Postpartum is so often talked about as just depression — but for many moms, it looks nothing like what we expected.

In this episode of No Textbook for Life, I talk honestly about the postpartum experience that so many women go through but don’t have words for: anxiety, hormonal crashes, sleep deprivation, physical changes, and the identity shock that comes after having a baby.

We dive into:

• Why postpartum anxiety is real (and often missed)

• What actually happens when estrogen and progesterone crash

• How sleep deprivation worsens mental health

• Why postpartum depression screenings are often not enough

• Hair loss, breastfeeding struggles, bonding delays, and grief

• The truth about feeling “off” without feeling depressed

This episode includes real stories from moms who shared their postpartum experiences — and a reminder that if you’re struggling, you are not broken. You’re postpartum.

🎙 No Textbook for Life is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📺 Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Postpartum is one of the hardest seasons of life — and yet so many moms feel completely unprepared for how overwhelming it can be.

In this episode of No Textbook for Life, Malia shares her honest postpartum experience, the emotional and mental shifts no one warns you about, and why struggling after having a baby does not mean you’re doing something wrong.

This episode is for new moms, expecting moms, and anyone who wants a more realistic understanding of postpartum life.

🎧 No Textbook for Life is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube @ Modern American Mama

In this episode, my husband shares what it was like growing up with big, themed Christmases every single year. From movie-inspired celebrations to elaborate decorations, food, and traditions, he walks through the magic, creativity, and memories that shaped his childhood Christmas experience.

We talk about what made those themed Christmases so memorable, why they still matter to him today, and which traditions he hopes to carry into our own family. If you love hearing about over-the-top holiday traditions, family culture, and the memories that stick with us, you’ll love this conversation.