connection & community

I started a podcast because I felt like there was an opportunity in the podcast world to offer new moms a place of connection and community.

When I was in the thick of the newborn phase, there were moments that I felt like I was totally lost. It was a time to be happy, in pure bliss, and yet, I was so scared, and often felt so lonely. I craved connection. I texted and called my mom friends as much as I could and they helped me feel sane. I remember texting my friend Christina at midnight one night, worried that Archie was too cold, and asking her if I should put a hat on him. Note: You should never have a hat on a newborn for sleep because they can overheat! It was questions like that that Google did nothing for me. I sought out “real mom” advice. I wanted to know what my friends were doing, how they were raising their babies, and then make judgement calls of my own.

The idea for this podcast was born while I was sobbing in a bathtub somewhere in the blur of when Archer was a newborn. Every day felt like a mystery to me and I was shaking in the despair of my post-partum anxiety. I remember searching for a podcast that would help me in the early days. Not only was I desperate for advice, but I was desperate just to listen to other moms talk about what their motherhood journeys were like. I felt so much comfort when my mom friends would reassure me with, “I promise it gets better.” “I’ve been there.” “I went through the same thing.” I’m passionate in the idea that maybe I could create something to make a new mom feel less alone.

to give moms a voice

I wanted to create a space to give moms a voice. So often, our voices are hushed in between trying to juggle everything: work full-time, take care of the baby, care for our partners, and be a good sister/daughter/daughter-in-law etc. I wanted to create a space that gave moms an opportunity to tell their stories and a space that feels like a big, virtual hug for those listening. A space free of judgement and full of love for new moms.

a creative outlet

If you’ve known me for a while, then you know I’m always exploring new ways to express myself. It started off with blogging about food, then travel, then it was YouTube videos, and then it was photography, an Instagram, and now — a podcast. I feel like I explored all other forms of rich media, and I feel like podcasting is something that I have fallen completely and totally in love with. There’s something about the audio-only aspect of it, the act of listening. It feels like reading a book — visualizing the characters, feeling their emotions, captivated by their stories.

The first podcast I ever listened to (and still love to this day) is The Moth Radio Hour. I remember I’d be driving home from work with it on and sometimes I would sit in the driveaway when I got home just to finish listening to the story being told. I’m an avid podcast listener: I listen while cooking, cleaning, and sometimes I have it on in the background while Archie and I play together. Oh, and in the car. I LOVE listening to podcasts in the car. It’s like “me-time”.

I never thought that I would ever be worthy of having my own podcast. I never thought I would ever host my show. Yet — here I am! I made it happen, and I couldn’t be more proud of it. Of course, I have to give a huge shout-out and thank-you to my team: my sister Gabi and my husband John. My sister designed the artwork and creates the social graphics for me and John helped me figure out all the audio and wrote the music for my intro and outro!

my goal with this podcast

I was never the little girl that dreamed about getting married and having kids. I was the little girl who dreamed about being a fighter pilot or CEO of her own company. I was playing in the mud instead of dolls, loved Star Wars and video games, and would have much rather been “one of the boys” instead of dating them. Fast forward to age 31, and I fell in love with motherhood in a ways that shocked me. I think that’s part of the reason why I love this podcast: it’s an exploration inward. It gives me the opportunity to not just have honest and raw conversations with my guests but to discover my truths as well. My goal with this podcast is to truly just enjoy the process, make connections, inspire others, and create something out of love. Oh, and if I end up in the Top Parenting Podcasts section in Apple Podcasts, I wouldn’t be salty about it 😉

how you can listen

My mom was complaining to me the other day that she was having a hard time understanding how she could listen to my podcast. So mom, this one’s for you:

You can listen to the New Mamas Podcast wherever your heart desires. I’m on everything: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Deezer, Player FM, and more! (Mom, just click on the links in the last sentence.)

New episodes are posted every Wednesday!

Or, you can listen right here:

thank you for listening

Thank you to everyone who’s helped support my podcast. I have 109 downloads so far and it hasn’t even been a week since we launched. Your support means the world to me and further helps validate that this is the path that I’m meant to be taking with my creative endeavors!