Anna Asks

Anna Cusack
  • 5.0 (17)
  • PARENTING

Welcome to the “Anna Asks” podcast, a place for people and parents looking for actual answers to big questions. From pregnancy to prejudice, parenting to the pandemic, sleep to sexuality to social justice, we’ll be digging into the topics that matter to all of us, whether we like it or not. This podcast was previously titled “Motherhood Made Magic”. Anna Cusack is a speaker, mentor, connector, doula and author of “Mama, You're Not Broken: Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood”

  1. 18/06/2025

    S8, Ep6. So you want to be (or hire) a Birth Doula? with Sarah Newling

    What does it take to be a birth doula, and how do you choose the right doula for you? Sarah Newling (she/her) is one of the most in demand birth doulas and prenatal yoga instructors in the Newcastle area, and has stopped by to share her answers to both those questions and more. In this interview, we cover Sarah's introduction to birth workWhy she feels doula and prenatal yoga are a match made in heavenThe difference between "head down" and "bottom up" preparation, and why one is so much easier than the otherOne of her favourite physical practices to use in labourWhat you can ask a prospective doula to see if they're the right fit for you (and how she gets a feel for if the people wanting her doula services are a good fit too)What systems you need in place to make the on call aspect of doula work possible and sustainableIs it better to meet clients where they're at, or be very selective about which births you take on?Why she sometimes spends her initial visit talking people out of hiring a doulaSarah's key tip for prospective doulas and birth workersWhat Sarah offers and where we can find her [This episode has one or two swears right near the end.] Sarah's website: www.yogimama.com.au Prenatal yoga (and postnatal yoga for prenatal clients)Birth doulaQuarterly circles with Joanne Mackintosh (separate pregnancy and c-sec circles) Anna's website: www.annacusack.com.au Postnatal doula services (in home and group support)1:1 sessions Birth story listening sessions (specialised independent birth debriefs)Quarterly circles for mothers and birth parents at all stages of parenthoodBook - "Mama, You're Not Broken: Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood"Instagram @sarah.yogimama and @annacusackpostpartum

    45 min

  2. 01/12/2024

    S8, Ep5 - Finding your own path with parenting mentor Mel Burgess

    For 15 years Mel Burgess has supported parents to learn how to understand, connect with and meet the needs of their children. In this interview Mel shares how, after a brutal first four years of parenthood, she came to learn these skills herself and begin teaching them to others. We also discuss: The patterns she sees in those seeking her support Common sites of difficulty and conflict Why some couples with kids need a parenting mentor more than a relationship counselor How parenting mentorship can operate and assist families where the parents have separated The activities and approaches she's found to be ineffective and left behind. You can find Mel and her weekly parenting tip newsletter at www.loveparenting.com.au Find Anna, her book, free postpartum preparation guides, doula services, mothers' and parents' circles and more at www.annacusack.com.au

    39 min

  3. 01/11/2024

    S8 Ep4. Manage at home or head to hospital? with paediatric nursing specialist Ilana Lawrence

    You kid is sick. It's the middle of the night. What do you do? Paediatric nursing specialist Ilana Lawrence has been on duty at many an emergency room when concerned parents and caregivers bring their kids in. Sometimes these kids need immediate care, but a lot of the time parents and caregivers could have monitored and managed their child at home. The missing piece is education, which is exactly what Ilana aims to provide. In this interview we cover Ilana's road to paediatric nursing Why she has turned her focus towards parental education Why her workshops are different from standard first aid or online courses What she recommends everyone looking after children needs in their essential illness and emergency toolkit Fever - to manage at home or head to ED, and to medicate or not? Keep an eye out from articles and special offers from both of us in the 2025 edition of the Newcastle Baby Magazine, which will be released later this month. CONTACTS You can find Ilana at www.thesicksense.com and as @the.sick.sense on Instagram and Facebook. Connect with Anna and check out her in person, telehealth and group parent support options at www.annacusack.com.au You can also find her as @annacusackpostpartum on Instagram and Facebook KEY NUMBERS Ambulance - 000 Poinsons infoline - 131 126 Healthdirect - 1800 022 222 Pregnancy, Birth and Baby - 1800 882 436 Lifeline - 13 11 14

    36 min

  4. 22/07/2024

    S8, Ep3. The Emotional and Practical Realities of Welcoming Twins, Triplets or More with Dr. Cristina Cavezza

    What's it like to find out you're expecting more than one baby? How does expecting multiple babies effect the experience of pregnancy, birth and postpartum? And what do mothers and parents of multiples (and their personal and professional supporters) need to know to get through those incredibly intense early years feeling well? As a psychologist, twin mother and host of the Fierce, Kind Mama of Multiples podcast, Dr Cristina Cavezza has the answers. Cristina's Links Podcast: Fierce, Kind Mama of Multiples on Apple Podcasts Cristina's programs and Free Resources (fiercekindmama.com) Dr Cristina Cavezza (@fierce.kind.mamaofmultiples) • Instagram photos and videos Connect with Anna Check out Anna's membership, other services (birth mapping, postpartum planning, birth debriefing, parent support sessions, in home doula care, custom ceremonies), public articles, and upcoming mothers' circles and events at www.annacusack.com.au You can also find her (sometimes) on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken - Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood" here: www.annacusack.com.au/book

    38 min

  5. 28/05/2024

    S8, Ep2. Single Motherhood with Klyne Love

    There are over 1 million lone parent households in Australia, and the overwhelming majority of these are headed by single mothers. This doesn't mean however that single mothers are one homogenous group, all with the same backstory, immediate needs or hopes for the future. Klyne Love is a single mother working primarily with single parents. She brings her lived experience and professional insights to this conversation, shedding light on the nuances of the single motherhood experience. This conversation touches on the unique challenges single mothers face and how the rest of us (coupled parents, friends without children, older people without young dependent kids, support professionals, etc.) can show up for the single parents around us. Content warnings - domestic violence, houselessness. Connect with Klyne on Instagram @klyne.love or via the web www.klyne.love Connect with Anna Thinking of checking out Anna's online community membership? It's $15AUD/month (or $9 for concession/single parents) and features private member-only articles, a forum, regular zoom connection calls and more. Connect with Anna's other services (birth mapping, postpartum planning, birth debriefing, parent support sessions, custom ceremonies), public articles, and upcoming mothers' circles and events at www.annacusack.com.au You can also find her (sometimes) on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken - Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood" here: www.annacusack.com.au/book

    1h 2m

  6. 23/04/2024

    S8, Ep1: Flu season, carers' leave and the career stumbling block we don't speak about

    Welcome to season 8! This season is a combination of interviews and solo episodes. This ep starts with a little update from me on what’s been happening and what I’m enjoying working on, and leads into an audio version of an article I published last autumn about caring for sick kids. Who is taking the load and how does it impact them, how do we manage and renegotiate it in our families and workplaces, and how could we do it better as a society? The full text article is located here: Flu season, carers' leave and the career stumbling block we don't speak about (annacusack.com.au) **In this episode I use the phrase "disabled child". I have made the decision to use "identity first" language rather than "person first" language, which you can read more about here: Person-first and identity-first language | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au) Thinking of joining Anna's online community membership? It's $15AUD/month (or just $9 for concession/single parents) and features private member-only articles, a forum, regular zoom connection calls and more. Default Parent Project Online Community - Anna Cusack Connect with Anna's other services (birth mapping, postpartum planning, birth debriefing, parent support sessions, custom ceremonies), public articles, and upcoming mothers' circles and events at www.annacusack.com.au You can also find her (sometimes) on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken - Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood" here: www.annacusack.com.au/book

    29 min

  7. 07/03/2024

    S7, Ep7. Emmeline Tyler - From bliss to psychosis and the long road back to mental health as a mother

    We now know it's important to be on the lookout for signs of postnatal depression, anxiety and even psychosis in the early days, but what happens if a mother experiences a mental health crisis further down the track? In this interview, Emmeline Tyler (she/her) shares openly about her birth and blissful postpartum, and how these assisted in helping her be well. She explains how personal and societal factors influenced the unravelling of her mental health during the toddler years, which escalated into psychosis and hospitalisation 2.5 years after birth. Recorded a further 2.5 years down the track, Emmeline shares her insights into the mental health system, her path to recovery and ongoing mental health management, and how her family are seeking to build a life with mental wellness for all as their focus. We also go on a few feminist-y tangents and discuss books because it's us and how could we not? Content warnings: birth interventions, medical and hospital trauma, psychosis. Note: This episode was recorded in 2023 and discusses homeschooling. Both mine and Emmeline's children are in formalised educational environments this year (2024). Links On use/misuse of certain words including "tribe": https://www.wellandgood.com/spirit-animal-native-american/ If you are interested in finding out more about the Newborn Mothers postpartum care and education course you can do so via this affiliate link: https://newbornmothers.simplero.com/products/172434-Postpartum-Education-and-Care?ref=46186-Anna-Cusack The Talia Hibbert books we mentioned: https://www.goodreads.com/series/271642-the-brown-sisters Where to find us Emmeline is the co-host of the soon-to-be-released "Explaining Autism" podcast with Julia Jones. She also has a YouTube channel where she does the hard yards of reading and reviewing a stack of fiction and non-fiction books so you'll never get stuck with a dud read again! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChzD1TesIcsfEkuitdQhXTQ Emmeline is also on Instagram @emmelineysun Connect with Anna's services (birth mapping, postpartum planning, birth debriefing and parent support sessions), articles and upcoming mothers' circles at www.annacusack.com.au You can also find her (sometimes) on Instagram @annacusackpostpartum and grab her book "Mama, You're Not Broken - Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood" here: www.annacusack.com.au/book

    1h 38m

  8. 04/02/2024

    S7, Ep6. Ashley Winning - Fatphobia and perceptions of "health" and "risk" in maternity care

    Ashley Winning is a birth and postpartum professional from QLD, Australia. Ashley experienced size-based discrimination in her first two traumatic pregnancy and birth experiences, which led her to dive deeply into the world of physiological birth for her third birth. Again, size-based discrimination struck and she was unable to access the home-based midwifery care she desired. Ashley went on to freebirth her baby and wants others to know this option is available to them too. The study I refer to regarding rates of uncomplicated pregnancies in obese women is by Relph et al., 2021. Characteristics associated with uncomplicated pregnancies in women with obesity: a population-based cohort study The books I recommend at the start of the episode are "Plus Size Pregnancy" by Dr Sara Wickham, and "Birth After Caesarean" by Hazel Keedle, PhD. You can find Ashley at www.themotherhoodcircle.com.au and as @ashleylwinning on Instagram. Her podcast is The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast. Ashley is currently launching a VBAC Membership and running a fabulous giveaway to go along with that launch. You can find out more and join the waitlist at https://ashleywinning.com/vbac-village-waitlist/ Find me at www.annacusack.com.au and as @annacusackpostpartum on Instagram

    36 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
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About

Welcome to the “Anna Asks” podcast, a place for people and parents looking for actual answers to big questions. From pregnancy to prejudice, parenting to the pandemic, sleep to sexuality to social justice, we’ll be digging into the topics that matter to all of us, whether we like it or not. This podcast was previously titled “Motherhood Made Magic”. Anna Cusack is a speaker, mentor, connector, doula and author of “Mama, You're Not Broken: Unmasking the Unspoken Emotions of Modern Motherhood”

Information

  • Creator
    Anna Cusack
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Anna Cusack
  • Show Website
    Anna Asks