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What happens when a perinatal therapist and loss mom "slides into the inbox" of a fellow therapist and author? You get a powerful collaboration designed to help families navigate the unique trauma of the NICU. In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Emily Souder and Mahaley Patel to discuss their new guided journal, Birth Story Brave: NICU Edition.

Mahaley shares her heartbreaking and transformative journey through the loss of her daughter, Saachi, and how that experience led her to pursue surrogacy and eventually parent two "babies six months apart".

Emily discusses her background in PICU trauma and how she uses her "garden witch" energy to help parents slow down and claim their stories.

Together, they explore the concept of "The Both/And"—rejecting toxic silver linings while embracing the beautiful, strange connections (and signs like dragonflies, butterflies, and crows!) that emerge from the darkest moments of parenting.

🔑Key Takeaways

• Rejecting Silver Linings: The guests discuss why "silver linings" can be harmful, as they often feel like a justification for a child's death. Instead, they advocate for the "Both/And"—holding grief and creativity simultaneously.
• The Universal Impact of the NICU: Whether a stay lasts for hours or months, or whether the outcome is bringing a baby home or leaving without one, the experience is valid and impactful.
• Signs as Connection: From butterflies and dragonflies to snails and crows, the episode highlights how paying attention to "signs" can help grieving parents feel connected to something bigger.
• Partner Stories Matter: A major goal of their new book was to include the often-forgotten perspective of partners in the NICU journey.

💬Sound Bites

• "The answer to an unasked question is always no... the worst thing that could happen is they say no."
• "How do you tell a person in 30 seconds... that they are the reason that you're still breathing?" (Note: This is a cross-reference to Chelsea's reflection in the package context).
• "I think that silver linings become those reasons... I cannot stand when people give me a silver lining because what it says to me is that my daughter's death was justified."
• "Shame dies when we bring it out of the darkness and shine a light on it."

Resources:

• The Books:
  • Birth Story Brave: NICU Edition by Emily Souder
  • Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience by Emily Souder & Mahaley Patel
• Emily’s Website: https://emilysouder.com/
• Mahaley’s Practice: https://www.mahaleypatel.com/

This episode discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals. Please check the show notes for more information and be mindful of your own mental health and comfort levels.

Real moms. Real talk. Zero sugarcoating.
Join Odd Moms On Call as we tackle parenting in a world on fire—one hot take, eye roll, and belly laugh at a time.

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Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

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In this week’s brain dump, Chelsea celebrates a major milestone: 10,000 podcast downloads. Recorded while navigating a household of sick children and their own chronic illness flare, Chelsea explores the contrast between a 2022 mental health crisis and a redemptive 37th birthday trip to see Brandi Carlile.

From a "Friday the 13th" identity theft scare to the healing power of live music at TD Garden, this confession is an honest look at honoring your needs while celebrating the glimmers in the grit.

Key Takeaways

• Celebrating 10k: The podcast reached 10,000 downloads, proving that creating a safe, sacred space for birth and trauma stories resonates globally.
• The Reality of Chronic Illness Parenting: Chelsea shares the struggle of parenting while immune-compromised during a "cesspool" of school germs and sub-zero Vermont temperatures.
• The "Friday the 13th" Birthday: A cautionary tale about a hacked DoorDash account and the importance of bank fraud protection during a vacation.
• Redemptive Experiences: Seeing the same musical artist in a healthy state vs. a state of crisis can serve as a powerful marker for recovery and progress.
• The Healing Power of Music: Musical "one-two-three punches" (like Carlile’s You Without Me, The Mother, and The Story) can facilitate essential emotional releases.
• Honoring Your Needs: Being transparent about limitations and chronic illness helps find "your people"—those who offer support rather than judgment.

Resources

• Brandi Carlile "Bramily"
• Legal Seafood Harborside: Chelsea's Top 5 birthday meal recommendation.
• Quiet Connection Germany: Shout out to my listener in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse Germany!

Support the show

Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
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In this vulnerable session, Chelsea sits down with French Canadian wellness coach and author Sandrine Lavoie-Filion to discuss the profound identity shift that often accompanies motherhood. Despite years of experience as a kinesiologist coaching pregnant and postpartum women, Sandrine reveals the stark difference between theoretical knowledge and the internal reality of becoming a mother.

Sandrine opens up about her unexpected journey into motherhood, the shame she felt when her initial reaction to a positive pregnancy test was fear rather than joy, and the challenges of bonding with a baby who didn't initially "feel" like hers. She describes how she used journaling to navigate postpartum meltdowns and the loss of her former self, eventually turning those private reflections into her book, Uncensored First Time Mom Confessions. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt like "the problem" while navigating the complexities of their new parental identity.

🔑Key Takeaways

• Theory vs. Experience: Even experts can feel overwhelmed; Sandrine discovered that knowing the physiology of postpartum is entirely different from living through the hormonal and identity shifts.
• The Complexity of the "Positive" Test: It is valid and common to feel scared, overwhelmed, or even shameful when learning of a pregnancy, especially if it wasn't planned or if you previously questioned your desire to have children.
• Delayed Bonding is Normal: Unconditional love isn't always instantaneous; for many, it is a relationship that grows over time through the routine of care and mutual discovery.
• The "Golden Hour" Myth: Labor is physically and mentally exhausting; Sandrine highlights that wanting to sleep rather than have a "magical" bonding moment immediately after birth is a valid reaction to sleep deprivation.
• Journaling as a Healing Tool: Putting thoughts on paper allows parents to externalize their "spiraling" thoughts, navigate the root causes of meltdowns, and release the shame associated with their feelings.

💬Sound Bites

• "I realized now that there's a big difference between what you can know about pregnancy and postpartum versus how it actually feels."
• "Who would have thought that becoming a mother brought so many questions about yourself, but also the type of mother you want to be?"
• "I had that pregnancy test saying I was pregnant. And I was just scared, overwhelmed, and I didn't know how to feel."
• "I think it's unrealistic to say like, this is a new human being and I'm supposed to have this unconditional love for him. I don't know him."
• "When you write it down, when it's on paper, it's so much easier because you can go back to it... understand it better... and ask yourself questions."

Support the show

Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
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In this special Q&A edition of Quiet Confessions, Chelsea is joined by their husband, Ben, to tackle a question sent in from Megann of Pondering Paretnhood Podcast. It's a situation many long-term partners face but few discuss openly: How do you prioritize your marriage during the "roommate phase"?

Having been together for 19 years and navigated everything from early-career stress to significant medical and psychiatric trauma, Chelsea and Ben pull back the curtain on the cycles of their relationship.

Key Takeaways

• The "Roommate Phase" is a Cycle: Long-term relationships naturally ebb and flow; recognizing that these periods are temporary helps remove the fear and inadequacy that often accompany a lack of physical intimacy.
• Choosing to Grow Together: Connection doesn't just happen; it requires an intentional choice to remain invested in each other, especially when energy levels are low due to trauma or illness.
• "Pebbling" and Non-Physical Intimacy: When physical energy is depleted, intimacy can be maintained through small gestures—like suggesting a book to read together or performing acts of service during health flares.
• The Value of Professional Support: Even couples who are "good at communicating" can benefit from therapy to strengthen their skills and develop a deeper toolkit for navigating challenges.
• Prioritizing the United Front: Having shared priorities—like putting the family first—creates a secure foundation that allows a relationship to survive stressful stretches.
• Grounding in "What’s Not Wrong": Using DBT skills to focus on current comforts (like a warm house during a freeze) helps combat the negative headspaces that can strain a marriage.

Support the show

Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
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In this powerhouse episode, Chelsea sits down with Rachell Dumas—a registered nurse, maternal health advocate, and the founder of the nonprofit A Light After Nine.

Rachell shares her "tumultuous" four-year journey to motherhood, which was marked by five pregnancy losses and a constant battle against a healthcare system that dismissed her pain.

Rachell recounts the devastating experience of losing a baby at 15 weeks during her own gender reveal and the subsequent diagnosis of cervical insufficiency. From flying to Texas for life-saving surgery while "a baby was falling out" of her to navigating two recent brain surgeries for a neurological medical mystery, Rachell describes her life as "Jumanji"—never knowing what the next level will bring.

Now, she is using her "nurse jargon" to code an app called HEARD, designed to help patients bridge the communication gap with providers and save lives through better advocacy.

• A Light After Nine (Nonprofit): alightafternine.org
• HEARD App: https://myheardapp.com/
• Instagram: @alightafternine

🔑Key Takeaways

• The Power of Advocacy: Even as an experienced critical care nurse, Rachell found herself dismissed by providers during life-threatening pregnancy complications.
• Cervical Insufficiency: Rachell explains this condition where the cervix is too weak to carry a baby full-term, requiring surgical interventions like a cerclage.
• Intentional Presence: During her final successful pregnancy, Rachell used therapy and mindfulness to "exercise the muscle" of staying present, despite intense PTSD from previous losses.
• "Jumanji" Resilience: Rachell describes the feeling of surviving one trauma only for another—like a neurological crisis and brain surgery—to be "released," requiring constant movement and perseverance.
• HEARD: Rachell is developing an app to teach patients "healthcare jargon," ensuring meaningful interactions with providers during increasingly short appointment windows.

HEARD is currently looking for beta users. Sign up and you will be entered into a raffle for $100.

✅ Beta App Link: theheardapp.com📝 Beta Evaluation Form: https://forms.gle/gZpfsbsEAFrdw3zB6

💬Sound Bites

• "I was all critical care saving lives... Maternal health was not even remotely on my radar at all."
• "What y'all are saying is normal, but losing three babies now is not normal."
• "I was told, it's normal, it's normal, go home... And then I lose the baby. So how was it normal?"
• "This is Jumanji, honey... the monkeys are about to be released. I don't know what's next, but I gotta keep moving."
• "We're not only suffering in

This episode discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals. Please check the show notes for more information and be mindful of your own mental health and comfort levels.

Real moms. Real talk. Zero sugarcoating.
Join Odd Moms On Call as we tackle parenting in a world on fire—one hot take, eye roll, and belly laugh at a time.

Support the show

Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch

Send us a text

In this week’s Quiet Confession, Chelsea opens up the floor for some Q&A and explores the complex intersection of self-care and trauma recovery for parents.

While traditional self-care often fails for those with postpartum PTSD or medical trauma, Chelsea shares their personal evolution from identifying "maladaptive" coping habits to discovering "glimmers" that actually reset the nervous system.

They discuss why former "comforts" can become triggers and how to build a realistic support system after life-altering health crises.

Tune in for a guide on reclaiming joy while navigating chronic illness and psychiatric recovery.

Key Takeaways

• The Post-Trauma Pivot: Chelsea explains that self-care practices used before a health crisis (such as certain TV shows) can unintentionally trigger flashbacks or anxiety post-trauma.
• Glimmers Over Triggers: While triggers induce panic, "glimmers" are micro-moments—like a specific tea ritual or fresh air—that help reset and regulate the nervous system.
• Communication is Critical: Reclaiming time for yourself requires looking inward to understand your specific needs and then clearly communicating them to your partner or village.
• Building the Village: Chelsea highlights that since support isn't always automatic, parents must be intentional about asking for help to carve out even 15-minute windows for rest.
• Protecting Mental Energy: Shifting from heavy content to light, easy-to-digest media is a strategic way to protect mental energy during chronic illness flares.

This episode discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals. Please check the show notes for more information and be mindful of your own mental health and comfort levels.

Real moms. Real talk. Zero sugarcoating.
Join Odd Moms On Call as we tackle parenting in a world on fire—one hot take, eye roll, and belly laugh at a time.

Support the show

Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch

Send us a text

What does it mean to raise children while carrying the weight of despair, and to find healing in unexpected places? In this episode of Quiet Connection, Chelsea sits down with Betti Rooted Lionheart, a mother, shamanic healer, and facilitator of “The Work That Reconnects.”

Betti opens up about her early conviction never to have children, her experiences with traumatic birth and a lifelong fistula injury, and the path that led her to shamanic practice, despair work, and a new sense of belonging.

With raw honesty, she shares how she’s modeled healing and resilience for her teenage sons, how she navigates abandonment wounds, and why she believes every parent deserves permission to feel all their emotions.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Despair can start early. From childhood, Betti carried deep grief for the planet and humanity, which shaped her view of motherhood.
2. Birth trauma has lasting effects. A severe tear during home birth left Betti with a lifelong fistula injury and marked a personal rock bottom.
3. Community dreams are hard to sustain. Her efforts to build intentional community often clashed with isolation and burnout.
4. Healing begins with reclaiming voice. Through shamanic soul retrieval, Betti began to step into her power and speak her truth.
5. Parenting and healing intertwine. She has modeled openness, spiritual connection, and resilience for her teenage sons, inviting them into the journey.
6. All emotions are valid. From rage to despair to joy, Betti believes in expressing emotions fully, even inviting her kids to witness her rage practice.

🎧 Soundbites

1. “I grew up in despair about what humans were doing to the earth — and thought I’d never have children.”
2. “A traumatic birth injury left me with a fistula that doctors still don’t have answers for — ten years later.”
3. “Shamanic practice gave me back my voice — and with it, my power.”
4. “Every emotion is valid. Rage, despair, joy — all of it belongs.”
5. “I want my kids to see that doing what feeds me doesn’t mean I’m abandoning them.”
6. “What if, instead of stopping our kids’ tantrums, we sat down and tantrumed with them?”

To learn more about Betti, visit her website.

This episode discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals. Please check the show notes for more information and be mindful of your own mental health and comfort levels.

Real moms. Real talk. Zero sugarcoating.
Join Odd Moms On Call as we tackle parenting in a world on fire—one hot take, eye roll, and belly laugh at a time.

Support the show

Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch

Send us a text

In this intimate "flare day" confession, Chelsea records from their couch to discuss a fundamental shift in how they are approaching the new year. Moving away from traditional resolutions, Chelsea shares why their word for 2026 is "Believe"—specifically, the belief that they are worthy of good things, joy, and comfort despite the chaos of the world.

Tune in to hear why saying "yes" to yourself is actually one of the best things you can do for your family.

Key Takeaways

• Energy as a Finite Resource: Inspired by a Taylor Swift quote, Chelsea discusses the importance of being protective and intentional about where you spend your mental and physical energy.
• The Power of "Believe": The theme for the year is centered on believing in one's own worthiness of care and the existence of "glimmers" even during heavy times.
• Reclaiming Body Relationship: Chelsea shares the experience of doing a boudoir shoot with photographer Megan to heal a fractured relationship with a body impacted by chronic illness.
• Realistic Self-Care: Self-care isn't about being "super mom"; it's about filling your own cup so you have the mental capacity to be present and invested in your family's lives.
• Strategic Planning for Joy: For those who are planners, Chelsea suggests budgeting time and money for the "scary things" you've been putting off, rather than waiting for the "right time".
• The Multi-Layered "Yes": Saying "yes" to personal desires is about more than the activity itself—it's about the feeling of being seen, respected, and empowered.

Support the show

Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch