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PODCAST

The Mama Circle

Natalie K. Martin

I love being a mum. What I don’t love is what modern motherhood has become: the overwhelm, the invisible labour, the financial squeeze, the loneliness. The Mama Circle Podcast is where we get real about all of it: the joy and the debt of modern motherhood. Honest talk for women who love their families but want a version of motherhood that feels more sustainable, more joyful and more supported. Hosted by writer and educator Natalie K. Martin, every episode mixes lived experience, social insight and

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

24:14

40. Holidays with kids: how to make them fun (and...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/08/19

It's holiday time! Once you’ve got kids though, they'll look very different to how they used to — but that doesn’t mean they can’t be fun, memorable and even (dare I say it) relaxing. In this episode, I’m sharing tips fresh from my own trip to Spain with my toddler.From flights and airports to naps and meals, I’ll walk you through the small mindset shifts and realistic travel tips for mums that made all the difference. Whether you’re travelling solo with your child, as a family, or with friends,

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24:46

39. Why parenting feels so much harder today - and...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/08/12

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Why can’t I just cope like my mum did?” — this episode will make you feel seen.Nat breaks down the real numbers behind the parenting struggle in 2025, comparing wages, housing, childcare, energy bills, food, holidays, and petrol costs today with those from the 1990s. Spoiler: the maths is brutal. 💥 Jaw-drop stat: In 1990, the average UK family had the equivalent of £2,870 a year in today’s money left over after essentials. In 2025? The same lifestyle

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13:01

38. The easiest thing you'll do on a tough day (a...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/08/05

Having a rough day? This episode offers the simplest reset you’ll try: a Hard Day Protocol that skips the “shoulds” and leans into what you already do that helps. I share my own list to show you just how easy it really is. 🎶 My Hard Day playlists and that Overwhelm Busting Bingo sheet RAGE: Metal, hardcore and music to scream in the car (or silently) to Retreat Everyday: Mantras, spiritual and generally chill vibes to help you find your Zen Overcome those moments of overwhelm with some light

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20:32

37. How to survive sick days with your toddler...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/07/29

When your toddler is sick and everything falls apart – the routine, the sleep, the house – it’s easy to feel like you're on the edge. In this honest and helpful episode, Natalie shares how she survived a week of solo parenting while her toddler was unwell – and how she actually came out of it feeling more rested than expected. From letting go of tidying to reclaiming nap times for rest, this is a refreshingly real look at navigating the chaos of sick days with more calm and less

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01:21:52

36. Why your child’s sleep will never be perfect (and...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/07/22

In this episode of The Mama Circle Podcast, Natalie chats with Hannah Clapham from Little Nest Sleep about the reality of baby and toddler sleep. Hannah shares how she went from feeling out of control and exhausted to helping families find what works for them, without rigid routines or guilt.They talk honestly about why there’s so much pressure to ‘do sleep right’ and how easy it is to feel like you’re failing when your child doesn’t follow the rules. Inside this episode: What ‘sleep training’

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09:44

35. From deep in the trench - a raw day in motherhood...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/07/15

This episode is not a pep talk. It’s a personal share from the floor of my son's bedroom, nap-trapped with my sick toddler on my chest, period pain in full force, and all the ‘shoulds’ swirling in my head.This is real life: the messy moments that don’t make it onto Pinterest boards. I share how sometimes the healthiest thing is not to ‘fix’ yourself but to let yourself be distracted (yep, even by mindless Instagram scrolls). Sometimes the only question is: What’s the absolute minimum that needs to

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01:07:36

34. It took us four years to feel OK again after...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/07/08

What if your relationship doesn’t ‘bounce back’ after the baby? What if it actually takes years?In this Mums Talk episode, I sit down with my friend Sophie Jane Hardy - writer, coach and host of the Menstruality Podcast, to talk about the unspoken parts of motherhood and how long it can take to feel like you again. We talk about: ✨ Sophie’s four-year journey to rebuild her relationship after becoming parents ✨ The grief and rage underneath infertility, birth that didn’t go to plan and letting go

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05:50

33. Your kid wears one - why don't you?

The Mama Circle ·

2025/07/01

In this voice note from a very sunny (and sweaty!) Berlin, I’m sharing something that’s been on my mind during our time here. As I’ve been walking and cycling around with Jackson, I’ve noticed something that honestly made me pause. Every child I see on a bike is wearing a helmet (which is great!), but hardly any of the parents are.It reminded me of a short video I saw from a paediatric doctor who made a really simple point: if you’re riding a bike, you need protecting too. Especially when your

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01:43:18

32. The Woman Who Made Placenta Pills and Smoothies...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/06/25

Ever wondered what actually happens to your placenta after birth or why some mums choose to eat it? In today’s episode of The Mama Circle, I’m joined by my longtime friend, Lynnea Arnold (formerly Lynnea Shrief) - doula, baby massage therapist, and founder of Europe’s first placenta encapsulation network, IPEN. She’s also a mum of four, a creator of change, and someone who has quietly shaped birth support for thousands of women. Together, we dive into: What doulas really do (and why they can

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09:53

31. Should We Be Having Kids Sooner in Relationships?

The Mama Circle ·

2025/06/17

In today’s voice note (recorded on my walk to work), I’m diving into something that’s been on my mind: what if our modern relationship timeline is setting us up for failure when it comes to parenting?We’ve all heard of or experienced the heartbreak of feeling disconnected from your partner after having children. But what if the problem isn’t just them changing... but us expecting things to stay the same? In this episode, I explore: The relationship escalator and why it might not serve

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43:08

30. Terrified of Vomit as a Mum?! Living with (and...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/06/10

Okayyy - it's time I talk about Emetophobia, the thing I've carried around with me for the last 37 years!This week I'm sharing my journey with fear of vomiting and how it’s shaped my life. From a traumatic experience at four years old to how I avoided certain foods, places, and even situations that most people take for granted. But that changed this year. Because becoming a mum made me realise: I needed to get a grip on this phobia for myself, and for my son. I walk you through: What emetophobia

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52:31

29. From Pill Problems to Peaceful Pregnancy and a...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/06/03

In this Mums Talk episode, I’m joined by Amanda Baumann — a fertility awareness educator, yoga teacher, and mum — to share her honest and inspiring journey through conception, matrescence, and starting over in a new country.Amanda talks about how hormonal contraception led to anxiety and burnout in her twenties, and how discovering cycle awareness helped her reconnect with her body and conceive her daughter with calm and confidence. Now living in the South of France with her young family, she

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06:20

28. Too Busy to Breathe? [Voice Note] How to Find...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/05/27

If you're constantly rushing, from nappy changes to school runs to work emails, and wondering when you’ll ever get a moment to just breathe, this episode is for you.In today’s quick voice note, I share a gentle reminder from the sunny banks of the Danube: that sometimes, rest is closer than we think. You don’t need a spa day to feel human again. You just need 30 seconds of intention. Tune in to hear: Why waiting for “enough time” can keep you stuck in burnout Simple, everyday places you can

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18:28

27. Have You Lost Your Spiritual Practice Since...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/05/20

In today’s solo episode, I share something I’ve never really heard anyone talk about: how my deep connection to my spiritual self was quietly lost when I became pregnant, and how that disconnection lingered into motherhood.I talk about: The unexpected shift in my relationship with yoga, meditation, and cycle tracking Why pregnancy felt like being in emotional ‘no man’s land’ How motherhood became both my disconnection and my practice The shame I felt seeing other spiritual mums still

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07:01

26. This Book That Helped Save My Relationship - The...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/05/18

In this short but powerful voice note episode, I'm sharing the one book that completely shifted my understanding of anger, and honestly helped save my relationship in the process.If you’ve been feeling constantly irritated, resentful, or just off - especially in your closest relationships - this one’s for you. I talk about the emotional impact of The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner, how it landed in a moment of crisis, and why every woman (especially mothers and partners) should read or listen to

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58:04

25. Backpacking with a 5 Year Old - Mum's Talk with...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/05/13

Building a Life and Biz On The Road What would it take to quit your job, sell everything, and travel the world for six years - with your kid in tow? In today’s inspiring Mum's Talk episode, I’m joined by Janina Breitling: mother, adventurer, entrepreneur, and founder of the sustainable menstrual product brand Nookees. Together, we dive into her story of leaving behind a stable freelance journalism career to give her son a different kind of education - one built on experience, connection, and a deep

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05:49

24. Even Rihanna Struggles with This: A Pep Talk for...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/05/10

You might not feel like you’ve got much in common with a global superstar like Rihannam but you do! Yep, even the rich and famous wrestle with the identity shift that comes with motherhood.From feeling guilty about working, to navigating body changes, and struggling with the new 'mum' version of themselves… yes, even Rihanna has said 'same.' I share why Rihanna’s recent comments struck such a chord with me, and why comparing our lives to others (celebs or not) often misses the point. We’re all

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37:41

23. Struggling With Money Since Becoming a Mum?...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/05/06

If you're struggling with money since becoming a mum or expanding your family, you are not alone. In this episode, I share what I wish I'd heard before having a child, including: Why maternity pay isn’t a full salary replacement What I would have done differently financially Common mistakes self-employed mums make Honest tips to cut costs without cutting joy How my family saves on clothes, toys, food, and more without shame Whether you're expecting, self-employed, or just wondering

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07:11

22. Feeling Overwhelmed? This One Change Helped Me...

The Mama Circle ·

2025/04/23

Hellooooo! I'm back after a short pause, and today’s episode is a gentle re-entry into both the podcast and my personal practice. I share why I stepped away, what I learned during that time, and how I’ve been carving out space for myself again.This episode is about what it looks like to intentionally rework your mornings to feel more grounded, supported, and alive, especially in the chaos of motherhood. I talk about: Why I took a break and how it helped me regroup What my new early morning

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02:40

21. A Personal Update: When life gives you lemons

The Mama Circle ·

2025/04/01

Hi my loves! As we hit 20 episodes, I've decided to take a little pause to regroup and reground because life has been a LOT! But don't worry, I've got some great episodes already recorded for you and I can't wait to share them!➡️ In the meantime, don't forget to hit FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to get the latest episode automatically when I return. Come say hi! Instagram: @natalie.kmartin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodandempowerment Email: info@nataliekmartin.com Don't forget... 🌀 You can

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