The Motherlode - Real Talk from Real Parents Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:10:29 -0400 https://themotherlodepodcast.buzzsprout.com en-au © 2026 The Motherlode - Real Talk from Real Parents yes 63919bf1-a985-574e-9c98-0736833f0d8f Stefanie Maccar episodic true Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Stefanie Maccar https://storage.buzzsprout.com/lp2whikds2kiyufe1pa3fjqbief3?.jpg The Motherlode - Real Talk from Real Parents Episode 7: Sarah A Episode 7: Sarah A Sarah and her husband moved to Melbourne from abroad over a decade ago. In this episode, we discuss raising children away from family overseas, being a working parent and Australia's maternal and healthcare benefits.

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Working mothers
  • Women and mothers in the workplace
  • Open conversations with children
  • Public healthcare
  • Maternity leave
  • Fertility
  • Owning a home in Melbourne
  • Feminist values
  • Avoiding gender roles in the home
  • Breastfeeding

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.

]]> Sarah and her husband moved to Melbourne from abroad over a decade ago. In this episode, we discuss raising children away from family overseas, being a working parent and Australia's maternal and healthcare benefits.

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Working mothers
  • Women and mothers in the workplace
  • Open conversations with children
  • Public healthcare
  • Maternity leave
  • Fertility
  • Owning a home in Melbourne
  • Feminist values
  • Avoiding gender roles in the home
  • Breastfeeding

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.

]]> Stefanie Maccar Buzzsprout-10660226 Sun, 22 May 2022 23:00:00 +1000 3174 1 1 full false Episode 6: Sezim Episode 6: Sezim Sezim is a mother of one and soon to be a mother of two. Both she and her husband have lived part of their lives overseas, and it's clear how important it is to raise their children among family.  At the time of the interview, both Sezim and I were pregnant and were due soon after the interview took place. 

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Co-sleeping 
  • Importance of family
  • Siblings
  • Building resilience 
  • Childcare 
  • First child problems
  • Public healthcare
  • Public schooling 
  • Mother's group
  • Work full time with children

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.

]]> Sezim is a mother of one and soon to be a mother of two. Both she and her husband have lived part of their lives overseas, and it's clear how important it is to raise their children among family.  At the time of the interview, both Sezim and I were pregnant and were due soon after the interview took place. 

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Co-sleeping 
  • Importance of family
  • Siblings
  • Building resilience 
  • Childcare 
  • First child problems
  • Public healthcare
  • Public schooling 
  • Mother's group
  • Work full time with children

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.

]]> Stefanie Maccar Buzzsprout-10660179 Sun, 22 May 2022 22:00:00 +1000 5718 1 7 full false Episode 5: Sarah Y Episode 5: Sarah Y Sarah is one of those people who makes parenting look fun. She and her husband were living in a one-bedroom apartment when they found they were pregnant with twins. In this episode, we discuss Sarah's life as a mother of twin boys, the loving support of her family and church community, and running her own business while raising a family. We also discuss Sarah's current pregnancy with a surprise third baby.  

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Raising twins
  • Raising boys
  • Family support
  • Surprise pregnancy (after twins)
  • Church community and faith

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.

]]> Sarah is one of those people who makes parenting look fun. She and her husband were living in a one-bedroom apartment when they found they were pregnant with twins. In this episode, we discuss Sarah's life as a mother of twin boys, the loving support of her family and church community, and running her own business while raising a family. We also discuss Sarah's current pregnancy with a surprise third baby.  

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Raising twins
  • Raising boys
  • Family support
  • Surprise pregnancy (after twins)
  • Church community and faith

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.

]]> Stefanie Maccar Buzzsprout-10660096 Sun, 22 May 2022 22:00:00 +1000 3428 1 4 full false Episode 4: Matilda Episode 4: Matilda From the moment you walk into Matilda's home, you can feel the love and care all around. From her greyhound fur baby and his handmade booties to the hundreds of indoor plants she has kept alive (which every Melbournian can appreciate and respect). But for Matilda, raising children was never part of her life plan. This choice, even today, has attracted a lot of unsolicited opinions from family, friends and work colleagues .

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Traditional upbringing
  • Family & social pressure to have kids
  • Having no maternal calling to raise children
  • 'Going against nature'
  • Kid-free lifestyle 
  • Role of women in the home and in the family
As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, to what made us who we are today.

]]> From the moment you walk into Matilda's home, you can feel the love and care all around. From her greyhound fur baby and his handmade booties to the hundreds of indoor plants she has kept alive (which every Melbournian can appreciate and respect). But for Matilda, raising children was never part of her life plan. This choice, even today, has attracted a lot of unsolicited opinions from family, friends and work colleagues .

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Traditional upbringing
  • Family & social pressure to have kids
  • Having no maternal calling to raise children
  • 'Going against nature'
  • Kid-free lifestyle 
  • Role of women in the home and in the family
As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, to what made us who we are today.

]]> Stefanie Maccar Buzzsprout-10659099 Sun, 22 May 2022 12:00:00 +1000 5646 1 4 full true Episode 3: Alice Episode 3: Alice Alice is one of the most honest and beautiful people I know. Alice lives in the northern suburbs of Melbourne with her partner and daughter, but her story about parenting isn't a fairytale.  

Alice is an only child of Chinese immigrant parents and was living at home when she found out she was pregnant. Alice speaks about the decision to have her baby and how she rose above traditional norms to raise a family on her terms.

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Family & social pressure
  • Suprise baby: timing and mixed emotions
  • Mental health
  • Having one child
  • Children out of wedlock 
  • Maternity leave
  • Working with kids

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.

]]> Alice is one of the most honest and beautiful people I know. Alice lives in the northern suburbs of Melbourne with her partner and daughter, but her story about parenting isn't a fairytale.  

Alice is an only child of Chinese immigrant parents and was living at home when she found out she was pregnant. Alice speaks about the decision to have her baby and how she rose above traditional norms to raise a family on her terms.

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Family & social pressure
  • Suprise baby: timing and mixed emotions
  • Mental health
  • Having one child
  • Children out of wedlock 
  • Maternity leave
  • Working with kids

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.

]]> Stefanie Maccar Buzzsprout-10659021 Sun, 22 May 2022 11:00:00 +1000 4078 1 3 full false Episode 2: Rayna Episode 2: Rayna Rayna is a generous, fun and kind soul who I believe was destined to be a parent. 
In this episode, we discuss learnings from our own childhood, the surprise of finding out you're pregnant at 20 weeks, and being a full-time parent in inner-city Melbourne.

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Second trimester surprise baby
  • Postnatal depression
  • Anxiety
  • Learnings from how we were raised
  • Calm discipline
  • Studying with kids
  • Attachment parenting
  • Co-sleeping
  • Full-time parenting 
  • Maternal health care
  • Alternative schooling

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.


]]> Rayna is a generous, fun and kind soul who I believe was destined to be a parent. 
In this episode, we discuss learnings from our own childhood, the surprise of finding out you're pregnant at 20 weeks, and being a full-time parent in inner-city Melbourne.

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:

  • Second trimester surprise baby
  • Postnatal depression
  • Anxiety
  • Learnings from how we were raised
  • Calm discipline
  • Studying with kids
  • Attachment parenting
  • Co-sleeping
  • Full-time parenting 
  • Maternal health care
  • Alternative schooling

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.


]]> Stefanie Maccar Buzzsprout-10658982 Sun, 22 May 2022 11:00:00 +1000 6818 1 5 full false Episode 1: Susan Episode 1: Susan Susan is a generous and caring human being, and it's been lovely to watch her have a little family of her own. During this episode, Susan speaks about how her stressful job took a toll on her fertility and is now expecting a second baby, a little sooner than expected. 

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:


  • Work stress affecting fertility
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Induced labour
  • Breastfeeding and introducing formula
  • Grandparents
  • Chillaxed parenting
  • Surprise baby
  • Small gaps between pregnancies

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.


]]> Susan is a generous and caring human being, and it's been lovely to watch her have a little family of her own. During this episode, Susan speaks about how her stressful job took a toll on her fertility and is now expecting a second baby, a little sooner than expected. 

This episode of the Motherlode touches on the following topics:


  • Work stress affecting fertility
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Induced labour
  • Breastfeeding and introducing formula
  • Grandparents
  • Chillaxed parenting
  • Surprise baby
  • Small gaps between pregnancies

As we do in each episode, we also talk about all things parenting - from how we were raised, the pregnancy,  the early days and the present.


]]> Stefanie Maccar Buzzsprout-10658822 Sun, 22 May 2022 11:00:00 +1000 5439 1 1 full false