I’m writing this with just one day away until a podcast I have created will launch. As always I keep it real and raw so here are some behind the scenes photos and words on how Mamma Mu, the one and only podcast for women and mamas in Cyprus was created.
Releasing this podcast means that very soon I will be completely and utterly, entirely and waaaaaayyy out of my comfort zone. My thoughts and feelings, a vital and integral part of me will be out there, for anyone to listen and judge.
I did ALOT of yoga and breathing to deal with my anxiety while working on this podcast because there were days when it was all too much.
And it’s in Greek/Cypriot, a language that I speak everyday yet rarely read or listen to. My whole foundation of the Greek language is based on those interactions I have everyday and little else. I express myself better in English, I think in English and will switch to speaking English with every chance I get but for a few good reasons it made more sense that it was created in Greek, especially if I was going to take the leap out of my comfort zone.
The moment I realised that I was actually doing this and had created another website, this time for my podcast and shit was happening.
This though right here, the e-mail from Apple Music approving my little podcast. Oh the high I felt that day and still do.
So Mamma Mu, the new podcast for women and mothers in Cyprus is in the everyday Cypriot dialect. Sans for the first episode which is a small introduction where I talk about all the shitty stuff that comes with being a mum – see? I told you I express myself better in English- it’s a series of interviews with women and mothers who live in Cyprus. They have a great story to tell or they have really good logical and scientifically-proven ‘advice’ to give or they are just bloody amazing because they are doing something great in our little corner of the world.
The first doodle I did for the podcast image, which I sent to the absolutely bloody fantastic Michelle from Paintbrush In My Tea who ended up creating exactly what I had in mind. Thank you for being so patient with me x
When I sat down, one late August evening, to write my goals and projects I wanted to complete this season I didn’t even write the word ‘podcast’. There was absolutely no way I could do that. There’s no way I can afford to do that and that includes time not just money. And anyway why the fuck would anyone want to listen to what I have to say? I am amongst the privileged. I have a roof over my head, a nice car, I make smoothies and bake fucking granola. Why would anyone want to listen to me talk about crying and feeling hopeless, hitting rock bottom and having the worst possible thoughts in my head? Why would anyone want to hear me talk about the state my mental health was in when I had two babies back to back bringing me to a total of three boys with zero management experience? Well, because despite all this I am still human and that makes me complex and beautiful, just like you.
My thoughts and feelings about editing a podcast when I had no clue what I was doing and often felt like giving up.
My journey is not the same as yours. But it’s very similar. I know that because when I hit rock bottom, I immediately looked up. And soon I was able to I put my foot to the pedal. I devoured any information I could get on the mental health issues that mothers face and the openness that was suddenly there! Articles, Facebook posts, Instagram photos or should I say non-Instagrammable photos, podcasts and more podcasts. Women were talking about all the shit, they were writing about all the shit, so much shit I felt like crying with joy. I did actually. But it made so much sense to me, it touched me and stirred something inside and that’s how and why Mamma Mu was created. I have no plans to monetize this nor do I claim fame. I want it to reach as many women -and men!- as possible because these issues that so many of us are speaking openly about are finally making a huge and much-needed change in our otherwise lonely, highly-strung, busy and stress-driven lives.
Sneaking out to coffee shops early in the morning so I can edit the podcast and all the thousands of other things that go into the creation of a podcast.
Working in the car while I wait for Georgie to finish from a playdate.
We need to be reminded to slow down. We need to be reminded that it is fucking OK to slow down. We need to be reminded to breathe FFS! Most of us do not breathe correctly in order to boost enough oxygen into our brains so we’re walking around doing and saying stupid stuff all day. Honestly, some things, some simple, free and easy adjustments like breathing properly and mindfully can bring so much change into your life. I found this to be so brilliant I made a podcast episode out of it with Nikki Toumazides, a mindfulness coach.
The only investment I made, apart from hundreds of hours, was this microphone interview kit that enables me to conduct my interviews in the car which is as soundproof as I could get on a limited budget.
There’s an episode on pregnancy and birthing, why it’s ok and totally doable to have a natural birth after a c-section. Most of you who have read my blog know that I have achieved two VBAC’s – vaginal birth after caesarean– and have been very vocal about our fundamental rights during this life-changing moment that our minds and bodies go through. With Ioli Orphanidou Eteocleous, the vice president of Birth Forward we talk about birthing babies and what you really need to know if you’re expecting your first child or even second and third!
After a bath and on my way to a special late night interview with a friend which will be coming soon.
And because you all know what I foodie I am -and if you follow me on Instagram where I do daily posts about my quest to find foods and ways to give my body what it needs- I had to include a chat with an amazing holistic nutritionist about all the changes and small tweaks we can make to ensure we are consuming exactly what our minds and bodies need. Barbara Karafokas dishes out some amazing advice and easy recipes to help you make your eating habits and those of your family just a bit healthier.
A screenshot of Mamma Mu the podcast on Spotify Music. Note the song I was listening to.
So that’s it! To launch the podcast I am releasing three interviews with the above mentioned including my intro on why I created Mamma Mu. After this week, I will release one interview per week. I really hope you enjoy and subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get yours. The fantastic Hannah Taylor Johnson, who does my web maintenance and is an all-around amazing person, went above and beyond to create a page on my blog where you can access the podcast.
Thank you all for inspiring me to do this and for keeping up with my crazy world all these years. Much love to all x
