Here with You, Mama

Welcome back to Here With You, Mama. In today’s episode, we’re exploring a voice almost every new mom knows all too well, the inner critic. You know the one: the part of you that whispers (or shouts) that you’re not doing enough, being enough, or mothering "right."
If your inner critic has gotten louder since becoming a mom, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. In fact, there are powerful psychological, cultural, and biological reasons why this happens in the postpartum period. The good news? There are gentle, evidence-based ways to soften that voice without trying to silence it or shame it away.
In this episode, I walk you through why the inner critic gets louder after baby, how to recognize it as a protective part of you (through the lens of Internal Family Systems therapy), and the exact tools you can begin using today to shift from self-criticism to self-compassion.
💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why the inner critic becomes more intense in early motherhood
How perfectionism and vulnerability fuel critical self-talk
What Internal Family Systems (IFS) teaches us about our inner critic
3 gentle steps to begin transforming your relationship with this part
A powerful 30-second practice: The Self-Compassion Pause
When to seek professional support for postpartum emotional struggles
Why your worth has nothing to do with productivity or perfection
🧠 Key Takeaways:
Your inner critic is not your enemy—she’s a scared protector trying to keep you safe
You can feel two things at once: deep love for your baby and overwhelm, frustration, or resentment
Self-compassion isn’t selfish—it’s essential in navigating motherhood with resilience and grace
Awareness creates space: Simply noticing critical thoughts begins the process of healing
Good-enough motherhood is more than enough
🛠️ Resources & Mentions:
Kristin Neff’s Self-Compassion Quiz
Postpartum Support International – for perinatal mental health support
Dina’s Here With You, Mama Coaching Program – Learn more here
✨ Episode Quote:
“What if you could meet yourself with the same tenderness you’re working so hard to show your little one?”
📲 Connect & Share:
If this episode spoke to you, I’d be honored if you’d share it with another mama who needs to hear it. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or DM me @herewithyoumama on Instagram to let me know what landed most.
Until next time, mama, please be gentle with yourself. You’re doing incredible work, and I’m right here with you. 
Warmly,
Dina
 
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Transcript for this episode

Ever feel like your emotions have been hijacked since becoming a mom?
Like you’re crying one minute and laughing the next—and wondering if you're losing it?
What if instead of seeing your emotional intensity as a problem, you could understand it as part of your becoming?
That emotional chaos you’re feeling? It’s not a flaw. It’s not a failure. It’s the signal of a profound inner transformation- one that’s totally normal (and survivable) in early motherhood.
And the good news? You don’t have to stay stuck in the overwhelm. You can start creating emotional steadiness today- without numbing, stuffing it down, or pretending you're fine.
If you’re like most high-achieving new moms, you’re used to having it together. You had systems, structure, and self-awareness—until motherhood came along and threw it all out the window.
Now? You feel unpredictable. Raw. Easily overwhelmed. And part of you might wonder if you’re just not cut out for this.
In today’s episode, I’m walking you through:
Why early motherhood feels like an emotional rollercoaster
What’s really happening in your brain and nervous system postpartum
The surprising reason your emotions feel so big right now
A powerful framework (based in Internal Family Systems) to help you understand yourself instead of judge yourself
A simple emotional regulation practice to help you pause, breathe, and reconnect when everything feels like too much
Whether you’re crying over a bottle lid, snapping at your partner, or wondering where the “old you” went… You can find your emotional footing again. And you don’t have to do it perfectly to feel better. You just need the right inner tools- and a little self-compassion.
This episode will help you shift from emotional reactivity to grounded presence, and offer a pathway to reconnect with the you that feels steady, loving, and in control—even when motherhood is anything but.
Let’s do this.
💛 Dina Here With You, Mama
Loved this episode?! Let’s keep the party going! ✨ Share this episode with a mama who needs to hear she’s not broken—she’s becoming. ✨ Leave a 5-star review to help other moms find this show ✨ Say hi on Instagram @herewithyoumama ✨ Ready for deeper support? Learn more about the Here With You, Mama coaching program
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Transcript for this Episode

Are you surrounded by love but still feeling deeply alone?
Do you find yourself scrolling social media, wondering why everyone else seems to have a village- while you're silently struggling?
What if connection in motherhood didn’t have to look like it did before- and what if it could be even more meaningful now?
Mama, you are not the only one feeling this way- and you’re not doing anything wrong. Loneliness in early motherhood is more common (and more layered) than most people talk about.
And it doesn’t mean you’re failing. In today’s episode, we’ll explore why it happens- and the gentle, doable ways you can start building real connection again.
If you're like many high-achieving women I work with, you're used to being the one who shows up for others. You’ve built a strong circle, maintained close friendships, and felt confident socially- until now.
Then motherhood happens. Schedules shift. Your identity transforms. And all of a sudden, you find yourself feeling more isolated than ever, even while holding the baby you love most in the world.
In this honest episode, I share:
Why postpartum loneliness can feel so confusing, especially for driven, emotionally intelligent women
How friendships change (and sometimes rupture) after baby
Why it’s okay if you don’t feel “seen” by the people who used to know you best
Tangible strategies for reconnecting—with old friends, new moms, and most importantly, yourself
What I want every lonely new mama to know (including one powerful line I want you to say out loud)
Whether you’re craving soul-deep friendships or just someone who gets it—this episode is for you. Let’s talk about it. Let’s name it. And let’s take the first step back toward connection, one gentle conversation at a time.
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with a fellow mama who might be feeling isolated too. And if you're ready for deeper connection and support, come join us inside the Here With You, Mama coaching program—where we’re building real community for moms who get it.
💛 Learn more at herewithyoumama.com 💛 Or come say hi on Instagram: @herewithyoumama
Read the full blog version of this episode: Here with You, Mama Blog
 
Transcript for this episode

Feeling like you've lost your confidence since becoming a mom? Are you constantly second-guessing your parenting choices? Do you find yourself searching the internet, apps, or mom groups for answers you used to be able to find within yourself?
What if instead of looking outward, you could start rebuilding the trust you have in yourself—right here, right now?
It's possible. And it's simpler than you think.
In today’s episode, we’re talking about something that comes up in nearly every conversation I have with new moms: how motherhood can completely shake your sense of self-trust.
If you're a high-achieving first-time mom who was used to being confident, decisive, and on top of your game—this episode is especially for you.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
Why self-trust often disappears in early motherhood (especially for ambitious women)
The real reasons behind your constant Googling and second-guessing
How the pressure to "get it right" can drown out your inner voice
Why your inner critic gets louder in this season—and how to gently turn the volume down
5 practical, therapeutic steps to start rebuilding trust in yourself today
How Internal Family Systems (IFS) work can help you reconnect with the wise, capable woman you still are
What it really means to become your own expert in motherhood
If you've been feeling like you don’t even recognize yourself anymore… if you’re caught between who you were and who you’re becoming… this episode is your invitation to slow down, breathe, and come back home to yourself.
Because you can be the kind of mother who leads with confidence—not perfection. One decision at a time.
💛 Resources Mentioned:
The Grounded Mama Checklist – A free resource to help you reconnect with your body, breath, and self
Here With You Mama Coaching Program – Emotional support for high-achieving first-time moms
Let’s stay connected: If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a mama who’s quietly questioning herself, and leave a review—it helps other moms find this support, too.
And remember: you are not broken. You are becoming.
You are doing so much better than you think, Mama.
 
Read the full blog version of this episode: Here with You, Mama Blog
 
Transcript for this episode

Feeling like you’re constantly falling short—even when you’re doing everything “right”? Are you a high-achieving mom struggling with guilt every time you prioritize your own needs? Do you find yourself wondering: “Why am I feeling resentful when I love my baby so much?” “What kind of mother needs a break?” “Why do I feel like I’m failing, no matter what I do?”
You're not alone. And you're not broken. Mom guilt is one of the most common emotional struggles for high-achieving first-time moms.
But what if you could stop trying to logic your way out of guilt—and instead learn how to listen to it? What if guilt wasn’t something to battle… but a part of you asking to be understood?
It’s possible. And it starts with self-awareness, not self-judgment.
If you’re like most high-achieving moms, you want to feel emotionally grounded, present with your baby, and confident in your choices. But guilt can hijack that experience—especially when you’re navigating the massive identity shift of new motherhood.
In today’s episode, I walk you through how to:
Understand the real reason mom guilt shows up—even when you’re doing your best
Use the Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach to uncover the parts of you that fuel guilt
Reclaim your ability to parent from your center—not from your inner critic
Let go of impossible standards without letting go of your ambition
Start seeing guilt as a message, not a measure of your worth
Whether you're a working mom drowning in guilt after daycare drop-off or a stay-at-home mom questioning if you're doing enough...
You can begin to:
Trust your instincts again
Quiet the noise of unrealistic expectations
Be fully present without losing yourself
Make peace with being human—and still be exactly the mother your baby needs
This episode will help you stop spiraling in shame and start responding to guilt with compassion and clarity.
Let’s loosen guilt’s grip together. Let’s help you reconnect with the woman you are and the mother you’re becoming. You’re doing more than enough, mama—and it’s time you felt that.
With you always, Dina
Loved this episode? Here's what to do next:
Apply for the Here With You, Mama coaching program: herewithyoumama.com
DM me the word SUPPORT on Instagram: @herewithyoumama
Share this episode with a fellow mom who feels like she's quietly drowning in guilt
Leave a review—your words help other mamas find this support too
Read the full blog version of this episode: Here with You, Mama Blog
Transcript for this episode

Hi love,
If you’ve ever sat down at the end of the day and wondered “Why am I this tired when I didn’t even get that much done?” — this episode is for you.
Today, we’re talking about the mental load of motherhood — the invisible labor that so many moms carry in their minds and bodies every single day. The remembering, the anticipating, the tracking, the managing — often for everyone in the household. And the emotional weight of it? It’s real. It's valid. And it is not in your head.
This conversation is about finally naming what you’re carrying, so you can stop questioning your exhaustion and start giving yourself the grace and support you deserve.
In this episode, we’ll explore:
What exactly the mental load is — and why it’s so exhausting
Why high-achieving moms often carry more invisible labor (without realizing it)
The emotional cost of “pushing through” and doing it all
A practical framework to make the invisible visible — and begin to share the load
The difference between help and offloading, and how to shift responsibility with your partner
What to do in the moment when overwhelm spirals — and how to respond with self-compassion instead of shame
Why rest is not a reward (and how to give yourself permission to take it)
Mama, if your mind is always “on,” if you’re holding a thousand tabs open even while you’re trying to rest — this episode will meet you right where you are. Let this be a space where you are seen, validated, and reminded that you are not alone.
🔗 Links & Resources:
Learn more about the Here With You, Mama coaching program: herewithyoumama.com
DM me the word “Support” on Instagram @herewithyoumama if you want someone to walk this path beside you
Want to feel seen and supported in your motherhood experience? Join the waitlist for the coaching program here
Read the full blog version of this episode: Here with You, Mama Blog
💛 Share this episode with a mama who:
Thinks she has to do it all to be a “good mom”
Feels tired all the time and wonders why
Needs a reminder that what she’s doing — and holding — is enough
You don’t have to carry it all alone. And you were never meant to.
I’m so glad you’re here. With you, always — Dina
Transcript for this episode

You love your baby. You want to do it right. But perfectionism — the same strategy that helped you succeed before motherhood — might be leaving you overwhelmed, anxious, and disconnected. In this episode, Dina shares why control feels so tempting in early motherhood, how perfectionism takes hold, and what actually helps you soften and reconnect with yourself and your baby. Plus, a deeply vulnerable story about breastfeeding, shame, and surrender.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why perfectionism feels like safety — and how it backfires in motherhood
What your “control part” is trying to protect you from
Dina’s personal story of letting go during one of her hardest moments as a new mom
The real emotional cost of trying to “do it all right”
What actually helps: self-compassion, flexibility, presence, and letting go of the “shoulds”
If you’ve ever thought:
“I just need to figure this out and stay ahead of it…”
“If I can’t do this perfectly, I’m failing.”
“Why do I feel so out of control even though I’m trying so hard?”
This episode will help you breathe, soften, and feel less alone.
✨ Join the Here With You, Mama coaching experience If you’re ready to finally feel supported emotionally in motherhood — and learn how to quiet your inner critic, release the pressure of perfectionism, and reconnect with yourself — the Here With You, Mama course is for you.
👉 Apply now at herewithyoumama.com or DM “Support” on Instagram @herewithyoumama
Read the full blog version of this episode: Here with You, Mama Blog
 
Transcript for this episode

Do you feel like you're constantly asking yourself, “What am I doing wrong?”Are you wondering why something you wanted so badly now feels so overwhelming?Have you ever thought, “I used to feel so capable… why do I feel like I’m failing now?”
Are you silently sacrificing your mental health, identity, or sanity to be the “perfect” mom?What if instead, you could feel emotionally grounded, clear, and connected - even in the messy moments?
It’s possible. And it’s not about doing more - it’s about shifting how you see yourself and redefining what success actually means now.
If you're like most high-achieving, thoughtful first-time moms, you entered motherhood with a plan, a playlist, and a spreadsheet.And yet, you’re left feeling lost in the day-to-day chaos, wondering where your confident, capable self went.
In today’s episode, I’ll guide you through why this transition feels so disorienting for high achievers, and why the emotional unraveling you may be experiencing is actually a sign of something sacred unfolding. I’ll walk you through four core identity challenges new moms face, introduce you to the concept of matrescence, and offer a powerful new definition of success for this season of life.
Whether you’re buried under the pressure to “do it right,” questioning your worth because your to-do list is undone, or feeling like you’re quietly falling apart - you’re not alone.And you’re not broken.
You can show up in motherhood feeling whole, grounded, and more yourself- not less.And in this episode, I’ll help you begin that journey back to you.
Ready to feel more grounded in your motherhood journey? 
-Hit subscribe to follow along weekly.
-Share this episode with a mama friend who needs to hear, "you are enough."
-Follow along on IG for daily reflections: @herewithyoumama
-Read the full blog version of this episode: Here with You, Mama Blog
You are not alone in this, and I'm so glad you're here. 
With love, 
Dina
 
Transcript for this episode

Have you ever asked yourself…Why does this feel so hard when I wanted it so much?How can I be so in love with my baby and still feel like I’ve lost myself?
Other moms seem to be handling this better than me. Am I just not cut out for this? Everyone keeps saying 'you're a natural'- but I feel like I'm barely holding it together... 
You’re not alone. And it’s not just you.
In this very first episode of Here With You, Mama, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own story — as a trauma therapist, a planner, a high-achieving woman, and a mother who thought she was ready… but wasn’t prepared for the emotional identity shift that came with motherhood.
I share my journey through miscarriage (content warning), the overwhelming early postpartum days, and how even with all my training, I felt completely unprepared for what becoming a mother would feel like.
But here’s the light at the end of the tunnel:What if you didn’t have to figure this out alone?What if instead of sacrificing your sense of self to be a good mom, you could reclaim it — and show up even more grounded, connected, and present for the life you’re building?
In this episode, you’ll hear why I created Here With You, Mama — a space where we talk honestly about the real, raw emotional experience of motherhood. This isn’t about parenting hacks or quick fixes. This is about you. About tending to your own inner world so you can feel like yourself again — while still being the incredible mama you already are.
If you’ve ever sat in the dark with your baby and wondered when it gets easier, this is your space.And this is just the beginning.
What You’ll Walk Away With:
The truth about the identity shift in early motherhood
Why emotional preparation is essential (and overlooked)
The reassurance that you are not broken — you are becoming
A safe space to feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow
Ready to feel more grounded in your motherhood journey?→ Hit subscribe to follow along weekly→ Share this episode with a mama friend who needs to feel less alone→ Follow along on IG for daily reflections: @herewithyoumama→ Read the full blog version of this episode: Here with You, Mama Blog
You are not alone in this, and I’m so glad you’re here.
With love,Dina
 
Transcript for this episode