The Motherhood Experience

Val Kleppen
  • 5.0 (20)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

If you’re craving more than highlight reels and quick tips, The Motherhood Experience is for you. Host Val Kleppen sits down with real moms for meaningful, faith-rooted conversations about the moments that shape us, from the messy to the miraculous. You’ll laugh, cry, and walk away reminded that God is at work in every chapter of your motherhood story. Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

  1. Motherhood Diary of a Doula: She Births Bravely with Suzzie Vehrs

    1D AGO

    Motherhood Diary of a Doula: She Births Bravely with Suzzie Vehrs

    Motherhood rarely unfolds the way we imagine. In this episode of The Motherhood Experience, I sit down with Suzzie Vehrs, a doula and the founder of She Births Bravely, to talk about the unexpected twists of the motherhood journey. Suzzie shares her deeply personal story of becoming a mother, including the grief and growth that shaped her along the way. Through challenges, healing, and the realities of early motherhood, Suzzie discovered a calling to walk alongside other women as a birth doula and postpartum support specialist. Suzzie talks about the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood from pregnancy and birth to postpartum recovery and even speaks with me about my own experience in bereaved motherhood. Suzzie offers insight into how compassionate support during birth and the postpartum season can transform a mother's experience and remind her she’s not alone. In This Episode, We Talk About: ✨ The unexpected turns in Suzzie’s personal motherhood journey✨ How her experiences led her to become a birth and postpartum doula✨ Supporting mothers through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery✨ The reality of bereaved motherhood and pregnancy loss✨ Why postpartum care and emotional support are essential for new moms✨ Finding purpose and healing through serving other mothers About Suzzie Vehrs Suzzie Vehrs is a birth and postpartum doula passionate about walking with mothers through every stage of their journey from pregnancy and labor to postpartum healing. Through her work with She Births Bravely, Suzzie provides compassionate support to mothers navigating both joyful and difficult moments of motherhood. Connect with Suzzie 🌿 Website: https://shebirthsbravely.com📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shebirthsbravely/ ____________________ Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

    55 min
  2. From Heartbreak to Holy Promise: A Mother's Faith In Surrender with Cathy Garland

    MAR 3

    From Heartbreak to Holy Promise: A Mother's Faith In Surrender with Cathy Garland

    In this inspiring conversation, Cathy Garland, author, speaker, and devoted mom, shares her remarkable journey from young divorcee to a woman shaped by vision, faith, and surrender. Cathy shares the powerful moment she received a vision from the Lord about her family’s future, how she navigated broken relationships and rebuilt trust in God’s promises. Whether you’re in a season of waiting, rebuilding, or questioning what family and love really look like, this episode will both challenge and encourage your heart. Cathy also talks about her books Revelationship and Known, the lessons behind them, and how faith becomes a transformative journey, not just a destination. You’ll hear about: Her real-life story of marriage, divorce, and motherhood A life-changing vision that shaped her future How surrender became her strongest act of faith Practical hope for listeners walking a hard or uncertain path This episode is for anyone longing for faith-filled encouragement, clarity in purpose, and truth in how God writes the hardest stories with beauty. 🔗 Connect with Cathy Garland 👉 Website & Resources: https://www.revelationship.net/👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.garland/👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracefullgarlands/👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@seekrevelationship ____________________ Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

    52 min
  3. Fringe Motherhood: One Mother’s Path to Holistic Health and Wise Traditions with Hilda Labrada Gore aka "Holistic Hilda"

    FEB 24

    Fringe Motherhood: One Mother’s Path to Holistic Health and Wise Traditions with Hilda Labrada Gore aka "Holistic Hilda"

    In this fun and insightful episode, we welcome Hilda Labrada Gore, known to many as Holistic Hilda, for an honest and unfiltered conversation about motherhood, health, and what it means to live outside of the conventional health paradigm. Hilda shares her personal journey from relying on mainstream medicine to embracing ancestral, holistic ways of caring for her own body and her family. Along the way, she discovered a powerful sense of purpose that led her to become the host and producer of the Wise Traditions podcast, a show rooted in traditional health wisdom and ancestral living. Whether you’re a parent navigating the complexities of modern health advice, someone curious about holistic practices, or simply seeking a richer connection to your innate wisdom as a caretaker, this episode offers encouragement, practical insights, and a reminder that being “on the fringe” sometimes means you’re just ahead of the curve. 📌 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🌱 Hilda’s personal motherhood journey: how her health perspective shifted from conventional to holistic. 🧠 Why she identifies with being “fringe” and how that label became a strength. 🍎 Key holistic health principles she’s adopted for herself and her family. 🎙️ The mission behind the Wise Traditions podcast and why ancestral wisdom matters today. ☀️ Practical takeaways for listeners from nourishing food to mindset shifts that support well-being. 🔗 Helpful Links & Resources: 👉 Follow Hilda Labrada Gore (Holistic Hilda)Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holistichilda/ Ancient wisdom for energy, vitality, and holistic living 👉 Wise Traditions Podcast Hosted by Hilda Labrada GoreListen or subscribe on the official podcast page (Weston A. Price Foundation): https://www.westonaprice.org/podcast A show dedicated to traditional wisdom for vibrant health 👉 Holistic Hilda Website Explore courses, blog posts, resources, and more: https://www.holistichilda.com/ 🎯 Keywords & Topics Covered Holistic health, ancestral nutrition, motherhood journey, Wise Traditions podcast, traditional wellness, holistic parenting, ancestral wisdom, natural living, health transition story, wellness inspiration. 🎧 Tune In Ready to rethink what it means to be a mother and a health advocate in today’s world? This episode with Hilda Labrada Gore is full of heart, humble wisdom, plenty of hearty laughter, and practical encouragement for every stage of your motherhood journey. __________________ Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

    55 min
  4. Faith Over Excuses: Building Sustainable Wellness Without Adding More to Your Plate with Ashley Perry Lambert

    FEB 17

    Faith Over Excuses: Building Sustainable Wellness Without Adding More to Your Plate with Ashley Perry Lambert

    What if the key to better physical health isn’t more discipline, more workouts, or another restrictive plan, but strengthening your faith muscle? In this highly motivating episode, I sit down with Ashley Perry Lambert, a faith-based health coach who helps women pursue sustainable wellness by working within the lives they already have. Instead of asking women to add more to their routines, Ashley teaches them how to identify the root of their excuses, realign their habits with their faith, and achieve health through systems that already exist in their daily schedules. Through powerful coaching examples, Ashley demonstrates how faith can become the foundation for physical health without overwhelm, guilt, or burnout. This conversation is especially encouraging for women who feel stuck in the cycle of starting over, or who believe wellness requires more time, energy, or perfection than they can give. This episode is a reminder that lasting health doesn’t come from trying harder. It comes from living more intentionally. In This Episode, We Discuss: What it means to build your faith muscle and how it directly impacts physical health Why most women’s wellness plans fail and what to do instead How to identify the real root behind common health excuses Using systems and routines you already have to support sustainable wellness Why adding more rules, workouts, or plans often backfires How faith-based coaching helps women stop starting over A powerful role-play example showing Ashley’s coaching approach in real time Encouragement for women who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or discouraged in their health journey Who This Episode Is For: Women who want better physical health without adding more to their plates Christian women seeking a faith-centered approach to wellness Moms who feel overwhelmed by traditional diet and fitness culture Anyone tired of “all-or-nothing” health thinking Women who want sustainable habits that actually fit real life Key Takeaway: Sustainable wellness isn’t about doing more. It’s about aligning what you’re already doing with your values, your faith, and the life God has placed in front of you. About Our Guest: Ashley Perry Lambert Ashley Perry Lambert is a faith-based health coach who helps women transform their physical health by strengthening their faith, uncovering the roots of self-sabotage, and building sustainable habits within real-life systems. Her coaching approach focuses on grace, alignment, and long-term transformation rather than quick fixes or rigid routines. Ashley's Fat Loss Momentum Podcast Follow Ashley on Instagram Ashley's website & quiz ____________________ Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

    58 min
  5. How Podcasts Saved Her Sanity: An Expat Mom’s Survival of Loneliness Abroad with Rosamaria Mancini

    FEB 10

    How Podcasts Saved Her Sanity: An Expat Mom’s Survival of Loneliness Abroad with Rosamaria Mancini

    What happens when motherhood unfolds thousands of miles from home without your village, your culture, or your familiar rhythms of life? In this honest, globally rich conversation, I sit down with Rosamaria Mancini, an Italian-American mother, author, and expat who shares her journey from growing up in New York to building a life across Europe. In a life of moving to Rome for work, marrying her Italian husband, and later raising two children in Germany, Rosamaria found herself wrestling with loneliness, identity shifts, and the emotional weight of motherhood abroad. During one of her most isolating seasons, podcasts became an unexpected lifeline, offering connection, companionship, and a reminder she wasn’t alone. That experience ultimately inspired her to write a book exploring how listening to podcasts helped preserve her mental health and sense of self while living far from home. This episode is an engaging listen for expat moms, military spouses, mothers navigating isolation, and anyone who has ever felt unseen during a vulnerable season of motherhood. In This Episode, We Discuss: What it’s really like raising children as an expat mother The loneliness and identity loss many moms experience living abroad Creating emotional connection when your support system is far away Turning personal survival into a story that helps other mothers feel less alone Who This Episode Is For: Expat and internationally living mothers Moms navigating loneliness, isolation, or major life transitions Women searching for connection while raising children far from family Podcast lovers curious about the emotional power of audio storytelling Rosamaria’s story is a reminder that even in the quietest, loneliest moments of motherhood, connection is possible and sometimes it arrives through a pair of headphones when you need it most! 🎧 Listen now to hear how podcasts helped one expat mom survive loneliness abroad and why her story may resonate more deeply than you expect. Connect with Rosamaria: Her website (& great book!) Find her on LinkedIn Follow her on Instagram ____________________ Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

    52 min
  6. Family-First Motherhood: Building a Purpose-Driven Career Without Sacrificing Home with Emilia Coto

    FEB 3

    Family-First Motherhood: Building a Purpose-Driven Career Without Sacrificing Home with Emilia Coto

    What does it really look like to pursue a meaningful career while keeping your family at the center rather than on the sidelines? In this episode, I’m joined by Emilia Coto, an immigration lawyer, business owner, mother of two young children, and fellow podcast host of Little Hands, Big Plans. Emilia shares her honest journey of building a career she’s deeply passionate about while intentionally shaping a family-first home life. We talk about redefining success in motherhood, setting boundaries that protect what matters most, and the ongoing process of aligning your work with your values, especially in seasons with young children. This conversation is a breath of fresh air for any mom navigating the tension between ambition and presence. Whether you’re a working mom, entrepreneur, or simply wrestling with how to live out your values in everyday life, this episode offers clarity and permission to design a life that truly fits your family. What We Cover in This Episode What family-first motherhood really means in daily life Juggling motherhood and career without constant guilt Building a purpose-driven career while raising young children Redefining success as a working mom Creating boundaries that protect home life and relationships Navigating the realities of entrepreneurship and motherhood How motherhood reshapes priorities, goals, and identity Encouragement for moms who love their work and their families Why This Episode Matters So many mothers feel pressure to “do it all” while quietly wondering if they’re doing any of it well. Emilia’s story reminds us that motherhood isn’t about choosing between career and family. It’s about intentionally designing a life that reflects your deepest values. This episode will resonate with moms who want to: work with purpose lead with integrity stay deeply connected to their children and build a life that feels aligned, not divided About Emilia Coto Emilia Coto is an immigration lawyer who runs her own practice while raising two young children. She is also the host of the podcast Little Hands, Big Plans, where she explores thoughtful, intentional parenting and career life. Emilia is passionate about meaningful work, family-first values, and helping parents live purpose-filled lives. Follow her on: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Listen If You’re Searching For: Family-first motherhood Juggling motherhood and career Working mom encouragement Purpose-driven careers for mothers Entrepreneurial motherhood Parenting with intention and values Motherhood and identity ____________________ Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpr...

    51 min
  7. Hold My Hand, Mama: A Story of Motherhood From Babies to Beyond with Gabrielle Martin

    JAN 27

    Hold My Hand, Mama: A Story of Motherhood From Babies to Beyond with Gabrielle Martin

    One of the reasons every episode of TME begins with "age of kids and stage of motherhood you're in" is because I think it's important to acknowledge every phase, stage, and transitionary period in our motherhood journey. In this episode, I’m joined by Gabrielle Margin, who, after a statement from her daughter, had a bit of a revelation about the different stages of motherhood as well. Gabrielle's life didn't follow a map or the plan she may have initially had, but she's happy and content with her life as it is today and shares all about it in our conversation. If you’ve ever wondered how you'll navigate through different parts of your life or motherhood, Gabrielle's episode may encourage you as she talks about an all-areas approach from babies to beyond. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Motherhood isn't only what you're experiencing todayHow being a mom shapes the lives of so many othersHow to encourage other moms in your lifeThe role motherhood has that may be an unspoken blessing to so manyKey Topics Discussed In This Episode: Co ParentingBalancing needs of our kids, while balancing our needs as their momGabrielle's BookThe significance and impact of "Hold My Hand, Mama"About Today’s Guest: Gabrielle Martin While loving her work as a marketer, Gabrielle's experience as an author has opened doors for her she never imagined walking through. Her love for her daughters has now been forever captured on the pages of her book and she has been able to witness firsthand the impact of this simple story in the lives of so many others. Resources Mentioned: Gabrielle's Book "Hold My Hand Mama" & the HMHM Website Instagram Facebook This is a touching episode about the impact of motherhood no matter the age or stage, and you'll be moved by it for sure. 🎧 Listen now and share with a friend. _________________________ Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

    49 min
  8. Navigating The Digital Jungle: How to Set Healthy Screentime Boundaries for Kids with Sue Atkins

    JAN 20

    Navigating The Digital Jungle: How to Set Healthy Screentime Boundaries for Kids with Sue Atkins

    Screens, social media, gaming, and digital devices are part of everyday childhood, but how do we guide our kids safely and wisely through it all? In this episode, I’m joined by Sue Atkins, parenting expert and host of the Navigating the Digital Jungle podcast, to help parents confidently navigate screen time, online safety, and age-appropriate digital boundaries for children. We dive into how to have ongoing conversations with kids about technology and how parents can stay proactive rather than reactive in today’s digital world. Sue also shares the practical tools and resources she’s created to support families as they raise children in a screen-saturated culture. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by devices, apps, or online influences, this conversation will equip you with clarity and actionable steps. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why digital boundaries matter at every stage of childhood How to approach age-appropriate conversations about screens and online activity How to teach kids healthy digital habits without fear or control The importance of connection over restriction in digital parenting Tools and resources Sue Atkins has created to help parents navigate the digital jungle How to prepare kids for the long-term impact of digital choices Key Topics Discussed In This Episode: Parenting in the digital age Screen time limits for kids Online safety for children Digital boundaries for families Social media and kids Technology and child development Digital literacy and responsibility About Today’s Guest: Sue Atkins Sue Atkins is a globally recognized parenting expert, speaker, author, and host of the Navigating the Digital Jungle podcast. She is passionate about helping parents raise confident, resilient children in an increasingly digital world through practical strategies, education, and support. Helpful Resources Mentioned Sue Atkins’ digital parenting resources: https://navigatingthedigitaljungle.com/resources/ Navigating the Digital Jungle podcast: https://navigatingthedigitaljungle.com/the-podcast/ Navigating the Digital Jungle blog: https://navigatingthedigitaljungle.com/blog/ Follow Sue: LinkedInInstagramFacebook If you’re parenting in the digital age and want to feel empowered rather than overwhelmed, this episode is for you! 🎧 Listen now and start navigating the digital jungle with confidence. _________________________ Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

    51 min
See All (136)

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

If you’re craving more than highlight reels and quick tips, The Motherhood Experience is for you. Host Val Kleppen sits down with real moms for meaningful, faith-rooted conversations about the moments that shape us, from the messy to the miraculous. You’ll laugh, cry, and walk away reminded that God is at work in every chapter of your motherhood story. Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

Information

  • Creator
    Val Kleppen
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    136
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Val Kleppen
  • Show Website
    The Motherhood Experience

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