The Motherlands Podcast

Keely Semler
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The Motherlands Podcast

MOTHERLANDS is a podcast that traverses the current landscape of fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum by bridging the two distinct worlds of traditional allopathic medicine and holistic health practices. Sharing evidence-based information through honest conversations, the intention of this podcast is to help listeners become more educated, make informed choices, and ultimately foster better maternal health outcomes. The terrain of motherhood is vast and there is a place for all. This is not medical advice. keelysemler.substack.com

  1. 23.12.2024

    Your Joy is My Joy

    In our culture, there’s a tendency to shy away from discussing loss. Conversations about death often feel absent, even though it is something that profoundly shapes who we are. Perhaps we avoid talking about it in the hope that by ignoring it we can somehow escape its reach. But the truth is, avoiding it doesn’t make it any less inevitable. We can honor death in much the same way we appreciate the changing of the seasons. Winter, for instance, is a time for reflection and stillness—a season of turning inward and embracing pause. So it feels fitting to share this conversation with my mother where we reflect on our experience as caregivers for my late brother, Derek. My brother was born with a rare genetic condition that ultimately claimed his life at seventeen, just a few months before he was set to graduate from high school. As one of his primary caregivers, he taught me the true value of life; that nothing is guaranteed, no matter how much our minds may try to convince us otherwise. A couple of weeks ago, my dear client Jackie Shea shared a quote. “You will lose everything. Your money, your power, your fame, your success, perhaps even your memories. Your looks will go. Loved ones will die. Your body will fall apart. Everything that seems permanent is impermanent and will be smashed. Experience will gradually, or not so gradually, strip away everything that it can strip away. Waking up means facing this reality with open eyes and no longer turning away. But right now we stand on holy and sacred ground, for that which will be lost has not yet been lost, and realising this is the key to unspeakable joy. Whoever or whatever is in your life right now has not yet been taken away from you. This may sound trivial, obvious, like nothing, but really it is the key to everything, the why and how and wherefore of existence. Impermanence has already rendered everything and everyone around you so deeply holy and significant and worthy of your heartbreaking gratitude. Loss has already transfigured your life into an altar" This conversation with my mom is perhaps the most tender one I have ever shared publicly. Grief has a way of disarming us, leaving us vulnerable. Being a caregiver to someone who is suffering offers an opportunity to look at life squarely in the eye; to acknowledge the incredible gift it is to simply take a deep breath or to marvel at the miracle of being able to walk on two legs. The holiday season can be especially difficult for those who have lost a loved one. I see you, and I’m holding you in this moment. I hope this conversation brings you some comfort and reminds you that you are not alone. Lastly, there are some exciting things coming in the new year… MOTHERLANDS 2.0 will be released into the world in just a few weeks. For now visit our new website, and join the waitlist to be the first to know about our new offerings! 4:29 Derek’s diagnosis and navigating early treatment12:55 Finding focus and creative solutions despite the constant fear14:34 The loneliness of an experience not many have experienced21:22 Navigating places and people that don’t prioritize accessibility27:16 Finding and building community28:24 Resources in schools and transportation for students with special needs33:27 When a child with special needs ages out of the medical system35:01 The expenses that come with caring for a family member with a disability46:37 The joys of Derek’s journey & the kindness of others56:01 Remembering and finding a meaningful way forward after loss1:01:30 How childrearing has evolved1:06:46 The transition into an empty nest1:08:47 Conversation as a cornerstone of parenting1:12:59 How spirituality, love, and compassion take you through difficult times1:15:06 Beauty now and how caregiving translated into doula work for Keely1:21:18 Debbie’s background in dance and the influence of movement1:23:42 Parting wisdom Thank you for being here. Please remember to like and leave a review as this makes it easier for people to find us. WE ARE MOTHERLANDS Show your support by following MOTHERLANDS on Instagram. Connect with our host, Keely Semler, MPH, CD or visit her website. If you happen to know someone that works with a brand or company that shares a similar ethos of providing deeper and more comprehensive care to women and mothers and who might be open to supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast, we would love to chat. You can email hello@keelysemler.com. Get full access to Motherlands at keelysemler.substack.com/subscribe

    1 ч. 25 мин.

  2. 09.12.2024

    Claiming Space

    On the last episode of MOTHERLANDS with Paula Mallis, you may recall us talking about the philosophy of space and how we occupy physical and emotional space. In this episode I am very excited to be sharing the conversation I had with Cassandra Ogier and her enlivening practice with horses called The Reflective Horse. Cassandra supports people by providing opportunities to encounter horses in a strikingly unique way. I met Cassandra a number of years ago and was able to experience her teaching firsthand. It is difficult to describe just how meaningful her work is, but I will try my best to articulate it. We discuss how fear is an emotion that is more often derived from our thoughts but is not necessarily supported by our intuition. While fear can be useful at times, it can also disrupt or hinder our inner knowing. As an example Cassandra explains the dynamic within a herd of horses and how the leading mare is often a female that has given birth. She is responsible for guiding and directing the herd, particularly when there is danger such as a predator approaching. This example highlights a healthy and intuitive response from the horses. When there is no immediate threat to the herd the leading mare can often be found exploring independently, on the periphery. The Reflective Horse allows us to examine our own nature. When I think back to my private session with Cassandra, I remember how I practiced my approaching a horse with calm, inner confidence and how leading with this energy subsequently “moved” the horse. I learned that I would not receive the desired response from the horse if I appeared sheepish or unsure. My thoughts essentially were getting in between me and the horse. It made me wonder how many times a day I disconnect from my inner nature (my intuition) and how this impacts my ability to move and make decisions with clarity. Cassandra shares her experience of becoming a mother to three sons, what it was like to navigate early motherhood and how she learned how to trust and allow her children to develop their own sense of boundaries through exploration. Even if you have no interest in horses, there is still something to learn here… As human beings we are always in direct communication with Mother Nature. To be brave enough to look at the mirror that Mother Nature provides can be both life affirming and life giving. Cassandra and I are toying around with the idea of cohosting a one day retreat in Malibu for women. If this interests you, please leave us your email and we will send updates as they become available. To learn more about Cassandra’s practice, you can visit her website or follow the Reflective Horse. 3:47 Cassandra’s background10:00 Letting children develop their own boundaries14:44 Choosing how to give birth17:36 Navigating feelings of loss of self (the “death” of being a Maiden) after birth23:36 Making choices that feel right, not just what “should” be done27:04 What we can learn from horses about taking up space and energetic presence37:22 The neutral energy of the female lead mare39:35 Fear is a thought, not your intuition41:50 Grounding and realizing you won’t have an insight through thinking more44:15 Facing the idea of letting go and the pace of change Thank you for being here. Please remember to like and leave a review as this makes it easier for people to find us! Show your support by following MOTHERLANDS on Instagram. You are also welcome to connect with our host, Keely Semler, MPH, CD or by visiting her website. If you happen to know someone that works with a brand or company that shares a similar ethos of providing deeper and more comprehensive care to women and mothers and who might be open to supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast, we would love to chat. You can email hello@keelysemler.com. Use code MOTHERLANDS to receive 20% off your first order of Perelel Vitamins. Get full access to Motherlands at keelysemler.substack.com/subscribe

    1 ч. 6 мин.

  3. 25.11.2024

    The Power of Silence & Reconnecting with Nature

    I had the pleasure of sitting down with Paula Mallis at her ranch in Ojai, California where we delve into conversation on the spiritual process of cycles (or circles) and being in communion with nature. As you tune in, you may hear us sipping tea or a bird chirping overhead in the old oak trees. This episode feels special as were fully immersed in the natural soundscape of her property. Paula explains that circles create movement, as there is no definitive beginning or end. In her work as a circle facilitator, she takes participants through a four part process: Invitation: The initiation into a new perspective or way of being. Purification: The process of clearing out anything that no longer serves you. Integration: Observing how things feel and a chance to reconfigure, as you bring more awareness into this process. Completion: The death of a cycle; experiencing a sense of resolution and coming to your own conclusion. Paula believes that these four steps are the pillars of a cycle and offer us the opportunity of healing. We talk about how people often can get stuck in one of the steps. For example, some people spend their whole lives in an invitation. Or how someone can become addicted to fixing oneself in the purification process. Paula describes that it is also possible to experience two steps, for example an invitation and a completion, at the same time. The circle is constantly moving and it is up to the individual to go deeper in understanding one’s process in order to take responsibility. She also shares about her recent reconnection with horses and how being in the company of horses has given her the chance to unlearn that which no longer serves her. What is really striking to me is Paula’s ability to explain the importance of making self honoring choices, and how we cannot truly be in service to others if we do not make decisions that are rooted in our wellbeing. Since MOTHERLANDS is a podcast that honors the Mother in her infinite forms, I ask Paula about her experience of becoming a mother and how her perspective of motherhood has shifted over time. This photograph of Paula was taken on medium format film by Matt Bockal. If you are interested in learning more about Paula, please visit her website. 2:17 The power of silence and reconnecting with nature 10:02 Paula’s journey with horses 12:28 Dealing with childhood shame and unlearning your way through resistance 18:52 Paula’s evolution of understanding motherhood 20:29 The connection between birth work, cycles, and understanding death 23:16 Getting stuck in a cycle of purification 25:26 The energy of control 27:12 Invitations in Paula’s life 28:13 Permission 30:19 Integration + self-honoring choices 32:30 birth work and motherhood 38:24 Reclaiming your space and honoring the space between Thank you for being here. Please remember to like and leave a review as this makes it easier for people to find us. Use code MOTHERLANDS to receive 20% off your first order of Perelel Vitamins. If you happen to know someone that works with a brand or company that shares a similar ethos of providing deeper and more comprehensive care to women and mothers and who might be open to supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast, we would love to chat! You can email hello@keelysemler.com. You can connect with our host, Keely Semler, MPH, CD here or by visiting her website. Get full access to Motherlands at keelysemler.substack.com/subscribe

    43 мин.

  4. 11.11.2024

    What is Private? What is Sacred?

    There comes a point when every person gets to decide what they want to share about their kids on the internet. I asked my client Jackie Shea if she would be willing to speak about her recent change of heart in how she publicly shares information about her children. I would like to preface by saying that this is a conversation that provides a perspective of a parent who is simply learning how to navigate the complexities of being a new mother. This is not to shame or guilt anyone into doing anything they do not want to do. As Jackie so eloquently says, “all roads lead to Rome” - an expression I also use with my clients as they approach their birth. Simply put, there is no one size fits all and to each her own. However, it is worth investigating how social media plays a role in how we show up in the world and how our children may consequently be affected by our choices. In this conversation we discuss sharenting, or the practice of parents sharing information about their children online often through platforms of social media for public consumption. If you would like to read more about the possible long term implications of sharenting, you can do so here and here. In addition to discussing social media and early parenthood, Jackie speaks candidly about finding time for self care and connection with her partner. To learn more about Jackie you can connect with her via her website or on instagram. 1:43 How family dynamics change with each birth5:01 ‘Mom guilt’ and choosing to live life without it9:20 Affirmations and identity shifts12:12 The importance of building community after birth14:04 Post-birth planning and the evolving relationship with your partner17:44 Non-negotiables of self-care22:42 Navigating time, money, and the mommy tax24:28 Jackie’s impetus behind deciding not to share her children’s photos online28:52 Giving your child agency, respect, and privacy32:11 Balancing protection of privacy with trying not to control it36:13 Motherhood is a day at a time journey Thank you for being here. If you enjoy this episode, please remember to like and leave a review as this makes it easier for people to find us. Use code MOTHERLANDS to recieve 20% off your first order of Perelel Vitamins. If you happen to know someone that works with a brand or company that shares a similar ethos of providing deeper and more comprehensive care to women and mothers and who might be open to supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast, I’d love to chat! You can email me hello@keelysemler.com. You can connect with our host, Keely Semler, MPH, CD here or by visiting her website. Get full access to Motherlands at keelysemler.substack.com/subscribe

    40 мин.

  5. 28.10.2024

    The True Essence of Community Based Midwifery Care

    While many people move through life with a conscious need to differentiate themselves from their chosen career, Tema Mercado offers a refreshing and sincere perspective… Which is that the work she does as a midwife is inextricably woven into all facets of her life but most importantly, her family. She talks about how supportive her husband is to her and their children, how he draws her a bath after she returns home from a long birth or leaves the house with her kids so that she can catch her breath in silence. She shares about the harsh reality of being an indigenous midwife, and how her non-white clients are more likely to have CPS called on them or be subjected to toxicology screenings. There are extra precautions in order to protect her clients that Tema takes very seriously. Futhermore, Tema explains that her licensure as a midwife extends a level of safety and protection to her community. There is something incredibly beautiful and honest about Tema’s process in building and resourcing herself with support so that she can fully show up for her clients and her community. It makes me reflect on my own practice as an educator, doula and midwife assistant, and how I too could build a deeper safety net of support. She brings forth the sacredness of birthwork in such an authentic way that it brought tears to my eyes. How she orients her life to the higher calling of serving families is striking. What I realized in our conversation together is how meaningful it is to be surrounded by a community (in real life) that uplifts each community member. While this isn’t a groundbreaking concept, it does feel as though community seems harder to find. While Tema only takes on a small number of families per year, you can find birth related resources on her website and also follow her on instagram as she shares personal stories and insights into community based midwifery care. 3:10 Tema’s evolving midwifery practice 5:50 Differences between birth practices in Mexico and the USA 11:40 Honoring the Indigenous roots of birth practices like Rebozo 20:40 Navigating the medical industrial complex 24:26 Meeting families where they are without assumptions 26:01 A midwife is not a magician - balancing expectations, transparency, and boundaries 28:57 Building strong relationships on informed consent and joint decision-making 31:28 Self-care rituals 36:10 Letting the outside life enrich midwifery life and vice versa 42:17 How to find Tema and her work THANK YOU again for being here. If you enjoy this episode, please remember to like and leave a review as this makes it easier for people to find us. If you happen to know someone that works with a brand or company that shares a similar ethos of providing deeper and more comprehensive care to women and mothers and who might be open to supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast, I’d love to chat! You can email me hello@keelysemler.com. You can connect with our host, Keely Semler, MPH, CD here or by visiting her website. Get full access to Motherlands at keelysemler.substack.com/subscribe

    44 мин.

  6. 14.10.2024

    We Are Made of Stardust

    Today on the MOTHERLANDS podcast we have Alex Taylor. Alex is a mother, a women’s health advocate and the cofounder of Perelel Health. The main topics of interest in this conversation are Alex’s personal experience of giving birth twice, how she had to unlearn her millennial programming of needing to do everything “right”, how eerily unregulated the vitamin and supplement industry is in the United States and what Perelel Health is doing to maintain quality and integrity with all of their supplements. It was eye opening hearing Alex explain the huge disparity in women’s health research. More specifically, only approximately 10.8% of NIH (National Institutes of Health) funding goes toward female health studies. Since the recording of this epsiode, Perelel Health launched a campaign called Perelel Universe in support of allocating more funding towards women’s health research. What is even more disturbing is that this disparity has largely been overlooked since clinical research first began. Changes in hormones and the menstrual cycle were seen as a confounding variable in research, which means that researchers decided to exclude women from studies. What this means is that most common medications are dosed according to male biology. It is infuriating, isn’t it? It’s 2024 afterall. So let me know what you think of this episode. Feel free to leave a comment here. There is definitely so much we can discuss together as a community about women’s health research. To learn more about Perelel Health you can visit their website and use the code MOTHERLANDS to receive 20% off your first order. Or you can connect with Alex here. 5:53 The inexplicable perspective motherhood brings 9:24 A new sense of empathy and understanding for her mother after birth 10:52 Accepting what you don’t know and the beauty of unique experiences coexisting 13:42 Education helps you better advocate for yourself during birth 14:44 Contextualizing your experience with “for now” 15:49 Building a support infrastructure for postpartum and your willingness to accept help 20:48 Navigating a financial and political system that is not conducive to supporting mothers and families 23:58 Identity shifts after birth & giving the gift of your authenticity and self-love to your kids 25:54 How Perelel creates targetted, wrap-around women’s supplements and tackles the women’s health gap 34:16 Skiplotting vs Perelel’s transparency 38:58 Research, education, and the double-edged sword of everyone being an armchair expert 40:59 Being present as a parent is your superpower Please like and leave a review if you enjoy this episode. Thank you again for being here and tuning in. ** If you know someone that works with a brand or company that shares the ethos of providing deeper and more comprehensive care to women and mothers and who may be open to supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast, please email hello@keelysemler.com. You can connect with our host, Keely Semler, MPH, CD here or by visiting her website. Thanks for reading Motherlands! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Motherlands at keelysemler.substack.com/subscribe

    43 мин.

  7. 30.09.2024

    The Adventurous Unfurling of Motherhood

    A few years ago I met Elizabeth at her cozy chic spa in Topanga called Honest Rituals. I was looking for a practitioner that could help me relieve jaw tension as I suffer from TMJ (anyone else?). I had heard that she offered a facial treatment that incorporates massage which sounded intriguing. My experience was nothing short of calming and restorative. Not only were her hands gentle, but also her presence was soothing. As a doula who holds significant energy and emotional space for clients, I left the spa feeling lighter; Almost like my own energy had been purified. Since meeting Elizabeth, she has gone on to open a second location on the island of Kauai, where she gave birth to her daughter Penelope. There are so many things I love about this beautiful conversation. She openly shares about her becoming pregnant and how she intuitively felt that she needed to be in a peaceful environment in order to birth her baby. She bravely discloses her experience of having a miscarriage and feeling a sense of shame. I was in awe of her willingness to speak about the loneliness that often accompanies loss. It makes you wonder how many women in the world have silently processed a loss in isolation… So often early motherhood is depicted as a dark, turbulent season. And while it certainly can be, Elizabeth was pleasantly surprised by her own experience. Through a process of self discovery, Elizabeth has found inexplicable joy in being a mother. There is a lightness to Elizabeth that is inspiring… She exudes positive energy that makes you feel a sense of peace. I hope you enjoy this conversation :) Please share with anyone you think may need a dose of magical, adventurous, mama medicine. You can connect with Elizabeth Carter here. And if you want to treat yourself to an incredible facial either in Topanga or Kauai, you can book an appointment at Honest Rituals here. 4:28 Elizabeth’s formative experience as an au pair and witnessing others’ births 7:13 Feeling ready or not ready to have a baby 8:18 Balancing the pain and “shame” of a miscarriage with hope and readiness 11:46 Preparing for labor and birth and the role of intuition 16:40 Elizabeth’s birth story in the Hawaiian island of Kauai 26:26 The support of a midwife and the impact on a partner 33:43 Going into birth with intentions, not expectations 35:34 The importance of rest immediately after birth 36:39 Having a birth experience free from the mind 41:41 Postpartum and identity shifts 43:20 Changing perceptions of beauty 44:56 Words of wisdom to future mothers and the importance of choice in motherhood Thank you for being here and for supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast. Please like, review and share with anyone you think would enjoy this conversation. ** If you know someone that works with a brand or company that shares the ethos of providing deeper and more comprehensive care to women and mothers and who may be open to supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast, please email hello@keelysemler.com. You can connect with our host, Keely Semler, MPH, CD here or by visiting her website. Get full access to Motherlands at keelysemler.substack.com/subscribe

    47 мин.

  8. 16.09.2024

    Somatic Awareness Within the Pelvis

    We spend most of our waking moments in our minds. Planning, rationalizing, thinking, evaluating. All of these are important processes. But did you know that the pelvis speaks a language of its own? Kimberly Ann Johnson describes how the body carries not only personal stories from our life experience, but also ancestral stories. These stories are lodged within the body and can be expressed in an infinite number of ways. More specifically, our tissues hold memory. For example, when there is scar tissue present, it is physical evidence of trauma. Trauma can mean different things, but in this context I simply mean that something abrupt happened to the body that disturbed the tissues enough to create a scar. That does not mean it is internalized by the individual as a traumatic event (although it absolutely could and often does). Regardless of whether or not a person with scar tissue consciously perceives it as a traumatic event, the scar tissue speaks for itself. Kimberly has supported women for many years processing birth stories. She explains that often times the person may have a narrative in place in their mind, but they might not have the somatic connection or recall from that experience until someone is able to bring awareness to the pelvic floor. In order to create harmony between the body (the pelvis) and the mind, she helps women direct their attention to their pelvic floor through hands on support. She listens and responds to the individual’s body- not simply the words that someone speaks. Kimberly describes how a woman might feel ready in her mind for the hands on touch, but her body might not be ready. When this happens, she allows the body to express itself first as it gives valuable information about the individual that the conscious mind may not even be aware of. There are many aspects of this episode that resonate with me deeply as a woman, as a birth doula, and an educator. I hope it hits home for you, too. If you would like to connect with Kimberly you can do so here. Her newest course called MotherCircle builds community support for mothers in order to feel a sense of camaraderie and a place of belonging… This offering helps break past barriers that make motherhood feel lonely and difficult to connect. You can find out more information about MotherCircle and sign up for the course here. 5:12 Kimberly’s personal upbringing 8:17 Hands on, hands in body work and the information the pelvis holds 12:37 Listening to the tissue and the whole body, not just what is verbalized 16:20 Helping clients connect with their pelvis 19:11 Perennial stretching, prenatal movement, and healing rupture through touch 21:28 The intelligence of scar tissue and how it holds trauma and emotion 25:31 To push or not to push// fetal ejection reflex 29:09 Observations from Kimberly’s time as a birth doula 31:13 The prescriptive, shaming, and accusatory tone that often permeates digital spaces on women’s health 36:27 Making “mistakes” does not mean that you are doing it wrong 39:43 Using your discernment about when to listen to the outside world and when to listen to your body 41:44 Oppositional gaze and the limitations of our dependence on digital resources 44:45 Building community, horizontal care, and mother circles 46:43 The Fourth Trimester book and what Kimberly would add now 49: 24 Female life stages are not problems to solve Thank you for being here and for supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast. Please like, review and share with anyone you think would enjoy this conversation. ** If you know someone that works with a brand or company that shares the ethos of providing deeper and more comprehensive care to women and mothers and who may be open to supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast, please email hello@keelysemler.com. You can connect with our host, Keely Semler, MPH, CD here or by visiting her website. Get full access to Motherlands at keelysemler.substack.com/subscribe

    54 мин.
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MOTHERLANDS is a podcast that traverses the current landscape of fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum by bridging the two distinct worlds of traditional allopathic medicine and holistic health practices. Sharing evidence-based information through honest conversations, the intention of this podcast is to help listeners become more educated, make informed choices, and ultimately foster better maternal health outcomes. The terrain of motherhood is vast and there is a place for all. This is not medical advice. keelysemler.substack.com

Информация

  • Автор
    Keely Semler
  • Годы выхода
    2023 - 2024
  • Выпуски
    29
  • Ограничения
    Без ненормативной лексики
  • Авторские права
    © Keely Semler, MPH, CD
  • Сайт подкаста
    The Motherlands Podcast

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