Mama You Belong

Mama You Belong

Kirsten Desmarais, DPT and Molly Hilgenberg, LICSW

Episodes 15
Avg. Duration 42m
Activity Highly Active
Since May 2025
Latest Episode Feb 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Monthly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
46%
Hosting
feeds.buzzsprout.com

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.


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Recent Episodes

S2E2 Inside Minnesota’s Operation Metro Surge: Fear, Solidarity, And The Fight To Be Seen

Feb 10, 2026 16m Transcript

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

Jan 18, 2026 1h Transcript

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

Dec 28, 2025 47m Transcript

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

Dec 14, 2025 53m Transcript

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

Oct 09, 2025 46m Transcript

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

Sep 30, 2025 1h Transcript

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)

Aug 22, 2025 53m Transcript

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)

Aug 01, 2025 55m Transcript

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)

Jul 19, 2025 35m Transcript

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)

Jul 04, 2025 37m Transcript

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)

Jun 20, 2025 34m Transcript

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)

Jun 15, 2025 46m

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)

Jun 01, 2025 13m Bonus

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)

May 28, 2025 40m

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)

May 10, 2025 36m

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

How many episodes does Mama You Belong have?

Mama You Belong has published 15 episodes since May 2025, covering topics in Health & Fitness, Kids & Family.

Is Mama You Belong still active?

Mama You Belong is currently highly active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 42m.

How do I contact Mama You Belong for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Mama You Belong, including email and social media links.

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