Hello, friends. I am beyond thrilled to announce that I will be launching a podcast in 2024 called, “Grace & Grit: Navigating Postpartum & Parenthood.”

My journey started earlier this year when I attended an event at The Connecticut Forum in Hartford called “Misinformation and Finding the Truth: Reckoning with Today’s Media Landscape.” During the session, renowned reporters talked about the state of journalism and, largely, the future of investigative journalism. I was excited to know the moderator, a former professor of mine, and before the event, he asked me if I “missed it.”

A little bit of backstory: I was a journalism major in college and worked as a small-town reporter for two years. I left the profession, but I never stopped writing, thinking, and researching. I never stopped working with reporters (I work in PR now), and I still feel a calling to some kind of investigative research.

I admitted to him that I do miss the investigative piece, but I do not miss the paycheck. I miss the thrill of researching for a project that inspires me, writing something I am proud of, and knowing it has made an impact in some way. This is a buzz that was missing from my life, and I left the event feeling energized to make my mark in the world somehow through investigative reporting.

The idea came to me almost instantly.

At that time, I was about one year postpartum, and I was still trying to navigate my place in (gestures) *all of this.*

But at the time, I still didn’t “look like myself.” I still didn’t “feel quite myself.” I was working full-time in a demanding but fulfilling job traveling across the country every month while raising a toddler and trying for a second baby. I was overwhelmed, but all of my cups were being filled. I loved my job, but I also really felt how hard it is to be everything all at once.

I am fortunate enough to have a lot of mom friends who are in the same boat. I knew that I wasn’t alone, and I wanted to provide a platform for other mothers to share their stories and build a network as we all deal with this tumultuous yet beautiful phase in our lives.

Enter: podcast. Well, first a book. I originally had the idea that I was going to interview mothers about their experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, early postpartum, and parenthood, and turn those interviews into a book. I immediately called my husband on the way home and told him all about it.

As we were talking, the idea of a podcast popped into my head. Why don’t I also record these conversations? I can reach more people, and inspire others to come forward and share their stories. Officially enter: podcast.

Because here’s the thing: The more we talk about pregnancy and postpartum, the more we can normalize just how freakin’ hard it is to be a parent today. Whether you are a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, or a part-time workin’ mom, it feels impossible. So, let’s talk about it!

Each podcast episode will feature a different mama/parent talking about their experiences. We will talk about maternal mental health (something that we need to take more seriously everywhere), infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy experiences, birth stories, PPD/PPA, the joys of parenthood, raising toddlers while pregnant — you name it.

I want to hear your stories. I want to amplify your stories. I want others to hear just how strong and amazing you are. Then, yes, I will write a book about it all.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me. Thank you for your support. Mamas, we got this.