The Wild Mother Podcast

My guest today is none other than Kim John Payne, a child and family counsellor, consultant, educator, researcher and the author of the number one bestseller, ‘Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Happier, Calmer, More Secure Kids’. Kim says that our faster, busier society today is ‘waging an undeclared war on childhood’, of too much ‘too much stuff, too many choices, too much sexiness, too much information, and too much speed’. And while we don’t have the power to change the more, louder, faster world around us, we do have the power as parents, Kim says, to ‘declare peace in our homes’. Today's is such a hopeful episode, because it’s about the choices that we get to make, as parents, to give our children a childhood in a time when this is no longer a given. Kim and I talk about: How average kids without any obvious history of trauma are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, just as a result of the cumulative stress of living in the 21st century world The work of ‘simplicity parenting’ that Kim developed to help families consciously wind back the different sources of stress in children’s lives, through: Decluttering our children’s environment Bringing warm, nurturing rhythms and rituals into our children’s days Balancing our little one’s schedules Filtering out adult information (because it’s not just too much stuff that’s overwhelming for children - it’s also the clutter of too much information) And creating values-centered family leadership, and fostering a family culture that truly reflects our values and our desires. If you enjoy today's episode, it would mean the world to me if you left me a review over on iTunes, because that helps to get this podcast in front of other wild mamas who could also benefit from these conversations. You can also share this podcast with other mamas by simply taking a screenshot and sharing it on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag me at @drjessicahodgens! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: Grab your copy of my free guide, 'The Four Things you Actually Need to Know to Prepare for a Physiologic ("Natural") Birth' Read Kim’s book ‘Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Happier, Calmer, More Secure Kids’. CONNECT WITH KIM: On Facebook [Link: https://www.facebook.com/SimplicityParenting/] At his website: [link: https://www.simplicityparenting.com/] Until next time - stay wild, mamas! Jess xx Find me on Instagram at @drjessicahodgens www.jessicahodgens.com Intro and outro music: "Bloom", from the album The Jasmani Garden by Deya Dova, with the kind permission of the artist. Cover image by Briony Goodsell. I'm living and mothering on the unceded Country of Dharawal people, and I gratefully acknowledge their ongoing work - and the work of indigenous people everywhere - in the service of thriving life on earth.

Like many of our beliefs around pregnancy, birth and mothering, much of what we believe about food is grounded not in evidence or physiology, but in emotion, misinformation and dogma. Today's guest is the brilliant Lily Nichols - Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, researcher, and author of Real Food for Pregnancy and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes. Lily’s bestselling books have helped tens of thousands of mamas (and babies!), are used in university-level maternal nutrition and midwifery courses, and have even influenced prenatal nutrition policy internationally. Lily's genius is to cut through the emotion and misinformation, and look at the actual research (what we know, and what we don’t know), and then to bring that information to mamas so that we can make informed and evidence-based choices about how we eat. We talk about: How the conventional “wisdom” and standard nutritional advice given to pregnant mamas is completely inadequate (and if you follow it, you'll likely end up with nutritional deficiencies!) What a ‘real food’ approach to perinatal nutrition is, and why it’s optimal for the health of mothers and babies What a real food diet actually looks like during pregnancy (hint: it’s not that complicated, and it’s pretty delicious!) What you need to know if you’re a vegetarian or vegan mama (this is a subject that’s surrounded by a lot of emotion and morality, so we steer clear of morality here and we focus instead on what we know through nutrition research and our physiology as humans, so that you can make informed choices for yourself and your baby). Nutritional requirements in the postpartum period, especially for breastfeeding mamas, and how you can prepare during pregnancy for a nourished, supported postpartum without the depletion and exhaustion that is far too common an experience for mamas. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: Grab your copy of my free guide, 'The Four Things you Actually Need to Know to Prepare for a Physiologic ("Natural") Birth' Download the first chapter of Lily’s book ‘Real Food for Pregnancy’ for free from her website Read Lily’s blog post about protein requirements in pregnancy here Read about postpartum recovery with real food here, and check out this blog post for 50+ recipes for nutrient-dense meals to stash in your postpartum freezer Read Lily’s blog post about a vegetarian diet in pregnancy here CONNECT WITH LILY On Instagram At her website Until next time - stay wild, mamas! Jess xx Find me on Instagram at @drjessicahodgens www.jessicahodgens.com Intro and outro music: "Bloom", from the album The Jasmani Garden by Deya Dova, with the kind permission of the artist. Cover image by Briony Goodsell. I'm living and mothering on the unceded Country of Dharawal people, and I gratefully acknowledge their ongoing work - and the work of indigenous people everywhere - in the service of thriving life on earth.

In today’s episode, I have the great privilege of speaking with the divine Tara Bliss, as she shares the story of her pregnancy journey, and the birth of her little boy. This is a story about motherhood, sacrifice, loss, love and beauty. What an honour it is to bear witness to this medicine woman, and to listen to the gift of her story. Tara Bliss is a mother, a leader and creator of communities, and a curator of experiences. She is here to elevate women devoted to nature and their own true nature. In this episode, we talk about: Tara’s journey into motherhood, her experience of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and early pregnancy loss, and her experience of alchemising sacrifice and grief into healing and beauty. And the precious story of the birth of Tara’s son nine months ago. There is medicine in this episode for absolutely everyone who has the privilege to listen to Tara’s words and story. I cannot wait for you to hear it. If you enjoy today's episode, mamas, it would mean the world to me if you left me a review over on iTunes, because that helps to get this podcast in front of other wild mamas who could also benefit from hearing incredible conversations like this one today. You can also share this podcast with other mamas by simply taking a screenshot and sharing it on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag me at @drjessicahodgens! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: Join me for my FREE live masterclass, “Reclaiming the Sacred Blueprint for Birth” CONNECT WITH TARA: On Instagram @tara_bliss On her website www.tarabliss.com.au Through her program, Rebels of Light Until next time - stay wild, mamas! Jess xx Find me on Instagram at @drjessicahodgens www.jessicahodgens.com Intro and outro music: "Bloom", from the album The Jasmani Garden by Deya Dova, with the kind permission of the artist. Cover image by Briony Goodsell. I'm living and mothering on the unceded Country of Dharawal people, and I gratefully acknowledge their ongoing work - and the work of indigenous people everywhere - in the service of thriving life on earth.

Today, I’m in conversation with mother, doula, herbalist and activist, Julie Bell. Julie is the heart behind Blissful Herbs, and if you’re a homebirthing mama in Australia, chances are you already know exactly who Julie is, and you’ve probably even got a Blissful Herbs tea or tincture sitting in your cupboard somewhere. If you haven’t come across Julie and her beautiful work yet, then you’re in for a real treat in today’s episode! We talk about: Julie’s childhood experience of trauma and disruption, and how this experience led her on a path towards, and shaped her work as, a herbalist and doula. The wisdom and kindness of plants, and how so many plants offer support and healing especially to women and women’s needs. The history of misogyny and racism that continues to undermine women’s birthing choices, and how women will always intuitively come back to birthing our babies at home, in safety. The importance of sharing candid stories and images of birth, as well as other aspects of the experience of being a woman, and how Julie’s refusal to accept Instagram’s “community standards” led to her account being penalised. The relationship between spirituality and motherhood, and the role that Julie’s Christian faith plays in her life, her work, and her service in the world. And so much more. If you enjoy today's episode, it would mean the world to me if you left me a review over on iTunes, because that helps to get this podcast in front of other wild mamas who could also benefit from these conversations. You can also share this podcast with other mamas by simply taking a screenshot and sharing it on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag me at @drjessicahodgens! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: Join me for my FREE live masterclass, “Reclaiming the Sacred Blueprint for Birth” Women who Run with the Wolves, Clarissa Pinkola Estes  Midwives, Witches and Nurses: A History of Women Healers, by Barbara Ehrenreich & Deirdre English The Flexner Report, 1910  CONNECT WITH JULIE On Instagram  On Facebook At Blissful Herbs At her blog about birth, ‘The Melbourne Doula’ At her blog about Christianity and faith, ‘It is for Freedom’ Until next time - stay wild, mamas! Jess xx Find me on Instagram at @drjessicahodgens www.jessicahodgens.com Intro and outro music: "Bloom", from the album The Jasmani Garden by Deya Dova, with the kind permission of the artist. Cover image by Briony Goodsell. I'm living and mothering on the unceded Country of Dharawal people, and I gratefully acknowledge their ongoing work - and the work of indigenous people everywhere - in the service of thriving life on earth.

Today’s episode is with a woman whose work & wisdom has quite literally changed my life. It’s my absolute privilege today to bring to you one of my great teachers, Jane Hardwicke Collings. Jane is a grandmother, former homebirth midwife for 30 years, a teacher, writer & menstrual educator. She gives workshops on mother and daughter preparation for menstruation, the spiritual practice of menstruation, and the sacred dimensions of pregnancy, birth & menopause. Jane founded and runs The School of Shamanic Womancraft, an international Women’s Mysteries School. If you haven’t come across Jane before, brace yourself mama, because today’s episode is EPIC. If you do know Jane and her work, you’re in for a real treat here because in this episode we don’t just skim the surface of her work, we dive really deep into her ideas and thinking & we get into all the meaty details. We talk about: The shamanic dimensions of pregnancy and how the things that show up in our lives & bodies during pregnancy are information to support us to transform into a new version ourselves and to become “the mother our babies come for” How we have the birth we need to teach us what we need to learn about ourselves to take us to the next place on our journey, and how the quality that we need to learn about ourselves in how we birth our babies, is the quality we need to bring to mothering them. How to learn from and begin healing from a traumatic birth - the questions Jane offers to ask yourself are life changing. The difference between midwifery and obstetric care and how the single most impactful decision a woman will make that will influence her birth outcome is who her primary carer will be & her place of birth. How we can prepare for birth before we’re even pregnant, through healing trauma stored in the body, opening to a relationship with our spirit baby, connecting with our menstrual cycle, looking into our previous experiences of rites of passage, unhooking from the medical model of birth, and bringing consciousness to our fears. If you enjoy today's episode, it would mean the world to me if you left me a review over on iTunes, because that helps to get this podcast in front of other wild mamas who could also benefit from these conversations. You can also share this podcast with other mamas by simply taking a screenshot and sharing it on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag me at @drjessicahodgens!   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: Grab your copy of my free guide, 'The Four Things you Actually Need to Know to Prepare for a Physiologic ("Natural") Birth' Jane’s incredible book, ‘Ten Moons: The Inner Journey of Pregnancy’    CONNECT WITH JANE On Instagram@janehardwickecollings Through one of Jane’s online courses including Pregnancy: The Inner Journey & Snake Medicine: Healing Menstrual Shame Book a private session with Jane Study with the School of Shamanic Womancraft Until next time - stay wild, mamas! Jess xx Find me on Instagram at@drjessicahodgens www.jessicahodgens.

Today’s episode is about something I’ve come to see as one of THE most important influences on a woman’s experience of birth and motherhood. I’m talking about connecting with our inner wisdom, living IN our bodies (instead of in our heads), and claiming our personal sovereignty. And I couldn’t think of a more perfect guest to talk about today’s topic, than my very own sister, Rachel Hodgens. As well as being one of my best friends, Rachel is a feminine embodiment mentor, and host of the Weaving the Wild podcast. Her work as a feminine embodiment mentor is all about reclaiming and remembering the wildish wisdom that lies deep within our bones. From honouring our cyclical rhythm and dropping back into our bodies, embracing our intuitive nature and anchoring mind, body and soul through simple, practical earth, moon and womb practices and rituals. In today’s episode, Rachel and I talk about: ‘The feminine’ - what that term means, and how it’s something to be embodied and experienced rather than intellectually understood, Simple tools and practices to help you come back into your body, connect with your intuition, and align with the cyclical wisdom of the natural world, How the state of your nervous system influences your ability to hear your body’s wisdom and your intuition, And so much more. Whenever I work with mamas preparing for birth and motherhood, the very first place I start is with your relationship to your body and your inner knowing. Because everything else - understanding physiologic birth and navigating the maternity system and so on - is all important to know, but it’s your connectedness to your body and your inner wisdom and your personal truth that will guide you through all the rest. Which is why I’m so excited to share this conversation with you, mamas, because Rach is so wise and relatable, and she has a way of making everything feel simple and doable. If you enjoy today's episode, it would mean the world to me if you left me a review over on iTunes, because that helps to get this podcast in front of other wild mamas who could also benefit from these conversations. You can also share this podcast with other mamas by simply taking a screenshot and sharing it on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag me at @drjessicahodgens! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: Grab your copy of my free guide, 'The Four Things you Actually Need to Know to Prepare for a Physiologic ("Natural") Birth' CONNECT WITH RACHEL On Instagram: @rachel.hodgens On her podcast, Weaving the Wild Join Rachel for a one off Soul-Led 1:1 Session Work with Rachel in her 3 month Wild Heart 1:1 Journey - places opening up again in September 2021 Until next time - stay wild, mamas! Jess xx Find me on Instagram at @drjessicahodgens www.jessicahodgens.com Intro and outro music: "Bloom", from the album The Jasmani Garden by Deya Dova, with the kind permission of the artist. Cover image by Briony Goodsell. I'm living and mothering on the unceded Country of Dharawal people, and I gratefully acknowledge their ongoing work - and the work of indigenous people everywhere - in the service of thriving life on earth.

This is the second half of my conversation with the incredible Dr. Melanie Jackson. In this episode, Mel and I talk about her research into why women choose to birth outside the system. We get pretty raw and real in this conversation. We talk about: Mel’s research into why women choose to birth outside the system (hint: it ISN’T because they’re reckless risk-takers - quite the opposite actually!) What this choice tells us about the state of maternity services and the prevalence of obstetric violence And what we as women, as consumers of maternity services, can do to support homebirth midwifery (because despite it being the gold standard, this model of care is only available to a small percentage of women, and is increasingly under threat). If you missed last week’s episode, don’t forget to go back and have a listen because in the first half of our conversation, Mel and I covered everything you need to know about how to have a homebirth. Melanie Jackson has been a privately practicing midwife, and providing homebirth services, for 13 years since 2009. Alongside her work as a midwife, she completed her PhD, called "Birth Outside the System", in 2015, and she has held positions in midwifery research, midwifery lecturing and National Policy development at the Australian College of Midwives. She’s an absolute gift to women, families and birth workers, and it’s my privilege to have her on the show. If you enjoy today's episode, it would mean the world to me if you left me a review over on iTunes, because that helps to get this podcast in front of other wild mamas who could also benefit from these conversations. You can also share this podcast with other mamas by simply taking a screenshot and sharing it on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag me at @drjessicahodgens! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: Grab your copy of my free guide, 'The Four Things you Actually Need to Know to Prepare for a Physiologic ("Natural") Birth' Homebirth Australia Homebirth NSW CONNECT WITH MELANIE At her website, www.melaniethemidwife.com On Instagram @melaniethemidwife On her YouTube channel, Melanie The Midwife “Transformative Birth Work”, Melanie’s online course for pregnant women and birth workers Launching into private practice mentorship. Until next time - stay wild, mamas! Jess xx Find me on Instagram at @drjessicahodgens www.jessicahodgens.com Intro and outro music: "Bloom", from the album The Jasmani Garden by Deya Dova, with the kind permission of the artist. Cover image by Briony Goodsell. I'm living and mothering on the unceded Country of Dharawal people, and I gratefully acknowledge their ongoing work - and the work of indigenous people everywhere - in the service of thriving life on earth.

If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of having a homebirth but you’ve wondered 1) where on earth to begin and 2) what it’s really like to birth at home with the support of a privately practicing midwife, then this is the episode for you! I recently had the privilege of speaking with the wonderful Dr. Melanie Jackson, who you might know better, from her brilliant Instagram & Youtube channels, as Melanie the Midwife. She has been a privately practicing midwife, & providing homebirth services, for 13 years since 2009. Alongside her work as a midwife, she completed her PhD, called "Birth Outside the System", in 2015, and she has held positions in midwifery research, midwifery lecturing & National Policy development at the Australian College of Midwives. She also runs a brilliant Youtube channel where she breaks down research relevant to pregnancy & birth, amongst many other incredible offerings. Safe to say, Mel is an absolute gift to women, families & birth workers, and it’s my privilege to have her on the show. Today, Mel & I cover everything you need to know about how to have a homebirth. We talk about: how to find a homebirth midwife what it’s like having your own private midwife during your pregnancy what happens during the birth (and yes, we also cover what happens if you need to transfer into hospital) and what it’s like to have your own midwife on call for you after your baby is born, to support you during the early postpartum period. If you enjoy today's episode, it would mean the world to me if you left me a review over on iTunes, because that helps to get this podcast in front of other wild mamas who could also benefit from these conversations. You can also share this podcast with other mamas by simply taking a screenshot & sharing it on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag me at @drjessicahodgens! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: Grab your copy of my free guide, 'The Four Things you Actually Need to Know to Prepare for a Physiologic ("Natural") Birth' Spiritual midwifery, by Ina May Gaskin Homebirth Group Australia, Facebook Page CONNECT WITH MELANIE At her website, www.melaniethemidwife.com On Instagram@melaniethemidwife On her YouTube channel, Melanie The Midwife “Transformative Birth Work”, Melanie’s online course for pregnant women and birth workers Launching into private practice mentorship Until next time - stay wild, mamas! Jess xx Find me on Instagram at @drjessicahodgens www.jessicahodgens.com Intro and outro music: "Bloom", from the album The Jasmani Garden by Deya Dova, with the kind permission of the artist. Cover image by Briony Goodsell.  I'm living and mothering on the unceded Country of Dharawal people, and I gratefully acknowledge their ongoing work - and the work of indigenous people everywhere - in the service of thriving life on earth.

Briony Goodsell is a doula, yoga teacher, intuitive bodyworker, women’s circle facilitator, photographer and mama. She is a weaver of the womens’ mysteries, gatherer of ancient feminine wisdom, holder of sacred spaces and a guide for reconnecting women with their sacred womb wisdom and power. And if that doesn’t make you excited to learn from this wise woman, I don’t know what will! Briony was also my postpartum doula, and remains my much-loved friend and mentor. In today’s episode, she and I talk about: Briony’s experience of eating disorder and infertility, and how this led her on a journey to learn about her body’s wisdom and to find her calling as a yoga teacher, body worker and doula Briony’s experience of postpartum depression in early motherhood, and how she gradually found her feet as a mama by learning to stop looking to external experts, to get out of her head, and to trust her own intuition as a mama The link between connecting with and understanding our menstrual cycles, and trusting our bodies in birth The concept of "matrescence", and how having an awareness of the transformation a woman goes through during the transition into motherhood before it happens can help to alleviate overwhelm and confusion  The challenges of mothering in our modern times and the pressures this places on women and on relationships The relationship between the health of mothers and Mother Earth, and how rituals like burying our baby’s placenta can help to heal the earth and restore the balance of the Divine Feminine in all of us I always feel so reassured just by being in Briony’s space, and I know you’re going to feel her beautiful energy through your headphones. If you enjoy today's episode, it would mean the world to me if you left me a review over on iTunes, because that helps to get this podcast in front of other wild mamas who could also benefit from these conversations. You can also share this podcast with other mamas by simply taking a screenshot and sharing it on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag me at @drjessicahodgens! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: Grab your copy of my free guide, 'The Four Things you Actually Need to Know to Prepare for a Physiologic ("Natural") Birth' "The Gentle Sleep Book", Sarah Ockwell Smith CONNECT WITH BRIONY At her website, www.thenestingplace.com.au On Instagram here or Facebook here Until next time - stay wild, mamas! Jess xx Find me on Instagram at @drjessicahodgens www.jessicahodgens.com Intro and outro music: "Bloom", from the album The Jasmani Garden by Deya Dova, with the kind permission of the artist. Cover image by Briony Goodsell. I'm living and mothering on the unceded Country of Dharawal people, and I gratefully acknowledge their ongoing work - and the work of indigenous people everywhere - in the service of thriving life on earth.

Maha Al Musa is a true elder and wise-woman of birth and women’s rites of passage. Of Palestinian and Lebanese origin, Maha is an independent childbirth educator of twenty-five years. She is the author of Dance of the Womb: The Essential Guide to Belly Dance for Pregnancy and Birth, and is the founder and creator of BellydanceBirth® and EmbodyBirthᵀᴹ, her signature childbirth education and preparation programs for mothers-to-be and birth professionals who care for them. Maha is an international speaker and a vocal advocate of natural birth and natural-term breastfeeding, and has been featured in worldwide media including the Discovery Channel, CNN, New York Post, Sunrise and Marie Claire to name just a few. Maha is a true gift whose insights and teachings have profoundly shaped my own thinking about birth and motherhood, and it’s my pleasure to share her wisdom and experience with you here on The Wild Mother Podcast. In today’s episode, Maha and I talk about: The opportunity that pregnancy and childbirth offer to women to heal our personal and ancestral wounding, and to connect with our deepest truth How undisturbed physiologic birth offers the energy of love and connection that humanity needs to raise consciousness and heal the earth How the fears and beliefs of birth professionals can circumvent or shut down a woman’s spiritual processing in childbirth, and the trauma that this interruption causes to women Maha’s inspiring story as a Palestinian/Lebanese woman growing up in Australia, her journey to reconnect with her mother and her ancestral lineage, the personal healing and expansion that each of her pregnancies offered, and her recent rite of passage through menopause. CONNECT WITH MAHA At her website, mahaalmusa.com On Instagram here, or Facebook here Read her book 'Dance of the Womb' Join the EmbodyBirth Pregnancy and Birth Preparation online program  Join the online EmbodyBirth Certified Practitioner Training  If you enjoy today's episode, don't forget to take a screenshot and share it with me on Instagram at @drjessicahodgens.  Until next time - stay wild, mama! Jess xx www.jessicahodgens.com Intro and outro music: "Bloom", from the album The Jasmani Garden by Deya Dova, with the kind permission of the artist. Cover image by Briony Goodsell. I'm living and mothering on the unceded Country of Dharawal people, and I gratefully acknowledge their ongoing work - and the work of indigenous people everywhere - in the service of thriving life on earth.