Becoming Both

Marley Blunt
  • 5.0 (7)
  • PARENTING

For the mums who can’t help but yap about it all 🤪 the highs, the heartbreaks, the hilarious bits, and the healing. Becoming Both is a personal, conversational mix of stories, confessions, and unfiltered chats about motherhood, relationships, identity, and the whole “who even am I now?” of it all. Hosted by Doula Marley, this podcast is like your favourite group chat come to life - honest, comforting, and sometimes a little too real.

  1. Tricky Dynamics With In Laws & Family: Chatting With Kate

    2 DAYS AGO

    Tricky Dynamics With In Laws & Family: Chatting With Kate

    In this episode I chat with the lovely Kate, who’s got a 13-month-old, and we get into what motherhood looks like when you don’t really have a village… not because you don’t want one, but because things with family just aren’t safe or sustainable. We talk a lot about estrangement, from parents and in-laws, and how messy and heavy that can really feel. Most of us WANT a beautiful village, but can find ourselves in situations we would never ask for, just wanting to feel respected and loved by those who are our family. We also talk about how hard is when your children are missing out on those important relationships, again not out of choice, but because things do not seem to feel aligned with each other. We get into the generational gaps too.. how differently our parents were raised, how they parented us, and how that clashes with the way we’re trying to raise our own kids. The lack of emotional awareness, the dismissal, the “that’s just how it is” mindset… and how hard it is trying to break those patterns without any real understanding or support from them. Kate shares her background with anxiety and depression, and how becoming a mum didn’t magically fix anything, if anything, it brought a lot of it to the surface. Pregnancy after loss, postpartum hormones, intrusive thoughts… all while trying to figure out who you are now. We also talk about that weird, painful layer of watching other people have supportive families.. grandparents who show up, help out, make things feel lighter while you’re over here trying to do it mostly on your own. And the mix of jealousy, grief, and guilt that can come with that. There’s a big thread through this episode around reparenting, not in a buzzword way, but in a very real, everyday way. Trying to give your child the consistency, safety, and love you maybe didn’t always get… while still navigating your own stuff at the same time. We also touch on: how daycare can actually be a lifeline when you don’t have family supportthe strain this all puts on relationships and mental healthlearning to trust your own decisions when family constantly questions or undermines youand sitting in that tension of wanting connection with your family, but knowing it comes at a costJust two mums talking about what it’s like to do things differently, set boundaries, and carry the weight of that — especially when it means doing a lot of motherhood without the people who were “meant” to be your support system. You can find me over on Instagram at @doulamarley and @becomingboth if you want to keep the conversation going or share your thoughts on this episode. And if this one resonated with you, it would mean so much if you took a minute to leave a review — it helps more mums find the podcast and feel a little less alone in all of this 🤍

    57 min
  2. Sex After Kids: What A Wild Ride. Creating Intimacy When You're Tired and CBF

    20 MAR

    Sex After Kids: What A Wild Ride. Creating Intimacy When You're Tired and CBF

    Okay friends! It’s Friday night, I’m solo parenting, one kid asleep, one doing that thing where you think they’re asleep but they’re not… so here we are. I chat about what’s been going on, starting my diploma of counselling, slowly building my website, picking up nannying/babysitting to help with the cost of living, and getting excited for a Bali trip (which honestly feels very needed). Then I get into intimacy after kids. Because it changes. HEAPS. And it ain't just because you’re “not trying hard enough” but because you’re exhausted, your hormones are all over the place, you might be breastfeeding, you’re touched out, your body feels different, and half the time your brain is running through a mental checklist of everything that still needs to be done. And if your partner isn’t really sharing that load… it’s hard not to feel a bit resentful. I read through some of your messages (which gave so many perspectives!), and talk about what’s actually helped for us.. not from a place of authority but just sharing, ya know. Things like: communicating without it turning into a dig actually asking for what you need finding connection during the day instead of waiting until you’re both wrecked at night little resets like a six-second kiss checking in with each other beyond just “what’s for dinner tomorrow” and even just admitting when things feel off and also… sometimes getting extra support if you’re really stuck! It’s not about forcing it or “getting back to normal” it’s more like figuring out what connection looks like now. Let me know what you think. Find me over at @doulamarley @becomingboth I would love to connect xx

    31 min
  3. My Birth Story With Sophie: Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Hopeful Home Birth Turned Unwanted Elective Caesarean, Breech Birth, NICU Stay, Pathological Jaunice, Infected Caesarean Scar

    13 MAR

    My Birth Story With Sophie: Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Hopeful Home Birth Turned Unwanted Elective Caesarean, Breech Birth, NICU Stay, Pathological Jaunice, Infected Caesarean Scar

    In this episode, my husband and I chat on a Friday night just before our five-year wedding anniversary, then dive into our second pregnancy and birth story with Sophie. I got pregnant quickly and blurted it out on the phone, but early scans had us anxious when I measured two weeks behind.. before everything thankfully eventually progressed normally. From about seven weeks, I experienced relentless hyperemesis gravidarum (HG): vomiting daily, surviving on broth and frozen cokes, struggling with pelvic floor issues, and feeling depressed, embarrassed, and like I had lost my personality. Meanwhile, my husband carried much of the load with Jamie. A quick Bali trip gave brief relief, but the pregnancy challenges kept coming. Late pregnancy brought a big twist: Sophie was frank breech. After a failed ECV and the hospital declining support for a vaginal breech due to head entrapment risk, I very reluctantly chose a caesarean, despite desperately hoping for a home birth. Sophie’s cord was wrapped around her head multiple times, and her early days included NICU care for severe jaundice, almost requiring a transfusion. My recovery was very very tough too, tense pain, fluid buildup at my scar, and the emotional weight of feeling robbed of the birth I had envisioned. Through it all, the guidance of our midwife and the support of our community helped us navigate this challenging journey. In this episode, we share both the hard truths and the breakthroughs, hoping to offer solidarity for anyone going through pregnancy and early motherhood struggles. 💌 We’d love to hear from you! If this episode resonated, or if you’ve faced similar pregnancy challenges, leave a comment or review. Your story helps create a supportive community for other mums navigating these experiences. Come find me over at @doulamarley @becomingboth Email me at marley@motheringthemama.com.au A 5 star review helps so much!

    57 min
  4. A Raw Convo With Jess: TFMR & Having To Say Goodbye To Sweet Jasper

    5 MAR

    A Raw Convo With Jess: TFMR & Having To Say Goodbye To Sweet Jasper

    Trigger warning: This episode discusses termination for medical reasons, pregnancy loss, and infant death. Please take care while listening and pause if you need to. In this episode of Becoming Both, I’m joined by Jess for a conversation that is incredibly complex, honest, and ultimately a beautiful tribute to her first son, Jasper. Jess is married to Dylan and is mum to Sage (2). She’s also currently pregnant with their third baby at 33 weeks. But before Sage, before this pregnancy, there was Jasper.. a deeply loved and very wanted little boy whose life, although short, has shaped their family forever. Jess shares their journey through IVF using donor sperm, and how everything changed during the 20-week morphology scan when doctors first noticed bilateral club feet. What followed were weeks that many parents unfortunately know all too well: urgent appointments with maternal fetal medicine specialists, an amniocentesis, MRIs, and meetings with genetic counsellors. Eventually they received a rare genetic diagnosis with only a handful of documented cases and increasingly severe prognoses. Jess and Dylan were faced with an unimaginable decision.. one no parent ever expects to make, and ultimately chose a termination for medical reasons so their sweet Jasper wouldn’t suffer. Jess speaks so openly about that experience. From the feticide procedure, to the induction and birth of Jasper at 26 weeks, to the precious time they spent with him in hospital, taking photos, holding him, creating memories, receiving a heartbeat teddy, and saying goodbye with the support of a cold cot. She also gives us insight to the moment of leaving the hospital without him, and all the emotions that can come with pregnancy after loss continue to weave their way through life and parenting. Jasper remains part of their family. He is spoken about, remembered, and loved. This episode is a gentle tribute to him, and to all the babies who are deeply loved and missed. If this conversation brings up anything for you, or if you or someone you love has experienced termination for medical reasons or pregnancy loss, please know you’re not alone and support is available. Some organisations that offer support include: 🤍 Red Nose Australia – counselling and grief support for pregnancy, stillbirth and infant loss 🤍 Bears of Hope – peer support, resources and community for bereaved families 🤍 Sands Australia – support groups and resources for miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal loss 🤍 ARC Australia – specialised support for parents facing or who have experienced termination for medical reasons 🤍 Red Tree Foundation - Supports the health and wellbeing of bereaved parents by the provision of free professional grief counselling and bereavement support to any parent who is affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or child from conception up to 17 years of age. If you’re listening and carrying your own grief, please know your baby matters and your story deserves space too. And Jess, thank you for trusting us with Jasper’s story. He will always be part of your family, and now part of this conversation too.

    1hr 13min
  5. Motherhood & Resentment: Managing The Feelings That Come Up With Our New Lives & Intimate Relationships

    26 FEB

    Motherhood & Resentment: Managing The Feelings That Come Up With Our New Lives & Intimate Relationships

    In this episode of Becoming Both, I’m talking about resentment in motherhood. As a mum of two under five, this is something I know really well. I start by sharing a little life update about hosting my first ever mothers’ retreat (still can’t believe that’s happening), and then we get into the real stuff. Because resentment can show up even when you have a supportive, involved partner. Sometimes it's amazing to think we aren't MORE resentful of motherhood, right? The mental load, sleep deprivation, the lack of village, the identity shift.. feeling constantly needed but not always seen and that can fester if we don't find ways to move through it. I chit chat about how resentment can show up as snapping, irritability, pulling away, burnout, or those quiet thoughts of wanting to escape for a bit. And honestly, it doesn’t just get directed at our partners.. sometimes it’s towards our kids, other mums, work, or the expectations that come with being a mother. The biggest thing I wanted to share is that resentment is information. It usually points to an unmet need. So we talk about naming it without shame, getting curious about what’s underneath it, communicating it clearly (and kindly), and what to do if you feel dismissed when you try to speak up. Because when resentment sits there unresolved, it slowly impacts connection!! Especially and including intimacy. This one is honest and I hope you love it! Come find me over at @doulamarley @becomingboth - I would love to chat. A 5 star review would mean the world xx

    30 min
  6. Short & Sweet Life Update: Honestly, I've Been Struggling

    20 FEB

    Short & Sweet Life Update: Honestly, I've Been Struggling

    In this episode I’m back after an unplanned break sharing a life update. The last few months have felt heavy. Mental health has taken work. Money has felt tight. The cost of living is no joke and juggling our small business, nanny shifts and school logistics has been a lot. The kids are in big seasons too. Jamie’s riding those intense leap phases that flip the whole house upside down, Sophie is deep in her independent two year old era, and the sibling bickering is next level. I’m trying to be intentional with one on one time and keep everyone afloat. There are good things coming. A mum’s retreat. Bali. A date night. More gym. More us time. And I’m ready to properly lean back into the podcast with more guests and an honest chat with T Squiz about mental load, resentment and intimacy. Let’s stay connected 🤍 If you loved this episode, the best way to support the podcast is by following the show and leaving a quick 5 star review. It helps more mums find these real, honest conversations. You can find me over on Instagram at @doulamarley where I share all things motherhood, birth, relationships and the behind the scenes of real life. You can also connect with the podcast page at @becomingboth. Prefer email? Reach me anytime at marley@motheringthemama.com.au — I genuinely love hearing your thoughts, feedback and story. Thanks for being here. It means more than you know 🤍

    17 min
  7. Chatting With A Psychologist: Q&A Regarding All Things Mothers Mental Health

    20 FEB

    Chatting With A Psychologist: Q&A Regarding All Things Mothers Mental Health

    In this episode of Becoming Both, I’m joined by Erin, a registered psychologist and mum to a 15 month old, for a raw, honest chat about the real side of motherhood. The 2am wake ups, the daycare guilt, the identity shift, the comparison spiral and that constant feeling of not doing enough. From a psychologist’s lens, Erin unpacks the difference between baby blues, postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression, what intrusive thoughts actually are, and when it’s time to reach out for support. We talk therapy options, practical grounding tools, and how hard access and affordability can be for mums. Erin also shares her deeply personal experience of two pregnancy losses while still parenting, and what it looks like to grieve while showing up every day. This one is warm, heavy, validating and real. If you’ve ever thought “is this normal?” this episode is for you. You are not crazy, you are not failing, and you are definitely not alone. If this episode resonated with you, I would be so grateful if you could take a minute to leave a 5 star review. It honestly helps the podcast reach more mums who need to hear these conversations and it means the world to me. You can find me over on Instagram at @doulamarley where I share more real life chats about motherhood, birth and relationships, or you can email me anytime at marley@motheringthemama.com.au. I genuinely love hearing your thoughts, feedback and stories. If this episode brought up anything for you around maternal mental health, please don’t sit with it alone. In Australia you can speak to your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan and access subsidised sessions with a psychologist. You can also contact PANDA on 1300 726 306 for perinatal anxiety and depression support, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 if you need immediate crisis support. If you are in danger or at risk, call 000. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not failure. You deserve support just as much as anyone else.

    39 min
  8. Chatting All Things Food With Mama Mez: Introducing Solids To Postpartum Depletion

    2 FEB

    Chatting All Things Food With Mama Mez: Introducing Solids To Postpartum Depletion

    Welcome back to Becoming Both! I am so excited to have the lovely Mary from Nourished Bites By Mama Mez join me, an amazing holistic nutrition consultant specialising in pre and postnatal care. Mary shares how she went from architecture to building her beautiful business and why supporting mums through whole-food nutrition became her thing. We get into starting solids, baby-led weaning versus purées (yes, you’re allowed to do both), and why consistency and patience matter way more than doing it perfectly. We also chat about sugar, kids’ behaviour, and how tuning into our children’s hunger and fullness cues can save you from turning every meal into a power struggle. We also deep dive into why the patterns our parents showed us and the ones we show our children matter deeply when it comes to forming healthy relationships with food, For the mums, we talk nourishment that goes beyond survival mode. Why coffee alone is not a personality trait (rude, but true), how small tweaks like actually eating breakfast or throwing together a smoothie can change your whole day, and why feeding yourself properly is not selfish, it’s necessary! Espesh if you're breastfeeding! f you’re a mum overwhelmed when it comes to introducing solids, trying to keep tiny humans alive while also remembering to eat something green, this one’s for you. A 5 star review means the world! You can come find me over at @doulamarley @becomingboth - I would love to connect! x

    42 min
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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

For the mums who can’t help but yap about it all 🤪 the highs, the heartbreaks, the hilarious bits, and the healing. Becoming Both is a personal, conversational mix of stories, confessions, and unfiltered chats about motherhood, relationships, identity, and the whole “who even am I now?” of it all. Hosted by Doula Marley, this podcast is like your favourite group chat come to life - honest, comforting, and sometimes a little too real.

Information

  • Creator
    Marley Blunt
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Marley Blunt 2025
  • Show Website
    Becoming Both

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