Losing (and Finding) Yourself in Motherhood | Why Identity Shifts After Baby (Matrescence Explained)
👻 Spooky season edition: what’s scarier than becoming a ghost in your own life? In this episode, Sam breaks down why so many moms feel like they’ve lost themselves in motherhood and what’s really happening beneath the surface. You’ll learn: What identity actually is and how it’s formed (Erik Erikson, James Marcia, Dan McAdams)How motherhood triggers one of life’s biggest identity transformationsWhat matrescence really means, and why it’s often compared to adolescenceWhy “losing yourself” isn’...
Oct 9, 2025
24 min
We need to talk. Because maternal mental health is not just postpartum depression—it’s identity loss, invisible labor, and the emotional toll of surviving systems that were never built for mothers in the first place. In this solo episode, Sam breaks down the real state of maternal mental health across the entire motherhood journey, unpacks the daily emotional weight that moms carry, and explains how understanding matrescence could change everything. This episode marks the launch of the Matern...
Apr 22, 2025
25 min
Welcome to this Witch and the Woo Episode (sans our witch) where Sam sits down with @spiritbabymedium Kelly Meehan to discuss our babie's spirits. Are they waiting for us? How do we know if a baby is calling out to us? How can this be healing after a pregnancy loss or child loss? This is a pretty profound episode that left me reeling. And if some of it goes over your head, same! But think of this as a journey of enlightenment to a new idea of potential reality. It is WILD, you gu...
Apr 15, 2025
44 min
Episode Overview In this episode, Sam sits down with her friend Ali, a Nutritional Therapist, women’s health practitioner, and creator of Period Pantry, to talk about her raw and honest journey to motherhood through IVF. Ali opens up about her struggles with autoimmune issues, stage 4 endometriosis, and male factor infertility that led her and her husband to pursue IVF. Together, Sam and Ali explore the emotional, mental, and physical challenges that come with infertility—and how resilience, ...
Apr 1, 2025
1 hr 7 min
Today’s episode is a special one—Sam is joined by her husband, Tom, for a candid conversation about fatherhood, marriage, and the changes that come with parenting. They dive into what surprised Tom most about becoming a dad, how their relationship has evolved since having kids, and his perspective on matrescence (yes, dads notice it too!). From tackling the mental load of parenting to sharing hilarious, real-life parenting moments, this episode gives a raw and honest look at parenthood from b...
Mar 18, 2025
42 min
Surprise! Emmy had her baby at 34 weeks! Not to plan but we're so glad Emmy and baby boy are doing well. If you would like to support Emmy as she recovers, please email Sam at [email protected] And let's talk about how to be a working mom (or part time working mom) and make it work for your life and how to find balance for you when your choices are limited. Care/Career Conundrum Resources: https://storage.googleapis.com/peanut-assets/reports/US%20-%20The%20State%20of%20In...
Mar 4, 2025
30 min
In this Emmy episode, she fills us in on the Disney Trip she worked SO hard to make happen for her family and the subsequent burnout from that work. She also talks about her fourth pregnancy and how she feels 6 months pregnant. And the girls end on a vulnerable note, talking about the loss of hope and joy they've both been experiencing. We want to hear your birth and motherhood stories! Click here to be on the podcast or to have your story read by us! Have a guest you want on the show...
Feb 18, 2025
33 min
In case you missed it, Sam had her baby girl Georgia back in July 2024. This podcast goes over her birth experience (in detail, girl) and the low lows of postpartum. Want to support the show? Please check out the new Just a Mom collection over at welcome-mama.com! We want to hear your birth and motherhood stories! Click here to be on the podcast or to have your story read by us! Have a guest you want on the show or a topic you want us to discuss? Please email us your suggestion...
Feb 4, 2025
39 min
We want to hear your birth and motherhood stories! Click here to be on the podcast or to have your story read by us! Have a guest you want on the show or a topic you want us to discuss? Please email us your suggestions at [email protected] FOLLOW THE SHOW ON INSTAGRAM HERE @welcomemamaco Emmy - @emmy_kissinger TikTok @emmy_kissinger www.arrivalsotires.co for birth story listening services Sam - @samthomsonhall YouTube: www.youtube.com/@_welcomemama www.welcome-ma...
Feb 4, 2025
12 min
Wow! What an amazing season it has been! From incredible guests to sharing our own stories of birth, motherhood, and friendship, to silly episodes where we got to laugh and connect! It has been a gift to share these episodes with you and reconnect as friends at the same time. We are taking the summer off to refresh, plan, and have a baby BUT have some exciting updates and season two in store for you! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and tell us what YOU want to hear in season t...
May 21, 2024
33 min
Load more