Take This Personally with Morgan Huelsman

What if new parents aren’t failing, but simply unsupported? Morgan sits down with Michelle Pool, nurse at Maven Clinic and the person behind One Minute Milk Bites, for an honest, deeply validating conversation about breastfeeding, postpartum mental health, and why modern parents feel so overwhelmed. Michelle shares her own journey from struggling new mom to lactation expert, breaking down why breastfeeding can feel impossibly hard, how baby instincts actually work, and why the “breast is best” messaging has caused more harm than help. Together, they explore postpartum depression, the loss of the village, C-sections vs. vaginal birth, and the quiet identity shift that happens after a baby arrives. This episode is for: New and expecting parents Partners who want to show up better Anyone who’s ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?” If you’ve ever felt alone, unsure, or like you’re not enough, this conversation is your reminder: your best is good enough, and you are the perfect parent for your baby. 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes. 📲 Follow Michelle on Instagram @one_minute_milk_bites 📲 Follow @takethispersonally on InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s episode is equal parts chaotic, honest, and deeply meaningful as Morgan is joined by her sister Taylor and her 11-week-old niece, Collyns for a special holiday week conversation. Taylor opens up about becoming a first-time mom, what no one truly prepares you for after birth, and how motherhood reshapes everything. From marriage and identity to sleep, patience, and trust in your own instincts. They talk candidly about pregnancy plans going out the window, postpartum realities, breastfeeding struggles, Bell’s Palsy in the midst of recovery, and the emotional weight of those early weeks that don’t get talked about enough. From choosing the right partner, navigating life with dogs and a newborn, and leaning on community, to trusting your “mom gut” and tuning out outside noise, this episode is an honest look at what it really means to bring a life into the world. It’s a sister conversation filled with love, laughter, tears, baby noises, and perspective for anyone who’s a mom, hopes to be one someday, or just wants a deeper understanding of this season of life. 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes. 📲 Follow @takethispersonally on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holidays can be magical: full of twinkly lights, sweet treats, and time with people we love. But they can also shine a spotlight on grief, change, loneliness, and the complicated emotions so many of us quietly carry this time of year. In this episode, Morgan shares vulnerable listener voice notes about the real struggles happening behind the highlight reels. From divorce, illness, mental health battles, and career changes to navigating grief after losing parents, partners, or friends, these stories remind us we’re never as alone as we think. Morgan opens up about her own mixed year and responds to each message with empathy and honesty, creating space for anyone who’s simply doing their best to make it through the season. If this time of year feels heavy, messy, bittersweet, or complicated… this episode is for you. 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes. 📲 Follow @takethispersonally on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rhaina Cohen (author of The Other Significant Others) joins us to reframe how we think about friendship: past, present, and possible futures. Rhaina explains why intense platonic bonds once held public, ritualized importance (think “sworn brotherhoods” and romantic friendships of the 17th–19th centuries), how marriage’s role shifted to demand emotional everything-ness, and why that cultural shift squeezed out space for friendships. What you'll get out of this episode: The friendship that inspired Rhaina's book Historical models of deep same-sex friendship and how they differ from modern assumptions Why modern romantic relationships often eclipse friendship and why that harms us Real-life choices Rhaina and her husband made (communal living, prioritizing friends) and practical tips to preserve friendships How to be a better friend: rituals, calendars, play, and honest conversation Handling jealousy and myths about opposite-sex friendships If you want to build stronger platonic connections, rethink where you live and who you share life with, or simply appreciate how friendship can anchor a life, this episode is for you. 📕 Get The Other Significant Others on Amazon 📲 Follow Rhaina Cohen on social media: @rhainacohen 📲 Follow the podcast: @takethispersonallySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media is everywhere and it’s changing the way we think, feel, and interact. Amanda White, licensed therapist and host of Nuance Needed, returns to unpack the real impact of viral trends, rage bait, and online advice on our mental health. Amanda shares practical strategies for: Recognizing and avoiding misleading or extreme content online. Reclaiming your attention in a world designed to distract you. Practicing psychological flexibility and healthy boundaries in daily life. Taking small, intentional steps toward balance and wellbeing. Whether you scroll daily or just peek at trends, this conversation will make you rethink how you interact with social media and help you take back control of your mind. 🎧 Follow Amanda’s podcast Nuance Needed for even more insights into mental health and navigating the online world. 📲 Follow Amanda on social media: @therapyforwomen 📲 Follow the podcast: @takethispersonallySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.