Momcozy Village - Together We Grow

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About the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We Grow
Momcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Natalie Gouché, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.
Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.
Enjoying the Show? 

If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms.

Follow Koala Tots for more calming bedtime stories, or listen ad-free with bonus sleepy compilations on Koala Tots Plus  https://koalatots.supercast.com
 
Narrated by Abbe Opher
Music by Sokratis Seirlis
Instagram: @koalakids.fm

Hormones change dramatically during pregnancy and the postpartum period. These shifts can be surprising and affect both physical and mental health. But they don’t have to catch moms off guard; helpful information and support are available.
In this episode of Momcozy Village: Together We Grow, Natalie Gouché talks with Dr. Kate Hom, an OB-GYN and co-founder of Mone Wellness, an app that supports moms throughout the postpartum period.
Dr. Kate describes pregnancy as a “hormonal cascade,” with each trimester bringing different changes that affect moms in many ways. Symptoms such as nausea and mood changes may ease from the first to the second trimester as hormones stabilize, while the well-known pregnancy glow may appear. 
During the postpartum period, estrogen and progesterone drop sharply within 24 to 48 hours after birth, which can contribute to emotional overwhelm and brain fog. Once the baby arrives, sleep deprivation, hunger, and environmental factors can also affect blood sugar levels, cortisol levels, and other chemicals in the body. 
Breastfeeding brings another major hormonal shift. Prolactin supports milk production while suppressing ovulation, and oxytocin helps strengthen the bond between mom and baby.
If a mom feels overwhelmed, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale can help identify whether she may benefit from further support or treatment.
Episode Highlights

01:26 – How hormones change across trimesters.
04:20 – The misunderstood parts of pregnancy hormones.
06:03 – How hormones change after birth.
08:04 – What is ‘normal’ when it comes to hormones?
09:45 – Breastfeeding and hormones.
12:44 – The similarities between menopause and postpartum.
15:37 – Where moms can get help if they’re struggling.
19:51 – Dr. Kate’s final thoughts.
About the Guest: Dr. Kate Hom
Dr. Katherine "Kate" Hom, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified OB/GYN and co-founder of Mone Wellness, a San Diego-based startup whose app supports new mothers through the "fourth trimester" (the first 12 weeks postpartum). She practices at UC Irvine's Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) and positions herself as a bridge between conventional obstetric medicine and holistic, integrative women's health care.
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Dr. Kate Hom
Mone Wellness

About the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We Grow
Momcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Natalie Gouché, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.
Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood
Enjoying the Show?
Subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving a five-star review. It helps us grow the village and support more moms.

Follow Koala Tots for more calming bedtime stories, or listen ad-free with bonus sleepy compilations on Koala Tots Plus  https://koalatots.supercast.com
 
Narrated by Abbe Opher
Music by Sokratis Seirlis
Instagram: @koalakids.fm

Every mom knows what it feels like to juggle so many things at once that two arms hardly seem enough. But trying to do it all can take a toll. So, what can help moms feel seen and supported?
In this episode of Momcozy Village: Together We Grow, Natalie Gouché chats with Emily Busby, author of Mommy’s Not an Octopus, a children’s book that teaches kids that moms can’t do it all.
The book grew out of an ordinary family moment: a hectic dinner party where Emily was juggling several things at once. When her kids started calling out requests, her husband told them, “Give your mom a second. She’s not an octopus.” Just like that, an idea and a new Busby family saying were born.
As a college athlete, Emily became used to doing it all: studying, practicing, and competing. However, she realized that bringing the same mindset to motherhood led to burnout and anxiety. 
One of the book’s most powerful lessons is that kids can help their moms, and that helping can become something positive, like a game or an activity to do together. Young children may take a while to learn tasks such as unloading the dishwasher or folding clothes, but teaching them to pitch in gives them valuable, foundational skills while helping moms manage the day-to-day load.
Like all moms, Emily sometimes needs a moment to herself to catch her breath during a busy day. Mommy’s Not an Octopus encourages kids to give Mom the space to pause and recharge. After all, moms may have unlimited love, but they don’t have unlimited energy.

Episode Highlights

01:00 – Why Emily wrote Mommy’s Not an Octopus.
02:28 – What the book is about.
04:16 – How Emily’s athletic training played a role in her approach to motherhood.
08:08 – How boundaries are discussed in the book.
11:02 – How the book has changed Emily’s kids.
13:05 – People-pleasing and boundaries.
15:58 – Ways to involve kids in day-to-day activities.
18:01 – Emily’s final thoughts.
About the Guest: Emily Busby
Emily Busby is a mom of two adventurous girls, a wife, a corporate professional, and the owner of EJL Designs, her creative small business. One evening, amid the usual dinnertime bustle of clanging dishes, questions from every direction, and a little chaos, her husband exclaimed, “Mommy is not an octopus!” Her oldest burst into laughter, and just like that, the idea for the book was born. Emily hopes Mommy’s Not an Octopus brings smiles to busy families everywhere and reminds parents that doing their best is more than enough, even without eight arms.
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Momcozy
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Emily Busby
Website

About the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We Grow
Momcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Natalie Gouché, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.

Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.

Enjoying the Show? 
Subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms.

Follow Koala Tots for more calming bedtime stories, or listen ad-free with bonus sleepy compilations on Koala Tots Plus  https://koalatots.supercast.com
 
Narrated by Abbe Opher
Music by Sokratis Seirlis
Instagram: @koalakids.fm

Identity is something that moms sometimes don’t really think about until they bring a baby into the world. After that, many find they struggle with who they are and start to wonder—am I just a mom now?
In this episode of Momcozy Village: Together We Grow, Natalie Gouché talks with Tara Clark, an author, content creator, and founder of Modern Mom Probs. Tara has grown her online community into a powerful platform with a huge social media presence, a podcast, and a book.
Before becoming a mom, Tara worked in television as the social media face of Nickelodeon. But when she stepped back from work to care for her son, Jack, she began to worry that she had lost part of herself. Tara isn’t alone: hundreds of moms in her community share the same feeling. 
Tara recommends two ways to reconnect with yourself. The first is to do more of what you love, whether that means getting your nails done or simply taking a walk alone after dinner. She says that the more you focus on what makes you who you are, the more you’ll rediscover the parts of yourself you may not have had time for lately.
Second, find a community. If you don’t have a village around you, it’s important for your well-being to find people who can support you and help you reconnect with yourself. 
Tara’s message is clear: you can always rediscover yourself, even if the person you find is different from who you were before.
Episode Highlights

01:07 – Tara’s Nickelodeon life before having a baby.
02:15 – How Modern Mom Probs was born.
04:06 – How Tara experiences “mom identity.”
08:36 – How identity shifts through the seasons of motherhood.
11:25 –  Stories from the Modern Mom Probs community.
17:52 – Tara’s parting advice for moms struggling with identity.
About the Guest: Tara Clark
Tara Clark is an author, speaker, content creator, podcaster, and founder of Modern Mom Probs. After becoming a mom, she noticed there was no honest online space for moms to connect, so she launched her Instagram account in 2017. Since then, she has built a strong community and become known as a funny, trusted voice in parenting. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Today, Motherly, Parents.com, Scary Mommy, Romper, and Yahoo Life. Tara is the author of Modern Mom Probs: A Survival Guide for 21st Century Mothers and the founder of Modern Mom Style Box, a clothing rental subscription for busy moms.
She also hosts the Modern Mom Probs podcast, where she explores solutions to modern motherhood challenges with medical experts, therapists, popular content creators, and best-selling authors.
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Momcozy
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Tara Clark
Website | Podcast | Instagram

About the Momcozy Mom, and More Campaign
This year, Momcozy Brand Day introduces Mom, and More—a campaign built on a simple belief: motherhood doesn’t replace who a woman already is; it expands her. Through real stories, community conversations, and support across body, time, emotion, and identity, Momcozy is celebrating everything motherhood adds—and creating more room for moms to keep growing, dreaming, and becoming. Because she is never only one thing. She is Mom, and More. Now through October 14, become a Momcozy Member for a chance to win a Mom and More Gift Box filled with motherhood essentials, valued at $350.
About the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We Grow
Momcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Natalie Gouché, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.
Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood
Enjoying the Show? 
Subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving a five-star review. It helps us grow the village and support more moms.

Follow Koala Tots for more calming bedtime stories, or listen ad-free with bonus sleepy compilations on Koala Tots Plus  https://koalatots.supercast.com
 
Narrated by Abbe Opher
Music by Sokratis Seirlis
Instagram: @koalakids.fm

What moms hope breastfeeding will be like often doesn’t match what really happens. This can leave some moms feeling discouraged or unsure of themselves. So how can moms set realistic expectations for breastfeeding?
In this episode of Momcozy Village: Together We Grow, Natalie Gouché talks with Nicki Davis. Nicki, known as The Baby Whisperer, is a lactation consultant who has spent 20 years helping moms and babies learn to breastfeed with confidence and calm.
Nicki believes many moms think that because breastfeeding is ‘natural,’ it should be easy, but that’s not always true. She also reminds moms that every new baby is a new learning experience for both mom and child. Nicki suggests starting fresh with each baby, since you're both learning together. This way, moms can celebrate small successes and keep their expectations realistic.
In Nicki’s experience, most moms don’t think much about breastfeeding until they start. She recommends joining a breastfeeding support group once the baby arrives. Getting to know the group ahead of time means you’ll have support when you need it most. A consultant can ensure you have support during this sometimes challenging period in your baby's development. She also reminds moms that breastfeeding will look different at different stages of your baby’s development. The time they comfort-breastfeed is short, so enjoy it.
Episode Highlights

02:02 – The myth of breastfeeding coming naturally — especially with multiple kids.
05:21 – Breastfeeding myths that harm expectations.
09:19 –  What's the difference between hospital lactation consultants and private ones?
11:08 –  Moms spend zero time getting prenatal breastfeeding advice. 
12:39 –  What's the first step in looking for a lactation consultant? 
14:39 – Babies change quickly, and so do their breastfeeding habits.
16:53 – How do family members impact breastfeeding expectations?
18:35 – The mental load of breastfeeding.
22:49 – Breastfeeding isn’t all or nothing.
About the Guest: Nicki Davis
Nicki Davis is known as the Baby Whisperer. She’s a registered nurse, lactation consultant, and proud mom of four kids. With over 20 years of experience working with moms and babies, Nicki has learned that every feeding journey is as unique as the little one in your arms. Her passion for breastfeeding started with her own children. Those early moments of learning to nurse inspired her to help other families find their rhythm too. Nicki combines her nursing background with her experience as a mom to support you at every stage, from pregnancy to late-night feeds and everything in between. Her goal is to help you feel confident, supported, and empowered in your breastfeeding journey.
Connect With Us

Momcozy
Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Nicki Davis
Website | Spill the Milk Podcast

About the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We Grow
Momcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Natalie Gouché, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.
Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.
Enjoying the Show? 
Subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms.

Follow Koala Tots for more calming bedtime stories, or listen ad-free with bonus sleepy compilations on Koala Tots Plus  https://koalatots.supercast.com
 
Narrated by Abbe Opher
Music by Sokratis Seirlis
Instagram: @koalakids.fm