Felicity - Ep 48: February 24 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/frannieandco/message

Into the world with Frannie and co

Felicity

Rehanna - Ep 47: February 17 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/frannieandco/message

Rehanna

This week speak with my friend Sylvie Prud’homme. Mother to Béa and owner of two salons here in the west end of Toronto. @thelofttoronto My first job here in Canada was working for Sylvie before having my son Bodie. It’s funny how motherhood changes and reconnects relationships. It’s true to say that’s the case for us. After losing touch for a couple years, both having our baby girls at the beginning of 2020, we found lots of connection and support in the process. Sylvie talks very openly of how motherhood has changed her. Expectations vs reality and how she coped with birth and parenthood for the first time at the beginning of the pandemic. And how that mixed with being a small business owner in lockdown felt for her. Mothers giving birth in the middle of a pandemic for the first time are hero’s in my eyes. What a daunting experience that must be. This episode was recorded back in October 2020. It is comforting listen for those having a baby now. Proof women are doing incredible things in an extraordinary time. Thanks Sylvie for sharing so openly about the reality of pandemic birthing and parenting. I am sure so many will resonate with your experience. You are doing a great job. To support Sylvie, her biz and get yourself an awesome post lockdown hair do. Check her out @thelofttoronto https://www.thelofttoronto.ca/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/frannieandco/message

First time Pandemic birthing, babies, business and lock down parenting with Sylvie Prud’homme

This week I speak with one courageous young woman Pavani. *TRIGGER WARNING :This story contains loss in the early months.* One of my youngest guests who has been through so much. From having to have very hard conversations with her family after unexpectedly becoming pregnant with her son Theo. To being blindsided by the loss of him at 5 months. The same day he had dipped his toes in water at he beaches for the first time. Theo’s passing wasn’t very long ago. Pav went on to have Theo’s sibling, Violet during the pandemic on the anniversary of Theo’s passing. She speaks so candidly about the reality she faced being from a culture that is not normally excepting of parenting outside of wedlock. She talks of how she had to address this with her family. Later when Theo was born and her family had warmed and accepted her wishes we learn more about Theo and the mark he left on his family. The love he was surrounded with in his passing moments. With all stories of loss. I am always taken aback by the love that surrounds the loss. It was very heartwarming and bitter sweet to hear. Pav finishes by talking about pregnancy in the wake of loss, in a pandemic no less. This was recorded in 2020. I have so much admiration and respect for women who have had their most challenging moments in a pandemic after losing a child. Pay like many other women is a true hero. Violet and Theo are so lucky to have her as their mother. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/frannieandco/message

A Story of Birth, Loss and Bittersweet Dates with Pavani and Her Babies Theo and Violet

This episode was recorded in pregnancy and child-loss awareness month. Trigger warning for anyone who needs a heads up to find a good time to listen.  I am joined by Kieran Powers. You can find her @belcoln_ on Instagram. She helps families find light in the darkness after baby loss or preemie birth, inspired by her son Beckett ?? + Lincoln ??, her beacons, hence the name. Kieran is such a wonderful member of the online community of women advocating for families of preemies and those grieving a loss. Her story is extremely moving. She has experienced so much. Parts of her story mirror mine and so I had an extra level of empathy as she spoke. While her journey has been tragic and unusual, it is also full of love and joy. A common theme for both of us. We both share the view that through the sadness and trauma of losing a baby there is also the love and light of meeting them. There is light in the darkness. Kieran in an inspiration to many, myself included. It has been great to feel her support online and see her pour that energy into helping others.  While most of our conversation talks of the birth and loss of her first son, Beckett, we also talk a lot about his brother Lincoln. This is so much more than a birth story, it the stories we need to hear and share and a perspective I believe so many can benefit from. If you have had a loss are facing one of are in need of understanding that situation in order to support a friend or family member. This episode will offer so much hope and insight in what it’s really like to live through it with hope.  To see more of the wonderful work Kieran is putting out to the world you can now check out her website https://www.becoln.com/ which is also a great resource for parents needing support.  Thank you, Kieran for your candid chat. I know your openness to share your story will benefit so many. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/frannieandco/message

Beacons of Hope with Kieran Powers

Nadine woods on birthing her baby Maya and her business Mayana Genevière and a whole lot more wisdom. In this episode I talk to Nadine woods. She talks very candidly about how motherhood changed her both physically and emotionally and how that propelled her into starting her own company. https://www.mayanageneviere.ca/ She is the founder of said luxury undergarment brand. Who now also make the most amazing masks. As you will hear in this conversation her brand ethos is about so much more than underwear. It is a form of self-care. It's about taking care of the mother physically and mentally. There is so much soul and wisdom in this conversation coming from Nadine there were so many takeaways, here are some of my fave bits - 5 mins- Nadines talks about how she wanted her daughter to fit in with her life and how she made that work in the early months 17 mins- you need to hear what Nadine has to say about body image. Especially if you just had a baby. This is a great takeaway from perspective. Real and insightful. 10  mins - Mums transition into motherhood and healing, body changing and identity shifts 33 mins- Our views on self-care and what it means to us. 45 mins- “What if, is not what IS”- just wow. If you listen to nothing else. Go here. The book she references is - ‘You can heal your life’- Louise Hay. Let me know if you read it. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/frannieandco/message

Nadine woods on birthing her baby Maya, her business Mayana Genevière and a whole lot more wisdom.

In the first of the new episodes, Women who inspire. Who better to talk to that my long time friend, fellow expat, success, and life coach Liat Horowitz. Liat is a fellow mother of 3, a success coach, one half of Vlogging duo @findingmomjo, and host of her own Instagram live morning segment- "Minx your morning". Back in the summer, I was a guest on minx your morning, talking about how to get through hard times. Something I am quite used to now. That conversation now feels like a lifetime ago. Since then we started working together, I turned 2020 around from being the year that nearly broke me to the year I launched a new business in a pandemic while on "mat leave" if there is such a thing in 2020. I felt so compelled to share how much coaching this year has allowed me to thrive against all odds. Liat and I have so many shared interests, views and values. I found this conversation so valuable and motivating. I hope her insight is just the inspiration you need to kick start your year. If you are interested in hearing more about Liat - follow her @liathorovitz on Instagram. Happy listening, Love Frannie --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/frannieandco/message

Women Who Inspire - Liat Horovitz, My Coach On All Things Inspiration And Motivation

Hey Hey, Its' been a while. There have been some changes both big and small and I'm here to fill you in with what has been going on and what to expect! Don't worry 'into the world' birth stories are still here to stay just with a few added extras and a quest to be more inclusive in all senses of the word. This podcast was started with a desire to help women tell their truths and show that all of us have an inspiring story that needs be heard. Whether we have kids of not! We are all worthy of tell our truths. So without further ado, I introduce Frannie and co The podcast- Women who inspire. Spoiler alert- that's all of you! Thank you for listening and following along @frannieandco --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/frannieandco/message

Welcome to Frannie and co the podcast- Whats new!

Yota's story, bringing Cyrus into the world This week I take to Yota about how her son Cyrus came into the world *very quickly.* It was great to be back with some regularity recording again and hear Yota's story. Her joy and light-hearted nature really came across as she regales how her son came into the world,  despite most of us being told how unlikely it is for this to happen fast the first time around. Yota was not in that category and barely had a second to think before she was holding him in her arms! It just goes to show that anything is possible. Thank you Yota for sharing your story, for talking about all things pandemic parenting, and sharing a mutual love for shoes and leopard print. It was a delight talking to you.  Happy listening 

Yota's story, bringing Cyrus into the world

Heather’s story, bringing Hayden into the world, a pregnancy announcement, and a whole lot more. Meet Heather, a long time Instagram friend, so much so I feel like I knew her story inside out. Heather's story is layered and unusual. A birth that left her needing to use a cane to walk for a long while. She was later diagnosed with a condition called Femoral/Peroneal/Sciatic Nerve Damage from Labor/Delivery. This story isn’t here to scare. In fact, what happened to Heather was so incredibly rare. This podcast's purpose is and always has been to hold space for the truth through the eye of the storyteller/mother that lived it. She left the episode saying that the women she met on Facebook who globally supported her were like angels. There really is nothing like a group of women to lift each other up and see them through a tough time. Thanks, Heather, for being so open and so real. It was cos lovely to finally chat in realtime with Hayden in the background and all. Such a true representation of parents' reality in 2020 trying to make do and get on with kids home. I hope you enjoy listening to it again. I know it has been a while, but much like everyone else, I’m trying to work out how everything fits back into new routines too. Hopefully, things will get easier for us all soon. Much love Frannie

Heather’s story, bringing Hayden into the world, a pregnancy announcement, and a whole lot more.

Alanna's story, bringing Kadeem, Solange and Celeste into the world This conversation has been a long time in the making, yet so very timely and topical. We both finally found some time in ‘COVID life’ to sit and have a proper conversation. Alanna a mother of 3, raising two girls after the loss of her son Kadeem at 26 weeks, has so many intricacies to her story. Many I had never heard of, others I have never had to think of. Yet throughout so much resonated with me. It always surprises me how so much of our situations, circumstance, and experiences differ, yet at the core, we all find commonality and comfort in hearing other women’s stories, however different or similar they are. It was great to get Alanna’s perspective, have her share so much of her journey. I loved hearing what it was like to have her sister there to share in her birth experiences not only as a sister but also as a midwife.  I also have to thank Alanna for sharing her experiences as a black mother in such a historic time for #blm movement, not just now while it's trending but across the course of her life. I appreciate her vulnerability, it was eye-opening, interesting, and most of all a lot of fun chatting with her. The perfect antidote to life right now.  Alanna said- 'As a Black woman, I can add that I feel very strongly about advocating for black mothers' experience in birthing and with the medical system. I went into my pregnancies and my births very well informed but still encountered many of the stereotypically negative experiences black women go through while dealing with the health system. I struggled with feeling like no matter what I thought were protective factors for myself (economic security, education, support, etc.) I still fell victim to the statistics (i.e. black women and losses, black women and pre-term labour/low birth weight, etc.)' To add to that, for anyone that doesn't know black mother's are 4 times more likely to die in childbirth than their white counterparts. This needs to change and we all need to be part of making that change happen. So here it is #intotheworldpodcast back after a little life break.  Thanks for listening. Please help me continue by rating, reviewing, and subscribing, oh, and happy listening! 

Alanna's story, bringing Kadeem, Solange and Celeste into the world

Alia’s story, bringing Kennedy, Spencer and Bennett into the world. Alia is the founder of Molo baby,  Alia caters to bump, baby and beyond all part of her holistic living approach. She is a doula, hypnobirther, kids yoga instructor, essential oil educator, and general spreader of joy and beautiful soul. You will no doubt hear from our conversation what infectiously positive energy she has. We initially wanted to chat several months back about her 3 homebirths and how we need to talk more about positive birthing experiences and outcomes to help change the fear in the birthing narrative. But as timing would have it our chat didn't happen until just last week. The night before Blackout Tuesday. Before either of us were aware that would be taking place. I wanted to ask Alia how race has affected her experience as a mother and how she is doing right now in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. I appreciate how open, honest, and compassionate Alia is in this conversation and how she leads with kindness, positivity, and grace. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her point of view, education on birth, essential oils, and more. It *almost* made me want another baby. For those wanting to learn more about Alia and Molo baby, visit her website, www.molobaby.ca and @molobaby.ca on Instagram. If you, like me are trying to educate yourself further on racial injustices and how to address them. I highly recommend the kitchen table conversation Alia and her 3 sisters had, which you can now view on youtube or through her website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBe-KMcJFhs&feature=youtu.be Happy listening, safe well. 

Alia’s story, bringing Kennedy, Spencer and Bennett into the world.

The Rebel mamas, on birthing their babes, their book, and everything in between. These women are making waves in the motherhood world, changing the conversation, and providing a book that feels like a combination of a hug a good belly laugh with a girlfriend for the rest of us still trying to navigate through sleepless nights and toddler tantrums while holding onto out identities for dear life. I had such a laugh talking to Nikita and Aleks. It was a pleasure to have them on the podcast, their Virgo energy, their take on motherhood, and birth. A very refreshing and uplifting chat a few weeks back when lockdown was intense. They passed on their wisdom and added another level of how not to lose your Shit in a pandemic.  If your a mom or a mom-to-be and you haven't read their book- you need to. I laughed my arse at every page turn while nodding profusely. It’s relatable, funny, and everything you need to know about motherhood, without the BS. The cheat sheet if you will for all the other baby books out there. Complete with a cocktail list, need I say more? The book is just one of their many accomplishments and I have no doubt they are on their way to world domination. They are a force to reckoned with and I very much enjoy following their accounts. If you aren’t already following them too, do it @therebelmamas and @handbookforcoolmoms AND buy their book, you'll thank me later https://www.amazon.ca/Rebel-Mamas-Handbook-Cool-Moms/dp/1443461393/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1590712318&refinements=p_27%3ANikita+Stanley&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Nikita+Stanley Thanks ladies for the lockdown laughs and all you are doing to support women and mothers! Happy listening.  

The Rebel Mamas, on birthing their babes, their book, and everything in between.

Jen’s story bringing Logan and Wyatt into the world.  Jen has been a support to be on here since I since my time on this app started. Both living away from home and raising a family we connected in our DM’s. Later connected further by grief and loss.  Something that struck me when we were chatting about her being on the podcast. Since sadly being widowed, suddenly and tragically around 11 months ago. Jen feels she is the keeper of her family stories and son’s birth stories, in particular, something I wouldn’t have thought about. And I am lucky enough not to have to.  Thank you, Jen, for your open and honest dialogue on the reality you face daily without your husband Warren. Thank you for sharing all aspects of it with us and your gorgeous boys, their stories and for showing us the true strength it takes to keep going… in a pandemic no less! You are a badass!! As I write this, its mother’s day here in Canada, and again I remember what a hard day it is for those widowed and how forgotten that narrative is on days like these.  What Jen has to say- “Both my births were pretty traumatic and nothing like I expected them to be. Because of that I feel compelled to share about them, not to scare expectant mothers but to know it all going sideways, no matter how you plan is completely normal. And with my husband's death, it is also important to me to have a record of that time when it was just the two of us working together to bring our boys into the world.” Happy listening 

Jen’s story bringing Logan and Wyatt into the world.

Amber’s story, A conversation on her 3 Girls coming into the world. Molly, Olive, and Charlotte. I came across Ambers story online in a rather serendipitous way. In a past life, I owned a T-shirt company selling 'Mama' Tees, donating to women’s mental health and child loss charities.  I came across Amber’s story and charity ‘The Olive harper foundation’ in honor of her daughter that she sadly lost at 25 weeks. So much of what she wrote resonated with me. Her foundation was part of the charities we once donated to. Our stories have some similarities. Amber has such wisdom and a wonderful way of talking about her girls. Words that stuck with me that we both have experienced through the lense of loss are-  “There is light in the darkest of moments.” I could have chatted with Amber all day, it was so good to chat. Especially in these weird times where contact and proper conversation with others are so scarce.  I’m trying to hold onto her words as I struggle with day to day life.  I hope we all find some light in this darkness.  Amber thank you for sharing your story and your girls and all that you do to help other families, in dear Olive’s name. She would be so proud.  Happy listening  

Amber’s story, A conversation on her 3 Girls coming into the world. Molly, Olive, and Charlotte.

Into the world is a light-hearted conversational podcast sharing birth stories and tales of motherhood. Each week I speak to a different mom on her experience of birth and how her child came ‘into the world.’ This podcast includes women sharing conversations on the trials and triumphs that motherhood brings. I hope you find a connection in the stories, laughter and maybe a tear or two (in a good way). Hosted by myself Francesca of @frannieandco (come find me on Instagram for more on my motherhood journey). brought to you by @rascalandfriends

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Into the world with Frannie and co

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