In this tender and deeply honest episode, Jill and Bobby revisit one of the most emotionally loaded questions new parents often face: “Why don’t I feel connected to my baby yet?” Drawing from a personal excerpt in Jill’s book Mama Outspoken, they open up about the fear, grief, and self-doubt that came with not bonding during pregnancy, and how postpartum experiences didn’t immediately “fix” it. Together, they explore the emotional weight of unmet expectations, the unpredictable nature of birth, and the surprising ways bonding can eventually bloom. Whether you're a parent who's been there or someone supporting one—you’ll leave this episode feeling a little less alone.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why not bonding during pregnancy is more common than we talk about
• How Jill’s cesarean birth and breastfeeding challenges shaped her early connection
• The role of COVID isolation and grief in shaping maternal expectations
• Bobby’s reflections on supporting Jill through her doubts and fears
• The emotional pivot from fear of not bonding to being “too bonded”

If you've ever questioned your bond with your baby or wrestled with the pressure to feel a certain way in motherhood—this conversation is for you. Jill and Bobby remind us that connection isn't always instant, and that's okay. Healing happens in layers, and no two journeys look the same. Whether you're in the thick of postpartum or reflecting back, this episode is a powerful permission slip to let go of timelines and lean into grace.

💛 Join Team Mama Outspoken for the Hope is Here 5K! 💛

This June 21st, I'm lacing up my sneakers—not because I’m a runner, but because I believe no mom should walk through postpartum struggles alone. The Hope is Here 5K supports the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, an organization that’s been part of my story and a lifeline for so many families.

Whether you’re a parent, partner, friend, or supporter, you can make a difference:
👟 Walk or run with us in-person. Register here https://postpartumny.org/25hope/
🤝 Donate to support moms in need here https://www.zeffy.com/team/mama-outspoken
📣 Share this message to help spread hope Every step, every dollar, every share matters.
💥 Join or support Team Mama Outspoken because hope is here—and together, we can help a mama find it. 💛

We hope you'll join us next time! —Jill & Bobby

You are invited to find community with us—check out the Mama Outspoken Village here. To learn more or grab your copy of the book, head here. Remember, you’re not alone in this. One of our favorite resources is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York—you deserve support that sees you.

Jill and Bobby get real about a topic that many moms feel but few talk about—what if you don’t feel connected to your baby during pregnancy? In this open-hearted episode, they unpack Jill’s personal story of navigating the emotional disconnect she felt while pregnant with Declan, the expectations that built up around bonding, and the guilt and confusion that came with it. They also reflect on how their birth experience shaped those early days and share a surprising professional insight from Jill’s background as a licensed funeral director. This episode is both validating and vulnerable, a true invitation to any mom who’s ever whispered, “What if I don’t feel it yet?” In This Episode, You'll Hear:

• Why Jill wondered if her baby had a soul yet—and how that shaped her expectations around bonding
• How societal and peer pressure made her question her own instincts and feelings
• The role Jill’s background in funeral care played in her thinking about life, soul, and connection
• How postpartum expectations can add layers of guilt if bonding doesn’t happen instantly
• Why “the golden hour” after birth mattered so much—and what happened instead
• What helped Jill begin to process her feelings and eventually bond with Declan
• Why it’s okay if connection takes time—and how support groups and community can help

Not every mom feels an instant bond during pregnancy—and that doesn’t make you a bad mom. It makes you human. If this is your experience, know that you’re not alone. The Mama Outspoken Village is here to hold space for your story, without shame or pressure. And if this episode helped you feel seen, we hope you’ll share it with a friend who might need the same reminder.

💛 Join Team Mama Outspoken for the Hope is Here 5K! 💛

This June 21st, I'm lacing up my sneakers—not because I’m a runner, but because I believe no mom should walk through postpartum struggles alone. The Hope is Here 5K supports the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, an organization that’s been part of my story and a lifeline for so many families.
Whether you’re a parent, partner, friend, or supporter, you can make a difference:
👟 Walk or run with us in-person. Register here https://postpartumny.org/25hope/
🤝 Donate to support moms in need here https://www.zeffy.com/team/mama-outspoken
📣 Share this message to help spread hope Every step, every dollar, every share matters.
💥 Join or support Team Mama Outspoken because hope is here—and together, we can help a mama find it. 💛

We hope you'll join us next time! —Jill & Bobby

You are invited to find community with us—check out the Mama Outspoken Village here. To learn more or grab your copy of the book, head here. Remember, you’re not alone in this. One of our favorite resources is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York—you deserve support that sees you.

In this heartfelt episode, Jill and Bobby dive deep into a question that so many new parents ask themselves but are often too afraid to say out loud: What if I don’t feel like a good mom? Through a vulnerable conversation sparked by an emotional clip from Jill's book Mama Outspoken, they explore the tangled web of postpartum doubt, healing, and the moments that finally make us believe we’re doing okay—even when it doesn't feel like it. This is an honest look at the emotional toll of early motherhood, the power of a single captured moment, and the grace we must offer ourselves in the process.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why “being a good mom” often doesn’t feel like enough in the moment
• How postpartum depression and anxiety distort your view of your parenting
• The unexpected power of one candid photo to shift your perspective
• How healing and self-care can help you reclaim your worth as a parent
• The role of boundaries and rest in redefining what good parenting looks like
• Why outside validation isn’t always enough—and what finally makes it click
• The ongoing nature of parenting self-doubt and how to meet it with compassion

If you've ever questioned your worth as a parent or struggled to see yourself through the loving lens others see you through, this episode is for you. Your struggles don’t disqualify you from being a good mom—they make your love even more powerful. Let this conversation be your reminder that you’re not alone in the doubt and that you're more than enough, even on the hard days.

We hope you'll join us next time! —Jill & Bobby

You are invited to find community with us—check out the Mama Outspoken Village here. To learn more or grab your copy of the book, head here. We're also gearing up for the Hope is Here 5K to support the Postpartum Resource Center of New York. If you’d like to get involved, you can join my Team Mama Outspoken Here or support the cause and Donate Here. Together, we can support postpartum moms everywhere. Remember, you’re not alone in this. One of our favorite resources is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York—you deserve support that sees you.

In this deeply personal and unfiltered episode, Jill and Bobby open up about the emotional weight of the first few days after birth—particularly the overwhelming feelings of failure, isolation, and pressure that so many parents quietly carry. Jill shares raw reflections from her cesarean recovery and early breastfeeding struggles, while Bobby offers perspective on navigating those vulnerable moments as a partner. Together, they shine a light on the silent expectations placed on new moms and the complicated emotions that can emerge when support doesn’t meet our needs.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How Jill navigated early feelings of failure during postpartum recovery
• Why the first days after birth can feel so isolating for moms—even when they’re surrounded by care
• The subtle (and not-so-subtle) pressures from hospital staff that undermine a mom’s instincts
• Bobby’s perspective on support, distance, and communication in those early days
• How resentment can build when emotional and physical needs go unmet
• Reflections on how a second birth experience could look different with intentional choices
• The power of safe co-sleeping, cultural wisdom, and reclaiming your maternal intuition

The early days of parenthood are often filled with expectations that don’t reflect the reality—and the shame that follows can be crushing. But you are not alone in these feelings. By sharing our honest stories, we hope to offer a bit of light, validation, and solidarity to anyone feeling unseen in their postpartum journey. Whether you’re in the thick of it or reflecting back, may this episode remind you that healing starts with being heard.

We hope you'll join us next time! —Jill & Bobby

As we celebrate Mother's Day, we want to honor all the incredible moms out there. You are seen, you are loved, and your journey matters. Whether you're a first-time mom or a seasoned pro, we hope you take time to celebrate YOU.

You are invited to find community with us, check out the Mama Outspoken Village here. For more information or to purchase your copy of the book, you can go here.

We're also gearing up for the Sounds of Silence 5K and the Hope is Here 5K to support the Postpartum Resource Center of New York. Stay tuned for details, and if you’d like to get involved, you can join my team or support the cause. Together, we can support postpartum moms everywhere.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. One of our favorite resources is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York—you deserve support that sees you.

Jill and Bobby dive deep into the universal question every new parent grapples with: "Am I a good parent?" From pregnancy through toddlerhood, self-doubt often creeps in, leading us to question our abilities. Jill opens up about how this question weighed on her throughout her pregnancy and early postpartum journey, especially as a first-time mom navigating the emotional complexity of motherhood. With candid insights from both of them, they explore how that doubt lingers in the early days of parenting, only to be slowly replaced by moments of reassurance and connection—evidence of the love and care they’ve poured into their child. In this episode, you'll hear:

• Common struggles with self-doubt during pregnancy and postpartum
• The impact of friends’ encouraging words in helping you believe you’re a great mom
• How children’s small gestures of care remind us we are doing a good job
• The struggle of feeling disconnected when you're not the preferred parent
• The turning point when you realize you’re a good mom
• The importance of looking back at parenting moments to see evidence of your growth and success
• How every parent faces discouragement, but love and progress prove those doubts wrong

Parenthood is full of ups and downs, and it’s easy to get lost in the question of whether you’re doing enough. Jill and Bobby remind us that even during the hardest times, there’s always evidence that you’re doing a great job. Whether it's the simple act of a child checking in on you or those quiet moments of bonding, those are the real indicators of success as a parent. If you’re struggling with doubts about your parenting abilities, this episode serves as a gentle reminder that you are exactly the parent your child needs—and you’ll see that in the evidence of everyday love.

We hope you'll join us next time!
Jill & Bobby

✨ You’re invited to be part of something real and healing — the Mama Outspoken Village. It's where community meets compassion. Check it out here.

📚 Want to dive deeper? Grab your copy of the book here — it's full of the encouragement and honesty every mom deserves.

💛 One of our most trusted places for support is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York — if you're wondering where to turn, start there.

🎥 And one more thing... If you’ve ever felt the weight of big decisions in those early days of motherhood, I want you to know you’re not alone. I created my YouTube channel to reach more moms just like you — or like the sister, friend, or neighbor who might be quietly struggling. By subscribing, you're not just following me — you're helping more moms find the hope, help, and healing they need. Will you help me reach them?

Jill and Bobby open up about the emotional complexity of early pregnancy, especially the disconnect between outward joy and inward uncertainty. They reflect on how happiness and doubt can coexist, why the “shoulds” of pregnancy can feel so heavy, and how those early feelings can ripple into the postpartum experience. From buyer’s remorse to divine timing, this episode reveals the vulnerable side of expecting a child that often goes unspoken—even to ourselves.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

• Why early pregnancy doesn’t always feel as joyful as expected
• Jill’s raw description of “buyer's remorse” and how it mirrored past decisions
• How Bobby noticed the emotional disconnect and supported Jill through it
• The tension between being “happy because others were happy” and personal uncertainty
• What it meant to miss out on a certain kind of emotional connection during pregnancy
• How Jill found healing and peace in her bond with Declan now
• The role of divine timing in their story—and how faith reframed their experience

Pregnancy can be both a milestone and a minefield of unexpected emotions. If you’ve ever questioned your feelings or felt disconnected during a time when everyone expected joy, you're not alone. These honest conversations remind us that healing starts when we give ourselves permission to tell the truth.

Join us at the Vision Board Party, April 28, 7pm EST! Whether you're dreaming big for your personal growth or just need some inspiration, this event is all about community, connection, and manifesting your goals. We’d love to have you there—come create, connect, and feel inspired! RSVP Here (Don't worry if you missed it, we host this party quarterly!)

We hope you'll join us next time!
—Jill & Bobby

You are invited to find community with us—check out the Mama Outspoken Village here. To learn more or grab your copy of the book, head here. One of our favorite resources is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York—you deserve support that sees you.

Jill and Bobby dive into a raw conversation about their challenges with feeding their son, Declan, and how they struggled to get the proper care and attention from medical professionals. They share their experience of advocating for their child when his tongue tie and lip tie went undiagnosed, leading to hours of frustrating and exhausting nursing sessions. This episode is a candid reflection on how trusting your instincts as a parent, even in the face of dismissal, is crucial for ensuring your child’s health and well-being.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• The importance of trusting your parental instincts, even when professionals dismiss your concerns
• How undiagnosed tongue and lip ties can affect breastfeeding and long-term development
• The challenges of getting proper medical attention and support as a first-time parent
• The impact of tongue ties on a baby’s growth and why early intervention matters
• The journey of navigating difficult conversations with healthcare providers
• How a lactation consultant's intervention led to a breakthrough in breastfeeding struggles
• The potential long-term effects of untreated tongue and lip ties in children

Jill and Bobby reflect on the emotional rollercoaster of realizing their son’s feeding struggles were not normal and their journey to get the proper help. They discuss how the system sometimes fails new parents, but they also stress the power of persistence and seeking second opinions. Ultimately, they encourage parents to advocate for themselves and their children, knowing that their instincts can be the key to unlocking answers that the system may miss.

We hope you'll join us next time! Jill & Bobby

You are invited to find community with us, check out the Mama Outspoken Village here. For more information or to purchase your copy of the book, you can go here. Our favorite resource is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, finding the help you need.

Jill and Bobby reflect on their experience attending the premiere of Behind the Joy, a powerful film directed by Jamal Smart that highlights the reality of postpartum mental health struggles. They discuss the film’s impact, key moments that resonated deeply, and how it can serve as a tool to spark conversations about postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD. They also open up about their own parenting highs and lows, sharing personal insights into the emotional journey of raising a toddler.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How Behind the Joy sheds light on postpartum mood and anxiety disorders
• The importance of recognizing signs of postpartum struggles in new moms
• Why conversations about perinatal mental health are critical for families
• The role of a supportive partner and community in postpartum healing
• How media and storytelling can help break the silence around postpartum challenges

Postpartum struggles are real, but they don’t have to be faced alone. By sharing stories and starting conversations, we can create a stronger, more informed village for new parents. Learn more and find where to watch Behind the Joy by Jamal Smart HERE.

We hope you'll join us next time! Jill & Bobby

You are invited to find community with us, check out the Mama Outspoken Village here. For more information or to purchase your copy of the book, you can go here. Our favorite resource is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, finding the help you need.