A Bridge to Motherhood Podcast - Christian Motherhood, Postpartum Planning, Birth Prep, Mental Health & Routines
Danielle Bruner

Latest episode
71 episodes
- Postpartum moms need more than a meal train and a quick “How’s the baby?”
They need to be seen, supported, and cared for, too.
In this episode of the A Bridge to Motherhood Podcast, Danielle talks about some of the ways the church can unintentionally make postpartum motherhood harder—including expecting moms to return to “normal” too quickly, asking them to serve before asking what they need, and sometimes offering spiritual answers to problems that also require practical support.
Because postpartum moms may need prayer and sleep.
They may need Scripture and a meal.
They may need to trust God and ask for help.
These things are not opposites.
Supporting a postpartum mom is spiritual ministry—and the church has an opportunity to become a place where mothers don't have to pretend they're okay or carry the weight of motherhood alone.
And while we don't want to place unrealistic pressure on moms to maintain a perfect spiritual routine, we also don't want mothers to believe that their relationship with God has to disappear during this season.
So what does it actually look like to spend time with God when you're exhausted, overwhelmed, and barely have time to shower?
In This Episode:
Why postpartum moms shouldn't be expected to return to “normal” immediately
The difference between spiritual encouragement and spiritual pressure
Why practical support is spiritual support
What moms may need beyond “just pray about it”
Why the church should ask what postpartum moms need—not just what they can do
How supporting mothers can be a powerful form of ministry
An invitation to join the upcoming workshop Staying Close With God Postpartum: Spending Time with Him When You Barely Have Time to Shower
Join the FREE LIVE Workshop: Staying Close to God Postpartum: Spending Time with Him When You Barely Have Time to Shower
📅 Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 6 PM Eastern
If motherhood has made it difficult to maintain the spiritual rhythms you had before kids, you are not alone—and you don't have to figure out what comes next by yourself.
👉 www.abridgetomotherhood.com/workshop
Support the show
Connect with Danielle
Website: https://abridgetomotherhood.com
Instagram: @abridgetomotherhood
Shoot me an email: danielle@abridgetomotherhood.com
Leave a Review
If this episode encouraged you, would you take a minute to leave a rating and review? Your support helps more Christian moms discover the podcast and find hope in Christ during pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood.
After you review the show — take a screenshot and upload it here — so I can send you some happy mail with a little surprise as a thank you.
Your feedback means so much to me and helps us reach new moms who desperately need to hear that they are worthy of support!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this episode may be affiliate links, including Amazon links. This means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase through them. Thank you for supporting the show! - Have you ever felt like everything in motherhood depends on you?
The feeding.
The sleep.
The schedules.
Your marriage.
Your mental health.
Your identity.
It's easy to believe that if we just learn enough, research enough, or try harder, we'll finally feel like we're doing this motherhood thing "right."
But that's not what God asks of us.
In today's solo episode, Danielle shares a personal reminder the Lord placed on her heart during worship: Stop striving. Stop trying to do motherhood in your own strength.
Together, we'll explore what Scripture says about relying on God's strength instead of our own, how to renew our minds when we're overwhelmed, and why surrender is actually the beginning of wisdom—not giving up.
Whether you're pregnant, newly postpartum, or navigating the early years of motherhood, this episode will encourage you to lay your burdens at Jesus' feet and trust that His grace is enough.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
Why so many moms fall into the trap of striving
What 2 Corinthians 12:9 teaches about God's strength in our weakness
How to seek God's wisdom before turning to everyone else's opinions
Practical ways to renew your mind with Scripture during postpartum
Why surrender isn't weakness—it's the pathway to peace
Scriptures Mentioned:
2 Corinthians 12:9
Isaiah 41:10
Nehemiah 8:10
Psalm 84:5
1 Chronicles 16:11
James 1:5
Join the Postpartum on Purpose Community
Motherhood was never meant to be lived alone.
If you're looking for a Christ-centered community where you can bring both your practical questions and your spiritual struggles, I'd love to invite you to join the Postpartum on Purpose Community.
Each week we gather to study Scripture, pray together, worship, encourage one another, and renew our minds with God's truth. It's a place where you can be honest about the challenges of motherhood while continually being pointed back to Jesus with biblical encouragement, practical wisdom, and supportive community.
Learn more and join us at:
https://abridgetomotherhood.com/community
Support the show
Connect with Danielle
Website: https://abridgetomotherhood.com
Instagram: @abridgetomotherhood
Shoot me an email: danielle@abridgetomotherhood.com
Leave a Review
If this episode encouraged you, would you take a minute to leave a rating and review? Your support helps more Christian moms discover the podcast and find hope in Christ during pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood.
After you review the show — take a screenshot and upload it here — so I can send you some happy mail with a little surprise as a thank you.
Your feedback means so much to me and helps us reach new moms who desperately need to hear that they are worthy of support!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this episode may be affiliate links, including Amazon links. This means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase through them. Thank you for supporting the show! 68. Intimacy After Baby: Navigating Sex, Connection, and Communication in Marriage with Angela Griffith, The Christian Sexpert
2026/07/07 | 29 mins.Pregnancy and postpartum can shift so much in a marriage—including intimacy. And yet… this is a conversation that often goes unspoken.
In this episode, I’m joined by Angela Griffith, also known as The Christian Sexpert, to have an honest, faith-centered conversation about sex, intimacy, and connection in marriage during pregnancy and postpartum.
We talk about the real challenges couples face—like mismatched sex drives, feeling touched out, exhaustion, and the struggle to even talk about intimacy without awkwardness or shame. Angela shares practical, Christ-centered guidance to help couples build deeper connection, communicate more openly, and approach intimacy in a way that honors both partners.
This episode is not just about sex—it’s about cultivating true intimacy in a season where it can feel hard to stay connected.
💛 In this episode, we cover:
How pregnancy and postpartum impact intimacy in marriage
Navigating differences in sex drive with grace and understanding
Practical ways to communicate about intimacy without shame
Christ-centered ways to bring fun, connection, and intentionality back into your relationship
If you’ve been feeling distant from your partner or unsure how to navigate this area of your relationship, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, encouraged, and equipped with next steps.
Connect with Angela:
Visit her website: www.thechristiansexpert.com
Schedule a Consult with Angela
Follow her on TikTok: @thechristians_xpert
Follow her on Instagram: @thechristiansexpert
Follow her on Facebook @TheChristianSexpert
Support the show
Connect with Danielle
Website: https://abridgetomotherhood.com
Instagram: @abridgetomotherhood
Shoot me an email: danielle@abridgetomotherhood.com
Leave a Review
If this episode encouraged you, would you take a minute to leave a rating and review? Your support helps more Christian moms discover the podcast and find hope in Christ during pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood.
After you review the show — take a screenshot and upload it here — so I can send you some happy mail with a little surprise as a thank you.
Your feedback means so much to me and helps us reach new moms who desperately need to hear that they are worthy of support!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this episode may be affiliate links, including Amazon links. This means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase through them. Thank you for supporting the show!67. When Motherhood Doesn't Go as Planned: Finding God in the Unexpected with Kendall Mariah
2026/06/23 | 43 mins.Motherhood doesn't always unfold the way we expect.
In this episode, I'm joined by Kendall Mariah, author of This Little Fire of Mine, for a deeply honest conversation about infertility, adoption, anxiety, neurodivergence, faith, and learning to trust God when life takes unexpected turns.
Kendall shares her journey of discovering infertility before marriage, navigating diagnoses of PCOS and endometriosis, and ultimately pursuing adoption. We talk about the grief that can come with unmet expectations, the courage it takes to embrace a different path, and how God often meets us in the places we least expect.
We also dive into topics that are often left unspoken in Christian circles—including ADHD, autism, anxiety, sexual assault, purity culture, and the shame many women carry as a result. Kendall shares how becoming a mother led her to better understand her own neurodivergence and why breaking generational cycles of shame and silence matters for the next generation.
Whether you're navigating infertility, struggling with anxiety, questioning your identity, or simply walking through a season that looks different than you imagined, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone—and that God is still at work in your story.
Inside this episode, you'll learn:
Kendall's infertility journey and path to adoption
Living with PCOS, endometriosis, ADHD, and autism
The intersection of faith, anxiety, and shame
How purity culture can impact women's mental and emotional health
Breaking generational cycles of silence and shame
The realities of military spouse life and solo parenting during deployment
Finding community during difficult seasons
Learning to trust God when life doesn't go according to plan
Connect with Kendall Mariah:
Instagram: @kendallmariah
Visit her website: https://kendallmariah.com/
Grab a copy of This Little Fire of Mine wherever books are sold.
If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend who may need the reminder that God is present even in the unexpected chapters of her story.
Resources Mentioned:
Joined Postpartum on Purpose Bible Study here
Support the show
Connect with Danielle
Website: https://abridgetomotherhood.com
Instagram: @abridgetomotherhood
Shoot me an email: danielle@abridgetomotherhood.com
Leave a Review
If this episode encouraged you, would you take a minute to leave a rating and review? Your support helps more Christian moms discover the podcast and find hope in Christ during pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood.
After you review the show — take a screenshot and upload it here — so I can send you some happy mail with a little surprise as a thank you.
Your feedback means so much to me and helps us reach new moms who desperately need to hear that they are worthy of support!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this episode may be affiliate links, including Amazon links. This means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase through them. Thank you for supporting the show!66. Beyond the Baby Registry How to Prepare for the Transition to Motherhood with Nina Spears, The Baby Chick®
2026/06/16 | 32 mins.Are you preparing for a baby—or preparing to become a mother?
So many expecting moms spend months researching baby gear, creating registries, and planning for birth. But one of the biggest transitions often gets overlooked: the transition into motherhood itself.
In this episode, I’m joined by Nina Spears, founder and CEO of Baby Chick®, certified baby planner, birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and author of The Baby Chick Guide to Positive Pregnancy.
After supporting more than 800 families in person and thousands more virtually, Nina has seen firsthand how many women prepare extensively for their baby's arrival but feel unprepared for the emotional, physical, and identity shifts that come with becoming a mom.
In our conversation, Nina shares practical ways to prepare for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and motherhood so you can feel more confident, supported, and equipped for this life-changing season.
💛 In This Episode, We Cover:
Why preparing for motherhood is just as important as preparing for baby
The biggest surprises many women experience after becoming a mom
How to prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically for postpartum
The identity shift that often accompanies motherhood
Building a support system before your baby arrives
Common misconceptions about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
Ways partners can prepare for the transition into parenthood
How to create a more positive pregnancy and postpartum experience
Whether you're expecting your first baby or supporting someone who is, this episode offers encouragement, practical wisdom, and reminders that you don't have to navigate motherhood alone.
📚 Resources Mentioned
The Baby Chick Guide to Positive Pregnancy
Enter the Giveway when you preorder the book Closes 6/29/2026
🤝 Connect with Nina Spears
Baby Chick® Website
Follow Nina on Instagram
If this episode encouraged you, share it with an expecting mom who is preparing for more than just baby's arrival—she's preparing for motherhood, too. 💛
Support the show
Connect with Danielle
Website: https://abridgetomotherhood.com
Instagram: @abridgetomotherhood
Shoot me an email: danielle@abridgetomotherhood.com
Leave a Review
If this episode encouraged you, would you take a minute to leave a rating and review? Your support helps more Christian moms discover the podcast and find hope in Christ during pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood.
After you review the show — take a screenshot and upload it here — so I can send you some happy mail with a little surprise as a thank you.
Your feedback means so much to me and helps us reach new moms who desperately need to hear that they are worthy of support!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this episode may be affiliate links, including Amazon links. This means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase through them. Thank you for supporting the show!
More Christianity podcasts
Trending Christianity podcasts
About A Bridge to Motherhood Podcast - Christian Motherhood, Postpartum Planning, Birth Prep, Mental Health & Routines
A Bridge to Motherhood Podcast helps Christian moms navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with practical, evidence-based support and faith-filled encouragement.Hosted by Danielle Bruner—mom of two and birth & postpartum doula—this podcast offers honest conversations, expert insights, and simple strategies to help you feel prepared, supported, and confident in early motherhood.From postpartum planning and birth recovery to mental health, routines, and relationships, each episode blends real-life motherhood with biblical truth—reminding you that your identity is rooted in Christ, not perfection.You’ll learn how to: Prepare for postpartum during pregnancy Heal physically and emotionally after birth Support your mental health (postpartum anxiety & depression) Build routines, boundaries, and support systems Strengthen your marriage and family rhythms Grow in your faith during motherhood If you’re looking for practical guidance, encouragement, and a Christ-centered perspective on motherhood—you’re in the right place.New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe and start thriving in motherhood—without the pressure to do it perfectly.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for your unique needs.
Podcast websiteListen to A Bridge to Motherhood Podcast - Christian Motherhood, Postpartum Planning, Birth Prep, Mental Health & Routines, Live Free with Josh Howerton and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app
- Stations and podcasts to bookmark
- Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- Supports Carplay & Android Auto
- Many other app features
Get the free radio.net app
- Stations and podcasts to bookmark
- Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- Supports Carplay & Android Auto
- Many other app features


A Bridge to Motherhood Podcast - Christian Motherhood, Postpartum Planning, Birth Prep, Mental Health & Routines
Scan code,
download the app,
start listening.
download the app,
start listening.



























