You know the platitudes: “It takes a village!” “We’re in this together!” “You need a mom tribe!”
But what if you’re a natural introvert? The first of your friends to have kids? A working mama always on the go? Sequestering with a newborn? Or stuck at home during a global pandemic (I see you, COVID-19)?
I found out I was pregnant one month after moving to Iowa. I was thrilled, but I craved information, connection, and emotional empathy. I left my support system back in Texas at a time when I needed it the most.
My husband tried to get me into podcasts for years. My friends loved listening to true crime serials, celebrity interviews, and self-help sermons. But they just weren’t for me! It wasn’t until we were expecting our son that I discovered my niche.
The mom podcasts became my digital tribe, available 24/7/365.
From building a registry to postpartum panties, they helped me through it all. No topic was too tough, trite, or taboo.
I have since made mom friends IRL, but the podcast mamas remain my digital support system. They make me laugh, cry, and feel truly seen. They teach me so much about taking care of both my family and myself. The podcast moms have kept me company while folding laundry, making dinner, pushing the stroller, and nursing my baby. Motherhood can be isolating; it’s nice to have a library full of friends always ready to chat.
So, are you ready to connect?
Step 1: Find an app
iPhone: Podcasts is pre-installed! Once you find a show you like, hit “subscribe” to automatically add new episodes to your personal library.
Android: You need to download an app yourself. Google Podcasts and Pocketcasts are both great choices!
Step 2: Find a show
Are you a crunchy mama? Working mama? SAHM? There’s a podcast out there for you!
Here are some of my favorite mom podcasts to get you started:
On Motherhood:
Coffee + Crumbs
“At the core of our show, we want you to feel safe, known, encouraged, and loved… and we also want to make you laugh sometimes.”
Ashlee and April tackle deep topics like postpartum depression and loneliness, light topics like birthdays and laundry, and “this is how we do” episodes that give an honest look into their mom-lives. This podcast feels like you’re chatting with a fun group of girlfriends and always leaves me feeling uplifted.
The Mom Hour
“We’re not experts, we’re parents who’ve been there. We’re not perfect, we’re real.”
With around 300 episodes since 2015, Meagan and Sarah have great information on all ages and stages! They cover new motherhood, grown kids, marriage, divorce, and everything in between. They also include “voices” episodes with guest interviews, and “more than mom” episodes focusing on life beyond motherhood.
What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood
“In each episode, we discuss a parenting issue from multiple perspectives and the accompanying expert advice that may or may not back us up. We talk about it, laugh about it, call out each other’s nonsense, and then we come up with concrete solutions.”
Margaret and Amy try to “solve” parenting problems with research and humor. They have given me some great pieces of advice, like to never interrupt a happy toddler!
On Feeding Your Family:
Didn’t I Just Feed You
“…A candid weekly podcast about feeding our families– because, man, kids need to eat a lot. And frequently too!”
Stacie and Meghan are culinary professionals and experienced moms, making them great friends to have in your digital tribe! They take on the tough job of feeding kids with humor while giving great expert advice.
Comfort Food
“The podcast about the joys (and meltdowns!) of feeding our families and ourselves.”
Worried about helping your kids maintain a positive relationship with food and their bodies? This is the podcast for you! Amy (who lives in Pella, Iowa!) and Virginia are a great resource for feeding younger kids and are proponents of the Division of Responsibility.
Bonus!
The HeyDad Podcast
“Three brothers and one other guy talk about Dad life”
Okay, so this one isn’t technically for moms, but it is hilarious! My husband and I love listening together. Sometimes it’s nice to hear the dad’s perspective too. They are big advocates for dads doing their share (eg, Episode 12: Extra Credit or: “No one gave your wife a parade…”).
It takes time, and some trial and error, to curate your digital tribe, but once you do it’s nice to know a connection is just a click away.
So tell me, mama, who’s in your digital tribe?
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