Modern Mother

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Chatting the Real, Raw and Unspoken essence of Motherhood with bite-size educational pieces. Join the Movement. A podcast by @bubbacloud with host Kath Hansen

  1. The missing part of your birth plan: The truth about Doulas and what the system can't give you

    3D AGO

    The missing part of your birth plan: The truth about Doulas and what the system can't give you

    One in three women experience birth trauma in Australia. That number doesn't happen in a vacuum. It happens inside a system where one midwife is managing five mothers and five babies simultaneously. Where women are discharged four to six hours after major surgery with ice packs and Nurofen. Where partners are standing in the room overwhelmed and nobody asks if they're okay. Where the people responsible for your care genuinely want to support you but are physically incapable of being everywhere at once. Steph Tsalacopoulos spent 15 years as a registered nurse, running IVF operating theatres and working in anaesthetics, before becoming a Melbourne-based doula. She's seen both sides of maternal care and she's very clear about what the system can and can't give you. In this conversation we get into: Why birth trauma is a systemic failure not a personal one, what doulas actually do (it's not what most people think), why Steph made the deliberate decision to post zero educational content on her socials, the registry items you should be asking for instead of the ones you're registering for, supporting partners through birth and why the dad nobody asked how he was doing is more common than you'd think, the VBAC reality, why social media is contributing to postnatal anxiety before babies even arrive, and the two things Steph is absolutely non-negotiable about. If you've been wondering whether a doula is really worth it: it is. You are. Stephanie Tsalacopoulos is a Melbourne-based pregnancy, birth, and postpartum doula with over 10 years of nursing experience behind her. She specialised in IVF operating theatres and anaesthetics, which means she understands the medical system from the inside and chose to work outside it for a reason. Website: stephthedoula.com.auInstagram: @stephthedoula_ The nursing to doula pipelineWhy 15 years of nursing, including fertility nursing and running IVF theatres, shaped the way Steph sees maternal care. What the clinical system taught her about what women actually need. Why she enrolled in a midwifery postgrad and then chose a completely different path. What's actually happening inside hospitalsThe systemic pressure on midwives that is contributing to birth trauma. Why this isn't about individual failure but structural under-resourcing. What doulas actually doHow Steph works WITH obstetricians and midwives rather than creating friction. Why the doula reputation for being restrictive or woo-woo is getting in the way of women accessing real support. The 1 in 3 statisticWhy birth trauma is preventable. What communication has to do with it. Supporting partnersWhy partners want to support but often don't know how. What it looks like when the whole room is set up to function as a team. The VBAC realityKath's experience across four births including attempted VBAC. What Steph sees in women trying to process previous birth trauma while preparing for the next one. Why mindset work before labour matters as much as physical preparation. Your registry is wrongWhy we're registering for nursery aesthetics instead of postpartum infrastructure. The comparison between spending a grand on wedding flowers and investing that in 11 months of birth support. Not your body, not your businessWhy unsolicited opinions on birth choices, feeding decisions, and recovery timelines are contributing to maternal mental health struggles. Steph the DoulaWebsite: stephthedoula.com.au Instagram: @stephthedoula_ The Modern Mother PodcastInstagram: @modernmother.pod New episodes every week wherever you listen to podcasts. Bubba Cloud (Mother Cap Available here) Instagram: @bubbacloud Website: www.bubbacloud.com.au The Modern Mother exists to hold mothers through the real, raw, and reflective sides of motherhood that rarely get airtime. Because being held isn't a luxury. It's essential.

    1h 2m
  2. What I'd Actually Put on a Baby Registry After Four Kids

    FEB 9

    What I'd Actually Put on a Baby Registry After Four Kids

    The Baby Registry Industrial Complex: What You Actually Need vs What You're Sold The average Australian baby registry costs between $3,000 and $5,000. Mothers report using 8 to 12 of those items daily. The rest? Clutter, guilt, and proof we didn't know what we needed because we were too busy buying what we were told to need. I've done this four times now. Four babies, four registries, four rounds of learning the difference between consumption and infrastructure. With my first at 21, I bought everything the checklist told me to. By baby four, with Odin's heart condition and medical complexity, I was too scared to buy much at all. That forced simplicity taught me more about what mothers actually need than three previous registries combined. In this episode, I'm breaking down: What we're actually buying (and why most of it becomes waste)The psychology of registry culture (fantasy vs functional motherhood)How the baby industry trains mothers to outsource their knowingThe mental load of stuff nobody tells you aboutWhat infrastructure actually looks like (spoiler: it's not 47 swaddles)My actual registry list after four kids (it's brutally simple)What support infrastructure matters more than productsWhy baby showers should focus on the mother, not the nurseryThis isn't about minimalism as aesthetic. It's about cognitive load, nervous system capacity, and building infrastructure that actually holds you instead of adding to the chaos. The baby industry profits from mothers not knowing what they need yet. But you'll figure it out. And you don't need $5,000 worth of stuff to do that. Resources mentioned: Bubba Cloud linen baby loungers and cot sheetsSeekaboo muslin wrapsChekoh Baby carriersLove Me Eco nappy subscriptionMammae The Embodied Mother (Mother Care and Feeding support)Cloth nappies from Kmart (as burp cloths)Related episodes: Coming next week: Steph the Doula on fourth trimester reality and what mothers actually needJoin Mother Circle: Weekly emails with mother rituals, meal plans, and real talk. Join Here Follow the podcast: @themodernmother.podFollow Kath: @_kathhansenShop infrastructure: @bubbacloud

    39 min
  3. The secrect to low iron, periods and motherhood your doctor forgot to tell you

    JAN 28

    The secrect to low iron, periods and motherhood your doctor forgot to tell you

    If someone had told 15-year-old me, bleeding through her school uniform and being handed the pill, that one day she'd be sitting here talking about ferritin levels and period blood loss on a podcast... I probably would've believed them. Because I've always known this wasn't normal. I sat down with Steph Lowe (aka The Natural Nutritionist, aka the woman who's been keeping me alive through two pregnancies and now finally helping me fix the mess I've been living with my whole life) to talk about the thing nobody wants to talk about: your period, your iron, and why your GP might be missing the full picture. Here's what we covered: Why your period is your monthly report card (and what it's trying to tell you when you're losing 200mls of blood instead of the "normal"). The difference between ferritin and hemoglobin (spoiler: your GP is probably only looking at one of them) Why iron infusions and Maltofer aren't solving the problem (you're mopping the floor while the tap's still running) What period pain is actually telling you (even "manageable" pain isn't normal, no matter how many times you've been told it is) Pre-conception care that actually matters (and why men need to be part of this conversation from day one, not just when you've been trying for 12 months) Sperm quality and male factor fertility (because it's 50-50, but you wouldn't know that from how GPs approach it) How to stop accepting "some women just do" as medical advice (because that's not medicine, that's dismissal) If you're stuck on the iron roundabout, planning your life around your cycle, thinking about trying for a baby, or just tired of being told you're fine when you know you're not... this one's for you. I've been there my whole life, and I'm done accepting it as normal. Want to go deeper? Steph has some incredible episodes on her podcast Health, Happiness & Human Kind that dive even further into this stuff: Episode #396: Low Iron, Pregnancy and Why Maltofer Isn't the Answer Episode #415: Addressing the Root Cause of Low Iron Here's where I need you: Steph and I are already planning our next conversation, but I want to know what YOU actually want us to dive into. Are you stuck on the iron roundabout and need a solo deep dive on reading your blood work? Dealing with PMDD and need to hear someone talk about it honestly? Trying to conceive and drowning in conflicting advice? Send me a DM on Instagram or comment on the carousel post and tell me what you're struggling with most. I'm building the next episode based on what you need to hear, not what sounds good in theory. Common doesn't mean normal. And you don't have to live like this. Kx

    1h 11m
  4. The Wisdom Within: Free Birth, Karma & the Curriculum of Motherhood with Tahnee Taylor

    JAN 12

    The Wisdom Within: Free Birth, Karma & the Curriculum of Motherhood with Tahnee Taylor

    What happens when you strip away the noise and come home to yourself in birth and motherhood? In this raw, unfiltered conversation, I sit down with Tahnee Taylor, yoga teacher, Chinese medicine practitioner, and mother of three babies, to explore the intersection of sovereignty, birth trauma, and the deep intelligence of the female body. Tahnee shares her journey from a "textbook" home birth with midwives to two powerful free births, including one where her baby was born posterior and not breathing. We unpack the cult of the expert, the cascade of interventions most women experience, and why so much of what we're told about birth simply doesn't add up. This conversation goes deep into Chinese medicine, Taoism, and the karmic curriculum we're all working through as mothers. We talk about triggers, integration, perfectionism around food and parenting, and why your children's "failures" might actually be reflecting your own unprocessed patterns. If you've ever felt like the only one questioning the system, struggling with birth trauma, or wondering why motherhood feels like one initiation after another, this episode is for you. This episode covers: The true definition of free birth and why it's a response to a broken systemHow medical interventions during birth create the very emergencies they claim to preventWhy ultrasounds, amniocentesis, and routine monitoring deserve deeper questioningThe energetic and spiritual aspects of conception, pregnancy, and birthHow your birth imprints your child's entire life curriculumChinese medicine perspectives on digestion, boundaries, and childhood illnessWorking with triggers as invitations for growth rather than reasons to feel shameBuilding a business around motherhood (not the other way around)The middle path between wellness perfectionism and complete abandonWarning: This conversation challenges mainstream medical narratives around birth. We believe in informed choice and supporting women to make decisions aligned with their values, not fear. Connect with Tahnee: Website: TahneyTaylor.comInstagram: @tahneyogaCourse: Elemental Vehicle (launches February 2026) Elemental Vehicle is a month long immersive experience meeting three times per week, blending education, embodiment, and community. It's designed to help women remember what they already know, resource themselves from within, and navigate the initiations of motherhood with consciousness and sovereignty. Includes live teaching, facilitated sharing circles, and lifetime replay access. This conversation is not medical advice. We encourage all women to educate themselves thoroughly, question everything, and make informed decisions aligned with their values and circumstances. Birth choices are deeply personal and there is no single "right" way. If you're struggling with birth trauma, processing a difficult birth experience, or feeling isolated in your approach to motherhood, please know you're not alone. Consider seeking support from trauma informed practitioners, somatic therapists, or communities of women doing this work. For more raw, unfiltered conversations about motherhood, subscribe to The Modern Mother podcast and join our newsletter, Mother Rituals, for weekly reflections on navigating this season with consciousness.

    1h 54m
  5. From Skepticism to Advocacy: A Conversation with Tahnee Taylor

    JAN 7

    From Skepticism to Advocacy: A Conversation with Tahnee Taylor

    In this episode of The Modern Mother, Kath welcomes Tahnee Taylor to discuss her journey with tonic herbalism and her involvement with Superfeast and where she is drawn to today. Tahnee shares her personal experiences with herbalism, stepping back from superfeast after working alongside husband Mason for years. The conversation delves into the benefits of tonic herbs, the importance of self-care, and the balance between motherhood, business responsibilities and knowing when it's time to step back. This is part one of a three part series with Tahnee, next we go into Pregnancy, Birth and beyond. Tahnee's wisdom will shower you will love, reassurance and likely lots you didn't know about pregancy, birth and postpartum. Chapters: Introduction to Tahnee Taylor and Superfeast Tahnee's Journey with Herbalism Balancing Motherhood and Business The Growth of Superfeast Cultural Differences in Herbal Practices Personal Growth and Resilience Connect with Tahnee here: Tahnee Taylor Website Tahnee Instagram Podcast - Body of Wisdom

    36 min

  6. 12/10/2025

    The Anniversary Trauma I Can't Fully Name: How to Show Up for Mothers in Crisis

    This is the episode I wasn't sure I could record. It's the unpacking and understanding of my own trauma (yes, it's hard for me to name it that). Last week I talked about why I need work to be a good mother. This week, I need to talk about something heavier. The anniversary trauma that's been sitting on my chest since November 2024... The event I can't fully name publicly, but that completely changed me as a mother. I want to talk about what it was like. Not because I have it figured out. But because maybe you've been there too. What it's like when survival mode is all you have.What it costs you (I'm still paying for it).How people showed up (and how some didn't).What it actually looks like to support a mother in crisis. This episode is heavy. But if you've ever felt alone in the hardest season of your life, maybe this will help you feel less alone. @modernmother.pod @bubbacloud www.bubbacloud.com.au

    39 min

  7. 12/03/2025

    Reflections 2.1 - I Can't Surrender 100% to Motherhood. Here's Why.

    Can you be a good mother if you need more than motherhood? I've been asking myself this for months. Because here's the truth: I can't surrender 100% to mothering without losing myself. I need work, not for ambition, but for survival. For my mental health. For financial safety. In this episode: Why "be present" advice is breaking mothersPost-Partum Health and my Blood PanelsThe three jobs I had to turn down (and why)Financial independence as self-protectionLoving your kids AND being exhausted (both are true)Why I relaunched my business in the middle of a crisisThe challenges of balancing self-care with family responsibilities, the importance of support systemsThis is messy. This is real. And if you've felt this too, you're not alone. P.s If you love these episodes, would you do me a big fat favour and rate us? Or jump over to our socials and join the conversation. Big Love, Kath Instagram @modernmother.pod @bubbacloud Join the Mother Circle with Bubba Cloud for weekly emails that aren't loaded with a bunch of crap that's too hard to implement. Sit with us here

    21 min

  8. 11/25/2025

    Stop Dressing for Future You: Lucinda Pikkat on Mother Style, Body Changes & Real Wardrobe Solutions

    Ever bought clothes for a version of yourself that never showed up? Lucinda Pikkat admits she spent years shopping for a future post-baby body, only to realise she was ignoring the life she was actually living. This conversation will change how you think about your wardrobe forever. What We Discuss:In this raw and refreshing episode, Lucinda Pikkat (mum of three and style content creator) joins me to unpack the real truth about fashion after kids, no filters, no "bounce back" BS. You'll Learn:• Why buying "just in case I lose the weight" clothes keeps you stuck (and what to buy instead)• The jean philosophy: how owning multiples of what WORKS beats chasing variety• Why capsule wardrobes might be sabotaging your style (and what to do about it)• Investment pieces that actually scale with body changes through pregnancy and beyond• How Lucinda's body is in the best shape of her life post kids (and why that's possible for you too)• The mindset shift from "bounce back" to "build forward"• Shopping for your actual life vs. your imagined life (lifestyle-first wardrobe strategy) Key Moments:[03:14] The wardrobe mistake every pregnant woman makes[04:20] How your style evolves with each baby (and why that's okay)[05:17] Why Lucinda's body improved after three kids[06:10] Navigating social media comparison without losing yourself[08:38] Balance over perfection: Smarties for breakfast and other real-life confessions Connect With Us:📸 Instagram: @themodernmother.pod🎙️ Guest: @lucindapikkat💌 Got a question? DM us @themodernmother.pod 🤍 Join the circle www.bubbacloud.com.au/pages/modern-mother-by-bubba-cloud If this episode resonated, please:⭐ Leave a 5-star review📤 Share with a mum who needs to hear this📌 Save for when you're decluttering your wardrobe

    1h 5m
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About

Chatting the Real, Raw and Unspoken essence of Motherhood with bite-size educational pieces. Join the Movement. A podcast by @bubbacloud with host Kath Hansen

Information

  • Creator
    modernmother
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © modernmother
  • Show Website
    Modern Mother