Getting Grounded

Samantha Blatz

Getting Grounded is an honest, hopeful, and occasionally funny podcast about the wild, wonderful, confusing, identity-shifting journey of becoming a parent — and figuring out who you are once you’re in it. Hosted by Sam, each episode goes beyond the highlight reel to talk about the stuff we’re actually thinking about: postpartum, relationships, intimacy, friendships, mental health, career, identity, motherhood, overwhelm, and the beautiful chaos of trying to keep everyone — including yourself — somewhat together. Through candid conversations with experts, inspiring guests, friends, and fellow parents, Getting Grounded brings you the conversations you wish someone had started sooner, along with practical advice, honest stories, plenty of “same” moments, and a reminder that you’re not supposed to have it all figured out. Come for the conversation, stay for the reminder that you’re not alone in any of it.

Episodes

  1. 4 days ago

    A Motherhood Chat Between Best Friends: Miscarriage, Going From 1 to 2 & Everything No One Prepares You For

    There are some parts of motherhood you can read about, prepare for, ask your doctor about, and then there are the things you really only learn from your mom friend texts-  “yep so normal” or the dreaded “no no. call your doctor.” In this episode, I'm honored to spend the hour with one of my oldest and best friends, Dana Pagliuco, for the kind of conversation we’ve been having with each other for years- except this time, we did it for my show😅! We talk about how completely unprepared we both were for the reality of becoming moms, why having a friend just a few months ahead of you can be a mom lifeline, and all the things about birth and postpartum that somehow no one adequately explains beforehand. Pags also shares what it was really like going from one kid to two, what actually felt harder, what surprisingly felt easier the second time around, the age gap she originally imagined for her kids, and the complicated feeling of knowing your family is complete while still feeling a little sad that a chapter of your life is over. And we have a really honest conversation about her miscarriage between her two daughters: finding out she was losing the pregnancy over Mother's Day weekend, the physical reality of miscarriage that isn't talked about enough, having to keep parenting and showing up at work while actively going through it, and how grief can seemingly fade into the background only to catch you off guard again later. It’s vulnerable and heavy at times, but it’s also two lifelong besties, so there is plenty of laughing, oversharing, breastfeeding talk, husband stories, and the general absurdity that comes with raising tiny humans. In this episode, we talk about: Why nothing really prepares you for the identity shift of becoming a mom The underrated importance of having mom friends a few steps ahead of you The realities of birth and postpartum that no one seems to explain properly Whether going from 0 to 1 or 1 to 2 kids is actually harder Breastfeeding the first vs. second time around Deciding you're done having children and why that can still come with grief Miscarriage, including the physical experience we don't talk about enough Having to keep parenting, working, and functioning while going through pregnancy loss Trying to conceive again after miscarriage and the anxiety that can follow you into another pregnancy Letting go of the age gap and family timeline you thought you'd have The reminders of pregnancy loss that can unexpectedly bring the grief back How moms and dads can experience pregnancy, miscarriage, and early parenthood completely differently Friendship before and after kids and why sometimes you simply cannot understand until you've lived it More than anything, this episode is about the value of having people you can tell the whole truth to- the scary stuff, the sad stuff, the gross stuff, the funny stuff, and the “is this normal?!” stuff. Because so much of motherhood becomes a little less overwhelming when someone else can say: I know. I've been there too. 00:34 — Welcome to Another Mom Bestie: Dana Pagliuco! 02:29 — Postpartum, Birth & the “is this normal?!” Moments 05:16 — Why You Need Mom Friends Who Get It 09:52 — How Many Kids? Deciding When Your Family Is Complete 18:20 — Miscarriage: The Experience No One Talks About Enough 23:37 — Telling People, Going to Work & Functioning Through It 29:31 — Pregnancy After Miscarriage: Anxiety, Grief & the Age Gap 39:30 — Spirit Babies & Finding Comfort in the Unknown, Spiritual or Not 42:05 — Miscarriage, Marriage & How Partners Experience It Differently 47:35 — Closing & Thanks!   For more Getting Grounded and your host Sam Blatz, follow along at: @soullovewithsam on Instagram @GettingGroundedPodcast on YouTube Produced by Getting Grounded LLC

    A Motherhood Chat Between Best Friends: Miscarriage, Going From 1 to 2 & Everything No One Prepares You For
  2. 11 Aug

    An Honest Take on Motherhood Expectations (and Why “Good Enough” Is Enough) with Caitlin Wilder

    Caitlin Wilder has a unique way of making you feel like you’re sitting down with a friend to chat about huge, important life things and absolutely nothing at all, all at the same time. In this episode, we talk about the big questions that somehow take up SO much of our mental space as moms — from finding the right place to live and navigating a move, to how you actually know if you’re done having kids (and what it feels like when you and your partner aren’t on the same page). We also get very real about the postpartum experience, the pressure of following every piece of advice from online “experts,” and how Caitlin’s own first postpartum experience completely changed the way she approaches motherhood and her work as a full-spectrum doula. Then we get into marriage, identity, work, the pressure to “keep all the balls in the air,” and the realization that sometimes doing everything pretty okay is actually more than enough. And somehow, in the middle of all of that, we talk about Bravo for a truly unnecessary amount of time. 😂 Caitlin is passionate about helping moms have a more realistic, grounded first-time motherhood experience, but what I love most about this conversation is how relatable and genuinely fun it is. There’s no perfect formula, no “right” way to do motherhood, and no pretending that we have it all figured out. Just a very honest conversation about motherhood, marriage, babies, moving, identity, figuring out what matters to you — and a little Bravo along the way. If you like a lighthearted conversation about super deep things, this episode is for you.   00:00:34 — Welcome Caitlin Wilder! 00:00:58 — A Little Bravo & Southern Charm Detour 😂 00:05:15 — Getting to Know Caitlin & Wilder Beginnings 00:08:26 — Moving, San Diego & Finding the Right Place to Live 00:18:03 — The Reality of Life with Twins 00:23:58 — How Do You Know When You’re Done Having Kids? 00:36:30 — What We Wish We Knew: From 1st Baby to Baby #3 00:46:00 — Motherhood, Marriage & Changing Expectations 00:52:08 — Self-Care, Work & Letting “Good Enough” Be Enough 00:59:17 — Final Thoughts & Where to Find Caitlin   For more Caitlin, (because who wouldn't want more?!), follow below! @WilderBeginnings You're So Right Podcast    For more Getting Grounded and your host Sam Blatz, follow along at: @soullovewithsam on Instagram @GettingGroundedPodcast on YouTube Produced by Getting Grounded LLC

    An Honest Take on Motherhood Expectations (and Why “Good Enough” Is Enough) with Caitlin Wilder
  3. 4 Aug

    Honest Insight into the Infertility Journey & How to Support Your Friends Going Through it

    In one of the most vulnerable episodes we've shared on Getting Grounded, my dear friend Amanda opens up about the journey that brought her to motherhood, the one very few people fully saw.   From heartbreaking miscarriages and an unexpected diagnosis to surgery, IVF, endless uncertainty, and finally welcoming her children, Amanda shares what it was really like to live through years of infertility. Not just the medical side, but the emotional one: the grief, the waiting, the financial burden, the strain on relationships, the loneliness, and the constant question of whether her dream of becoming a mother would ever come true.   Whether you're navigating infertility yourself, supporting someone who is, considering IVF, or simply wanting to better understand this experience, Amanda's honesty offers something incredibly powerful: hope, practical insight, and the reminder that you are not alone.   We also talk about how infertility continues to shape motherhood  after pregnancy, how partners experience the journey differently, the complicated emotions that can arise when friends announce pregnancies, and what loved ones can actually do to help.   In this episode, we discuss: Amanda's journey through miscarriage, infertility, surgery, and IVF The emotional rollercoaster of wondering if motherhood would ever happen The financial realities and hidden costs of fertility treatment How infertility impacted her marriage and her husband's experience Pregnancy after infertility and why the anxiety doesn't simply disappear The isolation and stigma so many women silently carry How to tell a friend you're pregnant when they're struggling with infertility Meaningful ways to support someone navigating IVF or pregnancy loss Common misconceptions about IVF and what people often misunderstand Embryo testing, difficult decisions, and the realities behind the process Why Amanda chose to share her story and why these conversations matter   If this episode resonates with you, we'd love for you to share it with someone who may need to hear it today. These conversations become less lonely when we have them together.   Episode Timeline 00:00:49 — Welcome, Amanda! 00:01:33 — How We Met & Why Mom Friendships Matter 00:03:14 — Parenting Styles, Community & Finding Your People 00:07:35 — Amanda's Story Begins 00:08:56 — Miscarriages, Infertility & Beginning the IVF Journey 00:15:04 — Finally Becoming a Mom 00:15:58 — The Financial & Emotional Cost of IVF 00:18:19 — How to Share Pregnancy News with Someone Experiencing Infertility 00:24:02 — The Best Ways Friends Can Offer Support 00:26:37 — IVF Myths, Misconceptions & What People Don't Understand 00:29:11 — The Hardest Question: "Will I Ever Become a Mother?" 00:32:10 — Motherhood After Infertility & A New Perspective 00:34:02 — Embryo Testing, Difficult Decisions & Unexpected Outcomes 00:36:12 — The Broader Impact and Benefits of IVF 00:39:54 — How Infertility Affected Marriage, Identity & Partnership 00:47:02 — Breaking the Silence Around Infertility 00:48:18 — Therapy, Healing & Processing the Journey   For more Getting Grounded and your host Sam Blatz, follow along at: @soullovewithsam on Instagram @GettingGroundedPodcast on YouTube Produced by Getting Grounded LLC

    Honest Insight into the Infertility Journey & How to Support Your Friends Going Through it
  4. 28 Jul

    Pelvic Floor Health, Postpartum Recovery & Everything Every Woman Should Know with Dr. Sara Reardon aka The Vagina Whisperer

    Leaking when you sneeze? Pain with sex? Wondering if your core will ever feel the same after kids? This episode answers the questions every woman has, but almost no one talks about. This week on Getting Grounded, Sam sits down with Dr. Sara Reardon, better known as The Vagina Whisperer, for an honest, empowering, and incredibly practical conversation about the pelvic floor. Together, they break down the topics so many women experience, but few feel comfortable talking about. From pregnancy and birth to postpartum recovery and beyond, Dr. Sara answers the questions women are actually asking (and the ones they often don't know they should be asking). They cover what's normal, what's not, and the simple things you can start doing today to support your body for the long haul. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why pelvic floor health matters at every stage of life, not just after having a baby Common myths that may be doing more harm than good Leaking, prolapse, hemorrhoids, diastasis recti, pain with sex, constipation, and scar healing How breathing, core strength, and movement all work together The best ways to push during labor & how to practice beforehand When it's time to see a pelvic floor physical therapist (and what to expect if you do) Accessible exercises and practical habits that can make a real difference, even if you never see a specialist This conversation is packed with evidence-based guidance and the kind of reassurance every woman needs: your symptoms are common, but that doesn't mean you have to live with them. Whether you're preparing for birth, recovering postpartum, navigating perimenopause, or simply want to better understand your body, you'll walk away from this episode feeling informed, empowered, and equipped with tools you can actually use. To learn more about Dr. Sara Reardon, visit the links below. And if you aren't already following her on Instagram...what are you waiting for?!  The Vagina Whisperer on Instagram  Floored: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage―A Comprehensive Guide for Women of All Ages Dr. Sara's Website The V-Hive App   00:00:34 - Welcome Dr. Sara Reardon aka The Vagina Whisperer 00:10:14 - What’s Normal vs. Not — Pelvic Floor Overview 00:10:55 - Sex & Postpartum Pain — Causes and Tips 00:16:54 - Hemorrhoids After Childbirth 00:29:54 - Postpartum Bleeding & Clotting 00:32:41 - Does Pelvic Floor Strength Return? Rehabilitation 00:36:07 - Diastasis Recti, Kegels & When to Seek Help 00:39:30 - Tips & Tricks — Prenatal and Postpartum Recommendations 00:40:47 - Pushing Techniques & Reducing Tearing 00:46:05 - Making Time — Practical Ways to Prioritize Pelvic Care 00:49:09 - Helpful Tools & Products (Squatty Potty, Compression, Bidet) 00:51:37 - Common Misconceptions & Surprising Connections 00:55:00 - Where to Find Dr. Sara & Resources     For more Getting Grounded and your host Sam Blatz, follow along at: @soullovewithsam on Instagram @GettingGroundedPodcast on YouTube Produced by Getting Grounded LLC

    Pelvic Floor Health, Postpartum Recovery & Everything Every Woman Should Know with Dr. Sara Reardon aka The Vagina Whisperer
  5. 21 Jul

    Realistic Sleep Expectations, Parenting Travel Tips & Marriage Insights From a Mom of Three & Sleep Expert, Rachael Shepard-Ohta

    In this week of Getting Grounded, Sam gets the chance to discuss practical, realistic approaches to baby and child sleep with Rachael Shepherd-Ohta of Hey, Sleepy Baby — covering why sleep isn’t linear, gentle bedsharing strategies, cultural differences in sleep, and tips for sleep transitions at different ages. The conversation also moves into traveling with kids, balancing work and family, managing sibling and school separation challenges, and small relationship practices to stay connected. Rachael is so relatable, authentic, and insightful — you don’t want to miss this one!!   For Rachael's help and tips, follow her below!  Hey Sleepy Baby on Instagram  Rachael's Substack  Hey, Sleepy Baby Website and Resources  Too Tired to Fight: 13 Essential Conflicts Parents Must Have to Keep Their Relationship Strong   00:00:46 - Meet Rachael! 00:06:21 - Sleep Is Not Linear 00:07:58 - Parenting Expectations & Letting Go of Control 00:12:58 - Cultural Perspectives on Sleep & Rachel’s Book 00:15:00 - Bedsharing, Co-Sleeping & Global Practices 00:24:05 - Naps, Bedtime Trade-Offs & Schedules 00:31:00 - End-of-Night Routine & Wind-down Habits 00:32:23 - Parenting Realities — Challenges & Tips 00:33:56 - Sibling Conflict & Separation Anxiety Solutions 00:37:28 - Traveling with Kids — Expectations & Tips 00:43:02 - Relationship & Marriage After Kids 00:49:46 - Where to Find Rachel — Resources & Links   For more Getting Grounded and your host Sam Blatz, follow along at: @soullovewithsam on Instagram @GettingGroundedPodcast on YouTube Produced by Getting Grounded LLC

    Realistic Sleep Expectations, Parenting Travel Tips & Marriage Insights From a Mom of Three & Sleep Expert, Rachael Shepard-Ohta
  6. 14 Jul

    Alleviating Mom Guilt, Trusting Your Intuition, and Family Dynamics via Human Design with Alexandra Cole

    In this episode, Sam chats with Alexandra Cole about using Human Design to parent with less guilt and more ease. They cover how different energy types and inner authorities shape parenting styles, listening to intuition, and tailoring approaches to each child’s unique design. Alexandra shares practical examples—from morning routines to motivation and communication—and offers simple strategies for partners and families to align expectations, set boundaries, and experiment toward what works best for their household.   00:00:32 — Welcome Alexandra Cole! 00:01:04 — Why Human Design Matters in Parenting 00:02:56 — Meet Alexandra 00:06:50 — Parenting Guilt & How to Resolve it 00:07:47 — Managing Parental Responsibilities & Self-Care 00:12:13 — Human Design Profiles & Meeting Needs 00:18:25 — Profiles Explained (Lines 1–6) 00:24:37 — Intuition & Inner Authority 00:26:22 — Different Forms of Intuition (Splenic, Emotional, Sacral, etc.) 00:34:14 — Undefined vs Defined Centers & Picking Up Energy 00:36:49 — Parenting Different Charts — Practical Examples 00:44:15 — Family Dynamics — Husband, Kids, and Roles 00:50:39 — Resources    Resources:  For more of her incredible expertise and incredible light as a human, head over to her Substack and subscribe; it is WELL worth it! Follow Alexandra on Instagram  Alexandra's Website   For more Getting Grounded and your host Sam Blatz, follow along at: @soullovewithsam on Instagram @GettingGroundedPodcast on YouTube Produced by Getting Grounded LLC

    Alleviating Mom Guilt, Trusting Your Intuition, and Family Dynamics via Human Design with Alexandra Cole
  7. 7 Jul

    Sex, Intimacy & Relationship Struggles while Parenting Young Kids with Jennifer Wiessner (Part 1)

    In this episode, Jennifer Wiesner, a licensed clinical social worker and certified sex therapist, sits down with Sam to discuss how parenthood reshapes marriage, intimacy, and identity. They explore honesty and trust after past relationship trauma, practical everyday strategies to stay connected (love lists, non-demand touch, flirting without pressure), and when couples should seek therapy. They also cover normalizing the destabilizing transitions of parenting and accessible resources and books for couples wanting to strengthen their relationship and sexual connection. This is one of Sam's favorite episodes and gave her tools to put into practice with her husband! If you found any of these tips useful, please share with a friend :).   00:02:43 - who is Jennifer?  00:03:47 - the importance of true honesty in relationships  00:08:38 - managing trauma and trust in relationships 00:12:14 - best friend marriages and the difficulty of that dynamic  00:21:24 - practical relationship tips: love lists & connection 00:23:08 - the reality of the destabilization of having young children and its impact on marriage  00:27:15 - raising children on parallel paths and remaining connected 00:36:26 - when to seek couples therapy?  00:46:34 - the shift in your sex life post-children  00:59:42 - initiating difficult conversations 01:01:46 - resources and where to find Jennifer   Resources:  Working with Jennifer Wiessner Follow Jennifer on Instagram Us by Terry Real The New Monogamy by Tammy Nelson Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski Terry Real Resources Mating in Captivity by Ester Perel   For more Getting Grounded and your host Sam Blatz, follow along at: @soullovewithsam on Instagram @GettingGroundedPodcast on YouTube Produced by Getting Grounded LLC

    Sex, Intimacy & Relationship Struggles while Parenting Young Kids with Jennifer Wiessner (Part 1)

About

Getting Grounded is an honest, hopeful, and occasionally funny podcast about the wild, wonderful, confusing, identity-shifting journey of becoming a parent — and figuring out who you are once you’re in it. Hosted by Sam, each episode goes beyond the highlight reel to talk about the stuff we’re actually thinking about: postpartum, relationships, intimacy, friendships, mental health, career, identity, motherhood, overwhelm, and the beautiful chaos of trying to keep everyone — including yourself — somewhat together. Through candid conversations with experts, inspiring guests, friends, and fellow parents, Getting Grounded brings you the conversations you wish someone had started sooner, along with practical advice, honest stories, plenty of “same” moments, and a reminder that you’re not supposed to have it all figured out. Come for the conversation, stay for the reminder that you’re not alone in any of it.