Join host Elizabeth Teo as she shares raw, honest insights about the challenges of early motherhood that no one talks about. This essential episode covers the real struggles new parents face during their first year.

Breastfeeding Reality Check:

• Why breastfeeding is harder than expected
• Low milk supply struggles and guilt
• Dysphoric milk ejection reflex (affects 6% of breastfeeding parents)
• Pumping challenges and mental health impacts
• When and why formula supplementation is necessary

Sleep Deprivation Deep Dive:

• The science behind why sleep loss is devastating
• New parents lose 109 minutes of sleep per night for 12 months
• How lack of REM sleep affects decision-making and emotions
• Practical tips for managing sleep schedules with your partner

Financial Reality:

• $233,000 cost to raise a child to 18 ($13,000/year)
• Hidden first-year costs: diapers ($2,000-3,000), formula ($1,200-1,500)
• The "motherhood penalty" - mothers earn 4% less per child
• Planning strategies for financial stability

Relationship Changes:

• How partnership dynamics shift from romance to co-parenting
• Communication strategies for sleep-deprived couples
• Maintaining friendship and gratitude in relationships
• Why relationship satisfaction typically declines in year one

Mental Health & Support:

• Postpartum depression realities and coping strategies
• The importance of asking for help
• Cultural perspectives on postpartum care
• Building support systems before baby arrives

Perfect for: Parents-to-be, new parents, anyone considering having children, partners supporting new parents.

Resources mentioned: International Postpartum Support Line: 1-800-PPD-MOMS

Real stories, real struggles, real hope. Because parenting isn't Instagram perfect - it's beautifully messy.

Thinking about having kids? In this brutally honest episode, new mom Elizabeth Teo shares her unfiltered birth experience and the shocking statistics about postpartum depression that might surprise you. From unexpected emergency C-section to the painful recovery reality, this is the birth story preparation you won't find in parenting books.

What You'll Learn:

• Shocking postpartum depression statistics (rates increased 105% from 2010-2021)
• Real talk about emergency C-section experience and recovery
• Why 50% of partners also develop depression when their partner has postpartum depression
• The truth about contractions that social media doesn't show
• C-section recovery timeline and what to expect
• Why seeing a physiotherapist after birth is crucial
• Honest insights into the decision of whether to have children

Perfect for: Expecting parents, couples considering kids, new moms feeling alone, anyone wanting honest parenting perspectives

Elizabeth gets real about the physical and emotional challenges of new motherhood while sharing the joy and fulfillment that comes with it. This is part one of a deep dive series exploring the realities of having children in today's world.

Subscribe: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts Connect: @thethoughtfuladvocate on Instagram

Affiliate mention: Kind Laundry eco-friendly laundry sheets - Use code "zerowastecutie" for 10% off

Welcome back to the Thoughtful Advocate Podcast! This episode is for anyone building something meaningful - whether it's a business, creative project, or a better version of yourself.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why our brains spend 47% of time "mind wandering" and how it affects builders
• The science behind menstrual cycles and energy levels (and why rest isn't lazy)
• How to navigate "the valley of despair" when building something new
• Why feeling like "nothing's happening" is actually when the most important work occurs
• The neuroscience of rest and how your brain does its best work during downtime
• Real examples from Oprah Winfrey and Elizabeth Gilbert who trusted the process

Key takeaways for builders and creators:

• Your body is your greatest business partner - learn to listen to its signals
• Seeds grow roots underground before sprouting - your "invisible work" matters
• Rest isn't the opposite of productivity; it's where productivity gets recharged
• Focus on who you're becoming, not just what you're achieving

Perfect for entrepreneurs, creators, and anyone in the "messy middle" of building something that matters. Learn to trust the process, embrace rest, and stay present while pursuing your dreams.

Subscribe for more episodes supporting builders and dreamers on their journey!