Mum Mind Unpacked

Bree and Gia
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Mum Mind Unpacked is a real, raw, and relatable podcast where we talk about the mental load, identity shifts, and emotional rollercoaster of motherhood — the stuff that often goes unspoken. Hosted by two mums who’ve lived it, loved it, and struggled through it, this podcast is your safe space to feel seen, supported, and a little more human Why you’ll love it: Because it’s honest. Because it’s not sugar-coated. Because you’ll laugh, cry, and nod along knowing you’re not the only one. We unpack what’s really going on in the minds of mums — and we do it with heart, humour, and zero judgment.

  1. 4d ago

    28. Hugh van Cuylenburg on Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and Why Our Phones Are Stealing Our Attention

    Ever caught yourself reaching for your phone while your child is trying to tell you something? In this episode, Hugh van Cuylenburg joins Mum Mind Unpacked for a heartfelt, funny and thought-provoking conversation about the simple practices that can transform our wellbeing: gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. Bree shares the deeply personal story of how Hugh's work through The Resilience Project helped her through one of the darkest chapters of her life. What started as scepticism about gratitude became a tool that genuinely changed the way she saw the world. Bree and G also get brutally honest about their own relationship with technology, admitting they often feel addicted to their phones and struggle to be as present as they would like to be. Together, they unpack why our devices are making it harder to slow down, pay attention and connect with the people around us, and the small changes we can all make to be more mindful in everyday life. And because no Mum Mind Unpacked interview would be complete without a little chaos, a rogue microphone makes an unexpected appearance, leading to one of the funniest moments of the conversation. This chat is equal parts inspiring, validating and hilarious. 🎧 What You'll Hear • The power of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness • Bree's personal story of resilience and recovery • How Hugh's work changed her life • Why so many of us feel addicted to our phones • The impact phones are having on our attention and wellbeing • Practical ways to become more mindful and present • Why it’s not too late to change habits 🗓 New Episodes on Wednesdays Please follow, share, and leave a review to help more mums find the show and feel seen. 🔗 Connect With Us 📸 Instagram: @mummindunpacked 📧 Email: mummindunpacked@gmail.com 🔗 Connect With Hugh van Cuylenburg & The Resilience Project 📸 Instagram: @hughvancuylenburg 🌐 The Resilience Project: https://theresilienceproject.com.au ⚠️ A Gentle Reminder Mum Mind Unpacked exists to inform, support and connect — but it's not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you're struggling, please reach out: • Lifeline: 13 11 14 • PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 726 306 🙏 Thanks for Listening If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who might need it. And if you loved it, we'd be so grateful for a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Until next time — motherhood is hard, but you're not alone. We see you. 🤍 🙏 Thank you to our sponsor JNR Food Co 🥗 Ready-made, dietitian-approved kids' meals that are high in protein, low in sodium, preservative-free — and loved by kids! 👀 Explore the full range: jnrfoodco.au 📸 Instagram: @jnrfoodco 🙏 Thank you to our sponsor Bronte Co 🌊 Your one-stop shop for matching family swimwear in fun neon colours — plus everything you need for a day at the beach. Think fishing shirts, cooler bags, tees, hats and even hoodies for those rugged coastal days. 🌐 Shop here: Bronte Co Website 📸 Instagram: @bronte_co 🔍 Keywords Hugh van Cuylenburg, The Resilience Project, The Imperfects, gratitude, empathy, mindfulness, phone addiction, screen time, present parenting, motherhood podcast Australia, parenting podcast, resilience, mental health, wellbeing, digital overwhelm, connection, attention, parenting in the digital age, Mum Mind Unpacked

    39 min

  2. May 26

    27. The Good Girl Curse — Lael Stone on the Pressure to Be Good, Liked & Enough in Motherhood

    So many of us grew up being the “good girl” — the one who stayed quiet, worked hard, kept the peace and held it all together for everyone else. But what happens when that story follows us into motherhood? In this episode, Lael Stone returns to Mum Mind Unpacked for another deeply honest and powerful conversation about the hidden pressures women carry and the emotional toll of always trying to be “good”. We unpack people-pleasing, perfectionism, boundaries, emotional suppression, mum rage and the impossible expectations so many mothers place on themselves. Lael shares why these patterns often begin in childhood, how they shape our relationships and parenting, and what it looks like to reconnect with ourselves underneath all the conditioning. If you loved our hit episode with Lael on mum rage, you cannot miss this one. This conversation is validating, emotional and guaranteed to make so many mums feel seen. 🎧 What You’ll Hear • What the “good girl” story actually is • How people-pleasing shows up in motherhood• Perfectionism, guilt and fear of disappointing others • The connection between emotional suppression and mum rage • Learning to set boundaries and use your voice• Raising children without passing these patterns on 🗓 New Episodes on Wednesdays Please follow, share, and leave a review to help more mums find the show and feel seen. 🔗 Connect With Us 📸 Instagram: @mummindunpacked 📧 Email: mummindunpacked@gmail.com 🔗 Connect With Lael Stone 📸 Instagram: @laelstone 🌐 Lael Stone Official Website ⚠️ A Gentle Reminder Mum Mind Unpacked exists to inform, support and connect — but it’s not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you’re struggling, please reach out: • Lifeline: 13 11 14 • PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 726 306 🙏 Thanks for Listening If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who might need it. And if you loved it, we’d be so grateful for a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Until next time — motherhood is hard, but you’re not alone. We see you. 🤍 🙏 Thank you to our sponsor JNR Food Co 🥗 Ready-made, dietitian-approved kids’ meals that are high in protein, low in sodium, preservative-free — and loved by kids! 👀 Explore the full range: jnrfoodco.au 📸 Instagram: @jnrfoodco 🙏 Thank you to our sponsor Bronte Co 🌊 Your one-stop shop for matching family swimwear in fun neon colours — plus everything you need for a day at the beach. Think fishing shirts, cooler bags, tees, hats and even hoodies for those rugged coastal days. 🌐 Shop here: Bronte Co Website 📸 Instagram: @bronte_co 🔍 Keywords good girl conditioning, people pleasing, perfectionism, motherhood burnout, mum rage, emotional regulation, boundaries for mums, parenting podcast Australia, Lael Stone, motherhood identity, women and mental health, honest motherhood, emotional wellbeing for mums, parenting patterns, motherhood podcast, mental load, self-worth, motherhood and anxiety

    46 min

  3. May 12

    26. From IVF to Hinge — Lauren Palmer Gets Real About Single Motherhood & Dating Again

    Motherhood doesn’t always follow the script… and neither does love. In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Palmer — recently single mum of two, creator of Mental as a Mother, fierce feminist and one of the most refreshingly honest voices in the motherhood space. Lauren opens up about her journey through IVF in a same-sex relationship, the breakdown of her marriage, and what it really looks like to rebuild life as a single mum. We talk about identity, navigating separation, and the realities of getting back on the dating apps — including some truly shocking (and hilarious) Hinge stories 😅 Lauren also shares her experience with postnatal depression and how it’s shaped her into a passionate advocate for other mums. She also opens up about her ADHD diagnosis and the parenting challenges that come with it. This conversation is raw, funny, confronting and deeply relatable. 🎧 What You’ll Hear • Navigating separation and becoming a single mum • The realities of solo parenting • Getting back on the dating apps (and the horror stories) • Identity, independence and starting again • Postnatal depression and advocacy 🗓 New Episodes on Wednesdays Please follow, share, and leave a review to help more mums find the show and feel seen. 🔗 Connect With Us 📸 Instagram: @mummindunpacked 📧 Email: mummindunpacked@gmail.com 🔗 Connect With Lauren Palmer 📸 Instagram: @mental.asamother 🎵 TikTok: mentalasamother ⚠️ A Gentle Reminder Mum Mind Unpacked exists to inform, support and connect — but it’s not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you’re struggling, please reach out: • Lifeline: 13 11 14 • PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 726 306 🙏 Thanks for Listening If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who might need it. And if you loved it, we’d be so grateful for a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Until next time — motherhood is hard, but you’re not alone. We see you. 💛 🙏 Thank you to our sponsor Bronte Co 🌐 https://www.bronteco.com/ 📸 Instagram: @bronte_co 🔍 Keywords single motherhood, IVF journey, same-sex parenting, divorce, dating apps, Hinge dating stories, postnatal depression, starting again after separation, motherhood identity, solo parenting, motherhood podcast Australia, honest motherhood, mental health for mums, ADHD diagnosis, parenting challenges

    32 min

  4. Apr 28

    25. You Don’t Have to Give Up Your Dreams After Kids — with Simela Petridis

    Dreams don’t disappear when you become a mum… but they can feel further away. In this episode, we sit down with Adelaide mum, high school teacher and Australian Idol Top 8 finalist Simela Petridis to talk about what it really looks like to go after your dreams in the thick of motherhood. Simela’s audition went viral (over a million views 👀), but behind it is a story of stepping away from music, losing a sense of self, and finding the courage to start again. We talk identity, the pressure to “choose” between motherhood and ambition, and why backing yourself matters — not just for you, but for your kids. Simela also opens up about postnatal depression and the realities of early motherhood in a way we know so many of you will relate to. 🎧 What You’ll Hear • Simela’s journey from musician to teacher and mum• Why she auditioned for Australian Idol • Losing yourself in motherhood — and finding your way back • Postnatal depression and early motherhood realities • The juggle of kids, career and dreams • Why following your dreams matters for your kids 🗓 New Episodes on Wednesdays Please follow, share, and leave a review to help more mums find the show and feel seen. 🔗 Connect With Us 📸 Instagram: @mummindunpacked 📧 Email: mummindunpacked@gmail.com 🔗 Connect With Simela Petridis 📸 Instagram: @simelanatasha 🎥 Watch her viral audition:https://open.spotify.com/track/0sT7lRCAvGLVEY9v5BOk7n ⚠️ A Gentle Reminder Mum Mind Unpacked exists to inform, support and connect — but it’s not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you’re struggling, please reach out: • Lifeline: 13 11 14 • PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 726 306 🙏 Thanks for Listening If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who might need it.And if you loved it, we’d be so grateful for a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Until next time — motherhood is hard, but you’re not alone. We see you. 💛 🙏 Thank you to our sponsor Bronte Co 🌐 https://www.bronteco.com/ 📸 Instagram: @bronte_co 🔍 Keywords motherhood identity, chasing dreams after kids, Simela Petridis, singer, Australian Idol audition, postnatal depression, working mum life, motherhood podcast Australia, parenting podcast for mums, honest motherhood, I don’t want to wait, viral audition

    27 min

  5. Apr 14

    24. You Didn’t Just Snap – The Truth About Mum Rage with Lauren Novak

    Mum rage. The kind that comes out of nowhere… except it actually doesn’t. In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Novak, author of Meltdown, to unpack what’s really going on when we lose it. We explore why rage builds over the day, what’s happening in our brains and bodies, and why so many of us feel like we’re failing — when actually, there’s a reason we feel this way. From the build-up of tiny daily triggers, to overstimulation, sleep deprivation and the pressure of being the default parent… this conversation will leave you feeling seen, understood, and a whole lot less alone. 🎧 What You’ll Hear • Why rage isn’t random — it’s a build-up of constant “micro triggers” • The “sequence of provocations” and why motherhood is the perfect storm• The volcano analogy — and why your lava is already close to the surface 🌋 • What’s happening in your brain (fast vs slow pathways) • Why sleep, pain and mental load all lower your capacity to cope • Overstimulation (hello “Mum… Mum… Mum…”) and its impact • The “default parent” dynamic and where resentment comes from • Why this isn’t a personal failing — it’s structural, emotional and physiological 🗓 New Episodes on Wednesdays Please follow, share, and leave a review to help more mums find the show and feel seen. 🔗 Connect With Us 📸 Instagram: @mummindunpacked 📧 Email: mummindunpacked@gmail.com 🔗 Connect With Lauren Novak 🌐 Website: https://laurennovak.com.au/ 📸 Instagram: @laurennovakwrites ⚠️ A Gentle Reminder Mum Mind Unpacked exists to inform, support and connect — but it’s not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you’re struggling, please reach out: • Lifeline: 13 11 14 • PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 726 306 🙏 Thanks for Listening If this episode resonated, share it with a friend or someone who might need it. And if you loved it, we’d be so grateful for a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Until next time — motherhood is hard, but you’re not alone. We see you. 💛 🙏 Thank you to our sponsor Bronte Co 🌐 https://www.bronteco.com/ 📸 Instagram: @bronte_co 🔍 Keywords mum rage, motherhood anger, mental load, default parent, overstimulation motherhood, sleep deprivation mums, maternal mental health, Lauren Novak Meltdown, motherhood podcast Australia, parenting podcast for mums, mom rage

    37 min

  6. Mar 31

    23. The Pressure We Put on Our Kids (Sport, School, & What It Says About Us) — Mum Rage

    Have you ever caught yourself caring a little too much about your child’s performance at school or on the sports field? In this episode, Gia and Bree unpack a confronting truth:sometimes the pressure we place on our kids is actually a reflection of us. After a particularly rage-y week, Gia shares a moment that spiraled — what should have been a simple breakfast before NAPLAN turned into a full-blown meltdown. It sparked a deeper realisation about control, expectations, and how quickly “helping” can become pressure. Bree also opens up about her own irritable, overwhelmed week — feeling easily overstimulated, struggling with sleep, and navigating ongoing hormonal shifts. She shares an honest update on her experience with HRT so far, the unexpected symptoms (hello night sweats and internal heat), and how the lack of sleep is impacting her mood and patience. Together, they explore how perfectionism, upbringing, hormones, and beliefs about success quietly shape the way we parent — and why these pressures often show up as mum rage in everyday moments. As always, Gia and Bree bring their trademark honesty and say it exactly how it is. 🗓 New Episodes on Wednesdays Follow, share and leave a review to help more mums find the show and feel seen. 🔗 Connect With Us 📸 Instagram: @mummindunpacked 📧 Email: mummindunpacked@gmail.com ⚠️ A Gentle Reminder Mum Mind Unpacked exists to inform, support and connect — but it’s not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you’re struggling, please reach out: • Lifeline: 13 11 14 • PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 726 306 🙏 Thanks for Listening If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or someone who might need it. And if you loved it, we’d be so grateful for a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Until next time — motherhood is hard, but you’re not alone. We see you. 💛 🙏 Thank you to our sponsor — Bronte Co 🌐 https://www.bronteco.com/ 📸 Instagram: @bronte_co Bronte Co is your one-stop shop for matching family swimwear in fun neon colours — making it so much easier to spot your kids at the beach. From swimmers to goggles, fishing shirts, cooler bags and totes, they’ve got everything you need for real-life family beach days. Great quality, realistic prices, and made for busy families. 🔍 Keywords Motherhood, parenting, mum rage, school pressure, sport pressure, parenting expectations, perfectionism, emotional regulation, mental load, hormones, perimenopause, HRT, sleep deprivation, child development, family dynamics, competitive, inner child, mom rage

    27 min

  7. Mar 17

    22. When Everything Feels Too Much: Study Stress, Hormones & Almost Walking Away

    Ever had a moment where everything just feels like too much? In this episode, Bree opens up about a really tough summer that almost saw her walk away from the podcast altogether. With pressure mounting to finish her counseling course in a tight timeframe — mixed with holiday chaos and some seriously raging peri hormones — it became the perfect storm. Bree shares what that period looked like behind the scenes, how low things felt at times, and how she managed to pull herself through one of the most challenging stretches she’s had in a while. G also reflects on what it was like trying to support Bree from the sidelines — wanting to be there, while quietly wondering if Bree was pushing her away. Together, Bree and G unpack something many friendships experience but rarely talk about: how easy it is to blame ourselves when someone we care about pulls away during periods of depression, stress or anxiety. As always, Bree and G bring their trademark honesty and say it exactly how it is. 🗓 New Episodes Every Wednesday Follow, share and leave a review to help more mums find the show and feel seen. 🔗 Connect With Us 📸 Instagram: @mummindunpacked 📧 Email: mummindunpacked@gmail.com ⚠️ A Gentle Reminder Mum Mind Unpacked exists to inform, support and connect — but it’s not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you’re struggling, please reach out: • Lifeline: 13 11 14 • PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 726 306 🙏 Thanks for Listening If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or someone who might need it. And if you loved it, we’d be so grateful for a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Until next time — motherhood is hard, but you’re not alone. We see you. 💛 🙏 Thank you to our sponsor — Bronte Co 🌐 https://www.bronteco.com/ 📸 Instagram: @bronte_co 🔍 Keywords Motherhood, parenting, mums, depression, anxiety, study stress, hormones, perimenopause, friendship, mental health, dyslexia, mental health support, partner support

    27 min

  8. Mar 3

    21. Why Good Enough is More than Good Enough — with Dr Sophie Brock

    What’s your picture of the perfect mother? We all carry a version — shaped by how we were raised, what was modeled to us, what society celebrates, and the stories women have been sold for generations. But spoiler alert: the perfect mother doesn’t exist. In this episode, we sit down with motherhood studies sociologist Dr. Sophie Brock to unpack the cultural myths that quietly shape how mothers think, feel and measure themselves. We explore why so many women feel like they’re failing, where the pressure actually comes from, and how understanding motherhood as a social construct — not just a personal experience — can be deeply liberating. You’ll leave this conversation feeling seen, hopeful, and reminded that good enough is more than good enough. 🎧 What You’ll Hear Why the “perfect mother” is a cultural myth — not a real standard The difference between motherhood the experience vs motherhood the institution Why so many mothers feel like they’re constantly falling short How societal expectations drive guilt, comparison and burnout The identity shift of matrescence and why it can feel destabilising Why maternal struggle is often structural, not personal failure How understanding the system helps you release self-blame What “good enough mothering” really means in real life 🗓 New Episodes on Wednesdays Please follow, share, and leave a review to help more mums find the show and feel seen. 🔗 Connect With Us 📸 Instagram: @mummindunpacked 📧 Email: mummindunpacked@gmail.com 🔗 Connect With Dr Sophie Brock 🌐 Website: https://drsophiebrock.com/ 📸 Instagram: @drsophiebrock ⚠️ A Gentle Reminder Mum Mind Unpacked exists to inform, support and connect — but it’s not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice. If you’re struggling, please reach out: Lifeline: 13 11 14 PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 726 306 🙏 Thanks for Listening If this episode resonated, share it with a friend or someone who might need it. And if you loved it, we’d be so grateful for a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. Until next time — motherhood is hard, but you’re not alone. We see you. 💛 🙏 Thank you to our sponsor Bronte Co 🌐 https://www.bronteco.com/ 📸 Instagram: @bronte_co 🔍 Keywords  motherhood myths, good enough mother, perfect mother myth, matrescence, maternal identity, motherhood guilt, motherhood burnout, motherhood studies, Dr Sophie Brock, motherhood expectations, modern motherhood pressure, motherhood institution, mum guilt, identity after, motherhood, releasing mum guilt, motherhood podcast Australia, parenting podcast for mumsMum Mind Unpacked podcast

    36 min
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About

Mum Mind Unpacked is a real, raw, and relatable podcast where we talk about the mental load, identity shifts, and emotional rollercoaster of motherhood — the stuff that often goes unspoken. Hosted by two mums who’ve lived it, loved it, and struggled through it, this podcast is your safe space to feel seen, supported, and a little more human Why you’ll love it: Because it’s honest. Because it’s not sugar-coated. Because you’ll laugh, cry, and nod along knowing you’re not the only one. We unpack what’s really going on in the minds of mums — and we do it with heart, humour, and zero judgment.

Information

  • Creator
    Bree and Gia
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Bree and Gia
  • Show Website
    Mum Mind Unpacked

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