In this episode of Moms Feelin’ Themselves: The Podcast, Elizabeth Wellington (a perinatal psychotherapist) and Sarah Battani Sams explore the complicated relationship moms have with their bodies during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. From bounce-back culture and body image struggles to the deeper psychological imprints we carry from childhood, they unpack why motherhood can reawaken old wounds around our bodies.

This conversation offers both honest experiences (yep, you can do Botox and still love yourself!) and practical guidance, with some strategies for self-compassion, curiosity, and embodiment that can help to heal the mind-body split. You’ll find that learning to embrace your mom bod isn't about forcing yourself to love every part of you—it’s about freedom, wholeness, and reclaiming your body as your most faithful guide. And yes, busting a move on the dance floor isn't gonna hurt.

Takeaways

• Why motherhood can retrigger old body image struggles.
• How cultural “bounce-back” myths fuel postpartum body dissatisfaction.
• Psychological roots of body image difficulties: early relationships, trauma, and the mind-body split.
• Practices for postpartum body acceptance include self-compassion, reframing, befriending your body, and embodiment (like dance and movement).
• Why self-acceptance in the perinatal period and Botox don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

For full shownotes and resources, click here!

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In this solo episode, Elizabeth shares her personal journey with perinatal mental health, opening up about postpartum depression, anxiety, overwhelm, intrusive thoughts and the cultural pressure to be a “good mom.” From a challenging pregnancy and birth to the isolation so many moms know too well, she reflects on how biological, psychological, social and situational experiences shaped her entry into motherhood—and the turning points that led her toward healing, clarity, and self-compassion.

This conversation is part personal story, part clinical crash course in maternal mental health, and part roadmap for moms who are struggling in early motherhood and wondering if they’re the only ones. Elizabeth hopes that hearing her experience may help you to gain valuable insight about your own, and inspire you with the knowledge that gaining self-understanding, sharing your story, finding validation and purpose, and connecting with the right resources can truly be life-changing.

Note: If you are struggling with your mental health during the perinatal period, please call the PSI Helpline at 1-800-944-4773, or the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA.

Check out all our resources here.

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In this episode, Sarah and Elizabeth (a perinatal psychotherapist) dig into perinatal mental health (aka emotional wellness during pregnancy and postpartum)—the stuff so many moms experience but rarely say out loud (looking at you, intrusive thoughts!). From the rollercoaster of feelings that come with new motherhood to the subtle signs you might be struggling with a PMAD like postpartum depression or anxiety (even if you’ve mastered the “I’m fine” facade), they explore what’s really happening beneath the surface and how to know when it’s time to reach out for support.

They break down the mix of biological, emotional, and cultural factors that make balance so hard in motherhood—and how shame, stigma, and the pressure to look like you’ve got it all together can stop moms from getting the help they need. Most importantly, they remind you that you’re not alone, you’re not broken, and you absolutely deserve support. Think of this conversation as part psychology deep dive, part heart-to-heart, and part resource guide for finding your way back to yourself.

Note: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not to be used as a replacement for individual therapy. If you are in need of immediate support, call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA.

Check out all our resources and show notes here.

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In this episode of Moms Feelin’ Themselves: The Podcast, we crack open a topic most moms know too well but rarely talk about out loud: mom rage.

We’re getting real about what it feels like when the pressure cooker blows—where that sudden, explosive anger comes from, why it’s not just about the spilled milk, and how hormones, psychology, and the weight of “do-it-all” motherhood all play a role.

Sarah and Elizabeth unpack the shame spiral, the stigma, and the cultural myths that keep moms silent, then share practical, no-fluff strategies to help you manage the heat, extend yourself some compassion, and know you’re not alone.

Because rage doesn’t make you a bad mom—it’s your mind and body waving a red flag that you need support, care, and a little more space to be human.

Episode Takeaways

• Mom rage is real—and you’re not the only one feeling it. It’s common, but rarely talked about.
• Anger in motherhood is normal. Let’s stop pretending moms are supposed to be endlessly patient saints.
• There’s no single cause. Hormones, stress, the crushing mental load, and outdated ideas about motherhood all play a role.
• Anger has wisdom in it. It’s your body and mind saying: something’s not working, something needs to change.
• Moms often hold everyone else’s big feelings. Kids can rage; partners can rage—but moms usually end up absorbing it all.
• The basics matter. Sleep, food, rest, and real adult conversation are non-negotiable for emotional regulation.
• The load needs to be shared. Redistributing domestic and emotional labor lightens the pressure cooker.
• Joy isn’t optional. Play, pleasure, and freedom are medicine for your mental health.
• Talking about it takes away the shame. Silence keeps us stuck—conversation helps us heal.
• Repair matters. After the blow-up, reconnecting with your kids or partner is part of modeling healthy relationships.

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In this follow-up to Part 1 of our exploration of mom identity loss and matrescence, Elizabeth and Sarah take things from conceptual to concrete and walk you through actionable tools for moms to reconnect with who you are and who you’re becoming. Spoiler: She’s not gone. She’s evolving.

We break down:

• Why your mental health is the foundation of reclaiming identity (and why untreated postpartum depression will prevent you from connecting with yourself)
• The cultural lie of the martyr mom and why taking up space is the most radical move
• How to redefine your value, beliefs, and interests—and actually live them
• Tips for carving out time for yourself (yes, even when it feels impossible and yes, even when you feel mom guilt)
• Why motherhood doesn’t diminish your potential—it amplifies it
  (Turns out, we’re emotionally intelligent, courageous, and weirdly productive AF)

Oh, and if you’re in the “I have no interests and don’t even care” phase, we see you. We got micro-steps for that, too.

This episode isn’t about going back to who you were. It’s about becoming the version of you who’s been waiting to emerge.

MFT’s Redefining Identity in Motherhood Self-Inquiry Worksheet (found in resources section here)

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In this episode of Moms Feelin’ Themselves: The Podcast, Elizabeth and Sarah unpack the identity shift that comes with motherhood — and it’s more than just a phase. We’re diving into matrescence, the often-overlooked psychological transformation women experience when becoming mothers.

With curiosity, candor, and just the right amount of sass, we explore the layers: the stories we’ve inherited about what motherhood should be, how our personal histories shape our transition, and the larger systems that complicate it all. This conversation is deep, real, and long overdue.

We talk ambivalence, advocacy, and why self-reflection is a must — not a luxury. Because here’s the truth: feeling unsure, stretched thin, or even lost doesn’t make you a bad mom. It makes you human.

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, Who even am I now? — this one’s for you.

Resources:

Aurelie Athan

Neha Ruch The Power Pause

Lucy Jones, Matrescence

Takeaways:

• That identity crisis in motherhood? Totally normal—and you're not alone.
• Matrescence is real and deserves way more attention.
• Motherhood changes your mind, not just your schedule.
• Culture loves to tell moms who to be—but it’s often out of touch with mothers lived experiences and needs.
• Your past shapes how you mother today.
• Systems—not just choices—impact how moms experience motherhood.
• Hormones and biology make identity shifts feel even messier.
• Moms need more than support—they need advocacy and change.

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In our pilot episode, meet Elizabeth and Sarah—co-founders of Moms Feelin’ Themselves and the creators of The Mom Dance Party™, a mental health intervention disguised as a glitter-filled night out that is taking the country by storm.

We’re sharing the story behind the dance floor: how 500 moms ended up shaking it to Nelly, why that moment matters more than you think, and how movement, music, and community are helping moms feel more like themselves again.

We get into what drove us to create this experience in the first place (spoiler: it wasn’t just for the Beyoncé playlist), and why this podcast is our next step in offering moms something real, validating, and just a little irreverent.

We also talk identity, emotional honesty, and why “good vibes only” is not the vibe for moms. If you’ve ever felt like you lost yourself somewhere between the burp cloths and the calendar invites, this episode is your reminder: you’re still in there.

Takeaways:

• Moms Feelin' Themselves is more than a name—it’s a whole mood and mission to help moms reconnect with who they are.
• We’re building a real-deal community where moms feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
• Feeling all the feels (yes, even the hard ones) is part of the healing—your mental health matters.
• Dance isn’t just movement—it’s medicine. It’s joy. It’s release.
• The Mom Dance Party started as a way for the founders to bring back fun, connection, and a little bit of wild freedom.
• Rediscovering your identity in motherhood is messy, beautiful, and totally worth exploring.
• No mom should do this alone—community care is self-care.
• Every episode is rooted in real stories from real moms.
• Guilt-free self-care is the goal. You deserve to feel like YOU again.

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Moms Feelin’ Themselves isn’t your typical mom podcast—we’re not here to give you nap hacks or espouse the benefits of gentle parenting. We’re here to talk about you. Your mental health, your identity, your rage tears into your oatmeal.

Created by the duo behind The Mom Dance Party™—one of whom is a perinatal psychotherapist—this show is a glitter-sprinkled, clinically informed deep dive into the emotional rollercoaster of modern motherhood.

We’re here to help you feel more, fake less, and find your way back to yourself—with humor, depth, and zero pressure to “enjoy every moment.”

So whether you’re thriving, barely surviving, or somewhere in between, hit play—we saved you a spot on the dance floor.

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