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.
Mama You Belong
Motherhood is Political: Finding your voice
In this thought-provoking and timely episode, we briefly explore the intricate relationship between motherhood and the current socio-political landscape. We reflect on the internal conflicts faced by mothers as we care for our families amidst a world filled with distressing events.
Emphasizing the importance of open dialogue, we challenge the tendency to overlook the emotional burdens we carry and the impact of societal issues on our well-being.
We address the silence surrounding significant societal challenges and how it often stems from a lack of direct experience.
We encourage mothers to acknowledge that privilege should not hinder our responsibility to speak up against injustice. And, acknowledge some of the reasons why staying silent may be easier for many. Through introspection, we highlight the need to find our voices and confront oppressive systems, reminding us that motherhood is inherently political.
We conclude with a call to action: by embracing our power and resisting silence, we can drive meaningful change for ourselves and our communities.
Here are some resources related to the content of this episode:
Motherwhelmed by Beth Berry - a book addressing the overculture, mother role, and many deeply rooted things that can influence silence and/or action.
Never called your reps before? This will make it SUPER easy 5 Calls app
Chamber of Mothers - a non-partisan group focused on empowering moms in advocacy for paid leave, affordable childcare, and maternal health.
Kirsten's Physical Therapy website