Mamingo

thatverykate
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  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Mamingo — the podcast for moms ready to stop surviving and start thriving. Hosted by Kate Sharapenko, a mom of two, life coach, and survivor of postpartum depression, mom burnout, identity loss, and personal crisis - this show is your weekly reminder that you’re not alone, not “too much,” and not lost — you’re evolving. If motherhood feels overwhelming, chaotic, or like you’ve lost touch with yourself, this space is for you. Mamingo is your permission to slow down, reflect, and grow — because motherhood isn’t the end of you, it’s the beginning of your greatest expansion.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Learning to trust yourself in motherhood

    Description of the episode When we become mothers, we're often told to trust the experts—but what if one of the most important voices we've lost is our own? In this episode of the Mamingo Podcast, I sit down with Twyla Kowalenko—somatic educator, founder of Inside Mothering, and mother of three—to explore what it means to reconnect with ourselves during pregnancy and motherhood. Together, we discuss why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies, overwhelmed by endless parenting advice, and pressured to meet impossible expectations. Twyla shares how developing body awareness and self-trust can help mothers make decisions that are right for their unique families instead of chasing the illusion of the "perfect" parent. We also dive into the emotional impact of birth stories, why unresolved birth experiences can shape motherhood for years, and how self-compassion isn't a luxury—it's an essential parenting skill. This conversation is a gentle reminder that motherhood isn't about getting everything right; it's about building the capacity to return to yourself, again and again. In this episode, we talk about: Why trusting your body matters during pregnancy and beyondHow to make parenting decisions with confidence instead of fearThe pressure of modern motherhood and unrealistic expectationsSocial media, comparison, and the myth of the "perfect mom"Building self-trust and emotional capacityThe importance of boundaries and learning to say noWhy birth stories deserve to be processed—not ignoredHow self-compassion helps us become more resilient parentsThe difference between surviving motherhood and truly experiencing itWhy you don't have to have motherhood figured out before your baby arrives If this conversation resonated with you and you'd like to learn more about Twyla's work supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and motherhood, you can connect with her here: 🌿 Website: somaing.ca📷 Instagram: @inside.mothering If this episode spoke to your heart, please subscribe to the Mamingo Podcast, leave a review, and share it with another mom who needs this conversation. Your support helps more mothers discover these honest, meaningful discussions. Because the most important relationship you'll build in motherhood isn't only with your child—it's also the one you rebuild with yourself.

  2. Jul 13

    Learning to bend without breaking

    Motherhood asks us to become flexible in ways no workplace, calendar, or five-year plan ever could. In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie De Santis, my friend, an experienced educator, PhD and a mom of 2 boys to talk about raising a 2-month-old and a 3-year-old while navigating a world that often expects mothers to fit into rigid systems. We explore:What “being a mom” means in this season of her lifeThe experience of being denied workplace flexibility when she needed How motherhood constantly teaches us to let go of control and adaptWhy flexibility is often treated as a weakness at work—but becomes a superpower at homeThe emotional weight of trying to meet impossible expectationsHow becoming a mother reshaped her identity, strength, and definition of leadership One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is that flexibility isn't giving up—it's learning to respond to life with resilience, compassion, and courage. If you've ever had to rewrite your plans because of your children, felt unseen by systems that weren't built with parents in mind, or discovered a new version of yourself through motherhood, this episode is for you. Connect with Stephanie: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/parentteacherpod/

  3. Jul 7

    The emotional work of modern motherhood

    What if the hardest part of parenting isn't raising our children—but learning how to understand ourselves? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Juli Fraga, psychologist, writer, and co-author of Parents Have Feelings Too, for an honest conversation about the emotional side of modern parenthood. We explore why today's parents are doing something no previous generation has had to do quite like this: learning to re-parent themselves while raising their children. We talk about the impossible standards placed on mothers, why "mom guilt" dominates the parenting conversation while dads rarely experience the same level of shame, and why so many of us struggle to admit when parenting doesn't feel the way we expected. Together, we discuss: • Why we crave emotional connection more than perfect parenting• The hidden shame behind feeling disappointed in ourselves—or even in our parenting experience• Why perfection keeps us disconnected from our children and ourselves• How emotional awareness (or the lack of it) shapes every interaction with our kids• Why emotions are experienced in the body—not solved with the "right" words• What it means to begin healing from within so we can show up more authentically for our families This conversation is a gentle reminder that children don't need perfect parents. They need emotionally present ones. If you've ever wondered whether you're doing enough, carrying invisible guilt, or feeling alone in your parenting journey, this episode is for you. Connect with Dr. Juli Fraga 📖 Parents Have Feelings Toohttps://www.amazon.ca/Parents-Have-Feelings-Too-Navigating/dp/B0DSKDFS7H Juli's Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/parentshavefeelingstoo/ Juli's Psychology Today Profilehttps://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/juli-fraga Connect with Mamingo Websitehttps://mamingo.ca Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thatverykate/ If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another parent who could use this reminder: you have feelings too—and they matter.

  4. Jun 9

    The Courage to Slow Down

    In this thoughtful and deeply honest episode, I sit down with Shyanne McPherson, Director of Power4Teens, to explore what empowerment really means in a culture that constantly tells women to do more, achieve more, and somehow "have it all." Together, we unpack the hidden cost of always striving, the fear many of us feel when we consider slowing down, and why letting go of expectations can feel both terrifying and liberating. Shyanne shares her own experience of reaching burnout and making the courageous decision to step away from her work for a period of rest and reflection—a choice that challenged everything she thought strength was supposed to look like. In a world that often equates empowerment with productivity, success, and endless resilience, we explore a different perspective: perhaps true empowerment is giving yourself permission to be human rather than superhuman. We also talk about:– why the "have it all" narrative can become exhaustion in disguise– releasing control and embracing uncertainty– navigating life without having all the answers– the courage it takes to rest, pause, and reassess– giving yourself permission to evolve and learn who you are becoming– creating freedom from expectations—both others' and your own This conversation is an invitation to soften, to trust yourself, and to remember that your worth is not measured by how much you can carry. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stop, listen, and allow yourself the space to become. Learn more about Shyanne and Power4Teens: Power4Teens: https://power4teens.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/power4teens/ Learn more about my work: https://mamingo.ca

  5. May 27

    'Your pink will return, I promise'

    In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with author Katie Thomas to explore the story behind her beautiful children’s book The Flamingo That Lost Her Pink. Through the gentle and symbolic journey of a flamingo mother who loses her vibrant color while caring for her baby, we open up a powerful conversation about motherhood, identity, and what it really means to give so much of yourself. This story resonates deeply with so many women who, at some point, feel like they’ve lost a part of who they are—only to discover that nothing is truly lost. We also explore why this story, told through a bird, feels so deeply true. Animals don’t perform. They don’t curate or present a version of themselves to the world. They simply are. In that way, the flamingo becomes an honest reflection of a phase so many mothers move through—one that is rarely shown or spoken about openly. There’s something profoundly real and disarming in that image, which is why it resonates on such a deep, almost instinctive level. In our conversation, Katie and I talk about:– the emotional reality of motherhood behind the picture-perfect moments– identity shifts and the quiet grief many women carry– self-reconnection and reclaiming your “pink”  – why it’s hard to give yourself permission to care for yourself– why stories like this matter for both children and parents This episode is a gentle reminder that you are still there—whole, worthy, and evolving. Explore Katie’s work: Book: The Flamingo That Lost Her Pinkhttps://www.amazon.ca/Flamingo-That-Lost-Her-Pink/dp/1918097305/https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-flamingo-that-lost-her-pink/katie-thomas/shaun-russell/9781918097306 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/theflamingothatlostherpink/ Learn more about my work: https://mamingo.ca

  6. 07/16/2025

    What's burning? - moms' burnout trap

    In this episode we will dive into moms' burnout. Did you know that the word 'burnout' was not considered to be related to parenting at all till a couple of years ago? Did you know burnout has a very particular feature we don't usually think about? Let explore moms' burnout together so we can support ourselves and other moms much better and on time.

  7. 07/02/2025

    Recovery is a re-discovery

    Becoming a mom is a the most powerful transformation and change in your life. And after a huge change and challenge there is a recovery. Recovery is a discovery of YOU. Recovery takes time. Have you given yourself this time? Acknowledged the transformation on psysical, mental and emotional level? Have you personally recognised what your body did? Did you show your respect to it? Let's dive into these questions together.

  8. 06/24/2025

    Lost&Found: mom identity tricks

    Who am I now… and where did I go?  If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and barely recognized the woman staring back—this episode is for you. In today’s podcast, we’re diving into mom identity:💭 What it means to “lose yourself” in motherhood💭 How the role of mom can quietly take over everything💭 And how you can reclaim your sense of self—not by going back, but by embracing who you’ve become Being a mom changed you—but it didn’t erase you.You didn’t lose your color—you’ve evolved into a richer version of you.

  9. 06/17/2025

    Voices in your head (self-talk)

    In this episode, we’re diving deep into a powerful and often overlooked truth: the way you talk to yourself matters. As moms, we’re used to listening to everyone else — our kids, our partners, our responsibilities — but how often do we pause to truly listen to ourselves? Join me as we explore the importance of self-talk and how becoming a better listener to yourself can be the first step to feeling more joyful, empowered, and like you again. We’ll talk about the different types of self-talk, how to recognize what’s really going on inside, and simple ways to reconnect with your inner voice.

  10. 06/10/2025

    How you feel is a big deal

    Welcome to the very first episode of Mamingo! Host Kate introduces the heart behind the podcast—a space for moms to feel seen, heard, and supported. Drawing on the metaphor of the flamingo losing and regaining its color, Kate shares her own emotional journey through motherhood and why what you feel is a big deal. This episode dives deep into the unspoken feelings of rage, guilt, tenderness, and exhaustion that many moms face—and reminds us that emotions are energy in motion. Tune in for warmth, honesty, and a gentle nudge to ask yourself: How are you really?

  • 10 Episodes

About

Welcome to Mamingo — the podcast for moms ready to stop surviving and start thriving. Hosted by Kate Sharapenko, a mom of two, life coach, and survivor of postpartum depression, mom burnout, identity loss, and personal crisis - this show is your weekly reminder that you’re not alone, not “too much,” and not lost — you’re evolving. If motherhood feels overwhelming, chaotic, or like you’ve lost touch with yourself, this space is for you. Mamingo is your permission to slow down, reflect, and grow — because motherhood isn’t the end of you, it’s the beginning of your greatest expansion.

Information

  • Creator
    thatverykate
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © thatverykate
  • Show Website
    Mamingo