Otterly Mama

This week Emily interviews, Kate Ford, a mom of two bio babies and two step children. Emily talks to Kate about what it’s like going back to work after having a newborn and in the middle of a pandemic. Kate works in a hospital Pharmacy so going back to work is not easy. She’s very lucky to have a fantastic support system including her partner, parents and in-laws. It’s a bittersweet experience for Kate, she wants the balance of working and having adult conversations but misses her kiddos while she’s at work. Having a work life balance is so important whether you’re a full time parent, work full-time or work part time. Listen to this week’s episode to find out tips to ease the transition back to work and to learn from Kate some positives that have some out of her working,

Music By: Jason Kozel

Are you ready to buckle up and hold on tight with Emily as we climb this stroller-coaster ride of mama-hood? Join Emily weekly and let’s get through this together! Please subscribe!

Not ready to subscribe? No big deal! Say hello on one of my social feeds so I can thank you for listening or share this week’s episode with a friend!

This week Emily continues the Overcoming Obstacles mini series and she interviews a strong mom, Ginna Shellhammer, that had her first family home taken away from her. Everything seemed to be going well until she received a foreclosure notice. Her husband’s work info was hacked and they stole all their money which made them late by 16 days of paying their mortgage, once. Somehow a portion of their loan was transferred to Wells Fargo but they were requiring they pay the full note on their loan which was about $75,000 or else lose their home. Ginna and her young family were forced out of their home for one payment that was late due to a ridiculous hacker. It really makes you wonder who holds your loan especially if you worked with a broker when you secured your home mortgage? Listen to this week’s episode to learn from Ginna and what she’d do differently when buying a new home.

Ginna mentions MERS during the interview. Learn more about your specific mortgage and who holds your mortgage loan.

This week Emily starts the Overcoming Obstacles mini series and she begins by interviewing an incredible mom, Jennifer Perkins, that is raising her son on her own. Her son was diagnosed with Caudal Regression Syndrome from the first few days of life and she has been fighting for him ever since. She a nurse so she knows her way around the health care field but it does not make it any easier. She was told that her son, Noah, would never walk but he has been proving physicians wrong left and right. He’s walking, jumping and playing on playgrounds, something she thought he would never do. Jennifer’s perseverance and strength is incredible, she says all moms would do this for their kids, but Emily’s not so sure. Caring for a child with a health condition is not easy but Jennifer makes it look, dare I say, easy? Listen to this week’s episode to hear some tips from Jennifer and what she does to make it through the countless surgeries, MRIs and doctors appointments. 

In today’s episode, Emily explores the fun topic of circumcision. Did you or will you have your son circumcised? Emily is done procreating but firmly believes she would not make that decision for her hypothetical son. She talks about the history of circumcisions, religious traditions pertaining to circumcisions, the harm and benefits of performing circumcisions. Reach out to Emily if you’re pro or con circumcisions, let her know your thoughts!

Links from the episode:

In today’s episode, Emily breaks down her fears of owning a gun and why her family has had to use it, twice in the last year. What is up with these past couple of years? Small town Texas doesn’t seem so safe anymore. Emily and her husband used to live in Chicago proper and never came close to this many run ins. Emily speaks to the current gun laws in Texas, the current environment around owning guns and some ideas on what needs to change if the Texas senate passes the House Bill 1927 which allows anyone over the age of 21 to carry a gun in public without any additional license.

References from the episode:

On this week's episode Emily gets nerdy and breaks down mastitis. This week you'll learn what mastitis is, how it differs from a clogged or plugged milk duct, how to deal with and what you can do to prevent a clogged milk duct or mastitis. This episode is strictly informational and is not be to used instead of seeking medical attention. Always talk with your health care provider first before making any decisions about your health. If you have any signs or systems of a clogged duct or mastitis call your health care provider to prevent it from worsening. 

References from this week's content: 

In today’s episode, Emily interviews Korah Hoffman, Harriet Hoffman, Penelope Flores and Charlotte Flores to get to the bottom of how to help families adjust to bringing home a newborn into a family of three or more. Caring for a newborn is difficult but now you have to make time for your older child(ren) as well. How do you keep it all together? It’s not easy but somehow families still thrive but somethings just won’t get done. That’s ok! Listen to this week’s episode to see what tips Korah has to give to moms and see what Harriet, Penelope and Charlotte have to say about bringing home a sibling.

Music By: Jason Kozel

Are you ready to buckle up and hold on tight with me as we climb this stroller-coaster ride of mama-hood? Join me weekly and let’s get through this together! Please subscribe!

Not ready to subscribe? No big deal! Say hello on one of my social feeds so I can thank you for listening or share this week’s episode with a friend!

Emily dives into baby blues this week and talks about what baby blues is and why baby blues occurs, what it feels like when you have baby blues, and how to recognize when its time to get professional help. Baby blues is very normal but you don't have to go through it alone. Yes, its common but know when to ask for help from others. 

Resources about Baby Blues:

Emily breaks down self care this week and talks about what self care is, why we should do it, why we don’t do it and gives examples of what self care looks like to different parents. We need to make time for ourselves in order to not go crazy. So why don’t we do it more? Listen to this weeks episode to find out why we don’t do more for ourselves.

***Disclaimer***

This episode goes into detail about the birthing process and may trigger emotions because Emily and Rachel talk about all things pertaining to Rachel’s births. Please don't listen near little ones in case Emily scares them with her straight forward talk about birth.

This week Emily interviews Rachel, who’s a mother of two and a teacher. If Rachel could afford it she’d have way more babies but she and her husband decided on two children. Rachel delivered both her children in a birthing center with the help of her husband and her amazing midwives.

Music By: Jason Kozel

Are you ready to buckle up and hold on tight with me as we climb this stroller-coaster ride of mama-hood? Join me weekly and let’s get through this together! Please subscribe!

Not ready to subscribe? No big deal! Say hello on one of my social feeds so I can thank you for listening or share this week’s episode with a friend!

***Disclaimer***

This episode goes into detail about the birthing process and may trigger emotions because Emily and Johann talk about all things pertaining to the birthing process including bodily fluids. Please don't listen near little ones in case Emily scares them with her vulgar language and straight forward talk about birth.

This week Emily interviews Johann Flores, Emily’s husband about their third and final delivery of their baby girl in a birth center.

Music By: Jason Kozel

Are you ready to buckle up and hold on tight with me as we climb this stroller-coaster ride of mama-hood? Join me weekly and let’s get through this together! Please subscribe!

Not ready to subscribe? No big deal! Say hello on one of my social feeds so I can thank you for listening or share this week’s episode with a friend!

Birth Stories Week 5: I’m in Charge of My Care with Tracy Dear

***Disclaimer***

This episode goes into detail about the birthing process and may trigger emotions because Emily and Tracy talk about all things pertaining to the birthing process. Please don't listen near little ones in case Emily scares them with her vulgar language and straight forward talk about birth.

This week Emily interviews Tracy Dear, a veteran and mom of five, that delivered her babies both in the hospital and at home with midwives and an OBGYN. She has had a true variety of births ranging from an episiotomy to a traumatic birth story that triggered PTSD and an epidural. Listen to what Tracy has to say and learn from years of motherhood and various births.

Music By: Jason Kozel

Are you ready to buckle up and hold on tight with me as we climb this stroller-coaster ride of mama-hood? Join me weekly and let’s get through this together! Please subscribe!

Not ready to subscribe? No big deal! Say hello on one of my social feeds so I can thank you for listening or share this week’s episode with a friend!

Emily missed last week, because unfortunately she’s not perfect! As some of you might know from following her social feeds that she lost power during the natural disaster or as people are referring to it as snow-pocalypse. Needless to say, she’s back this week for another birth story. But don’t you worry, you’ll hear all about her adventures without power and water in a future episode on surviving a snow storm in the unprepared state of Texas. 

Birth Stories Week 4: Three Births, Two Hospital, One Strong Mom with Samantha Derocher

***Disclaimer***

This episode goes into detail about the birthing process and may trigger emotions because Emily talks about blood, guts and miscarriages. Please don't listen near little ones in case Emily scares them with her vulgar language and straight forward talk about birth.

This week Emily continues with another birth story and interviews Samantha Derocher, a mom of three, that delivered her three babies in the hospital with two different doctors in two different states. I’m sure you’ve already guessed that her deliveries were very different in the two separate states. Thankfully the outcomes were the same but one hospital needs some improvement, to say the least.

Music By: Jason Kozel

Are you ready to buckle up and hold on tight with me as we climb this stroller-coaster ride of mama-hood? Join me weekly and let’s get through this together! Please subscribe!

Not ready to subscribe? No big deal! Say hello on one of my social feeds so I can thank you for listening or share this week’s episode with a friend!

Are you surprised to see another episode this week? Emily’s doing a mini series and interviewing seven birth professionals that are presenting during the North ATX Birth Collective’s first FREE virtual event for pregnant individuals. On todays episode get to know, Dr. April Smith, PT, DPT, CAPP-OB and Mary Beth O’Connell, educator by day and certified prenatal/postnatal yoga instructor by night. Both women were inspired to follow their dreams after their own pregnancy and childbirth experiences. What better way to share your goals and dreams with others than if you didn’t have the picture perfect birth and pregnancy you expected? If you’re not local to Austin, Texas you can still benefit from hearing their stories of why they are passionate about helping mothers and look for individuals like them in your area.

Music By: Jason Kozel

Like last week, today’s episode is a bit different. Emily interviews Kiyoki Rykman, LMT CCT, licensed massage therapist and  certified in contemporary cupping therapy. Kiyoki started the North ATX Birth Collective and is very passionate about helping mothers and creating a space for birth professionals local to the North Austin, Texas Area to connect, share resources and educate the community. She’s kicking off this week’s unique episodes in which you get to know several birth professionals local to North Austin, Texas. During this week Emily, is releasing 6 episodes to learn more about various professionals in her community that are very excited to serve individuals who are interested in becoming pregnant, are pregnant or are postpartum. All 7 birth professionals are going to be presenting at a free virtual event on January 30th. If you’re not local to Austin, Texas you can still benefit from hearing their stories of why they are passionate about helping mothers and look for individuals like them in your area.

Music By: Jason Kozel

Want to hear more from Kiyoki and attend the free Virtual Conference, Pregnancy and the $#*+ They Don’t Tell You?

In this weeks episode, Emily interviews Nikki Goble, mother and step-mother to seven children ages 9 months old to 26 years old. She’s a bad ass mama bear that’s risking her own life to help educate children and look out for the best interests of her own kids. She’s taking it one day at a time and finding balance while parenting teenagers and a 9 month old during this socially isolating time. Listen to this week’s episode to learn how she’s embracing the changes at work as well as supporting her teenagers as they navigate high school and playing sports during a pandemic. Thank you Nikki, for continuing to help educate our children during this unprecedented time. 

Music By: Jason Kozel

Disclaimer: this episode only talks about our opinions if you are going to receive or not receive the coronavirus vaccine. Before you make any decisions, please talk to your health care provider about what is best for you.

Want some more information about the new Covid-19 vaccine?

On today’s episode, Emily interviews Erin Walsh RNC-OB, who works on a labor and delivery floor at one of the top ten hospitals in the country. She’s kicking ass as a nurse and putting others lives before her own because that’s what nurses do. Erin’s doing her best to stay true to herself and fill up her cup on her days off. She’s doing her part by taking excellent care of pregnant individuals and trying to keep things upbeat despite the current pandemic. Erin’s relishing in the small silver linings she’s finding in a world stricken with social isolation, anxiety. and strict hospital policies.  Listen to this weeks episode to learn the insider scoop about delivering in a busy hospital from the perspective of a bomb ass labor and delivery nurse. Thank you, Erin for everything you do!

Disclaimer: This episode only talks about our opinions if you are going to receive or not receive the coronavirus vaccine. Before you make any decisions, please talk to your health care provider about what is best for you and your family.

Want more information about the COVID-19 vaccine?

https://www.npr.org/2020/11/23/938003401/explaining-the-science-behind-an-mrna-vaccine-for-covid-19 

https://www.npr.org/2020/12/11/945196602/pregnant-people-havent-been-part-of-vaccine-trials-should-they-get-the-vaccine

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html

Music By: Jason Kozel

Are you ready to buckle up and hold on tight with me as we climb this stroller-coaster ride of mama-hood? Join me weekly and let’s get through this together! Please subscribe!

Not ready to subscribe? No big deal! Say hello on one of my social feeds so I can thank you for listening or share this week’s episode with a friend!

In this week's episode, Emily dives into strategies to find the right health care provider. Not all providers will be a good fit, so take some time to research and find out the best ones that work for you and your family. Listen to this week's episode to see what she recommends and see what worked and has not worked for her.

Music By: Jason Kozel

Are you ready to buckle up and hold on tight with me as we climb this stroller-coaster ride of mama-hood? Join me weekly and let’s get through this together! Please subscribe!

Not ready to subscribe? No big deal! Say hello on one of my social feeds so I can thank you for listening or share this week’s episode with a friend!

On this Week’s episode, Emily chats with a local mom, doctoral student, entrepreneur, and Obstetric Physical Therapist, April Smith. Learn about her passion for helping mama’s through pregnancy and after birth. Even though April is a busy woman, she is still going after her dreams of owning her own business. Listen to the episode to learn from a regular mama like you, who’s going for it, one step at a time!

Music By: Jason Kozel

Links:

Natural Beginnings Birth & Wellness Center

Music by: Jason Kozel

On this week’s episode Emily chats with Korah Hoffman who is a Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) and has her Master’s in Public Administration (MPA). Korah gives us advice on how to make it through this pandemic and maintain our sanity. She provides several options for us to do now if we don’t have the resources, time or commitment to seek out a mental health professional for help. This episode is not a replacement for medical advice. Always consult with your medical or mental health provider about your mental health and how you’re feeling. If you or someone you know needs help or states they are having suicidal thoughts please seek help immediately by calling the suicide prevention hotline. 1-800-273-8255.

Links from this week’s episode:

Join me, Emily, in my third episode of Otterly Mama as I dig into voting in our current tumultuous climate. I’ll try my best to keep my political views at bay in order to bring us together as women and as voters rather than continue the political divide. Listen as I interview three moms who have already voted and learn about their voting experiences this year. Did you think I was going to give you all the juicy details of my epsiode here? No, Mama, I know you’re busy but you have to listen to hear everything.

Links from the episode:

Join me, Emily, in my second episode of Otterly Mama as I dive into the current pandemic and how we as Mamas can get through it. I’ll tell you about my experience as the state of Texas shutdown and give you some things to think about to help you get through this crazy time. Did you think I was going to give you all the juicy details of my epsiode here? No, Mama, I know you’re busy but you have to listen to the episode to get the rest of the details. 

Are you ready to buckle up and hold on tight with me as we climb this stroller-coaster ride of mama-hood? Join me weekly and let’s get through this together! Please subscribe!

Not ready to subscribe? No big deal! Say hello on one of my social feeds so I can thank you for listening!

Join me, Emily, in my inaugural Otterly Mama episode and get to know me and why I’m starting this new podcasting endeavor. I’ll take you down memory lane to tell my story and hopefully you’ll stick around for future episodes.

***Disclaimer: this episode is not suitable for young ears***

Are you ready to buckle up and hold on tight with me as we climb this stroller-coaster ride of mama-hood? Join me weekly and let’s get through this together! Please subscribe!

Not ready to subscribe? No big deal! Say hello on one of my social feeds so I can thank you for listening!