The Matrescence Podcast
Kelly & Bree
This is a place for you to find the information and support you need to make the transition to motherhood an empowering one.Together your hosts Kelly Wilkes and Bree Holling will combine evidence-based information with personal insight to help you heal from past experiences, make informed and empowered decisions, grow as individuals and mothers and find solidarity in this journey that is matrescence. Whether you are a mother, a birth worker or just a woman driven to be the best version of herself, as long as you like belly laughs, heart warming stories and over sharing, this is a place for you.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 29, 2022 • 1h 28min
#45 Supporting Your Family Through the Death of a Loved One With Death Doula Amanda
,Content warning: Death, miscarriage, domestic violence In this week’s episode we chat to mum of 3 and death doula, Amanda. Amanda became a mum earlier in life than expected. While she breezed through conception and pregnancy, Amanda’s first birth was not what she had planned for, hoped for, or expected. Despite wanting a natural birth, Amanda agreed to have her first birth induced. After 17 long hours of back to back contractions, she was taken for an emergency c-section. She gave ...
Aug 1, 2022 • 1h 6min
#44 Our Story: Insights on The Mental Load, Working Motherhood and the Supermum Myth.
8 years ago on a Sunday afternoon, Bree walked down Kel's long drive way for an interview. After the news that their neurdiverse son was no longer welcome at Before and After School Care, Kel and her husband had been forced to explore other care options. While the first nanny was okay, the fit wasn't quite right. 18 and with minimal experience with children, on paper Bree was probably not an ideal candidate. In fact, on her first day she had to call her mum to walk her through ...
Aug 1, 2022 • 1h 16min
#43 Is She A Good Baby? With Dr Alix Vann.
In this week's episode we chat to Alix. Alix is an eldest daughter, a mother to a 4-year-old daughter, a clinical psychologist, and a recovering ‘good girl’. Through both her post-graduate training and clinical experience, and her own lived experiences of being parented and raised in the pursuit of perfect, Alix has become intimately acquainted with the notion of "the good child” and how this presents in the mothering experience. Alix’s own introduction to motherhood was fraught, with he...
Jul 19, 2022 • 1h 30min
#42 Navigating The Transition From Professional Woman To Mother (And Back Again) with Dr. Lisa.
Content warning: This conversation involves mild discussion of abusive relationships and the lasting affects this experience can have on our motherhood journey. In this week’s episode we chat to Dr. Lisa about the transition from professional woman to mother (and back again). Lisa is a doctor of public health and has spent her career conducting large scale randomised control studies, publishing in top ranking journals, supervising students up to PhD level, and more. These...
Jun 27, 2022 • 1h
#40 Matrescence as a Catalyst For Professional Rebirth with Rachael Rose
In this engaging conversation, Rachael Rose, a women's circle facilitator, doula, and businesswoman, shares her journey of transforming motherhood into a thriving business while fostering community among mothers. She discusses the profound changes women face during matrescence, emphasizing the importance of support networks and redefining self-worth beyond traditional metrics. Rachael also delves into embracing anger through cathartic practices and the balance between motherhood and professional ambitions, advocating for recognition of women's unpaid labor.
Jun 21, 2022 • 1h 12min
#39. Life update: Returning to work, parenting teens, pulling kids out of daycare + more.
Hello beauties. Welcome back!In this week’s episode Bree and Kel get you up to speed on what has been going on behind the scenes. What Bree is doing for work and how she is feeling about it, how Kel is navigating this new stage of parenting teens, some updates on the kids, the podcast, and so much more. This is a vulnerable and imperfect conversation between friends. We hope it will keep you company and offer some belly laughs when you need it most. We can’t wait to bring ...
Apr 4, 2022 • 1h 6min
#38 Low Libido and Finding Your Way Back to Intimacy With Sex Therapist Jo.
Jo Robertson, a sex therapist and betrayal specialist known for her TEDx talk on discussing porn with young people, dives into the complexities of intimacy post-baby. She addresses the emotional and physical hurdles new mothers face, emphasizing that a low libido is normal during this transition. Jo encourages open communication between partners, highlighting how scheduled intimacy and understanding can strengthen connections. With practical insights and personal anecdotes, she sheds light on reclaiming romance and navigating the shifting landscape of sexual desire.
Mar 19, 2022 • 1h 32min
#37 Postpartum Planning and the Parts of Motherhood That We Don’t Talk About With Kathryn Millhouse
Slowly but surely, we are seeing an increased awareness of the need to prepare for birth. More and more couples are investing their time and money into hiring doulas, reading books, writing a birth plan and accessing independent birth education. We love to see it. But the truth is, that birth is just one (very very) important day in your motherhood journey. Once your little one is earthside, the hard work really begins. And yet we are not seeing the same investment in prep...
Mar 16, 2022 • 1h 24min
#36 Birth, Death and Naviagting These Powerful Rites of Passage With Keely Costello
In this week's episode, we chat to Keely. Keely is a New Zealand, born Australian raised expert, currently living in the U S as you will, hear, Keely is a bit of a Jack of all trades. She's a military wife, a mother of two, a yoga instructor health coach, and is currently working towards both her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counselling, as well as her certification as an end of life doula. Today Keely shares with us, her two births- one quick ecstatic, very sudden birth in a birt...
Mar 8, 2022 • 1h 14min
#35 Patrescence: The Transition to Parenthood- With Regular Dad Will
The discussion highlights the transformative experiences of matrescence and patrescence, focusing on the emotional complexities of becoming a parent. A father's candid reflections shed light on the importance of men's voices in these transitions and the challenges that accompany them. From navigating conception to the critical bond with healthcare providers, the speakers emphasize communication and support. They also delve into the joys and personal growth of fatherhood, advocating for empathy and self-care in the journey of parenthood.
