Mama You Belong
Welcome to 'Mama You Belong' - a podcast for moms in the thick of it. We delve into the need for belonging and connection that mothers often face alone and help you feel seen. We acknowledge the dissonance between societal expectations of motherhood and the realities of managing our mental and physical load, with science and trauma-informed support. Co-hosts of 'Mama You Belong' are Kirsten Desmarais, PT, DPT, OCS, CD(DONA) a physical therapist, birth doula, and mother of three, and Molly Hilgenberg, MSW, LICSW, a psychotherapist, singer/songwriter, and new mom.
Kirsten and Molly were both kids who collected rocks, hugged trees and grew up in different towns in Minnesota. They met only a few years ago when Kirsten became Molly's PT and then her birth doula. They bonded when they both realized they could pretty much share anything without judgment and text each other about the moon.
Through shared stories and expert insights, 'Mama You Belong' seeks to empower mothers by creating a supportive space for connection and understanding in their unique journeys. Each episode aims to provide validation, education, and some laughs. By sharing our stories and inviting expert guests in future episodes, we aspire to create a nurturing and inclusive environment for moms.
Episodes
17 episodes
Type C Mom Survival: Mom Burnout, Messy Homes, and Parenting an AuDHD Kid
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the invisible load of motherhood...This podcast is for you.Today, Kirsten and Molly talk about the messy middle of motherhood, from spring energy and cluttered homes to the reality that ...
Motherhood Burnout and Community Care: Mother Trees, Mutual Aid, and Why Moms Need Each Other
Kirsten and Molly trace how micro self care rituals, witnessing a transformative birth, and the mother tree metaphor point to a different way of caring and showing up for each other and our children. We share how mutual aid led by moms keeps co...
Parenting in Crisis: Fear, Safety, and What Moms Carry During State Violence
This episode is a brief glimpse into our upcoming interview with Marsh Naidoo on her amazing podcast Raising Kellan. Please subscribe now to her podcast so you can ...
Mother Rage and Grief: Protecting Our Kids in Uncertain Times
We sit with the dissonance of parenting during a state crackdown in Minnesota, holding mother rage and grief while trying to protect childhood for our children. Stories from Minneapolis, a terrifying night terror, and our feelings as mothers.
Daycare Illness, Mom Burnout, and the Mental Load No One Talks About (Where Germs Get Their PhD And Parents Lose Their PTO)
In this episode, we talk openly about updates to toddler sleep struggles, no more night drives just to get a child to sleep, the decision to retire the crib, and how co-sleeping in a king bed changed everything. We unpack how lovin...
Holiday Overwhelm and Toddler Chaos: Seasonal Survival for Moms
Winter presses in and everything gets louder, especially the expectations placed on moms during the holidays. In this episode, we return from a hiatus to talk honestly about the mental load of motherhood in December, the pressure to create holi...
Baby Sleep Struggles: Letting Go of Sleep Training and Choosing Connection (Part 2)
We follow Kirsten’s path from noticing things about her child to an autism + ADHD diagnosis, showing how clarity changed home life, school decisions, and self-trust. We talk sensory needs, high masking in girls, 504 vs IEP, and choosing connect...
Baby Sleep Struggles: Letting Go of Sleep Training and Choosing Connection (Part 1)
Kirsten traces the journey from pressure-filled, sleep training newborn days to a more child-centered and connected approach to sleep. Together, we share how postpartum rage became a compass, how sensory needs shaped real rest, and why prioriti...
Baby Sleep Regression and Mom Guilt: Rethinking “Sleeping Through the Night”
Why do so many moms feel like failures when their baby won’t sleep “the right way”? In this honest and vulnerable conversation, we dive into the guilt, shame, and societal pressure surrounding baby sleep regression and the unrealistic st...
Infertility and Motherhood: Grief, Identity, and Finding Hope (with Kathleen Currie)
Infertility is one of the most painful and isolating experiences a mother can face. In this raw conversation, we share one mom’s journey of turning pain into purpose—and why sharing real motherhood stories matters for building community and hea...
Pelvic Floor Health After Birth: Recovery, Pain, and What Moms Need to Know
Why don’t we talk more about the pelvic floor? From postpartum recovery to long-term health, moms are often left in the dark about this essential part of their bodies. In this episode, we break the silence and explore what every mother should k...
Mom Anxiety at Night: Racing Thoughts and Overwhelm After Dark
Have you ever found yourself spiraling with worry in the middle of the night? You’re not alone. In this vulnerable conversation, we talk about motherhood anxiety, the mental load of moms, and the fears that keep us awake long after our kids are...
Postpartum Anxiety, OCD, and Depression: What Moms Need to Know (with Celleste Schnellbach, MS, LMFT, PMH-C)
Perinatal mental health struggles like postpartum depression and anxiety impact far more moms than we realize. In this powerful interview we discuss the stigma, the silence, and the support moms deserve but rarely get. Perinatal men...
Dads, You Belong Too: Fatherhood, Mental Load, and Mental Health in Parenting (with Phil Desmarais and Chad Hilgenberg)
Parenting conversations often leave fathers out—but dads belong too. In this episode, Phil Desmarais and Chad Hilgenberg share their stories of becoming fathers, navigating belonging, and finding their voice in the journey of parenting alongsid...
Motherhood and Identity: Why Parenting Is Political and What It Means for Moms
Motherhood doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s deeply tied to politics, policies, and cultural expectations. In this episode, we explore why motherhood is political, how moms can find their voice, and why speaking up matters for ourselves and our co...
Nervous System Regulation for Moms: Overstimulation, Stress, and Finding Calm
What does “nervous system regulation” even mean when you’re a mom pulled in a million directions? We unpack the buzzword, talk about overstimulation, stress, and what finding calm looks like in the middle of messy, real-life motherhood.
Overwhelmed Moms, You Belong Here: Our Story and What This Podcast Is About
Welcome to Mama You Belong—a podcast about the real, messy, and beautiful journey of matrescence. In our first episode, we share our own stories, why we started this podcast, and how we hope to build a community where every mom feels she belong...
