Plus Mommy Podcast

In this episode, we hear Karen's queer plus size fertility story—a compelling tale of resilience, advocacy, and finding the right support during a challenging five-year journey. Supported by a loving partner, Karen's story highlights the unique challenges faced by plus size and queer individuals during fertility treatments, emphasizing the biases and obstacles encountered. Through determination and self-advocacy, Karen overcame these challenges and achieved their dream of parenthood. Join us to gain practical advice and hope for overcoming similar obstacles. (Please excuse the audio hiccups during the recording—it's well worth listening!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dana Abraham, founder of Lemon Lime Adventures and author of Calm the Chaos, has supported thousands of families. She shares transformative strategies for parenting, emphasizing connection, understanding, and empowerment. Discover practical tips to create a harmonious family environment and confidently navigate the most challenging parenting moments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this episode, we explore how to build your birth and postpartum support team with expert insights from author and elite certified birth and postpartum doula Kristen Revere. Discover the benefits of having a doula, the importance of postpartum support, and practical tips for finding and affording essential support services. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you wondering how to raise kids to have a healthy relationship with food while repairing your own? Learn from parenting expert Oona Hanson as she shares insights on breaking the cycle of diet culture, fostering body positivity, and supporting your child’s intuitive eating journey. Join us for practical tips and empowering advice to help your family thrive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tune into episode 213 for a deep dive with the magnetic Dr. Elliot Berlin on how chiropractic care tailored for all body sizes can enhance pregnancy wellness. Dr. Berlin shares crucial tips on improving comfort and preparing for a smoother delivery, specifically geared towards plus size individuals seeking supportive care.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hi friends! Life threw us a curveball with a medical emergency, so we had to hit pause for a bit. But guess what? We’re back! And not just back—we have a solid plan to keep bringing you new weekly episodes. This mini-episode is a cozy catch-up session where I spill the tea on what happened, share the awesome stuff we achieved during our break, and discuss our plans moving forward. I can’t wait to be back in your ears weekly! Hit play now, and let’s dive back into our journey together—I’ve missed you all!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back! After a little break, we hit the ground, recording an all-heart, no-holds-barred deep dive. In this super raw episode, my better half and I unpack the wild ride of our 15-year marriage. We're getting real about everything — the heart of our love story, the chaos of parenting, the hurdles we've jumped, and how we're rocking the body changes that come with age — all through the unfiltered lens of our life as a plus size couple. Hit play for real talk, tough truths, a lot of love, and a hefty dose of laughter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a moving and impactful conversation as host Jen McLellan interviews her mother, Kathryn. At 71, Kathryn has turned an encounter with weight bias at the doctor's office into a lesson on self-advocacy. Despite visiting a doctor for an eye infection, Kathryn found herself in an uncomfortable situation where the focus was shifted to her weight, overshadowing her immediate health concern. Determined to change this narrative, Kathryn shares her story. Then, she talks with Jen about strategies for self-advocacy in healthcare settings, inspiring listeners to take control of their health narratives and assert their needs. Join us for this deeply personal and empowering episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you interested in navigating the path to size-friendly, trauma-informed healthcare? Special guest Mandy Irby is a board-certified labor nurse, educator, and expert in trauma-informed care. Throughout this episode, we share our experiences interacting with healthcare professionals, providing you with beneficial self-advocacy strategies. Mandy also offers insights into her proficient use of peanut balls during labor and birth. By tuning in to this episode, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to seek the compassionate, respectful care you deserve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Renowned Health At Every Size® and weight stigma expert Ragen Chastain debunks diet myths and exposes the dangers of weight loss medications. We also uncover startling truths about the American Academy of Pediatrics support for weight loss interventions in children. Prepare yourself for a thought-provoking and eye-opening episode that will challenge your perspective on weight loss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's celebrate fitness for all! As a plus size fitness instructor and the founder of Body Positive Barre, Natalie Sanders shares her top tips for starting or continuing your movement journey, connecting with size-friendly fitness instructors, and wholeheartedly embracing body positivity. With Natalie's expertise and warmth, you're all set for a fitness journey that suits your unique body and fills you with joy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kasey's donor egg success journey began unexpectedly at 31, following a premature menopause diagnosis. Her story is unforgettable, filled with hope, loss, and love. It reinforces the notion that love, not genetics, establishes the foundation of a family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mimi Seriki is a passionate midwife embarking on a remarkable cycling journey. Her mission? To shine a spotlight on the heartbreaking issue of Black infant mortality. Mimi's desire to cycle for change led to the creation of her organization, Womb Cycle. Tune into this thought-provoking episode as we celebrate Mimi's relentless determination and discover how Womb Cycle aims to improve health outcomes for Black infants across the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maria and Erica’s journey to parenthood began with a focus on conception as a queer couple. However, once Maria became pregnant, she faced the challenges of navigating pregnancy, the healthcare system, and societal expectations as a fat and queer person with an emphasis on being fat. Their story is a remarkable blend of joy, advocacy, resilience, and love that is truly unforgettable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica Wilson, MS., RD, is a dietitian, accomplished author, and dedicated community organizer. As a Black, queer woman, she championed much-needed conversations about racial inequities in the Health At Every Size® and Intuitive Eating communities. Join us as Jessica takes a stand against the American Academy of Pediatrics new guidelines on kids' weight and engages in a compelling discussion about the intricate connections between racism and diet culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus size romance novels are crucial in shaping a more inclusive and empathetic literary landscape. Dark mafia romance author Meaghan Pierce discusses the need for more plus size heroines and plus size romance novels. In addition, we delve into a conversation about how representation leads to stronger self-advocacy and unpacking of internalized fat-phobia during this engaging episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The research conducted by Erin D. Basinger, Ph.D., and Dr. Margaret Quinlan on fat shaming in maternity care serves as validation for individuals who have personally encountered weight bias in healthcare. Listen as we delve into the research and explore how it can transform the treatment plus size individuals receive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you pondering the possibility of an unmedicated birth, particularly in a hospital setting? This episode is for you! With her experience of giving birth without pain medication and professional expertise as a childbirth educator, Jen McLellan offers invaluable advice, helpful tips, and motivation for having an unmedicated childbirth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By facing fatphobia and advocating for size-inclusive care, expectant parents can feel empowered, supported, and respected throughout their pregnancy journey. Fat-positive coach, doula, educator, and founder of Big Fat Pregnancy, Christina Hughes, shares strategies for families navigating the maternity care system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you ready for an exciting adventure at the happiest place on earth? Well, hold onto your mouse ears because we are thrilled to present the Ultimate Guide to Being Plus Size at Disney World! Our guest, Jess, has over 30 years of experience going to Disney World, and she's here to share her size-friendly tips for the Magic Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Get ready to learn about the best size-friendly rides, attractions, and helpful insights for plus size guests to enjoy a magical Disney World experience. Let's go! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices