Momming Out Loud Podcast

About Momming Out Loud Podcast

Two former therapists and current moms, Mollie Birney (Clinical Life Coach) and Ali O’Connell (Registered Nurse), invite you into an honest conversation about the lived experience of parenting. No tips, no tricks, no “how-tos”—just the real, raw, vulnerable truth of raising humans while being human. Each episode of Momming Out Loud sheds light on the parts of parenthood we’re often too ashamed to say out loud, not to fix them, but to name them—so we can all feel a little less alone. This isn’t a podcast about doing parenting better. It’s about remembering that we are enough, exactly as we are.

Publisher

Mollie Birney and Ali OConnell

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

20 Oct 2025

Latest episode

22 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Jun 2026

   S2 Ep 5: Anxiety: What Happens When You Say It Out Loud

   What started as a conversation about anxiety turned into something else entirely. This week, we explore anxiety not as a diagnosis or a problem to solve, but as a very human attempt to gain control over things that feel uncertain: our children, our relationships, our identities, and how we’re perceived by others. Through stories about birthday parties, baby showers, Lego frustrations, forgotten raincoats, and parenting in public, we unpack the ways anxiety can quietly shape our decisions. And we explore what happens when we stop trying to manage it alone. The surprising discovery? By the end of the conversation, we both felt less anxious. Anxiety, like shame, thrives in isolation. It loosens its grip when it’s spoken out loud. Maybe the opposite of anxiety isn’t certainty at all, but connection instead. Join us for another honest conversation about worry, self-trust, motherhood, and why saying the thing out loud with trusted people might always be the first step toward feeling better. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com or on Instagram at mommingoutloudpod We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! Also, let us know if you are interested in being a guest on the show! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney

2. 

   1 Jun 2026

   S2 Ep 4: The One Where We Interview Mollie's Husband: Clint Johnson

   This week we’re joined by a very special guest: Mollie’s husband, Clint. A therapist, dad, husband, and self-described “new dad getting his butt kicked and trying to reclaim his identity,” Clint joins us for an honest conversation about what happens when parenthood doesn’t look the way you expected it would. We talk about the identity shifts that come with becoming a parent, the surprising rates of anxiety and depression in new dads, and the isolation that so many parents—especially fathers—experience but rarely talk about. Clint shares what it was like to step into a primary caregiving role, lose parts of himself he thought would always be there, and slowly find his way back through therapy, community, and a lot of hard conversations. Along the way, we explore resentment, division of labor, sports-induced family meltdowns, avocado toast thrown against a wall, generational patterns, and the healing power of repair—both in marriage and in parenting. This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered: Why does parenthood feel so much harder than I expected? Where did my old self go? How do couples stay connected when everyone is overwhelmed? What happens when the roles we imagined for ourselves don’t fit reality? Most of all, it’s a conversation about normalizing the chaos. Because sometimes the most helpful thing we can hear is that you’re not the only one struggling to find your footing. There may not be a neat bow at the end of parenting. But there can be honesty, connection, and people willing to walk through it with you. We hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone.

3. 

   18 May 2026

   S2 Ep 3: Momming Out with Mollie's Mom: Meredith Baxter

   What happens when two generations of mothers sit down and tell our truth out loud? In this deeply personal episode, we’re joined by former actress, but more importantly, Mollie's mom - Meredith Baxter, for an honest conversation about inherited patterns, motherhood across generations, and the stories we carry about what it means to be “enough.” Together, we explore the invisible things passed down between mothers and daughters: perfectionism, people-pleasing, shame, humor, resilience, devotion, and the longing to do things differently than the generations before us. Meredith reflects on raising children while navigating fame, sobriety, marriage, and her own unresolved childhood wounds, while Mollie and Ali unpack the pressure modern moms feel to get parenting “right.” We talk about: The difference between surviving motherhood and feeling naturally maternal Why moms today seem trapped in the “am I enough?” conversation Generational trauma, inherited coping mechanisms, and breaking cycles Parenting while still healing yourself Shame, femininity, body image, and the messages women inherit about their worth The long game of parenting: choosing relationship over control There’s laughter, grief, tenderness, hard truths, and the kind of conversation that only happens when people are willing to stay at the table together. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing enough as a parent — or wrestled with the ways your own childhood still shows up in your motherhood — this episode is for you. *****Content note******: This episode contains honest conversations about recovery, parenting, family trauma, body image, and mental health. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com or on Instagram at mommingoutloudpod We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! Also, let us know if you are interested in being a guest on the show! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney

4. 

   28 Apr 2026

   S2 Ep 2: (Re)parenting While Parenting

   What if (re)parenting starts with four simple words: "I’m here, I’ve got you"? In this episode, we talk about the messy, beautiful work of (re)parenting yourself while parenting your children. From playground triggers and inherited family patterns to perfectionism, productivity shame, and nervous system overwhelm, we explore how old wounds surface through parenting—and what it looks like to respond differently. We unpack the courage it takes to become a safer place for ourselves and, in turn, for our kids. If parenting has ever made you wonder, why is this bringing up so much in me? this conversation is for you. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com or on Instagram at mommingoutloudpod We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! Also, let us know if you are interested in being a guest on the show! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney

5. 

   14 Apr 2026

   S2 Ep 1: Back from Hiatus: More Shame Bombs, Parenting Expectations and the Stories we Tell Ourselves

   We’re back from a little hiatus and getting current—no plan, just what’s been real lately. In this episode, we dive into some very real “shame bomb” moments (including a full Lego-induced spiral), and the parenting expectations that quietly shape how we show up—and how we fall apart. From “dude, bro” moments to missing the mark entirely, we talk about the pressure to get it right and how quickly we can slip into self-criticism. We explore the stories we tell ourselves when we feel like we’re not enough, the gap between what we know and what we can actually access in the moment, and the difference between pain and suffering. This is a conversation about being human in motherhood—messy, honest, and learning in real time as we find our way back to ourselves (again and again). Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com or on Instagram at mommingoutloudpod We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! Also, let us know if you are interested in being a guest on the show! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney

6. 

   7 Feb 2026

   Ep 13: Feedback, Shame and the Myth of the "Good Mom"

   What happens when being told you’re a good mom feels more like pressure than reassurance? In this episode of Momming Out Loud, we talk about the complicated role feedback plays in motherhood—how praise can quietly turn into fear, performance, and shame. We explore what it looks like to get curious instead of self-critical, to ask more questions, and to stop letting shame tell the story about who we are as moms. This conversation is for any parent who’s ever wondered what it means when they’re not doing it “right”—and wants a little more honesty and breathing room in the process. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com or on Instagram at mommingoutloudpod We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney

7. 

   20 Jan 2026

   Ep 12: Time Scarcity and the Tolerance for Choosing Wrong

   What if the hardest part of limited time isn’t how little of it we have—but how afraid we are to choose wrong with the time we get? In this episode, we talk about time scarcity and the noise that comes up when we try to use small pockets of time “well.” The second-guessing. The pressure. The fear that choosing ourselves might cost someone else. We explore: Building tolerance for choosing the wrong thing—and staying with ourselves anyway How internal noise and self-abandonment block our sense of potential Why this is different from the idea of “taking care of me so I can take care of you” Rooting into relationship with ourselves as the way we contribute to others How our children learn self-trust by watching what we tolerate in ourselves This is a conversation about becoming—not through optimization or sacrifice—but through presence, choice, and repair. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com or on Instagram at mommingoutloudpod We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! AND, if you are interested in signing up for our Momming Out Loud Circle please email us for more information! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney

8. 

   13 Jan 2026

   Ep 11: What Have I Done? The Pain of Loving Our Children

   What is it like to love someone so deeply that their pain lives in your body too? In this episode of Momming Out Loud, we talk about the moment many mothers quietly think, what have I done?—when our children experience pain and every instinct in us wants to fix it, prevent it, or take it away. We explore the tension between protecting our children and knowing that shielding them from all pain would also rob them of the chance to feel capable, resilient, and whole. We also talk about what happens when our children witness our pain—how we try to care for them while we’re still finding our own footing, and how motherhood often invites an unexpected reparenting of ourselves. This conversation is about holding both: our resilience and our children’s, our tenderness and our strength, as we navigate the complicated, beautiful work of raising humans while still growing ourselves. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com or on Instagram at mommingoutloudpod We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! AND, if you are interested in signing up for our Momming Out Loud Circle please email us for more information! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney

9. 

   6 Jan 2026

   Ep 10: Identity: Who Do You Think You Are, Mom?

   Who were you before motherhood — and who are you now? In this episode, we explore identity in motherhood and the profound shift that happens. We talk about who we were before kids, how motherhood changed our sense of self, and the parts of us we still want to grow into. We name both the grief and the beauty that come with this identity change. There is no going back to an old version of ourselves — but there is integration. We discuss what it means to weave our motherhood identity into our whole selves, without losing who we are. If you’ve ever felt unsure of who you are after becoming a mom, missed parts of your pre-kids identity, or wondered how to hold all of yourself at once, this conversation is for you. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! AND, if you are interested in signing up for our Momming Out Loud Circle please email us for more information! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney

10. 

    30 Dec 2025

    Ep 9: Why Us, Why Now (A Momming Out Loud Check-In)?

    Before the new year begins, we wanted to pause and name the why. Why Momming Out Loud. Why now. Why gathering together matters. This short holiday clip reflects on the beliefs and experiences that led us here—and opens the door to our Momming Out Loud Circle launching in January. If you’ve been craving deeper connection, space to speak freely, or a reminder that you’re not alone, consider this your invitation. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! AND, if you are interested in signing up for our Momming Out Loud Circle please email us for more information! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney

11. 

    23 Dec 2025

    Ep 8: Letting people in. Literally.

    In this episode, we talk about hosting—not the Pinterest version, but the real one. The kind that brings up questions about being “enough,” about whether the house is too messy or too quiet, too chaotic or too curated. We explore how having kids changes our relationship to our space, and how inviting people in can stir up self-judgment and shame. Together, we make the bet that the people who love us will come anyway. And we reflect on what it means to enter each other’s homes leading with love, not critique—offering grace instead of judgment, both to others and ourselves. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! AND, if you are interested in signing up for our Momming Out Loud Circle please email us for more information! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney

12. 

    16 Dec 2025

    Ep 7: Self-Compassion: The Medicine We Think We Don't Deserve

    We are digging into self-compassion on today's episode. Get ready to hear personal examples of our own struggles with finding compassion for ourselves and our children and the ways that we find our way back to the medicine again and again. Mollie reminds us that "self-compassion is the truth filtered through kindness rather than judgement." AND that "judgement is looking for labels, whereas self-compassion is comfortable with a little more spaciousness". Today's episode is a reminder that we don't have to get it right all the time and that this self-compassion thing is an ongoing practice. It is the practice of creating more space for ourselves and for those that we love, so that we can literally have more room for curiosity. Come join us as we challenge our fear and shame through connection, stories and laughter. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! AND, if you are interested in signing up for our Momming Out Loud Circle please email us for more information! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate and leave a review or share it with a friend!

13. 

    9 Dec 2025

    Ep 6: Big Feelings (aka Big F-ing Feelings)

    Welcome back to Momming Out Loud. Thanks for joining the conversation! This week we are talking about all the big feelings and focusing on how we walk along side these big feelings with our children and the importance of modeling our own ways of managing said feelings. We discuss the evolution of language around emotions, the challenges of managing behavior, and the significance of allowing space for feelings. We emphasize the need for parents to reflect on their own emotional experiences and to foster an environment where children can express their emotions without shame. We also manage to touch on boredom and the intimacy of asking for what we need. What you might takeaway from this episode: We often see edited versions of parenting that hide the chaos and the realness of day to day life. Naming emotions as 'big feelings' helps reduce judgment. Modeling healthy anger is crucial for children. Boredom can lead to creativity and self-discovery. It's important to separate feelings from behavior. Allowing space for emotions can prevent them from escalating. Children learn to ask for their needs from us. Managing our own feelings is a continuous practice. Intimacy in relationships involves vulnerability in expressing needs. Parenting is an experiment in emotional intelligence. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! AND, if you are interested in signing up for our Momming Out Loud Circle please email us for more information! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate and leave a review or share it with a friend!

14. 

    2 Dec 2025

    Ep 5: The Comparison Trap: Mom Guilt, Shame, and Why We Need Real Connection

    This week Mollie and Ali explore the pervasive issue of comparison in parenting. They discuss how social media exacerbates feelings of inadequacy, the pressure of parenting benchmarks, and the role of shame in shaping parenting experiences. Through conversation Ali and Mollie highlight the importance of trusting one's instincts, navigating societal expectations, and finding balance in parenting styles. In conclusion, let's keep practicing and embracing imperfection, talking about the hard stuff and building our village. Takeaways Comparison often leads to feelings of inadequacy and shame. Social media can intensify the comparison trap for parents. It's not fair to compare our insides with someone else' outsides. Parenting benchmarks can create unnecessary pressure and anxiety. Shame grows in the dark; sharing experiences can shed light on it and alleviate it. Finding balance in parenting requires self-compassion and understanding over and over again. Community support is vital in overcoming the challenges of parenting. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate and leave a review or share it with a friend! Keywords: parenting, comparison, social media, self-trust, shame, body image, parenting benchmarks, community support, parenting expectations

15. 

    25 Nov 2025

    Ep 4: The Santa Conversation: Pressure, Joy and Modern Motherhood

    *Friendly Warning* This episode includes honest conversation about Santa as a metaphor. We highly recommend listening WITHOUT kids who still believe in the magic! Welcome to the holiday episode of Momming Out Loud! In this conversation, Ali and Mollie explore the complexities of loss, grief, and the impact of family dynamics on holiday traditions. The discussion delves into the challenges of explaining loss to children, the pressures surrounding holiday expectations, and the delicate balance of maintaining traditions while fostering joy and connection. The hosts reflect on their own experiences with Santa and the importance of creating meaningful rituals that honor both the light and dark aspects of life. Takeaways Navigating loss is a complex emotional journey. Explaining grief to children requires sensitivity and honesty. Holiday traditions can evoke both joy and pressure. The Santa myth can be a source of trauma for some families. Creating rituals can help foster connection and meaning. It's important to balance expectations with the joy of the season. Simplicity in traditions can lead to deeper connections. Children's understanding of magic evolves over time. Finding joy in the chaos of holiday preparations is essential. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate and leave a review or share it with a friend! Keywords: loss, grief, holiday traditions, family dynamics, Santa, parenting, rituals, expectations, joy, connection

16. 

    18 Nov 2025

    Ep 3: Parenting Triggers: What Makes Moms Feel Loony-Tunes

    Trigger warning: we are talking about triggers this week! The things that just send us into fight or flight, rage, withdrawal and/or have the ability to make us feel about 5 years old in our own emotional responses. Ali and Mollie share some of their own personal triggers in motherhood: not feeling listened to, being over stimulated, feeling embarrassed by our children's behavior. We discuss our own shame both as adults and the shame we felt as children and the ways that we are trying to do things differently. This week we remind ourselves that we are "playing the long game". We talk about how we are not trying to shame our children into submission and compliance; that we are focusing on the relationships, and because of that, it takes time. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate and leave a review or share it with a friend!

17. 

    11 Nov 2025

    Ep 2: Am I a Good Mom? Redefining Success in Motherhood

    This week is all about redefining "success" in motherhood. Mollie and Ali delve into the complexities of motherhood, exploring the evolving definitions of success, the emotional weight of parenting, and the importance of connection. We discuss the pressures to maintain identity, the challenges of postpartum experiences, and the generational models that shape our own understanding of motherhood. We emphasize the need to redefine success and Enoughness in a way that honors personal experiences and fosters self-trust. Takeaways Success in motherhood is a nebulous concept. The metrics of success have evolved over the decades. Grieving the loss of our old version of self is a crucial part of motherhood. Generational models of motherhood influence current perceptions. Balancing career and motherhood requires constant negotiation. Unconditional love in parenting requires tools and self-awareness. Understanding enoughness is a personal journey. Connection with others is vital for navigating motherhood. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate and leave a review or share it with a friend!

18. 

    4 Nov 2025

    Ep 1: It's About the Relationship: Connection Over Perfection in Motherhood

    Welcome to our first episode of Momming Out Loud! Hosts Mollie and Ali explore the complexities of parenting, focusing on the chaos and emotional challenges that arise in daily interactions. We discuss experiences with scheduling, the dynamics of parenting, and the importance of repair and THE Relationship. We reflect on our emotional responses, the struggle for connection, and the desire to parent differently while acknowledging the difficulties of maintaining composure in challenging situations. Takeaways Parenting can feel overwhelming and chaotic at times. It's important to acknowledge and validate your own feelings of overwhelm. Comparison to others can diminish your own experiences and feelings. Repairing relationships with children is crucial for emotional health. Creativity in parenting can be challenging in the moment. Disobedience can be a valuable skill for children to develop. Self-awareness is key in understanding emotional responses. It's okay to seek permission for rest and self-care. Parenting is a dynamic relationship that evolves over time. Connect with us at: mommingoutloudpodcast@gmail.com We would love to hear your stories and suggestions for future episodes! *Hosts: Ali OConnell and Mollie Birney If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate and leave a review or share it with a friend!

19. 

    20 Oct 2025

    Trailer

    Coming soon to your headphones! A show about the messy middle of motherhood — where two former therapists turned moms trade perfection for honesty and self-help for self-compassion. Each week, Ali and Mollie explore the stuff we whisper about but secretly crave to say out loud: identity shifts, emotional triggers, and those “who even am I?” moments of mom life. Momming Out Loud. Solve nothing. Share everything.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.