Mothercraft

Motherhood transforms your life in so many ways. Some ways you expect, and some ways you could never anticipate. I've had to let go of certain parts of my identity since becoming a mom, but I've also made incredible gains since becoming a mom.  In today's episode, I'm reflecting on my personal journey and sharing three surprising ways I've changed since becoming a mom. I'm specifically diving into the evolution of my relationship with food, my relationship with boundaries, and my relationship with work.I hope this episode resonates with you and helps you to feel less alone, more hopeful, and helps you to focus on all that you've gained since becoming a mom.   On today's episode, cover: My journey of disordered eating and my desire for my child to have a healthy relationship with food Navigating boundaries as a people pleaser Changing my focus to being the most effective worker instead of the hardest worker How much of my self-worth was tied into external validation at work  Focusing on only saying yes to things that serve me and my family    Connect with Sarah: Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting Sign up for my newsletter Check out my website   Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! Find the complete show notes here: https://www.mothercraftpodcast.com/post/three-surprising-ways-i-ve-changed-since-becoming-a-mom-let-s-talk-carbs-boundaries-and-work-epi

In this episode, Nick and I talk about how your relationships change after a baby. Parenting is something you can never fully prepare for, and it's difficult to understand until you're actually in it. We're discussing more about the positive and negative impacts on our marriage since becoming parents, changes we've seen in each other, understanding that even the ‘best' influence on our kids doesn't totally determine how they're going to be, why our kids will pick up way more on what we're doing (and not so much what we're saying), and more. In this episode we cover:  The most important shift that's happened for Nick since becoming a dad The positive and negative impacts on our relationship since becoming parents How Nick's relationships (outside of the nuclear family) have been impacted since becoming a dad Focusing on being fully present, instead of on screens and ‘checked out' most of the time as a parent The biggest changes Nick has noticed within Sarah since becoming parents The importance of connection and community for parents Why the change that comes with parenthood doesn't have to be something we resist, or viewed as a negative thing Connect with Sarah: Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting Sign up for my newsletter Check out my website Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! Find the complete show ntoes here: https://www.mothercraftpodcast.com/post/how-your-relationships-change-after-a-baby-with-sarah-and-nick-episode-9

I was super excited to have my doula turned good friend, Kaitlyn Wozniak, back on the podcast! Kaitlyn is a huge supporter of women as they're embarking on their motherhood journey; she's passionate about educating and preparing women as much as possible, so they aren't left feeling lost and disempowered when they become moms. She's on a mission to help women connect deeper to their bodies, build confidence to show up boldly in every part of their lives, and really redefine motherhood all together. In this episode, Kaitlyn and I talk about finding the woman within the mother in early postpartum.    In this episode, we cover:  Why we don't tend to educate ourselves on postpartum and motherhood nearly as much as we do pregnancy and birth Creating healthy boundaries with our children so we don't impose unhealthy or traumatic histories that we may have experienced growing up Why we tend to operate from the lens of martyrdom that was passed down from previous generations + how we can shift and do things differently going forward Kaitlyn's decision to quit her job and be more present with her 6 month old son + how it catapulted her onto her entrepreneurial journey, and learning to ask for help Why self-care is integral to our health and success as human beings (not just something for mothers) Kaitlyn's Mama Mentorship program + the grief spiral that often accompanies us when we land in motherhood Why motherhood actually allows us to step into our most powerful, emboldened, and magnificent self    Connect with Kaitlyn: Follow on Instagram @kaitlyndinneh Check out her website   Connect with Sarah: Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting Sign up for my newsletter Check out my website   Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! Find the complete show notes here: https://www.mothercraftpodcast.com/post/finding-the-woman-within-the-mother-in-early-postpartum-with-kaitlyn-wozniak-episode-8

I'm joined by another phenomenal guest, Raena Boston, on the podcast today! Raena Boston is a mother of three, co-founder of Chamber of Mothers, writer, and a seasoned HR professional. After dealing with unexpected mental health issues in 2020, Raena experienced some life-changing realizations. A pivotal moment for her was understanding that you don't need to be sensational in order to be loved - your constant need to prove your worthiness is absolutely unnecessary. From stepping back and taking a demotion at work, to re-defining how her marriage should look to better support her and her husband, Raena is on a mission to bring awareness to the scams surrounding motherhood, careers, childcare, and more.   In this episode, we cover:  The scam surrounding ‘working mom' and ‘mom guilt', and how they're connected to the larger, systemic problem women face The breakdown in Raena's marriage that led to her and her husband re-defining their marriage in ways that better supported them both The idea of women stepping into a supporting character role after marriage vs. the main character role they had before marriage Staying head-down and stuck in survival mode as moms  How Raena pushes back where she can in her HR role to better understand and support the people she works with Raena's increased capacity in her relationship with her kids + showing her kids they can really be themselves (without anyone else's permission) Raena's decision to shift and dramatically increase awareness about the Working Momtras, as well as co-found the Chamber of Mothers, after having her 3rd baby The insanely expensive entity that is childcare in the U.S. + the lack of investment in childcare in the U.S. compared to other countries   Connect with Raena: Follow on on Instagram @theworkingmomtras and @chamberofmothers Check out her websites: http://www.theworkingmomtras.comwww.chamberofmothers.com   Connect with Sarah: Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting Sign up for my newsletter Check out my website Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! Find the complete show notes here: https://www.mothercraftpodcast.com/post/advocating-for-mothers-with-raena-boston-episode-7

I'm honored to be talking with my special guest, Emma Pickett, on today's episode! Emma is a breastfeeding counselor, international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), and author. She's been in the breastfeeding space for nearly 2 decades, and is passionate about not only supporting parents with their breastfeeding journeys beyond infancy, but also with the weaning process.   In this episode, we cover:  Practical tips for you to prepare for and support a successful breastfeeding journey Why places like the U.S. and U.K. aren't typically as exposed to breastfeeding, compared to other parts of the world What's really behind the breastfeeding ‘dip' that occurred in the late 20th century + positives and negatives Emma has seen in her almost 20 years in the breastfeeding space The competitive pressures surrounding pumping + why it's really not an accurate representation of your milk supply Common challenges that can arise early in your breastfeeding journey + really adapting your expectations for you and your baby during this time Both the over and underdiagnoses regarding lip ties and tongue ties in relation to breastfeeding Indicators that you need to seek out breastfeeding support early in your journey What to do if you're worried about a low milk supply + why feeding schedules are not a positive thing for mothers or babies Simple resources and guidance to support families when they're ready to wean and end their breastfeeding journey   Connect with Emma: Follow on Instagram Check out her website Listen to her podcast: Makes Milk with Emma Pickett   Connect with Sarah: Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting Sign up for my newsletter Check out my website   Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! Find the complete show notes here: https://www.mothercraftpodcast.com/post/exploring-the-realities-of-breastfeeding-with-emma-pickett-ibclc-episode-6

In this episode, Rachael and I talk about what happens when sleep training fails, and more specifically, how this so-called “failure” was the beginning of her fascinating journey into entrepreneurship. Rachael made the life-changing decision to pivot her entire career to being a sleep consultant and educator; not only does she help other moms and families thrive, but she gets to be fully present with her OWN family. Rachael Shepard-Ohta is a Sleep and Feeding Educator and Mom of 3. She lives in San Francisco, CA with her family and is passionate about changing the status-quo baby sleep world. Rachael shares information with families that gives them permission to parent in the way that feels best to them, and creates a sense of community on her Instagram platform, Hey Sleepy Baby.   In this episode, we cover:  Rachael's story of living as an exhausted, anxious teacher and first-time mom + her traumatic sleep training experience with her first baby Rachael's initial idea to start her business as a sleep consultant + her key mindset shift and knowledge that dramatically helped with her second baby's sleep Making the bold decision to leave your ‘safe' career and dive headfirst into something unpredictable like entrepreneurship Rachael's personal & professional growth that has resulted from her business success, and how this growth has impacted how she shows up in motherhood The inevitable ups and downs that marriages go through after having kids, making career changes, etc. + the process of Rachael's husband becoming a stay-at-home dad Rachael's vision for her podcast, No One Told Us + what's ahead for Hey, Sleepy Baby  Choosing to pursue dreams that you're truly passionate about + being willing to ask for support so you actually can    Connect with Rachael: Follow on Instagram @heysleepybaby Check out her website Listen to No One Told Us: The Podcast   Connect with Sarah: Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting Sign up for my newsletter Check out my website   Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! Find the complete show notes here: https://www.mothercraftpodcast.com/post/when-sleep-training-fails-heysleepybaby-rachael-shepard-ohta

I had the opportunity to talk with the amazing Heidi Rentz, a former professional athlete turned entrepreneur, and mom to a precious little girl. She and her husband, Zander, actually own 5 (yes, you read that right!) businesses together. They originally started their businesses out of their collective love for outdoor travel, and so much has evolved since then. Heidi and Zander's goal is that no matter what challenges arise, both nationally and globally, they want to create a safe, fun, and memorable experience for others. In this episode, Heidi and I chat all about what it's like to ride bikes, eat food, and have a baby - basically what the last year + has looked like for her (especially the ‘have a baby' piece)! We dive into her and her husband's not-so smooth sailing journey to starting a family, what it looked like to navigate pregnancy and postpartum while running multiple businesses, the never-ending mom guilt that likes to show up everywhere, and more.   In this episode, we cover:  Heidi and her husband, Zander's, journey to starting a family + the new level of peace and love that came with their surprising miracle  Going through pregnancy while running multiples businesses + what it looked like for Heidi to ‘slow down' during her pregnancy Heidi's plan and preparation for an unmedicated labor and delivery, and what ultimately transpired during her birth experience The impact that having a baby has on your work (especially as a business owner), and your professional identity Navigating the constant struggle of mom guilt that shows up in motherhood and your career   Connect with Heidi: Follow on Instagram @thecyclistsmenu Check out her website   Connect with Sarah: Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting Sign up for my newsletter Check out my website   Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, Kaitlyn and I talk about radical confidence throughout pregnancy and into motherhood. Kaitlyn's journey with motherhood really drove her to restructure her priorities, and catapulted her into a new reality all together. Not only did she leave a toxic work environment, but she started her own business as a pre and postnatal movement specialist, and eventually, a birth doula. We're also diving more into the overflow of information that bombards women as early as at conception, why doula services should never leave you feeling judged or ‘less than' if you can't achieve an unmedicated birth, the raw, rollercoaster of emotions that impacted Kaitlyn's second pregnancy and birth experience, and more. Kaitlyn is a Birth Doula, pre and postnatal movement specialist in the DC area, and a mom of 2 to Rhys and Betty. With over a decade worth of experience in the fitness industry under her belt, she was encouraged to become a doula by her clients who experienced birth traumas, both emotional and physical. Kaitlyn has also done a great deal of work as a women's health advocate. Working with women and mothers blends her passions for empowering women to connect deeper to their bodies and build the confidence they deserve to be more autonomous and bold in all aspects of life. Across all of the hats she wears, she is on a mission to redefine motherhood and help women tap into the woman within the mother.   In this episode, we cover:  Kaitlyn's journey into the pre and postnatal training space + how she works with her clients to help them truly understand what's going on with their bodies The constant rules/expectations + overflow of information for women that starts as early as conception, and continues throughout pregnancy and into postpartum How Kaitlyn approaches doula services with her clients amongst the current doula narrative The best way for women to go about assembling their care team and providers during pregnancy, and feel empowered about the process and outcome  The importance of cultivating your confidence and intuition + creating a safe, sacred space for you and your baby to heal and flourish in postpartum   Connect with Kaitlyn: Follow on Instagram @kaitlyndinneh Check out her website   Connect with Sarah: Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting Sign up for my newsletter Check out my website   Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, Kara and I talk about juggling mom life and career ambitions. Not only did Kara take a position within a new company, but she stepped into a leadership role AND launched her first major entrepreneurial endeavor, all within her pregnancy and the first year of her son's life. We're also digging into guilt and how it can show up in both motherhood and career, understanding how you can use masculine and feminine energy that truly supports you in your own life, the beautiful, natural birth experience that took Kara's confidence to another level, what postpartum life looks like for her now, and more. Kara is a tech executive, an entrepreneur at heart, and the charismatic host of a new podcast. With over a decade's worth of startup adventures, she tackles the rollercoaster of the tech world by day, and channels that expertise into hosting the Gateless Podcast by night—a platform featuring the untold stories of successful women doing big things. Fueled by a passion for inspiring women to bet boldly on themselves, Kara is on a mission to reshape norms, amplify voices, and propel women toward success on their own terms. Beyond the hustle of business ventures, Kara's world is made so much sweeter by her teammate (husband) and adorable baby boy.   In this episode, we cover:  Kara's story of changing career paths, promotion in a new career, and starting her own business during her pregnancy and first year of motherhood Not feeling guilty when you choose to show up boldly in both motherhood and your career Understanding the difference between the leading masculine and leading feminine energy + how that can come out in the most authentic way for you Kara's unmedicated labor and delivery of her son, and how her natural birth experience has dramatically impacted her confidence since then Kara's early postpartum journey + where her mom guilt actually came from What ‘Kara after baby' looks like now + the creation of Gateless   Connect with Kara: Follow on Instagram @karakayrouz and @gatelesspod Check out her website Subscribe/follow her podcast, Gateless   Connect with Sarah: Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting Sign up for my newsletter Check out my website   Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

At some point during your pregnancy, in early postpartum, or even in your first few years of parenthood, did you feel like you got launched into space without a clear way back to earth? Yeah..me too. The transition into motherhood is otherworldly - it can make you feel super lonely, overwhelmed, and kind of like you're spinning your wheels. There really isn't anything that can TRULY prepare you for your step into motherhood, because it requires a new rhythm and set of skills that you just haven't utilized before. As I'm currently in the thick of it with my own motherhood journey, I have a lot of thoughts to share when it comes to navigating modern motherhood, so..I'm excited to bring you the MotherCraft podcast! In this first episode, I'm going to share three of the core challenges I believe exist for new moms and parents today, as well as two pieces that have helped me immensely on my motherhood journey. Motherhood feels really freaking hard for our generation, but I don't honestly believe we're the first generation to feel this way. We're just navigating ‘different' challenges, and often, we're left feeling stuck and confused as we're constantly questioning if we're doing the ‘right things'.   In this episode, we cover:  Why being a mom feels SO HARD in our world today The information overload that happens way too easily now How we can ‘jigsaw' our identities back together as mothers + what it looks like to be multifaceted beings  How the community component looks vastly different today Two things that have dramatically helped me on my motherhood journey so far   Connect with Sarah: Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting Sign up for my newsletter Check out my website   Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

Mothercraft - because becoming a mom today can feel crazy! It's is both uniquely challenging and exciting. The templates about how we should ‘mom' are outdated and we have the opportunity to reconstruct them in a way that works for us. There are women, parents, and resources available who can support us.  Let's write a new story, where we experience how to be connected, informed and empowered about our paths forward as moms, professionals, and women without overwhelm, judgment, or a one-size fits all mentality.  Tune in each week for conversations with host Sarah Dunn, along with other moms and special guest experts, as they share their stories, encouragement, advice, and solidarity about this lifelong journey of motherhood. We'll cover topics such as pregnancy, postpartum, mental health, motherhood, being a high-achieving woman, mom guilt;. We will touch on the good, the bad, the funny, the ugly – the multifaceted reality that is motherhood.  This podcast will leave you feeling empowered, connected, and confident to hold space for your love of self, family, and ambitions.  Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!   Instagram: @mothercrafting Website: mothercraftpodcast.com