n this episode, I’m joined by Tess for a conversation that sits very close to my heart: what it’s like to mother without a mother.

I was so grateful to finally have Tess on the podcast to talk openly about her estranged relationship with her mum and how that has shaped her own journey into motherhood. Tess shares honestly about the complexity of being completely estranged from her mother for over 12 years, and how becoming a mum herself brought up old wounds, unanswered questions, and grief she didn’t even realise she was carrying.

We talk about the emotional layers of mothering without that maternal support so many people rely on. The guilt, the expectations, the longing, and the quiet sadness that can show up around moments like pregnancy, postpartum, illness, and milestones where you suddenly realise there’s no one to call. Tess reflects on how having her daughter, Marni, shifted her perspective on her own childhood and deepened her commitment to breaking generational cycles.

We also get into the very real, practical side of things. How not having a mum impacts the logistics of daily life, and why building a support system becomes so important. Tess shares why she chose to hire a doula to help fill some of that gap and how powerful it was to feel supported during such a vulnerable time.

We touch on the emotional heaviness of days like Mother’s Day and other family-focused milestones, and how complicated they can feel when your experience of “mother” doesn’t fit the narrative. Throughout the conversation, we come back to the hope and healing that can exist in creating loving, secure relationships with our own children.

This episode is honest, tender, and deeply validating. If you’re navigating motherhood without a mother, whether through estrangement, loss, or complicated family dynamics, this conversation is for you. You are not alone and it's bloody hard. For those who might not be able to relate, I hope this gives you an insight into the hardship of trying to mother without a blue print.

I would love to connect! Come find me over at @doulamarley @becomingboth

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In today’s solo episode, I’m opening up about my childhood and what it was like growing up as the daughter of a heroin addict.

I talk about my mum’s addiction, from finding her unresponsive as a young child to navigating the long-term emotional impact that comes with loving a parent who is unwell. I share how those early experiences shaped my sense of safety, my relationships, and the way I learned to survive emotionally.

We explore the grief that comes with accepting that a parent may never be who you needed them to be, and the process of holding compassion without losing yourself in the process. I reflect on how those experiences still live in me and how motherhood has brought a deeper awareness of the cycles I want to break.

This episode is tender, honest, and deeply personal. My hope is that sharing my story creates space for understanding, healing, and connection 🤍

This episode is a real, open reflection on what 2025 looked like for us and what we’re intentionally carrying (and leaving behind) as we head into 2026.

We talk about life lately from soaking up the beauty of the Adelaide Hills to carving out a simple date day and remembering that we’re partners, not just parents. We also get into money, budgeting, and how uncomfortable that topic still feels for me. I share honestly about how my childhood experiences around money make it hard to talk about now, and how avoiding those conversations can create tension if you don’t face them together. It’s messy, vulnerable, and very real.

We dive into how challenging it is to maintain a relationship and personal goals while raising young kids, and I open up about the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to the season of small children. There’s grief there, for the babies, the cuddles, the version of me that lived in survival mode, but also a quiet hope and excitement about stepping out of the trenches and into the next chapter with a little more space to breathe.

We talk about the importance of sitting down with your partner and actually reflecting on what you both want and don’t want moving forward. Having the uncomfortable conversations before resentment builds. Saying the things out loud instead of letting them fester in the background. This season demands honesty, even when it’s hard.

I also share more about my work as a nanny, my long-term dream of becoming a counsellor, and how much clarity has come from reflecting on the year that was. We chat about the women’s retreat I’ve been planning, why it feels so aligned right now, and how deeply it’s rooted in the need for rest, connection, and support for mums.

This episode really captures the ups and downs of life, business, relationships, and motherhood. It’s about listening to your inner voice, setting achievable goals that actually fit this season, and acknowledging what you’ve survived and grown through even if it doesn’t look big on the outside.

We finish by sharing more about the upcoming women’s retreat and why investing in yourself, your wellbeing, and community isn’t indulgent, it’s essential.

If you’re feeling reflective, stretched, emotional about closing one chapter and cautiously hopeful about the next, this one’s for you 🤍