The Motherwhelm

Bronwyn Senn
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Motherwhelm is an interview-style podcast for women to safely share the challenges and triumphs of motherhood, shed light on taboos and celebrate everyday victories.

  1. 5d ago

    51 Sophie | Motherhood | Postpartum psychosis, bipolar disorder, mother and baby unit, perinatal mental health, recovery

    In the fifty-first episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by mum-of-two, Sophie, whose experience of early motherhood was nothing like she expected. Just days after the birth of her first baby, Sophie experienced postpartum psychosis, a rare and severe mental health condition that would change the course of her motherhood journey. What followed were multiple hospital admissions, a long recovery, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and the difficult decision of whether she could safely have another child. In this deeply honest conversation, Sophie shares what it felt like to lose touch with reality, the terrifying experience of being separated from her newborn, and the complex road back to herself. She also speaks openly about experiencing perinatal psychosis during her second pregnancy, intrusive thoughts after birth, and the incredible support she found through specialist mother and baby mental health services. Together we discuss the realities of living with bipolar disorder, parenting while recovering from serious mental illness, advocating for better awareness of postpartum psychosis, and why asking for help can be one of the bravest things a mother ever does. This episode is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible, that motherhood and mental illness can coexist, and that no mother should ever have to navigate these experiences alone.

    33 min

  2. Jun 20

    50 Sharon | Motherhood | Birth trauma, homebirth, postpartum haemorrhage, postpartum depression, medical advocacy, informed consent, ADHD

    In the fiftieth epoisode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Sharon, mum of two, to talk about the realities of motherhood, birth trauma, advocacy, identity, and finding your voice as a parent. Sharon shares two very different birth experiences: the first, a long and difficult hospital birth that left her physically and emotionally depleted; the second, a planned homebirth that unfolded beautifully before a serious postpartum haemorrhage led to emergency surgery and a challenging hospital admission. Together, we explore the complexities of navigating the maternity system, informed consent, medical authority, and what happens when parents feel unheard. We also talk about postpartum depression, raising children without nearby family support, building a village from scratch, ADHD and motherhood, balancing work and caregiving, and the ways motherhood has transformed Sharon's confidence, resilience, and sense of self. This is an honest conversation about the light and shade of parenting, the importance of community, and learning to trust yourself as a mother

    1h 26m

  3. May 22

    49 Tess | Motherhood | Matrescence, maternal wellbeing, identity, perfectionism, women's health, occupational therapist, perinatal mental health, community

    In the forty-ninth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Tess, a mum of two who is deeply passionate about supporting women through motherhood and the profound identity shifts that come with it. Tess is a women’s health occupational therapist whose work centres around matrescence, maternal mental health, postpartum wellbeing, and helping mothers navigate the enormous transition into parenthood with greater understanding and support. Together, we explore perfectionism, people-pleasing, sensory overwhelm, postpartum recovery, identity changes, relationships after children, and the impossible pressure of the “perfect mother” myth. Tess speaks openly about her own experiences of early motherhood — the expectations she carried into parenting, the realities she encountered, and the deep self-work motherhood has invited her into. We also talk about birth experiences, postpartum preparation, community, the importance of mothers supporting mothers, and why so many women feel the pressure to hold everything together while quietly carrying so much. This conversation is thoughtful, validating, and full of moments that made me feel deeply seen as a mother — and I think it will do the same for many of you. You can find Tess on Instagram: @_ostara_ot Resources mentioned in this episode: Instagram accounts: @mamamatters.au @seasonsofmatrescence @coreandfloorrestore @raisedgood Books: 'The Whole-Brain Child ' by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson 'Raising a Secure Child' by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper and Bert Powell 'The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did)' by Philippa Perry 'Motherwhelmed ' by Beth Berry 'Body Full of Stars' by Molly Caro May Podcasts/Programs/Other Resources The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast by Melanie Jackson Circle of Security Parenting Program – Circle of Security International Mama Matters Academy – Fiona Weaver Raised Good Summit – Tracy Gillett

    1h 29m

  4. Apr 15

    48 Julia | Motherhood | Postpartum psychosis, postpartum depression, insomnia, perfectionism, identity shift

    In the forty-eighth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Julia, a mum of two who shares her journey from a highly organised, perfection-driven pre-motherhood identity into the unpredictable reality of parenting. Julia speaks candidly about the shock of early motherhood, the pressure she placed on herself to “get it right,” and her experience of postnatal depression and psychosis. She opens up about the long road to recovery, the impact on her relationship, and how she rebuilt her confidence and sense of self. This is an honest and powerful conversation about surrender, healing, and finding joy in the small, everyday moments of motherhood.

    45 min

  5. Apr 6

    47 Jen | Motherhood | Matrescence, intuitive parenting, birth trauma, delayed bonding, postpartum anxiety, sleep support

    In the forty-seventh episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Jen, a mum of three who shares her journey from a highly organised, intuitive perfectionist into the realities of motherhood. Jen reflects on her difficult first pregnancy and emergency caesarean, a challenging postpartum period marked by pain, anxiety, and delayed bonding, and a distressing early hospital experience. As her family grew, she gained confidence through two planned caesareans, learning to trust her instincts, and adopting a more intuitive, cue-based approach to parenting. She also speaks openly about feeding challenges, relationship strain and growth, and the deep exhaustion of motherhood. These are experiences that led her to found Sleep Thrive Grow, where she now supports families with compassionate, individualised sleep coaching. This episode is an honest reflection on identity, healing, and learning to trust yourself as a mother.

    1h 24m

  6. Mar 8

    46 Anneliese | Motherhood | Childhood trauma, abuse survivor, young mother, solo parenting, breaking cycles, ADHD, Autism, feminist storytelling

    In the forty-sixth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by my Aunty Anneliese, a mother of three. In this raw and deeply honest conversation, we talk about motherhood through the lens of childhood trauma, survival, and the fierce determination to do better for the next generation. Anneliese shares her journey from becoming a mother at 21 while still healing from abuse, to raising three kids with ADHD and autism - largely on her own.  This conversation doesn't shy away from the hard truths about generational trauma, but it also celebrates the small victories - a son who's kind to women, a daughter with boundless imagination, a five-year-old math whiz getting the support his siblings never had. If you've ever felt alone in your struggles, if you're breaking cycles, if you're doing your best with what you have - this episode is for you. You can find Anneliese's substack here: https://substack.com/@anneliesesenn?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=7wd6lz

    35 min

  7. Jan 31

    45 Ciara | Motherhood | Ectopic pregnancy, IVF journey, perinatal mental health, l & d nurse, black maternity care, mama coach, postnatal depression

    In the forty-fifth episode of The Motherwhelm, I am joined by Ciara to talk about the winding, often unseen road to motherhood. Ciara shares her experience of an ectopic pregnancy and the profound impact her loss had on her body, her mental health, and her sense of self. We explore her IVF journey, the hope, heartbreak, and resilience required to keep going when the path to becoming a mother is anything but straightforward. We discuss perinatal mental health and Ciara’s experience of postnatal depression, unpacking how it showed up for her, what helped, and what she wishes more people understood about the postpartum period. Ciara offers insight into the experience of black mothers within the maternity healthcare system, and explains its far-reaching impact on the maternal mortality rate in the US. Texts mentioned in this episode Books: 'The Nurture Revolution: Grow Your Baby's Brain and Transform Their Mental Health through the Art of Nurtured Parenting' by Greer Kirshenbaum Instagram: @herblackwellness @antiracistnursecollective @thesleepdoctor @bundlebirthnurses

    1h 5m

  8. Jan 6

    44 Caroline | Motherhood | Perinatal psychologist, PNA, breastfeeding journey, self-discovery, first-time mom

    In the forty-fourth episode of The Motherwhelm, I interview Caroline, a perinatal psychologist, and now a mother of two. This episode is a little time capsule. It was recorded two years ago and recently recovered from the archives, this conversation captures one mother in a very specific season of her motherhood. Since recording, she’s welcomed another baby, and listening back now feels like being invited into a moment that can never quite be recreated, only remembered. This episode is a reminder that motherhood is always shifting, always evolving, and every version of ourselves deserves to be honoured.

    39 min
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Trailer

About

The Motherwhelm is an interview-style podcast for women to safely share the challenges and triumphs of motherhood, shed light on taboos and celebrate everyday victories.

Information

  • Creator
    Bronwyn Senn
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Bronwyn Senn
  • Show Website
    The Motherwhelm

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