The New School Of Motherhood Podcast

Unconditional love is something many of us want to give our children. And yet, in the moments that test us most, it can feel hard to access.In this episode, I explore unconditional love through the lens of wholeness: how the conditioning we experience in childhood can disconnect us from ourselves, and why practicing unconditional love toward ourselves is what makes it possible to offer something steadier and healthier to our children.We talk about:what unconditional love is (and what it isn’t)how conditioning shapes our sense of being loved, accepted, and safewhy wholeness includes the full spectrum of emotions, not just the “positive” oneshow our discomfort with big feelings can show up as fixing, rushing, or controlwhy martyrdom and sacrifice can look like love, but still be conditionalIf this resonates, and you want support learning how to embody this in a grounded way before your baby arrives, you can book a one-on-one clarity coaching session with me.About your host:Mandy Cai is an early motherhood coach helping intentional women find their way to becoming great mothers.After spending close to a decade helping the world’s leading brands find their identity, communicate their meaning, and translate their intention into action, Mandy now uses those skills to help new mothers learn to trust themselves, nurture their children, and become the mother they want to be.⁠Book your 'Clarity' Coaching Session⁠⁠Full transcript on Substack⁠Connect with her on Instagram⁠Connect with her on Linkedin⁠

Most women don’t realise how much of their birth experience has already been shaped—long before labour begins. In this episode, I explore the gap between what we’re told about birth and what actually determines how we experience it.Drawing from my own two very different births—one deeply empowering, the other traumatic—I unpack the deeper layers that are often missing from birth preparation.We talk about:why most birth education starts too latehow caregiver bias influences the care you receivethe power dynamics built into modern maternity systemshow birth moved from communities into institutions—and what that changedwhy your body’s sense of safety plays a central role in how labour unfoldsThis isn’t about telling you what kind of birth to have. It’s about understanding the context you’re making decisions within—so you can actually think for yourself.Because birth doesn’t just happen in a moment.It shapes how you enter motherhood, how you relate to your body, and how safe you feel in one of the most vulnerable transitions of your life.If this episode resonates, share it with someone at the beginning of this journey.And if you want deeper support in preparing for birth or early motherhood, you can book a Clarity Coaching Session.About your host:Mandy Cai is an early motherhood coach helping intentional women find their way to becoming great mothers.⁠Book your 'Clarity' Coaching Session⁠⁠Download the free “Powerful Questions for Birth & Motherhood” PDF⁠⁠Connect with her on Linkedin⁠And subscribe here on Substack for the latest episodes straight to your email

Most people overlook birth as the profound initiation it truly is. Jason Seeman's raw story reveals how witnessing his wife’s labor transformed his understanding of vulnerability, control, and emotional growth—lessons that echo through every aspect of parenthood.In part 2 of Growing Together, Jason shares the unexpected journey of witnessing his partner go through intense labor, unearthing his own fears, control issues, and emotional blind spots along the way. He dives into how birth is a complex rite of passage, involving not just the baby, but the parents’ own transformations as well.I share how my first physiological birth initiated me into reconnecting with my body and emotions. I describe how a pivotal moment in labour led me to understanding the importance of having birth support that trusted the birthing process. And looking back, how much I needed to learn to invite my husband into my vulnerability.In this episode:How birth mirrors our emotional patterns and shapes our capacity for vulnerabilityThe hidden initiations of pregnancy, labor, and postpartum often missed in modern culturePractical frameworks for re-framing birth as an empowering rite of passageThe importance of emotional presence and surrender in supporting not only your partner but yourselfWhy choosing your environment, caregivers, and mindset is a vital act of self-advocacy and agencyThis isn’t just a story about birth; it’s a blueprint for navigating the inevitable challenges of parenthood with resilience, awareness, and radical honesty. Whether you’re new to childbirth or reflecting on past experiences, our vulnerable reflections will inspire you to see every phase of parenting as an opportunity for deep personal initiation and transformation.This episode was produced by Six-Two StudioAbout your hosts:Mandy Cai is a Motherhood Coach supporting intentional women to navigate their start to motherhood with clarity, heart and presence.After spending close to a decade helping brands find their identity, communicate their meaning and translate their intention into action - Mandy now uses those skills to help new Mothers learn to trust themselves, nurture their children and thrive as a Mother.⁠Book your 'Clarity' Coaching Session⁠⁠Download the free “Powerful Questions for Birth & Motherhood” PDF⁠⁠Connect with her on Linkedin⁠Jason Seeman is a fatherhood guide, educator, and facilitator with over a decade of experience creating and facilitating education programs that have impacted over one million people globally.Raising Fathers is raising a new generation of grounded, connected, and present fathers. ⁠Follow @raising_fathers on instagram here⁠⁠Head to the website⁠⁠Apply for the True North Fatherhood Prep program

What if parenthood isn't something to survive, but an invitation to grow into the person you're meant to become?In this first episode of Growing Together, I sit down with Jason Seeman, founder of Raising Fathers, for an honest conversation about the unseen initiations of parenthood. We share the pivotal moments when we each realised we needed to grow—and how our children became our greatest teachers.Jason opens up about standing in front of a bathroom mirror 30 hours into his first child's labor, spiralling internally while his partner needed him to be a pillar in the storm. I share about the moment I realized I couldn't be both the hurt little child and a mom at the same time, and the choice I had to make.This is a conversation about surrender, self-love, and what it means to grow together with our children.In this episode:The moment Jason realized he needed to grow as a father (and why it happened later than he'd recommend)Why seeking control during birth is often a sign we're seeking comfort, and what our partners really need from usHow children shine a mirror to all the places we still need to love and heal ourselvesThe challenge of letting go of goal-driven identity in postpartum (from 60-second handstands to 3am wake-ups)Why you can't have a to-do list with kids (and what that teaches us about presence)How to integrate your old self with your new identity as a parent (without thinking it's gone forever)What it means to be a good leader for your children by first doing the inner work yourselfThis episode is for you if you're navigating the transition to parenthood and want to approach it consciously, as a rite of passage, not just a life change.About your hosts:Jason Seeman is a fatherhood guide, educator, and facilitator with over a decade of experience creating and facilitating education programs that have impacted over one million people globally.Raising Fathers is raising a new generation of grounded, connected, and present fathers. Follow @raising_fathers on instagram hereHead to the websiteApply for the True North Fatherhood Prep programMandy Cai is a Motherhood Coach supporting intentional women to navigate their start to motherhood with clarity, heart and presence.After spending close to a decade helping brands find their identity, communicate their meaning and translate their intention into action - Mandy now uses those skills to help new Mothers learn to trust themselves, nurture their children and thrive as a Mother.⁠Book your 'Clarity' Coaching Session⁠⁠Download the free “Powerful Questions for Birth & Motherhood” PDF⁠⁠Connect with her on Linkedin