The Science of Motherhood

• Ep 176. Hailey Bartholomew - The Art of Parenting - Being Present

  What if being a good parent isn’t about doing more, but simply being present? In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee White sits down with award-winning filmmaker Hailey Bartholomew to explore what it really means to show up for our kids and ourselves.Hailey’s latest documentary, Seen, is a heartfelt reflection on parenting, presence and the stories we carry from our own childhoods. With powerful insights from voices like Maggie Dent, Lael Stone, Nathan Wallis, Vanessa Lapointe, Selena Bartlett and Billy Garvey, the film invites us to rethink how we connect with our children and what they actually need from us.Together, Renee and Hailey dive into the creative process behind the film, the guilt and grace of parenting, and why sometimes the most transformative thing we can offer is our full attention.You’ll hear about:Why emotional presence matters more than performanceThe imprints that shape us and how they show up in motherhoodWhat inspired Hailey to create Seen and the ripple effect of its messageHow creativity can help us process, reflect and reconnectWhere to find local screenings or host one in your communityThis episode is a tender, honest invitation to pause, reflect and remember that being present, even imperfectly, is more than enough.Resources and Links:Want to chat more about this? Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_Want to learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula servicesIf you want to gobble up our famous Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies , look no further!🎬 Watch or host a screening of Seen – seenthefilm.com or follow the film on Instagram – @seendocumentary📲 Connect with Hailey – @haileybe🌐 Explore more of Hailey’s work – youcantbeserious.com.au🎥 Watch Hailey’s TEDx talk: 365 Grateful Project – Watch on YouTube Watch or host a screening of Seen – seenthefilm.com or follow the film on Instagram – @seendocumentary Connect with Hailey – @haileybe Explore more of Hailey’s work – youcantbeserious.com.au Watch Hailey’s TEDx talk: 365 Grateful Project – Watch on YouTube🔔This episode is proudly supported by Our Village, a Victorian charity that rehomes pre-loved nursery and kids' items to families who need them most. Our Village believes every child deserves to thrive and every parent should have support around them. You can help by donating time, goods or funds to make sure no family misses out. Learn more:

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• Ep. 175 Check in Tuesday - A New Mums Guide to Finding Your Village

  We hear it all the time “It takes a village to raise a child” but what happens when that village is nowhere to be found? What if your friends are too busy, your family is far away, or the support you thought you'd have just isn’t showing up?In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee White responds to a listener who asked a very real, very relatable question, “How do I build a village when I can’t rely on anyone around me?”From moving to a new suburb at 33 weeks pregnant to building support from scratch, Renee shares five real-life strategies to help you create connection and care in early motherhood.Whether you’re preparing for postpartum or already in the thick of it, this episode offers practical, encouraging guidance to help you feel more held, supported, and a little less alone.You’ll hear about:Why your village doesn’t have to be big to make a differenceHow consistent routines can open the door to connectionWays to meet other mums, even if you're starting from scratchGentle strategies for asking for help and accepting supportThe important role professionals can play in your postpartum teamThis is a reminder that your village might not look how you imagined but it can still be exactly what you need.Resources and Links:📲 Want to chat more about this? Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_🌐 Want to learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services🍪If you want to gobble up our famous Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies, look no further!📝 Read the blog version of this episode – Click here🎧 Listen to Episode 82: Why Is It So Hard to Ask for Help? with Katie Parker – Click here🍼 Follow the Wombe.app on Instagram – @wombee.appLoved this episode?Send it to a mama who needs a little encouragement or save it for a day when you’re craving connection. And if you haven’t already, hit subscribe and leave a review it helps more mums find their way here.Because your village doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be there when it counts. 💛Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by the Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice.Nothing contained in this podcast is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice.

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• Ep. 174 Fleur Chambers - How to Feel Confident in Motherhood

  Motherhood can shake your sense of self like nothing else. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome, perfectionism, or just feeling like you're not doing enough, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, soften, and reconnect with what confidence can truly feel like. Think steady, spacious and grounded in who you already are.In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee White chats with Fleur Chambers, internationally recognised mindfulness teacher, founder of The Happy Habit meditation app, and author of the new book Wholehearted Confidence. Fleur shares her wisdom on redefining confidence in a way that works for real mums in the real world.Together, they explore mindfulness, small moments that shape us, and how to befriend your inner critic so it no longer runs the show. Fleur brings a refreshing, down-to-earth approach to feeling more at ease in your own skin.You’ll hear about:What the “wholehearted posture” is and how it can shift your energy in 10 secondsWhy perfectionism and people-pleasing aren't helping you feel confidentHow to work with (not against) your inner criticWhat Fleur calls "small comments, big impacts" and why they stick with usWhy nature, laughter and letting go of the mess can bring you back to yourselfThis is your gentle reminder that confidence doesn't have to be loud. It can be soft, steady, and rooted in self-compassion.Resources and Links:📲 Want to chat more about this? Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_🌐 Want to learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services🍪If you want to gobble up our famous Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies, look no further!🌐 Grab a Fill Your Cup meal or self-care kit – Use code FILLMYCUP for 10% off at ifillyourcup.com📘 Order Fleur’s book, Wholehearted Confidence – thehappyhabit.com.au📲 Download Fleur’s meditation app, The Happy Habit – Available on the App Store and Google Play📲 Connect with Fleur on Instagram – @thehappyhabitwithfleurchambers🎧 Loved this episode?Share it with a friend who needs a little reminder that she's already enough. And if you haven’t already, hit subscribe and leave a review so more mums can discover these supportive, real-life conversations.Because confidence isn't about being perfect. It's about showing up, exactly as you are. 💛Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by the Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice.Nothing contained in this podcast is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice.

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• Ep. 173 Check In Tuesday - What does Postpartum Care look like for First Time Parents

  If you’re expecting your first baby and feeling unsure about what kind of support you’ll actually need after birth, this episode is the gentle guide you’ve been looking for. You might have a loving partner, a helpful family, and a stack of baby books on the go… but still find yourself wondering, what's normal? Is this okay? Why didn’t anyone tell me about this part?In this week’s episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr. Renee White chats all about what postpartum care really looks like for first-time parents. She unpacks the role of a postpartum doula, what support can look and feel like in those hazy early days, and why this kind of care is not just a ‘nice to have’, it’s necessary.As the founder of Fill Your Cup and a mum herself, Renee combines lived experience with evidence-based insight to show you what it means to feel held, informed, and confident as you step into motherhood.You’ll hear about:What doulas actually do (and how they’re different from midwives)Real-life examples of what postpartum support can look likeHow a doula can support not just mums, but partners tooWhy first-time parents often feel overwhelmed and how to find your footingWhat makes Fill Your Cup Doulas unique and how they support your whole familyThis episode is a loving reminder that you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Support is out there, and it’s designed to help you feel less overwhelmed and more like you in this brand-new season.Resources and Links:📲 Want to chat more about this? Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_🌐 Want to learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services🍪If you want to gobble up our famous Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies, look no further!💛 Explore postpartum support, download the free Quickie Guide, browse the Mama Menu or book a doula, these are all available at ifillyourcup.com🎧 Want to hear Renee’s birth story? Listen to Episode 3: Dealing with Pregnancy and Postpartum When You're a Type A Personality🎧 Loved this episode?Share it with a friend who’s preparing for their first baby, or tag us on Instagram with your favourite takeaway. And if you haven’t already, hit subscribe and leave a review to help more mums find their way to this support-filled space.Because when you feel supported, you can show up with more calm, more clarity, and more confidence and that’s something every mama deserves. 💛Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by the Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice.Nothing contained in this podcast is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice.

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• Ep. 172 Dr Kokum Jayasinghe - How Endometriosis Effects Fertility and What You Can Do?

  If you’ve ever been told that painful periods are just something you have to put up with, or you’ve found yourself spiralling down a Google rabbit hole trying to work out how endometriosis might affect your chances of falling pregnant… this one’s for you.In this episode of The Science of Motherhood, Dr Renee White sits down with Dr Kokum Jayasinghe, a highly awarded fertility specialist at Melbourne IVF who brings both deep clinical expertise and lived experience to the conversation. With over a decade of experience in reproductive medicine, plus her own personal fertility journey, Dr Kokum truly gets it.Together, they unpack what endometriosis actually is, why it takes so long to diagnose, and how it can (but doesn’t always) impact fertility. They also dive into the new research, latest treatment options, and the power of early support and advocacy. This is a science-backed, myth-busting, deeply human conversation.You’ll hear about:What’s really going on with endometriosis and why it’s more than just period painHow it can affect fertility and when it’s worth investigating furtherThe new treatment options available (that go beyond surgery)Why not everyone with endo will struggle to fall pregnantHow to build a care team and advocate for your needsWhether you’ve been diagnosed, suspect you might have endo, or are supporting someone who is navigating it, this episode will leave you feeling more informed and less alone.Resources and Links:📲 Want to chat more about this? Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_🌐 Want to learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services🍪If you want to gobble up our famous Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies, look no further!📲 Want to connect with Dr Kokum Jayasinghe? Website: www.drkokum.com.au Instagram: @drkokum📍 Melbourne IVF: Website: melbourneivf.com.au Instagram: @melbourneivf_officialPractice: Epworth Freemasons, Suite 4, 320 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne Phone: (03) 9417 3755🎧 Loved this episode? Send it to a friend, chat about it with your GP, or just tuck it away for when you’re ready to take that next step. And if you haven’t already, subscribe and leave a review so more mamas and mamas-to-be can find their way here.Because you deserve answers. You deserve support. And you deserve to feel like you're not doing this alone. 💛This episode is proudly sponsored by Our Cow – supporting Aussie farmers with ethically raised, grass-fed meat and ready-made meals delivered straight to your door. Use the code FILLYOURCUP at checkout for $50 off your first order over $199. Because quality, convenience, and nourishing your family should never be out of reach.Disclaimer: The information on this podcast presented by the Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice.Nothing contained in this podcast is intended to be used as medical...

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