In this episode, Emily is joined by therapist and Perinatal Mental Health Specialist Nicole McNelis (M.Ed., NCC, LPC, PMH-C) to talk about a topic many mothers experience but rarely discuss openly: mom rage. Nicole explains how maternal rage often grows out of a powerful combination of feelings of powerlessness, injustice, and stress, and why it feels so sudden and overwhelming. Nicole first encountered mom rage during the pandemic while raising young children and navigating the same uncertainty many families faced. What began as a personal realization soon emerged in her work with clients, leading her to explore research and develop ways to help mothers better understand and respond to the intense, emotional moments. Together, Emily and Nicole explore how mom rage often follows a recognizable cycle: buildup, release, and aftermath, and why recognizing the early signs can be key to managing it in healthier ways. Most importantly, Nicole reframes mom rage not as a failure of motherhood, but as a signal that something deeper needs attention.Thoughts to Sit With: “Mom rage, when we work with it the right way, can be a catalyst for positive change.“This is not a meltdown, it’s a message.”“Curiosity opens spaces; judgement closes them.”Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.minnadubin.com/book About Nicole: Nicole McNelis (M.Ed., NCC, LPC, PMH-C) is a licensed mental health therapist and perinatal mental health counseling specialist. She is the founder of an award-winning counseling private practice in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – where she also resides with her family. Nicole has been featured as a mental health expert in print publications, online media, books, educational courses, regional & international conferences, and podcasts. She is honored to serve the perinatal mental health community through her roles as a Subject Matter Expert and Conference Presenter for Postpartum Support International. Beyond her clinical work, she is an active speaker, writer, and legislative advocate. As a therapist educator, Nicole is focused on academic research and teaching projects centered on the experience of Maternal Rage.For more information, please visit http://www.nicolemcnelis.com and follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therapist.mom.collective About Emily: Emily Riggs (MSW, LISW-S, RYT, PMH-C) is a licensed mental health therapist specializing in trauma, grief, and life transitions for women. A passionate advocate for women building lives they’re proud of, she’s dedicated her career to being a safe place to land for clients to hope, heal, and start a new chapter. As host of the Breathe, Darling Podcast, she enjoys deep, thoughtful conversations that leave us feeling more connected, understood, and open to possibility. Emily is deeply committed to whole-hearted living, a pursuit which includes lots of gluten-free treats, laughter to the point of tears, and as much time in the sun as she can stand. She lives in Ohio with her husband and daughter, and a very moody black lab named Lewie. http://www.emilyriggstherapyandwellness.com/ http://www.instagram.com/emilyriggstherapy/ https://breathedarling.myflodesk.com/linkinbio Disclosure: The information shared in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a replacement for psychotherapy or advice regarding related mental health services. If you are in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact 911 or 988, or the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Past and current clients risk breaching confidentiality by listening to, subscribing to, and reviewing podcast episodes. Please keep this in mind and engage at your own discretion. I will not knowingly acknowledge or comment on client reviews of the podcast to honor ethical boundaries and privacy.