The Truth About Motherhood: Creating Community, Balance & Self-Care with Mariela Desantiago

Surprise! Two powerful episodes in one week! Season 8 of the F.E.E.L. Podcast is off to an incredible start, and we’re thrilled to introduce our second guest of the week: Mariela Desantiago, a first-time mom, podcast creator, and advocate for honest conversations about parenting. This episode is a must-listen for any parent—or anyone supporting a parent—navigating the early stages of motherhood.

Mariela brings her type A organization, creativity, flexibility, and curiosity to the table as she reflects on her own motherhood journey, the unexpected challenges of parenting, and why there’s no one-size-fits-all guide to raising children. When she couldn’t find the honest parenting advice she needed, she launched her own podcast, New Mom Talk, offering realistic, heartfelt support for other new moms trying to balance it all.

In this episode, Mariela shares her insights on:

• The pressure new moms face and how to manage expectations

• Creating non-negotiable self-care routines for moms

• Finding strength in asking for help and building your village

• How walks and quiet time inspired her podcast for moms

• The importance of storytelling in connecting with other parents

She reminds us that self-care for moms doesn’t have to be extravagant—it can be a walk, a moment of silence, or a supportive conversation. And most importantly, you don’t have to do it all alone. Whether you're a new parent or supporting one, this conversation is a powerful reminder that community and vulnerability are essential to well-being.

✨ Key Topics:

• Motherhood and mental health

• First-time mom struggles and solutions

• How to practice self-care as a new mom

• Building community and asking for help

• Honest parenting advice and support

• Women’s wellness and postpartum resilience

🎧 Be sure to check out Mariela’s podcast, New Mom Talk, for more real and relatable parenting conversations.

Keywords: motherhood podcast, postpartum self-care, new mom advice, mental health for moms, parenting support, balancing motherhood, mom wellness, first-time mom struggles, new parent podcast, honest parenting stories, self-care tips for moms, motherhood mental health podcast, community for mothers, real motherhood conversations

Blog Excerpt: This idea came to her as she was on a walk, which is connected to her self care routine. For Mariela, self care needs to be nonnegotiable so she can reset after giving so much of herself to her family.

Ways to Engage: If you’re a young/new mom, think of some things you could use help with and share them with a friend or loved one who is willing to take some of the load off. Do you know a young/new mom who could use a hand? Offer ways to help or be supportive during this transitional time in their lives. 

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 3:04 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 12:12 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 18:46 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 29:47 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 33:00 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 35:46 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 43:13 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 49:30 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 53:34 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 57:17 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - Send