THE MILK

Intimated by birth? Hypnobirthing flips fear into calm & confidence with simple mind & body shifts. This week I sit down with hypnobirthing coach and doula Nicolle Kasch (owner of Mind Body Baby OC) to turn a fear-heavy narrative into a grounded plan you can practice ahead of time. We get real about the mechanics of calmer labor: how oxytocin and endorphins help the uterus work, why adrenaline shows up at the wrong time, and what you can do to keep your nervous system in a state that lets birth unfold.

Nicolle breaks down hypnobirthing as intuitive preparation, something any birth plan can include (not just the unmedicated ones!). You’ll learn simple, effective techniques—slow belly breathing with long exhales, relaxing the jaw and hands to soften the pelvis, and using the gate control theory of pain with a comb or spiky ball. We map out the “labor cave” environment that boosts oxytocin: dim lighting, cozy textures, familiar scents, and fewer onlookers. We also tackle different hospital scenarios , why food and electrolytes matter for stamina, and how partners can support you from start to finish: owning the birth plan and communicating with staff to hands-on comfort moves like shoulder anchors, light touch massage, sacral counter pressure, hip squeezes, & more.
More Of What We Discuss:
• defining hypnobirthing as intuitive birth prep
• oxytocin, endorphins, adrenaline, and labor chemistry
• fear–tension–pain cycle and how to break it
• slow belly breathing with long exhales
• face, jaw, and hand relaxation to soften the pelvis
• gate control theory, combs, and spiky tools
• light touch massage, counterpressure, hip squeezes
• sensory anchors using scent, lighting, and texture
• partners as advocates, coaches, and calm keepers
• creating a private, dim, nurse-aligned birth space
• staying flexible when plans change

If you want less fear, more flow, and a birth rooted in trust, this conversation gives you the science, the mindset, and the moves. 
Find Nicolle: mindbodybabyoc.com and @mindbodybabyoc. 

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Ever had life hand you a mirror and ask who you’re becoming, not who you’ve been? That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with wellness creator, co-founder of FORM, and soon-to-be first-time mom, Sami Spalter! We go beyond trimester talk to unpack identity, body image, boundaries, and the surprising ways pregnancy turns discipline into surrendering and perfection into presence.

Sami opens up about how the 1st trimester forced her to give up her highly adored pre-pregnancy routine and swap it for whatever her body needed most in that moment, her willingness to ask for help, & how she reminds herself daily that her weight does not define her worth.
 If you’re craving a warm, grounded take on pregnancy, purpose, and becoming, this one will feel like a DEEP exhale and a big hug to all the pregnant, postpartum & new mamas out there.

More On What We Discuss:
• pregnancy as identity shift and boundary builder
• reframing weight gain as intentional and purposeful
• dressing for comfort to protect mental health
• releasing perfection and people-pleasing
• practical prep for birth and the fourth trimester
• direction over speed in postpartum healing
• modeling self-respect and joy for our kids
• healing family patterns and reparenting ourselves
• surrendering to birth as initiation and choosing presence
Make sure to follow along Sami's pregnancy and motherhood story by following her on Instagram @samispalter
Follow The Milk Podcast on all platforms for weekly episodes that remind you you're not alone, you're not crazy, and you're doing way better than you think.
Follow & Subscribe For More:
YouTube: @TheMilkPodcast
Instagram: @TheMilkPodcast_@TaylaBurke
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Ready to rethink “post-baby body” without punishment or perfection? I sat down with friend, creator and mom of two, Alec Treffers, to map out the simple systems that helped her lose 18 pounds (in 4 months) after breastfeeding and—more importantly—maintain it while running a household and a growing brand. No extremes here: just clear goals, macro literacy, and a training split that builds strength and confidence.

Alec breaks macros down to earth: why protein should match your body weight in grams, how an excess of healthy fats can silently stall progress, and the reason carbs actually helped her get leaner. She shares realistic ways to track macros, her eating out hacks, cooking for her entire family while maintaining her goals, & creating meals that taste great without feeling like "diet food". 
More Of What We Discuss:
• the moment after baby two that made her want to make changes
• macros explained simply and the power of protein
• limiting fats and letting carbs fuel training
• ordering smart when eating out and the kids’ menu hack
• simple family dinners with three-minute measuring
• breakfast swaps, lunch shortcuts & realistic meal prep 
• alcohol tradeoffs and macro-friendly desserts
• her training breakdown & rest days
• how reaching goals has led to identity shifts & confidence boosts
• avoiding comparison and finding your own lane

Follow Alec on Instagram HERE
Follow The Milk Podcast on all platforms for weekly episodes that remind you you're not alone, you're not crazy, and you're doing way better than you think.
Follow & Subscribe For More:
YouTube: @TheMilkPodcast
Instagram: @TheMilkPodcast_@TaylaBurke
TikTok: @TheMilkPodcast @Tayla_Burke

It's baby registry building time!! I can't believe I'm already at the point of seriously prepping for this baby but here we are. This might be my 3rd rodeo, but planning for this episode was the perfect refresher for me. I feel like with everything we see on social media and all of the targeted ads that come our way, we start to believe we need all of the latest and greatest baby items we come across... I've come to realize that less is truly more. 
I wanted to find a way to make the 'building a baby registry' experience a simple, problem-solving game plan and share what actually earns space in your nursery and home. No more panic purchasing, buyers remorse, built up clutter, and things that end up in donation pile sooner than expected. 
In this episode, I whipped together 5 practical "zones" for building a registry" sleep, feeding, diapering, out-and-about gear, and soothing/play. I also share some questions I always ask myself before clicking purchase. We play a little game of Registry Court, where I vote Yes, No, or Maybe on types of baby products you've asked about (giving my honest opinion & experience!) I end the episode by sharing specific things I'll be doing to feel more prepared and at ease before we leave for the hospital (ie. the logistics & planning ahead for when we get home!). 
We turn the baby registry into a simple, problem-solving plan and share what actually earns space in your home. Clear rules, five practical zones, honest verdicts on trending gear, and a calm 72-hour homecoming plan make preparation feel doable and sane.

More Of What I Discuss:
• less-is-more rules to stop panic buys
• buy for your life, not social media
• five zones: sleep, feeding, diapering, out-and-about, soothing and play
• where to invest and where to save
• monitors, bouncers, warmers and pumps judged 
• smart dupes for carriers and play kits
• a 72-hour plan for food, help and home setup
• partner roles, visitor boundaries and tiny daily self-care

LINKS!:
Tayla's Baby Registry Link: CLICK HERE
Mabe Baby Carrier 10%+ off with code TAYLAB CLICK HERE

If you’re creating a baby registry from scratch or adding for baby number two or three, this guide helps you spend less, carry less, and feel more ready. Tap play, steal the checklist, and share this with a friend who’s building their list. 

Follow The Milk Podcast on all platforms for weekly episodes that remind you you're not alone, you're not crazy, and you're doing way better than you think.
Follow & Subscribe For More:
YouTube: @TheMilkPodcast
Instagram: @TheMilkPodcast_@TaylaBurke
TikTok: @TheMilkPodcast @Tayla_Burke

If the trying-to-conceive aisle has ever made you feel overwhelmed or alone, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. We sit down with Samantha Diamond—founder and CEO of Bird & Be—to unpack what it really takes to make fertility care clear, kind, and a shared journey between partners.
Samantha opens up about an early PCOS diagnosis, a later miscarriage, and the isolation that followed—even with a fertility specialist at home. That lived experience led to a mission: bring the approachable clarity of beauty marketing to reproductive health without losing scientific rigor. We talk about the education gaps that leave women scrambling when it's time to "try", how integrative care blends medicine with lifestyle, and the specific red flags—like day-3 FSH and ovarian reserve changes—that should prompt a faster trip to the doctor.
We also place men squarely in the frame. Sperm quality affects placental development, pregnancy health, and even childhood outcomes. Samantha shares clinical results from Bird & Be’s male supplement showing meaningful improvements in motility and morphology within three months, plus why sperm’s quick regeneration opens a powerful window for change. For the ladies, we dig into egg quality, oxidative stress, and the three-month folliculogenesis timeline, highlighting CoQ10, Mediterranean-style nutrition, sleep, and strength training—especially heavy lifting for PCOS—as key levers.
If you’re ready to replace confusion with clarity and carry the load together, press play. If the conversation resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more listeners can find support.
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Bird&Be GIVEAWAY!!
The Prize: Sperm +Egg Bundle + Power Play Lube (Value: $125)
How to Enter: Reshare this episode or IG reel of episode on your story telling us why you loved the episode & tag both @themilkpodcast_ and @birdbeco so we can see it :) 
More Details: Giveaway ends Friday, Feb. 13th at 5pm pst (winner will be notified over the weekend via direct message on IG).
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Bird&Be Discount Code: TAYLABURKE10
SHOP BIRD&BE HERE 
FOLLOW BIRD&BE HERE
Follow The Milk Podcast on all platforms for weekly episodes that remind you you're not alone, you're not crazy, and you're doing way better than you think.
Follow & Subscribe For More:
YouTube: @TheMilkPodcast
Instagram: @TheMilkPodcast_@TaylaBurke
TikTok: @TheMilkPodcast @Tayla_Burke