Things Nobody Tells You

Becoming a mother is one of life's most profound transitions, yet so much of what happens to your body, your brain and your sense of self is never talked about. In this special episode of Things Nobody Tells You from our Kiindred LIVE event, Emmy sits down with Nadine Richardson, founder of She Births and author, and Brooke Elliston, breathwork coach and mother of two, for an honest conversation about matrescence, birth, breath and the transformation that nobody prepares you for. Together, they unpack the radical neurological changes that happen from 35 weeks of pregnancy through the first two years postpartum, why your brain is literally rewiring itself to help you care for your baby, and the extraordinary gifts and superpowers that come with this transformation. They explore why vulnerability, intuition and empathy increase during this time, how the birth experience sets the foundation for what comes next, and why creating the right environment and support system is essential when everything feels so raw and new. This episode is for anyone navigating pregnancy, preparing for birth, in the thick of early motherhood, or simply needing a reminder that you don't have to do this alone and that rest is not a luxury but a necessity. Because matrescence is real, your body and brain are changing in extraordinary ways, and the more you understand what's happening, the more you can honour yourself through it.

Sleep is one of the most talked about parts of early parenting, yet it's rarely as simple as following a routine or sticking to a schedule. In this special episode of Things Nobody Tells You from our Kiindred LIVE event, Emmy is joined by Chris Minogue, Kiindred's OG sleep expert, and Steph Luck, mum of four, for an honest and practical conversation about baby sleep, daily rhythms and navigating the reality of raising children in a busy world. Together, they unpack why there's no one size fits all approach to sleep, how to recognise tired cues, the difference between daily rhythms and rigid routines, and why flexibility is essential when juggling multiple children, school runs, soccer practice and everything in between. They explore the witching hour, the feed bath feed sequence that can transform evenings from six weeks onwards, the myth of sleeping through the night, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is simply pick up your baby. This episode is for any parent navigating sleepless nights, feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, juggling multiple children, or simply needing reassurance that what works for your family is enough. Because sleep is never just about sleep. It's about balance, flexibility, knowing your baby, trusting yourself and giving yourself permission to change and evolve as your family grows.

Behaviour is communication, but in the middle of a meltdown, it can be really hard to remember that. In this episode of Things Nobody Tells You, Emmy sits down with clinical psychologist Emily Hanlon for a practical and deeply reassuring conversation on just this. Together, they unpack why anger is often a secondary emotion, how anxiety can show up in unexpected ways and why emotional regulation is not something children learn to do alone. It is something we support them through, starting with ourselves. This episode is for any parent navigating meltdowns, shutdowns, big feelings or the daily chaos of raising kids.

Navigating healthcare as a parent can feel overwhelming. The endless questions, the waiting lists, the late-night uncertainty about whether something is urgent, and the pressure of knowing when to seek help. In this episode, Emmy sits down with Ryan Park, NSW Minister for Health, for an honest and practical conversation about the changes helping families access care more easily. From urgent care clinics that can help families avoid unnecessary emergency department visits, to virtual care options available in the middle of the night, they unpack what parents need to know when they are trying to make the right call for their child. They also discuss ADHD reforms and the shift towards more support through GPs, the needle-free flu vaccine for children who are terrified of needles and the growing focus on making healthcare more accessible for families. The conversation also explores birth trauma, the new Chief Midwife role and why so many women still feel unheard during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Ryan also shares more about the Raise It program, which empowers patients and families to speak up when something does not feel right, as well as changes allowing pharmacies to treat uncomplicated UTIs, helping women access care faster and more easily. This is an informative conversation for any parent trying to navigate the health system, advocate for their child and access care without the overwhelm. Ryan’s message is clear: trust your gut, know your options and use the resources available to you. Healthdirect: 1800 022 222

Sleep training. The phrase alone can make a new parent's heart race - conjuring images of crying babies, rigid schedules, and guilt-laden choices. But what if the real question isn't whether you're sleep training your baby... but whether your baby is sleep training you? In this episode, Emmy sits down with Chris Minogue, a Mothercraft Nurse and the original baby whisperer who's been supporting families for decades. Together, they unpack what sleep actually looks like in those early months, why awake windows matter more than you think and how to create a framework that works for your family without losing yourself in the process. They talk about the pause - that moment before you rush in that changes everything. The feed-bath-feed that becomes your anchor point when the day feels chaotic. Why babies don't sleep through at 12 weeks and why comparing notes online will only make you feel worse. And the truth that sleep isn’t something babies do naturally. Whether it's your first baby or your fourth, this episode will help you feel less alone, more informed, and ready to trust yourself through the sleepless nights and the tiny victories that follow.