The Sage Mother Podcast

We did it—Season 2 of The Sage Mother Podcast is a wrap! 🎉 In this special finale, Andrea and Kristin take a heartfelt look back at the evolution of Sage Mother Co., what’s worked (and what hasn’t), and how conversations with real moms have reshaped their mission moving forward.From humble beginnings to launching a tech-enabled tool for postpartum care, this episode is part reflection, part behind-the-scenes, and part vision-casting for what’s next. You'll also hear what moms told us were the hardest and most rewarding parts of motherhood—and how that feedback is shaping our future.Whether you've been with us from the start or just found the podcast, this is a real, raw, and deeply hopeful episode you won’t want to miss.In This Episode:⏳ 00:00 – Why we started Sage Mother Co.⏳ 03:00 – The early vision: education and community for moms⏳ 06:00 – What we got wrong—and what we’ve learned⏳ 08:00 – The friction points moms face in accessing support⏳ 10:00 – How discovery calls transformed our understanding⏳ 13:00 – Why physical recovery is a huge unmet need⏳ 15:00 – What we’re building next: a text-based postpartum support system⏳ 17:00 – Our hopes for funding, reach, and impact⏳ 18:00 – The top struggles moms shared in Season 2⏳ 20:00 – The most rewarding parts of motherhood⏳ 24:00 – Our personal reflections and tears (yes, actual tears!)⏳ 26:00 – What’s ahead for Season 3—and how you can be part of itLinks:📸 ⁠Follow Sage Mother Co. on Instagram⁠📬 Want to share your story or be a guest? Reach out to us via email [[email protected]].👉 Loved this episode?Be sure to subscribe to The Sage Mother Podcast and leave us a review! It helps more moms find the show—and reminds us why we do what we do. 💛

You walk into a room and forget why. You mix up your kids’ names. You feel like your brain hasn’t been the same since giving birth. But what if “mom brain” is more evolution than failure?In this episode, Andrea and Kristin get into the science behind mom brain—what actually happens to the brain during pregnancy and postpartum, why it affects memory and emotional regulation, and… what surprising advantages these changes may offer.From hormone drops and amygdala growth, to synaptic pruning and how motherhood may literally keep your brain younger—we’re reframing what we think we know about this foggy, frustrating, and fascinating mental state. In This Episode:⏳ 00:00 – What the science says about how motherhood changes the brain⏳ 03:00 – Real-life mom brain moments we’ve cringed through⏳ 06:00 – The three core causes of mom brain⏳ 08:00 – Why emotional regulation gets harder—but empathy gets stronger⏳ 10:00 – The amygdala, fear, and how evolution may have shaped hypervigilance⏳ 11:00 – Motherhood and emotional intelligence⏳ 12:00 – Learning + memory-building capacity⏳ 13:00 – Why moms’ brains may age slower⏳ 16:00 – The cognitive workout ofmotherhood ⏳ 17:00 – Synaptic pruning and why matrescence may be a window for healing⏳ 18:00 – Easy doesn’t equal good Links:📸 Follow Sage Mother Co. on Instagram 👉 Loved this episode? Make sure to subscribe to TheSage Mother Podcast and leave us a review! It helps more moms find the show and feel supported during the most transformative season of life.Sources:Modern Counseling San Diego: The Science Behind 'Mommy Brain'Time: Is ‘Mommy Brain’ Real? What Happens to Your Mind and Body When You Become a MomCBC Radio: 'Mommy brain' might be a good thing, new research suggestsGreenlight: Parenting 101: The science behind mom brain1-800 Flowers Petal Talk: Why ‘Mommy Brain’ Is Another Reason to Celebrate MomsHouston Methodist: The Mom Brain Phenomenon: Blasting the Myth of the Perfect MomMylicon: Pregnancy Brain & Its Hidden BenefitsNewborn Mothers: 15 benefits of baby brainNIH: Neuroprotective Effects of Motherhood on Brain Function in Late Life: A Resting-State fMRI Study

What happens when you move in with your in-laws two weeks before giving birth… during a pandemic… in the middle of a hurricane?In this episode Jessy Dengler—working mom of two, Iowa native, and creative problem solver— shares what it’s really like to raise a family right next door to your in-laws. From daycare decisions and postpartum realities to building a home on family land and navigating remote work with young kids, Jessy brings humor, honesty, and practical wisdom to the mic.She also opens up about her dream to stay home with her kids, how she convinced her boss to let her work remotely, and what it looks like to prioritize your mental health in the thick of it all. In This Episode:⏳ 00:00 – Giving birth, COVID and a derecho: the wild timing of moving in with her in-laws⏳ 03:00 – Why she left her in-person job—and how she got hired back virtually⏳ 05:00 – The emotional and financial toll of daycare⏳ 09:00 – Building a house on family land: what it’s really like to live next door to your in-laws⏳ 12:00 – The unexpected beauty of multigenerational living⏳ 17:00 – Who helps with childcare, and what’s changed since her mom retired⏳ 20:00 – What a real day in the life looks like with two young boys and part-time remote work⏳ 25:00 – The struggle to prioritize yourself and your marriage when everything else is loud⏳ 27:00 – Saying no to negativity, and building better habits one small choice at a time⏳ 30:00 – Toddler hands, framed memories, and why the little things matter mostLinks & Resources:📸 Follow Sage Mother Co. on Instagram 👉 Loved this episode? Make sure to subscribe to TheSage Mother Podcast and leave us a review! It helps more moms find the show and feel supported during the most transformative season of life.

Description:What do birth trauma, bone broth, lactation cookies, and career pivots have in common? For Samantha Byington, they all played a part in her journey to becoming a postpartum doula and certified lactation counselor.In this episode, we talk with Samantha about the miscarriage that changed how she viewed maternal care, the home birth that followed, and how postpartum rocked her in ways she didn’t expect. She opens up about what it really felt like to transition into motherhood—and how feeding others, both as a chef and as a mom, became her way of healing and supporting women through that same transition. In This Episode:⏳ 00:00 – Rethinking “safety” in birth and parenting: What does it really mean to be safe?⏳ 03:00 – Sam’s path from ceramics to cooking to postpartum care⏳ 05:00 – The miscarriage that changed everything⏳ 09:00 – Home birth after loss: what shifted her mindset ⏳ 14:00 – “I just did that for 27 hours... and now I have to feed a baby?”⏳ 18:00 – Why postpartum hit harder than expected⏳ 22:00 – How food became a love language⏳ 24:00 – The “I get why people stop” moment of nursing⏳ 32:00 – Food as care: what she loves to cook for new moms and why it matters⏳ 35:00 – Her favorite things to deliver, what she’s learned about lactation, and how she wants to support other mothersFind Samantha:🌐 Postpartum Nurture – Samantha’s site for food, doula care, and lactation support📸 Follow Samantha on Instagram – Her evolving journey and postpartum offeringsLinks & Resources:📸 Follow Sage Mother Co. on Instagram 👉 Loved this episode? Make sure to subscribe to TheSage Mother Podcast and leave us a review! It helps more moms find the show and feel supported during the most transformative season of life.

“You think this is hard? Just you wait…”We’ve all heard it—maybe from a well-meaning family member, a stranger in the checkout line, or even another mom. But what is the just you wait comment really doing?In this episode, Andrea and Kristin unpack the layered meaning behind one of the most common phrases in motherhood and explore how just you wait moments might actually be missed opportunities for connection and support. In This Episode:⏳ 00:00 – When “just you wait” shuts down instead of builds up⏳ 07:00 – How venting often gets disguised as wisdom ⏳ 09:00 – Why shared stage friendships are so valuable in early motherhood⏳ 14:00 – Kristin’s “who cares” filter: what she asks before she speaks⏳ 17:00 – How personality plays a role in how we support other moms⏳ 22:00 – The pressure to “be helpful” when you’re still just surviving yourself⏳ 25:00 – Supportive alternatives to “just you wait”⏳ 27:00 – Celebrating differences in our kids without comparing⏳ 31:00 – The trap of competitiveness in motherhood—and how to resist it⏳ 33:00 – Making space to say the right thing (even if it’s nothing at all)Links & Resources: 📸 Follow Sage Mother Co. on Instagram📖 The Color Monster (Kids Book) – A favorite emotionalawareness tool for young children mentioned in this episode👉 Loved this episode? Make sure to subscribe to TheSage Mother Podcast and leave us a review! It helps more moms find the show and feel supported during the most transformative season of life.

What happens when you let your kids put the goat in the car? You get real-life lessons in curiosity, connection—and a little bit of chaos.In this episode, we’re joined by Jennifer Bryerton, editor-in chief of Charlottesville Family Magazine, and a longtime advocate for outdoor family life. From backyard chickens and bunnies to fairy gardens and food-growing adventures, Jennifer shares how gardening and small-scale homesteading shaped her motherhood journey and gave her kids something even screen time couldn’t compete with.We also talk about the importance of community, the future of parenting media in an AI-saturated world, and practical tips for getting started with your own family garden.In This Episode:⏳ 00:00 – Why bugs, dirt, and wonder might be the most underrated parenting tools⏳ 02:00 – How Jennifer co-founded Charlottesville Family Magazine after leaving teaching⏳ 07:00 – Gardening as a way to stay connected to yourself while raising kids⏳ 09:00 – What beginner gardeners get wrong and how to keep plants alive in the summer heat⏳ 11:00 – From bunny gardens to basil boxes: ideas for involving kids in growing food⏳ 14:00 – Getting started withbackyard chickens and what you really need to know⏳ 18:00 – Kids vs. screens: how to make outdoor time more compelling⏳ 23:00 – Letting your kids fail at gardening (and why it’s still a win)⏳ 27:00 – Gardening while parenting: managing expectations and finding joy⏳ 31:00 – The emotional impact of sharing the outdoors with your kids⏳ 33:00 – How nature parenting gave Jennifer her most treasured motherhood memories⏳ 36:00 – The challenge of building community in an AI-driven world⏳ 39:00 – From fairy gardens to friendships: the magic of small, intentional momentsFind Jennifer:🪴 Charlottesville Family Magazine – Parenting stories, seasonal guides, and hands-on family ideas📸 Charlottesville Family Magazine on Instagram  Links & Resources:🐣 Cluck! The Charlottesville League of Urban Chicken Keepers – A fun and helpful chicken-keeping community🌼 Piedmont Master Gardeners – Gardening resources for Central Virginia📸 Follow Sage Mother Co. on Instagram 👉 Loved this episode? Make sure to subscribe to The Sage Mother Podcast and leave us a review! It helps more moms find the show and feel supported during the most transformative season of life.

In this episode, Andrea and Kristin share the real story of what happens when a family who can’t plan more than three weeks ahead decides to take on Disney World?No perfect itineraries, no Pinterest-worthy plans—just honest reflections on spontaneity, overstimulation, and what actually makes a vacation worth it with little kids.Listen now for a judgment-free, real-life look at the magic, the meltdowns, and everything in between. In This Episode:⏳ 00:00 – Impromptu trips, sugar overload, and surviving with three young kids⏳ 03:00 – Why Disney World feels magical for kids—and commercial for adults⏳ 08:00 – Planning ahead vs. showing up and winging it: What we’d do differently next time⏳ 13:00 – Teaching kids about money, limits, and how to handle “wanting it all” at Disney⏳ 18:00 – SeaWorld reflections: childhood wonder with grown-up awareness⏳ 26:00 – Theme parks vs. real-world travel: Is manufactured magic still valuable?⏳ 31:00 – Why the fair might beat Disney for ride-loving kids (and parents who hate lines)⏳ 34:00 – What really matters: making memories even when the experience isn’t perfect⏳ 38:00 – Our thoughts on water parks, local adventures, and saving the “big” trips for laterLinks & Resources: 📸 Follow Sage Mother Co. on Instagram🎟️ Travel Grown Disney Travel Planners  👉 Loved this episode? Make sure to subscribe to TheSage Mother Podcast and leave us a review! It helps more moms find the show and feel supported during the most transformative season of life.

We knew this was going to be a conversation about perfectionism in motherhood... but we didn’t expect just how personal—and powerful—it would be.In this episode, Elizabeth Robbins, the creative voice behind @creekgrown and author of The Courage to Be Imperfect, takes us back to where her story really begins. After navigating a heartbreaking family tragedy that forced her to grow up fast, Elizabeth became a mom at 16—and was determined to prove to the world that she was good enough to raise her son. And she did, until a traumatic injury left her in bed, unable to keep doing everything perfectly.What followed was a radical shift in perspective, and eventually, a new way of living. Elizabeth’s story is a layered, vulnerable testament to how some of the most meaningful transformations begin when life doesn’t go as planned. In This Episode:⏳ 03:00 – Becoming a mom at 16 and the pressure to prove she was “good enough”⏳ 04:30 – The loss of her father to suicide and the impact of growing up fast⏳ 06:30 – Elizabeth’s bitterness about people celebrating her second pregnancy⏳ 07:00 – Perfectionism as survival: when fear drives performance⏳ 11:00 – Doing it all wasn’t enough⏳ 18:00 – What changed everything: the injury, the stillness, and the perspective shift⏳ 23:00 – Letting go of perfect: what she regrets most and how she’s moving forward⏳ 27:00 – Writing as a path to healing, and why “being perfect doesn’t help anyone”⏳ 32:00 – The myth of the perfect mom and the reality of parenting through imperfection⏳ 39:00 – Writing her book The Courage to Be Imperfect and what inspired the title⏳ 46:00 – From ER nurse to Disney planner: how Elizabeth built a life around joyFind Elizabeth:📚 The Courage to Be Imperfect (Pre-order) – Elizabeth’s debut book, releasing July 1, 2025📸 Follow Elizabeth on InstagramLinks & Resources:📸 Follow Sage Mother Co. on Instagram 👉 Loved this episode? Make sure to subscribe to TheSage Mother Podcast and leave us a review! It helps more moms find the show.

What does postpartum care look like after a home birth—and how is it different from what happens in the hospital?In this episode, Andrea sits down with Certified Nurse Midwife Kelly Sicoli to walk through the hours, days, and weeks following a home birth. From in-home visits to personalized newborn care, they explore how this model of support can shape a mother’s postpartum experience.Kelly has been a CNM for over 13 years, practicing primarily in the home birth setting. She offers a continuity model of care through her solo practice, Charlottesville Midwifery, supporting families through the entire childbearing cycle. She strives to offer holistic, intuitive, evidence-informed, individualized care, in partnership with the clients she serves, and the wonderful nurses who round out her birth team. The greatest joy for Kelly is the close connection with families who return for repeat pregnancies and births.And fun fact: Kelly was Andrea’s midwife for the birth of her second daughter. In This Episode:⏳ 00:00 – The surprising impact of nutrition and pelvic floor prep on birth recovery⏳ 03:00 – Kelly’s journey to becoming a solo-practice midwife ⏳ 07:00 – Who’s present at a home birth ⏳ 11:00 – How midwives assess newborn well-being without rushing to intervene⏳ 17:00 – The golden hour: what it looks like when things unfold naturally⏳ 22:00 – Medications and interventions: what’s offered at home ⏳ 26:00 – Monitoring baby in the home setting⏳ 29:00 – What happens after the midwife leaves? ⏳ 34:00 – Planning for postpartum mental health: building a village before the baby arrives⏳ 39:00 – Perineal tears, what causes them, and how midwives approach healing⏳ 45:00 – Home birth vs birth center birth Find Kelly:🌐 Charlottesville Midwifery  – Learn more about Kelly’s practice📸 Follow Kelly on Instagram Links & Resources:📖 Evidence Based Birth – Resource for informed decisions around birth & newborn care📘 Postpartum Virginia – Local mental health and postpartum support directory📸 Follow Sage Mother Co. on Instagram 👉 Loved this episode? Make sure to subscribe to The Sage Mother Podcast and leave us a review! It helps more moms find the show and feel supported during the most transformative season of life.

From daycare to nanny shares, homeschool to public school—there are a million options for how to provide care for your children, and yet... it can be so rare to find a solution that really feels perfect. No matter what you choose you’re trading something.We’re pulling back the curtain on the real-life childcare and school decisions we’ve faced over the past few years. From emotional meltdowns (ours), to financial pressure, partner disagreements, and moments of deep gratitude, this episode is an honest reflection of how complicated it can be to make these choices and why the stakes feel so sky high. The first half of this conversation was recorded months ago, while we were deep in the decision-making process—and the second half is a follow-up we recorded recently to share where we landed. In This Episode:⏳ 00:00 – When someone else helps raise your child—gratitude and grief in the same breath⏳ 04:00 – White noise, moving states, and why childcare is such a major stressor for families⏳ 06:00 – Montessori and mixed-age classrooms— making decisions with your child’s personality in mind⏳ 11:00 – The emotional weight of passing off care—and how it influences career decisions⏳ 18:00 – Are we prioritizing our child’s needs… or chasing our own ideal?⏳ 22:00 – The financial trade-offs of “better” school and childcare⏳ 26:00 – Pros and cons: nanny vs. daycare vs. homeschool⏳ 33:00 – Do trust (and luck) matter more than you think?⏳ 36:00 – Kristin’s big reveal: what her family finally decided for next year⏳ 39:00 – Andrea’s public school twist: when things go wrong—and how advocating changed everything⏳ 47:00 – When your child thrives… and you let go of the pressure to do it “your way” Links & Resources:📸 Follow us on Instagram📚 Episode on Infant Sleep – From AAP guidelines to Co-sleeping. What’s really best? 👉 Loved this episode? Subscribe to The Sage Mother Podcast and leave us a review!