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.

This season is all about holiday traditions! In this episode, I’m sharing how my husband and I are building Christmas magic for our girls—from the simple traditions I grew up with to the extravagant ones he had as a kid. We’ve created a “heritage Christmas” each year, inspired by our DNA, and this year is Germany! I dive into the decorations, food, service ideas, special routines, our Grinch-in-a-Cinch, movie nights, family ornaments, Christmas Eve, and more. If you need ideas or love cozy traditions, this episode is for you.

Birth is physical, but your mindset drives the experience. Today we’re breaking down a research-backed mental toolkit for labor and early postpartum. This includes visualization, calming techniques, fear reframing, support system prep, and how your hormones actually work with you during birth.

I’ll share the tools that helped me through both of my births, plus the mistakes I wouldn’t repeat. If you want to walk into birth feeling prepared instead of overwhelmed, this episode gives you the mental roadmap.

There’s no textbook for birth mindset—but you can train for it.

Birth doesn’t have to be confusing. In this episode, we break down the real differences between hospital birth, birth centers, and home birth—minus the pressure, hype, or fear. You’ll hear what actually matters for your birth experience: monitoring, mobility, interventions, pain management, environment, and how each option changes your labor.

I’ll share what I learned from my own births, what surprised me, and what I wish I had known. If you’re pregnant and trying to figure out what’s actually best for you, this episode gives you a clear starting point.

There’s no textbook for birth plans, but there is a way to choose confidently.

Pregnancy can be exciting—but it can also be complicated. Anxiety, guilt, fear, and delayed bonding with your baby are more common than you think. In this episode of No Textbook for Life, Malia shares her personal experiences with pregnancy and birth, including hospital and home birth stories, and what it was like to bond with her babies differently each time.

We also dive into research-backed insights on:

• Anxiety and fear during pregnancy

• How social loss affects expectant moms

• Why bonding doesn’t always happen immediately

• Mental preparation strategies for birth and early motherhood

Plus, practical tips you can try today to feel more connected with your baby, manage fear, and navigate complex emotions without guilt.

This episode is fast-paced, relatable, and full of little-known facts, helping first-time moms—and anyone supporting them—feel empowered and seen.

Listen and learn how to:

• Handle fear and guilt during pregnancy

• Foster bonding with your baby, even if it doesn’t come naturally

• Mentally prepare for birth and postpartum life

• Understand that delayed bonding or complicated emotions is normal

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the 10 things I don’t apologize for — as a woman, a mom, a wife, and a human being trying to stay sane.

If you’ve ever said “sorry” for resting, setting boundaries, not responding to a text instantly, or making parenting choices that work for your family… this episode is for you.

Research shows women apologize 3–8x more than men (yes, really). But the more we apologize for things that don’t require an apology, the more we shrink ourselves.

So today, I’m sharing:

✨ 10 things I never apologize for

✨ The science + facts behind why these choices matter

✨ Real-life examples from my own family

✨ Quotes from Brené Brown, Carol Dweck, Matthew Walker & more

✨ How living unapologetically actually improves your mental health

If you’re ready for less guilt and more confidence — listen in.

🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: Modern American Mama

https://youtube.com/@ModernAmericanMama

New episodes every Friday ♡

Thanks for listening to No Textbook for Life.