JUST BE

Amanda Scharpf
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Self-Improvement

A podcast around navigating the journey into parenthood with conversations that go deeper than the highlight reel. Each episode peels back the layers of becoming and being a parent to explore what lives underneath: your body, your relationships, your identity alongside the beauty, the challenges, the intimacy, the transformation and all thats in between. Equal parts grounded and mystical, this podcast is a place to feel less alone and more connected to yourself and your life.

  1. 1d ago

    Making Grief Visible: Stillbirth, Motherhood & the Love Carried with Breann Snyder

    Content note: This episode includes conversations about stillbirth, pregnancy loss, and grief. Please listen with care. There are some experiences we don't talk about enough, and birth loss is one of them. In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with Breann Snyder, a former birth doula and mom of three living children and her daughter Flossie, who was born still. Breann shares what began as an uncertain pregnancy and became a month-long hospital stay after her water opened at 28 weeks. We talk about navigating anxiety, advocating for your choices, and that powerful sense of body knowing that can exist even before the mind understands what's happening. At 32 weeks, everything changed. Breann takes us through the birth of Flossie and the grief that followed, from saying goodbye to returning home and learning how to mother, recover, and live alongside a loss that doesn't simply disappear. We also talk about something I think we need to make more space for: grief doesn't need to be fixed. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is allow someone to feel it, carry it, and integrate it into their life in their own time. This is a tender conversation about birth, loss, intuition, motherhood, and the experiences too many women are left to carry quietly. 04:48 Worry as the work of pregnancy and navigating anxiety 10:20 Breann's water opens at 28 weeks 23:55 Reaching 32 weeks and the moment everything changes 30:07 Learning Flossie's condition was incompatible with life 46:17 Meeting Flossy and creating precious moments together 58:00 Why Breann didn't want anyone to “fix” her grief Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Have questions? Any other topics you want us to chat on? Leave us a voicemail here: https://speakpipe.com/postpartumlove We are excited to share more episodes with you on topics that light us up and that YOU want us to talk about. Join in on the convo and tell us what you are loving or wanting more of at https://www.postpartum.love/podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and found value in it, we would be incredibly grateful if you could take a moment to leave us a review. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Know someone that could benefit from this podcast or episode? Sharing is caring AND it also help others discover our show. 🫶

  2. Aug 3

    Grief Isn't a Competition: Dropping the Comparison and Being with Grief

    Grief doesn't have to be the biggest to be real. In this episode, I'm sharing a deeply personal experience that shifted something in me. After witnessing a dear friend move through the grief of losing her brother with dance, movement, and presence, I found myself questioning whether my own grief was "big enough" to matter. What followed was a beautiful realization that I think so many of us need, especially as parents: Healing isn't a competition. Whether you're navigating pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, motherhood, or simply a season of change, grief often shows up in ways we don't expect. Too often, we minimize our own pain because someone else's appears heavier. I invite you to gently explore what happens when we stop comparing our experiences and begin honoring them instead. We'll talk about the many forms grief can take, why comparison keeps us disconnected from ourselves, and how our bodies can become powerful partners in processing emotions through movement, breath, touch, and presence. If you've ever found yourself thinking, "Someone else has it worse, so I shouldn't feel this way," I hope this episode reminds you that your experience deserves compassion, too. 00:55 A friend's grief dance becomes an unexpected invitation to reflect. 02:57 Realizing that even grief gets compared. 03:50 The many forms of grief that accompany motherhood. 05:11 Your journey is uniquely yours. 05:25 Notice where comparison shows up. 05:55 Social media and the comparison trap. 06:20 The courage to be honest about your struggles. 07:18 What grief hasn't been tended to? 07:43 Let your body help move grief through. Resources: Samantha's Tantra Grief Masterclass Samantha's Grief Dance Playlist Have a question or a topic you'd love me to explore in a future episode? I'd truly love to hear from you. 🎙️ Leave me a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/postpartumlove 💌 Or send me an email: amanda@postpartum.love One of my favorite parts of creating this podcast is hearing your stories, reflections, and the topics that matter most to you. Your voice helps shape these conversations, and I personally read and respond to every email and voice message I receive. If this episode resonated with you, I'd be so grateful if you took a moment to leave a review. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Your support helps more parents discover Just Be and become part of this growing community. Know someone who could benefit from this episode? Share it with them. Sometimes one conversation is all it takes to remind someone they don't have to carry their grief alone. Thank you for being here, for listening, and for allowing me to be part of your journey.

  3. Jul 25

    Navigate Induction Decisions with Confidence (you may have more options than you think)

    Inductions have become increasingly common—but are they always necessary? If you're hoping for a spontaneous, unmedicated labor, this conversation will help you feel more informed, prepared, and confident when navigating conversations with your care provider. In this episode, I'm joined by birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and longtime mentor Kim Knapp, who is deeply passionate about helping families understand their options around induction. Together we unpack why induction rates continue to rise, the difference between medically necessary and elective inductions, and how to advocate for yourself without creating conflict with your provider. This isn't about rejecting medical care. It's about understanding your choices, asking better questions, and making decisions that align with your body, your values, and your birth goals. Whether you're currently pregnant, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand the birth landscape today, this episode offers practical tools to help you approach these conversations with more clarity and confidence. 00:00 meet Kim: from corporate executive to birth doula, and why she is a passionate birth nerd 06:00 why nearly 1 in 3 births now begin with an induction and what that actually means for anyone on their jounrey toward birth/labor 09:00 medical inductions vs. elective inductions: understanding the difference that often gets overlooked. 19:00 the statistics that sound scary... and the context most parents never hear 22:00 why the best time to talk about avoiding an induction is long before 35 weeks 37:00 trusting your intuition, advocating for yourself, and making birth decisions with confidence instead of fear Kim's In-Depth Online Training: The Induction Conversation Evidence Based Birth Podcast – Episode 357 (features the conversation about Partner to Decide) Partner to Decide — Decision-making tools and conversation guides for pregnancy and birth Evidence Based Birth — Evidence summaries on induction, due dates, fetal growth restriction, advanced maternal age, and more Kim Knapp / Bundles of Joy Doula Website: bundlesofjoydoula.org Email: thatdoulakim@gmail.com Instagram: @thatdoulakim Have a question or a topic you'd love me to explore in a future episode? I'd truly love to hear from you. 🎙️ Leave me a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/postpartumlove 💌 Or send me an email: amanda@postpartum.love One of my favorite parts of creating this podcast is hearing your stories, reflections, and the topics that matter most to you. Your voice helps shape these conversations, and I personally read and respond to every email and voice message I receive. If this episode resonated with you, I'd be so grateful if you took a moment to leave a review. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Your support helps more parents discover Just Be and become part of this growing community. Know someone who could benefit from this episode? Share it with them. Sometimes one conversation is all it takes to remind someone they don't have to carry their grief alone. Thank you for being here, for listening, and for allowing me to be part of your journey! Show NotesResources:Stay Connected

  4. Jul 22

    A New Chapter: Welcome to Just Be

    Just Be Is Here: A New Chapter Begins After a longer pause than I ever intended, the podcast is finally back in action. This episode is a quick reconnect before we dive into the next season of conversations. Over the past few months I've been recording incredible interviews, sitting with my own reflections, and allowing space for this podcast to evolve. Formerly "Just This" is now "Just Be", still carrying the vibes of 'The Mystical & Magical Journey Into Motherhood'. More and more, I'm finding myself drawn to conversations that invite us to slow down, come back into our bodies, trust ourselves, and simply be with what life is asking of us, even when it feels messy, uncertain, or dark. The title "Just Be" felt like it encapsulated this. You'll also notice I'll be hosting this next chapter on my own. Some episodes will be personal reflections inspired by my own life, work with families, and the questions that feel interesting to explore and share. Others will be conversations with incredible people who are bringing wisdom from all kinds of perspectives: practical, scientific, spiritual, and everything in between. If you've been here since the beginning, thank you for staying with me through this evolution. And if you're new here, welcome. I'm excited for what's ahead, and I hope these conversations become a place where you can remember that you don't have to always have it all figured out to enjoy the journey. 00:45 — Why Just This became Just Be 01:20 — The deeper meaning behind "being" 02:00 — parenthood as a path of transformation 02:55 — new chapter with Amanda as the sole host 03:35 — new ways to connect and leave your reflections 04:05 — what to expect next Have a question or a topic you'd love me to explore in a future episode? I'd truly love to hear from you. 🎙️ Leave me a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/postpartumlove 💌 Or send me an email: amanda@postpartum.love One of my favorite parts of creating this podcast is hearing your stories, reflections, and the topics that matter most to you. Your voice helps shape these conversations, and I personally read and respond to every email and voice message I receive. If this episode resonated with you, I'd be so grateful if you took a moment to leave a review. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Your support helps more parents discover JUST BE and become part of this growing community. Know someone who could benefit from this conversation? Share this episode with them. Sometimes one meaningful conversation can remind a parent that they don't have to navigate this journey alone. Thank you for being here, for listening, and for allowing me to be part of your journey. In This EpisodeStay Connected

  5. Apr 15

    Fatherhood Unfiltered: Identity, Mental Health & Real Experiences

    We talk so much about the transformation into motherhood… but what about the transition into fatherhood? Today we dive into an honest and deeply human conversation directly from DADS as they share what it actually feels like to step into the role of being a father. From identity shifts, to navigating relationships, and lifestyle changes - this episode opens the door to a perspective of postpartum that is often left unspoken about. Because the birth of a child doesn’t just change the mother, it change the whole family and the dynamic that existed before. This conversation is an invitation to better understand, support, and communicate with fathers in order to support families as a whole so that both partners feel seen in the becoming. 01:15 When Fatherhood Feels Real 05:21 Dad Postpartum Struggles 08:03 Coping Tools And Self Care 13:11 Sex And Body Changes 21:26 Fatherhood Changes Priorities 24:39 Advice For New Dads 28:30 Biggest Challenges Have questions? Any other topics you want us to chat about? Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/JustThis We are excited to share more episodes with you on topics that light us up and that YOU want us to talk about. Join in on the convo and tell us what you are loving or wanting more of at www.justthis.site. If you enjoyed this episode and found value in it, we would be incredibly grateful if you could take a moment to leave us a review. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Know someone who could benefit from this podcast or episode? Sharing is caring AND it also helps others discover our show. 🫶

  6. Mar 20

    Why Kegels Aren’t the Answer & What Your Pelvic Floor Actually Needs with Brynn Babb

    PELVIC FLOOR HEALTH is one of the most overlooked parts of women’s wellness — especially during pregnancy and postpartum. I'm thrilled to bring pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Brynn Babb on the podcast to help unpack the realities of pelvic floor care. We talk about why pelvic floor therapy is so often overlooked, how common issues like leaking, pressure, prolapse, pain with intimacy, and chronic hip or low back pain can all be connected to the pelvic floor, and why these symptoms should never be dismissed as “just part of motherhood” or “just getting older.” Bryn shares why working with a pelvic floor therapist during pregnancy can be incredibly supportive, how virtual pelvic floor care can make this work more accessible, and what recovery can look like in the postpartum period — whether you’re 6 weeks, 6 months, or 6 years after birth. We also dive into some of the biggest myths around pelvic floor health, including the idea that everyone should just do Kegels, and explore how pelvic floor issues can show up in ways many women don’t expect and why pelvic floor therapy isn’t just for postpartum recovery — it’s a lifelong investment in women’s health. 01:18 Why Pelvic Floor Care 02:57 When to Start in Pregnancy 07:10 Digital vs In Person Therapy 10:49 Postpartum Care Timeline 14:16 Returning to Sport Safely 16:19 Common Postpartum Symptoms 17:10 Prolapse Basics Explained 20:15 Treating Prolapse Without Surgery 26:40 Sex After Birth Pain 29:36 Hormones Scar Tissue Fixes 33:59 Pelvic Floor Myths 34:43 Kegels And Yoni Eggs 38:54 Beyond Postpartum Symptoms 40:24 Virtual Assessment Process Brynn provides pelvic floor therapy 100% virtually, making care accessible for women regardless of location. Connect with Brynn: Instagram: @dr.brynn.babb Schedule a free call with her here: https://form.typeform.com/to/IMOJv4I6 Have questions? Any other topics you want us to chat on? Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/JustThis We are excited to share more episodes with you on topics that light us up and that YOU want us to talk about. Join in on the convo and tell us what you are loving or wanting more of at www.justthis.site. If you enjoyed this episode and found value in it, we would be incredibly grateful if you could take a moment to leave us a review. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Know someone that could benefit from this podcast or episode? Sharing is caring AND it also help others discover our show. 🫶

  7. Mar 5

    Womb Wisdom: Blood as Nourishment, Not as Violence

    Blood is something most of us rarely talk about — yet it’s central to pregnancy, birth, menstruation, postpartum, and our overall health. Literally, central to what creates and births life and each of us into this world. In this episode, we explore the many layers of blood: physical, energetic, cultural, and ancestral. From menstrual cycles to postpartum recovery, blood carries important information about how our bodies are functioning and how we’re nourishing ourselves. We also dive into the cultural discomfort many people feel around blood—why violent bloodshed is normalized in media, yet menstrual blood, birth blood, and placenta are often considered taboo. Drawing from teachings around ritual, Chinese medicine, and personal experiences, we discuss how changing our relationship to blood can shift how we move through motherhood and being a woman in this world. 00:00 Opening: our relationship with blood 02:30 Menstrual blood & giving back to the earth 05:30 Reframing blood from shame to nourishment 08:00 Blood, birth & postpartum healing 11:00 Chinese medicine: blood, qi & essence 15:30 Blood as a mirror of our health 19:00 Ways we can nourish and rebuild 23:00 Ancestry, bloodlines & closing reflections We invite you to join this conversation for a different perspective on blood rooted in curiosity, nourishment, and reconnection. Resources: •EPISODE: placenta episode (please put full title and link from pod.link) •Saying from the Native Hopi Peoples: "When the women give their blood back to the earth, men will come home from war and earth shall find peace." Have questions? Any other topics you want us to chat on? Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/JustThis We are excited to share more episodes with you on topics that light us up and that YOU want us to talk about. Join in on the convo and tell us what you are loving or wanting more of at www.justthis.site. If you enjoyed this episode and found value in it, we would be incredibly grateful if you could take a moment to leave us a review. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Know someone that could benefit from this podcast or episode? Sharing is caring AND it also help others discover our show. 🫶

  8. Feb 9

    How Love Changes (and Grows) When You Have Another Baby

    Today we respond to a listener question: "I'm having some pre-birth grief about how to deal with loving my new baby and also having enough time for my little man at the same time. What are some of your best resources, uh, for this type of situation?" This is a very real question that many families have when it comes to expanding a family or having multiple children. We dive into our thoughts and reflections around: Grieving the relationship you have with your first child — without guilt Why love isn’t divided when a new baby arrives, but expanded How to emotionally prepare (not over-plan) for this transition The power of small moments of presence over grand gestures Naming hard feelings with young children and modeling emotional honesty Why support, rituals, and community matter more than perfection This episode is great for parents navigating the welcoming of a new baby into the current family, blended families, or anyone holding both excitement and grief as their family changes. 00:00 – Listener question: birth trauma, pre-birth grief, and fear of divided love 02:00 – Love isn’t divided when another baby arrives, it expands 03:00 – Grieving the family dynamic before it changes 04:30 – Why allowing grief early makes the transition easier 06:00 – Letting go of the pressure to be everything for everyone 07:30 – Small daily moments of connection matter more than grand gestures 09:00 – Letting children express hard feelings without fixing them 11:00 – Talking openly with toddlers about big emotions 13:00 – Why loving an unborn baby feels abstract and scary 14:30 – Motherhood can be beautiful and painful at the same time You’re not doing it wrong if it feels complicated. You’re doing something deeply human and tender. Past Episodes: Meditation in Motherhood: A New Shape of "Stillness" Energetic Connection between Parents and Kiddos The Importance of Connection in Parenthood Have questions? Any other topics you want us to chat on? Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/JustThis We are excited to share more episodes with you on topics that light us up and that YOU want us to talk about. Join in on the convo and tell us what you are loving or wanting more of at www.justthis.site. If you enjoyed this episode and found value in it, we would be incredibly grateful if you could take a moment to leave us a review. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Know someone that could benefit from this podcast or episode? Sharing is caring AND it also help others discover our show. 🫶

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About

A podcast around navigating the journey into parenthood with conversations that go deeper than the highlight reel. Each episode peels back the layers of becoming and being a parent to explore what lives underneath: your body, your relationships, your identity alongside the beauty, the challenges, the intimacy, the transformation and all thats in between. Equal parts grounded and mystical, this podcast is a place to feel less alone and more connected to yourself and your life.

Information

  • Creator
    Amanda Scharpf
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Amanda Scharpf
  • Show Website
    JUST BE