Anna Asks

Anna Cusack
  • 5.0 (14)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED BI-MONTHLY
Anna Asks Podcast

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. 22 JULY

    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

  2. 28 MAY

    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

  3. 23 APR

    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

  4. 7 MAR

    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

  5. 4 FEB

    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

  6. 25/08/2023

    S7, Ep5. Postpartum Rage, Depression and Bilingual, Latina Motherhood with Emily Adler Mosqueda

    Emily Adler Mosqueda is a Mexican American mother of two and paediatric speech language pathologist. Her second pregnancy and postpartum brought with it rage and depression - seemingly out of the blue, but really stemming from a sea of social conditions that led to chronic undersupport, overreaching and feelings of failure. This is a fascinating conversation spanning topics from being so out of control you feel physically unsafe around your own children, pathways to recovery, perceptions of Latina motherhood and the experience of raising bilingual children. You can check out Emily’s book “Unexpected: A postpartum memoir” and website here https://www.emilyadlermosqueda.com/book and connect with her on Instagram @Emily.Adler.Mosqueda You can find Anna's Seven tips for transitioning to two (or more) at her "Default Parent Project" Substack https://open.substack.com/pub/annacusack/p/tips-for-transitioning-to-two-or?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web Upgrade to a paid subscription for $6/month to join her regular online events, including the “Transition to 2 (or more)” workshop on Aug 26th. As always, you can download Anna's free Six Steps to Your Peaceful Postpartum eGuide, arrange a session with her or grab a copy of her book "Mama, You're Not Broken" via www.annacusack.com.au. Anna is also on Instagram and Facebook @annacusackpostpartum Please leave a 5 star rating or review if you loved this episode, or share with a friend. This helps other parents to find us and engage in the stuff you know they'll love!

    44 min

  7. 20/06/2023

    S7, Ep4 - Making Your Voice Heard After Disrespectful Maternity Care with Sharon Stoliar

    Despite being a midwife and equipped with insider knowledge of the maternity care system in which she worked, Sharon still felt vulnerable and disempowered during her own experience of giving birth to her son. Sharon's book "Scars of Gold" tells the story of her personal experience of birth trauma, the drastic impact it had on her life, and how she used her voice to fight for change. This conversation discusses how you too can get your story heard and effect the changes we so desperately need to see in obstetrics and maternity care. **Since this recording Sharon and I each participated in supporting people to submit their experiences of birth trauma to the NSW birth trauma inquiry. A few months later, the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza escalated. From the outset, Sharon has made her support of the IDF well known. Although I do not share or personally endorse this position, Sharon’s work in midwifery research and birth trauma advocacy remain important, and I present her story and insight here with thanks.** Get Sharon's free download: "Your Guide to Writing a Letter of Complaint eGuide" at https://www.sharonstoliar.com/product-page/your-guide-to-writing-a-letter-of-complaint-eguide Connect with Sharon on instagram @endingbirthtrauma and online https://www.sharonstoliar.com/ Sharon’s research on midwives’ birth choices and outcomes: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S187151922200302X You can find Anna's "Default Parent Project" Substack and community at https://annacusack.substack.com As always, you can download Anna's free Six Steps to Your Peaceful Postpartum eGuide, arrange a session with her or grab a copy of her book "Mama, You're Not Broken" via www.annacusack.com.au. Anna is also on Instagram and Facebook @annacusackpostpartum Head to https://anchor.fm/annaasks/subscribe if you'd like to support this podcast for $2.99AUD/month. Every little bit helps and you can sub out at any time, no questions asked. Please leave a 5 star rating or review if you loved this episode, or share with a friend. This helps other parents to find us and engage in the stuff you know they'll love!

    45 min

  8. 14/05/2023

    S7, Ep3 - Queering Motherhood with Rafferty Hallows

    Is there a more queer job than being a doula? Full spectrum Mother carer Rafferty Hallows thinks not. If you are ready to reimagine your life and relationships, resource yourself on the darkest days, embrace your neurospicy self + family or redefine your own postpartum experience years after birth, you'll want to listen to what they have to say. Big language warning on this one, and please be aware we touch on issues including infant loss and mental ill health including perinatal psychosis. Find Rafferty on instagram @raffertyhallows.doula and on the web https://www.raffertyhallows.com You can find Anna's shiny new Substack "Mother Thinkers" newsletter and community at https://annacusack.substack.com As always, you can download Anna's free Six Steps to Your Peaceful Postpartum eGuide, arrange a session with her or grab a copy of her book "Mama, You're Not Broken" via www.annacusack.com.au. Anna is also on socials @annacusackpostpartum Head to https://anchor.fm/annaasks/subscribe if you'd like to support this podcast for $2.99AUD/month. Every little bit helps and you can sub out at any time, no questions asked. Please leave a 5 star rating or review if you loved this episode, or share with a friend. This helps other parents to find us and engage in the stuff you know they'll love!

    54 min
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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 - 2024
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Anna Cusack
  • Show Website
    Anna Asks

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