Mama You Belong
Kirsten Desmarais, DPT and Molly Hilgenberg, LICSW
Publishing Details
Contact & Outreach
About This Podcast
Welcome to 'Mama You Belong' - a podcast for moms in the thick of it. We delve into the need for belonging and connection that mothers often face alone and help you feel seen. We acknowledge the dissonance between societal expectations of motherhood and the realities of managing our mental and physical load, with science and trauma-informed support. Co-hosts of 'Mama You Belong' are Kirsten Desmarais, PT, DPT, OCS, CD(DONA) a physical therapist, birth doula, and mother of three, and Molly Hilgenberg, MSW, LICSW, a psychotherapist, singer/songwriter, and new mom.
Kirsten and Molly were both kids who collected rocks, hugged trees and grew up in different towns in Minnesota. They met only a few years ago when Kirsten became Molly's PT and then her birth doula. They bonded when they both realized they could pretty much share anything without judgment and text each other about the moon.
Through shared stories and expert insights, 'Mama You Belong' seeks to empower mothers by creating a supportive space for connection and understanding in their unique journeys. Each episode aims to provide validation, education, and some laughs. By sharing our stories and inviting expert guests in future episodes, we aspire to create a nurturing and inclusive environment for moms.
Podcasting 2.0 Features
Social Media
Explore Statistics
Recent Episodes
S2E2 Inside Minnesota’s Operation Metro Surge: Fear, Solidarity, And The Fight To Be Seen
This episode is a brief glimpse into our upcoming interview with Marsh Naidoo on her amazing podcast Raising Kellan. Please subscribe now to her podcast so you can listen to our full interview when…
S2E1 The Protector In Every Mother: Rage, Grief, And What We Choose Next Within Authoritarianism
We sit with the dissonance of parenting during a state crackdown in Minnesota, holding mother rage and grief while trying to protect childhood for our children. Stories from Minneapolis, a terrifying…
S1E12 Daycare: Where Germs Get Their PhD And Parents Lose Their PTO
In this episode, we talk openly about updates to toddler sleep struggles, no more night drives just to get a child to sleep, the decision to retire the crib, and how co-sleeping in a king bed changed…
S1E11 He Clapped At A Lamp And Other Seasonal Survival Tips
Winter presses in and everything gets louder, especially the expectations placed on moms during the holidays. In this episode, we return from a hiatus to talk honestly about the mental load of…
S1E10 Unlearning Sleep Rules: Choosing Connection Over Shoulds (Transforming Our Sleep Practice) - Part Two
We follow Kirsten’s path from noticing things about her child to an autism + ADHD diagnosis, showing how clarity changed home life, school decisions, and self-trust. We talk sensory needs, high…
S1E9 Unlearning Sleep Rules: Choosing Connection Over Shoulds (Transforming Our Sleep Practice) - Part One
Kirsten traces the journey from pressure-filled, sleep training newborn days to a more child-centered and connected approach to sleep. Together, we share how postpartum rage became a compass, how…
S1E8 Nighttime Nurturing: Who decided children should sleep through the night? (Baby Sleep Regression & Mom Guilt)
Why do so many moms feel like failures when their baby won’t sleep “the right way”? In this honest and vulnerable conversation, we dive into the guilt, shame, and societal pressure surrounding baby…
S1E7 A Pearl from Pain: How Infertility Shaped One Mother's Journey (Infertility, Motherhood, and Finding Hope)
Infertility is one of the most painful and isolating experiences a mother can face. In this raw conversation, we share one mom’s journey of turning pain into purpose—and why sharing real motherhood…
S1E7 Your Pelvic Floor Matters More Than You Think (Motherhood, Recovery, and Women’s Health)
Why don’t we talk more about the pelvic floor? From postpartum recovery to long-term health, moms are often left in the dark about this essential part of their bodies. In this episode, we break the…
S1E6 Midnight Dread and Hot Dogs (Motherhood Anxiety & Nighttime Worries No One Talks About)
Have you ever found yourself spiraling with worry in the middle of the night? You’re not alone. In this vulnerable conversation, we talk about motherhood anxiety, the mental load of moms, and the…
S1E5 Breaking the Silence: Perinatal Mental Health with Celleste Schnellbach, MS, LMFT, PMH-C (Postpartum Depression, Anxiety & Supporting Moms)
Perinatal mental health struggles like postpartum depression and anxiety impact far more moms than we realize. In this powerful interview we discuss the stigma, the silence, and the support moms…
S1E4 Dada / Papa, You Belong Too: Stories from Phil Desmarais and Chad Hilgenberg about Becoming Fathers (Fatherhood, Belonging, and Mental Health in Parenting)
Parenting conversations often leave fathers out—but dads belong too. In this episode, Phil Desmarais and Chad Hilgenberg share their stories of becoming fathers, navigating belonging, and finding…
S1E3 Motherhood is Political: Finding your voice (Motherhood, Identity & Speaking Up)
Motherhood doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s deeply tied to politics, policies, and cultural expectations. In this episode, we explore why motherhood is political, how moms can find their voice, and why…
S1E2 What is Nervous System "Regulation" When You're a Mom? (Overstimulation, Stress & Finding Calm in Motherhood)
What does “nervous system regulation” even mean when you’re a mom pulled in a million directions? We unpack the buzzword, talk about overstimulation, stress, and what finding calm looks like in the…
S1E1 Introduction to Mama You Belong: Exploring Kirsten and Molly's personal experiences with Matresence (Motherhood Stories & Building Community)
Welcome to Mama You Belong—a podcast about the real, messy, and beautiful journey of matrescence. In our first episode, we share our own stories, why we started this podcast, and how we hope to build…
Frequently Asked Questions
Mama You Belong has published 15 episodes since May 2025, covering topics in Health & Fitness, Kids & Family.
Mama You Belong is currently highly active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 42m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Mama You Belong, including email and social media links.
Similar Podcasts
The Longest Shortest Time
Hillary Frank | Realm
285 episodes
The Wellness Mama Podcast
Katie Wells
1,069 episodes
The Birth Hour - A Birth Story Podcast
Bryn Huntpalmer
100 episodes
HERself
Abby and Amy
341 episodes
The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
Dr. Mona Amin
410 episodes
Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro
Katie Ferraro
517 episodes