. This is the final episode of The Motherhood Metamorphosis Podcast. It's been an amazing 3 years since I began this podcast in 2021. In this episode, I share my heart about the podcast and some really exciting behind-the-scenes hopes and dreams that are going on in my own life. Special shout outs to guests who have been on the podcast multiple times throughout the last 3 years, to locations with the most listeners, to amazing financial and emotional supporters of the podcast, and to every listener and storyteller who have made this amazing project possible. Thank you, dear listeners, for these last 3 years. Motherhood is hard, but it’s also beautiful. Keep bring strong and brave, leaning into love, acceptance, and grace as your live out your unique motherhood and womanhood story. And always remember that you’re children's growth matters, but yours does too. Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! Kimberly and I talk about the metamorphosis she went through when her first child had her first grandchild. She talked about the joy and unexpected aspects of becoming a grandma and how her relationship with her daughter deepened and shifted. Becoming a grandparent is its own journey, and I’m so happy Kimberly came on the podcast to share her unique story. BIO: Kimberly Yavorski is a freelance writer with bylines in a variety of publications, including The Hill, Vox Media, Reader’s Digest, Next Avenue, and has been a regular contributor to several parenting publications, most recently Parenting Teens and Tweens. She shares her thoughts on parenting older kids on her Facebook page Life on the Other Side, Parenting Teens and Beyond and is currently working on a book by the same title. She recently became a grandma and quickly realized this is much more than a new “hat;” the birth of this baby not only created new family roles, but also made her think about motherhood in a new way. Find her on Facebook here Find her on Instagram HERE for parenting and HERE for adventures in grandparenting Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! Trust your gut Make your voice louder Lean on your intuition Throughout the 2021 podcast interviews, I started noticing a theme: Across the various topics, the amazing women I spoke to kept coming back to the idea of trusting your intuition as a mom. But I got to thinking—as a new mom, I had NO CLUE what it meant to trust my gut. How do I make my own voice stronger in my head? How do I learn to trust my intuition? What are some truths I could learn that will help me develop strength, confidence, and inner peace as a mother? I’ll be talking about Learning to Trust and How to Strengthen your Intuition as a Mom in my first solo episode on The Motherhood Metamorphosis. I’ll share personal stories about when I DID and DID NOT listen to my gut, what the outcomes were, and how I’ve learned to trust and strengthen my mother’s intuition in my 14 years as a mom. Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! This is the 4th and final episode of our surrogacy series! In this episode, Shay narrates her experience of seeing her daughter being born and the overwhelming joy and emotions she felt. We then talk about her early motherhood experience and the huge shift in responsibility and identity she felt as her early motherhood progressed. I share some wisdom about the metamorphosis of motherhood as a mom of 5 and Shay shares her heart with honesty and vulnerability about her non-traditional journey in motherhood. BIO: Shay Garcia Roy lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, close to family, with her partner Tyler, their 2-year-old daughter Ruby Ann, and their little dog Zero. After years of struggling with infertility, Shay and Tyler embarked on an IVF and surrogacy journey that brought profound lessons, joy, and gratitude. This experience has deepened their trust in humanity, science, love, and family. Passionate about sharing her story, Shay hopes to inspire others to feel confident exploring options for growing their families. Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! Welcome back to part 3 of our series on Surrogacy! In this episode Mariah concludes her story of being a surrogacy carrier. One of her main desires for being a surrogate was to experience birth with all the expertise and knowledge she has gained from being a birth doula. She recounts the joy of giving birth to Ruby, Shay and Tyler's daughter, and what her postpartum experience was like. We also talk about all the myths surrounding surrogacy, what it takes to become a surrogate carrier, how her husband and kids felt about and supported her through this experience, some unique struggles she faced, and how being a surrogate has changed her life and career goals. BIO: Mariah Duck is a dedicated mother, military wife/spouse, and social worker with extensive experience in the ART/IVF field in several capacities but is currently a surrogacy case manager. She is also a passionate advocate for all things birth and postpartum, working as a doula and having been a surrogate herself. Her unique perspective blends professional expertise with personal experience, making her a powerful voice on caregiving, resilience, and community support. Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! This is part 2 our surrogacy series. In this episode, I interview Shay, who tells her story of loss and infertility as she and her partner try to have a baby. After many years, impossible decisions, and heartbreaking loss, they decide to pursue surrogacy with their one and only viable embryo. Shay recounts how she met Mariah, her surrogate carrier, how the surrogacy process works, and her fears, anxiety, and joys throughout the pregnancy on her journey to become a mom. Join us next week for parts 3&4 as we hear the rest of Shay's story and Mariah's story! BIO: Shay Garcia Roy lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, close to family, with her partner Tyler, their 2-year-old daughter Ruby Ann, and their little dog Zero. After years of struggling with infertility, Shay and Tyler embarked on an IVF and surrogacy journey that brought profound lessons, joy, and gratitude. This experience has deepened their trust in humanity, science, love, and family. Passionate about sharing her story, Shay hopes to inspire others to feel confident exploring options for growing their families. Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! Welcome to Part 1 of a four part series on surrogacy! In this episode, Mariah and I talk about her journey of becoming a surrogacy carrier to help another family bring a child into the world. She tells us why she wanted to become a surrogate, her passion for birth and women, how she met her intended mother, and what it was like to go through IVF and carry a baby for another family, all while being a wife, mom of 2 and military spouse herself. Stay posted for Part 2 of this series, where we hear from Shay, the intended mom that Mariah carried for! BIO: Mariah Duck is a dedicated mother, military wife/spouse, and social worker with extensive experience in the ART/IVF field in several capacities but is currently a surrogacy case manager. She is also a passionate advocate for all things birth and postpartum, working as a doula and having been a surrogate herself. Her unique perspective blends professional expertise with personal experience, making her a powerful voice on caregiving, resilience, and community support. Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! In this solo episode, I share my own struggle with the Good Mother/Bad Mother narratives that play in my head, sharing stories from my early motherhood years, how I've changed and grown, and how I still struggle to re-frame the narratives that I receive from our culture, my past, my family of origin, and my own inner pressure to be a "good mom." Most importantly, I talk about how being a Good Mom isn't about fulfilling a list of standards or rules, but how it relies on the unique relationship between mother and child and how to lean into that relationship in order to make those inner voices quieter and the bonds with our children stronger. Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! Sidney and I talk about her challenging transition into motherhood and how learning about her own struggles with transitions, stress, trauma has led to her life-work in becoming an embodiment coach, helping women to come home to to their bodies and bring well-being to their families, starting with themselves. We both share personal stories of transition, stress and life upheavals and how we've learned what helps us move through our stress cycles so we can be mental and emotionally healthy and present within ourselves and for our families. We share lots of practical examples for managing stress as we are managing the emotions for so many people in our families, as well as how we are breaking the mindset that out needs as moms need to come last. This is a practical, potentially life-changing episode. Don't miss it. (Plus, I let loose and get a little sweary). BIO: Sidney Olivia Garcia is a mother to 2 in Arizona. She is a certified Epigenetics coach & Embodiment practitioner, helping women come home to their bodies and bring wellbeing to their families, starting with themselves. She is passionate about her work after her own challenging transition into motherhood that birthed healing transformation for the whole family. Resources Mentioned: Burnout: The Secret to unlocking the stress cycle By Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski The Body Keeps the Score Bessel Van Der Kolk MD Find Sidney here: Email: sidney@reviveyourthrive.life Website: www.reviveyourthrive.life Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! Kris Ann and I dive into all things creatvity and motherhood in this episode! She shares her struggles and triumphs in trying to integrate being mom with her desire to create and write and how the artist Georgia O'Keefe's story has challenged and shaped her creativity in motherhood. As a fellow creative person myself, I loved this conversation--we hope you can relate and feel solidarity and inspiration as you listen. Read Kris Ann's Article "What Georgia O'Keefe taught me about being a creative mom" here BIO: Kris Ann Valdez is a proud Arizona native with a husband, three spunky children, and an overzealous family dog. They live in the heart of country in Phoenix, Arizona, where Kris Ann hoards loose-leaf tea and books. As a freelancer, she writes for SUCCESS Magazine and other publications, while her creative writing includes novels, short stories, and children’s books. Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! This podcast is all about growth through the journey and I am so pleased to share Amanda Crew's motherhood story today. She recounts her journey of pregnancy and loss, grief and unexpected joy, foster care and adoption, rainbow babies, and learning to accept and embrace her unexpected journey. We also talk about learning to live in the moment, and our commitment to show up for friends who are in deep transition and grief. This is a beautiful episode full of authenticity, resilience and hope. BIO: Amanda Crews is a Jesus follower, wife, mama, teacher, and encourager. She author's the website SanctifiedByLove.com , where she encourages others weekly. She believes that ALL things (even the hard and unthinkable) can be used for good! Link to "Loved" baby memory quilts here Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! Michelle shares her story of adopting a child who is a different race than her biological family. With authenticity and compassion, she relates how much she didn’t know about raising a black son before the adoption and how much she had to learn, especially in the wake of racial tensions in 2020. We talk about her growth as a person as she worked through emotions of embarrassment, grief, and compassion and how she and her family are embracing their new experiences, perspectives, community, holidays, with their precious son and brother. BIO: Michelle K Umbehauer studied Journalism at La Salle University in Philadelphia. She soon opted to become a full-time mom (x6), yet has never stopped with her love of writing. You can find her work on Her View from Home and Moms in Prayer International; she also wrote an encouraging book for moms of many entitled, "Got Your Hands Full" and most recently, "The Marriage Workbook" with her husband, Doug. Check out Michelle's books here: Got Your Hands Full: What Strangers Say to Moms & Why You Shouldn't Listen The Marriage Workbook: Lessons in Love for the Committed Couple Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! Debbie shares her unique story of loss in recounting a failed adoption of a little girl they planned for, prayed for, and longed to bring into their family. She shares her anticipation, joy, and dreams that died when this little girl ultimately did not come into their home. On this podcast, we believe that sharing stories of loss can help provide solidarity, comfort, and hope for listeners who may have experiences a similar situation. Every story of loss is precious and deserves to be heard and held. BIO: Debbie Prather is a freelance writer from Indianapolis. She and her husband have three grown children and two grandchildren. Her pieces have been included in the books Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles, Angels & Messages From Heaven, So God Made a Mother, and the upcoming So God Made A Grandma. She shares essays on marriage, family, and faith at 742iloveyou.com . Find Debbie's writing in the new Chicken Soup for the Soul book here! Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! Mikala and I dive into a conversation focused on the metamorphosis that is MIDLIFE for all women, and how that transformation intractions with our motherhood story. We talk about health, reverse puberty (perimenopause!!), medical care and mental health, and the small ways we are making ourselves a priority when our families demand and need so much from us. Such a wonderful conversation with a wonderful person and author! Her book launches this week! Check it out here: Everything I wish I could tell you about Midlife Dr. Mikala Albertson is a board-certified family practice doctor, author, and well-being advocate who is passionate about women’s health and healing in the imperfect bodies we actually have. She’s the author of the book Ordinary on Purpose and inspires readers every day to stop striving for “perfect” lives or some unattainable cultural ideal of “beauty and wellness” and instead aim for wholehearted living through a gentle, achievable, sustainable approach. Find her online here Get her amazing FREE resources here Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…

Love this episode? Send me a message here! Suzzie and I talk about her journey to becoming a doula, her experiences working with birthing women and postpartum moms, her passion for public health, and how being a doula has guided and shaped her as a woman and mom in her own metamorphosis journey. Find Suzzie on IG here BIO: Suzzie Vehrs is a Mother, Doula, Childbirth Educator and the founder of She Births Bravely, an organization that provides comprehensive education and support for expecting parents. She has worked with hundreds of families on their journey towards childbirth and parenting. Suzzie is passionate about empowering parents to make informed decisions about their birthing and parenting experiences. Support the show Join the FB group here! Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast) I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!…