Natasha Wakefield shares her unique upbringing in a cult-like church and her journey to finding her own identity and leaving the church. She discusses the challenges of being a single mum and a business owner, as well as the guilt and discomfort that can arise from making difficult decisions (like a separation).

The conversation explores the complex relationship women have with food, exercise, and their bodies. It delves into the importance of discipline and sacrifice in achieving long-term goals. Natasha shares her personal journey with health and fitness, including her battle with an eating disorder. She emphasises the need for realistic and achievable habits, such as meal prepping and staying hydrated. The discussion also touches on the impact of stress on our bodies and the importance of self-care. In this final part of the conversation, Natasha and Rachel discuss the topic of dating for single mums, with Natasha sharing her personal experiences and the challenges she has faced. They discuss the importance of putting yourself out there and trying new things to meet potential partners.

FOLLOW US:

Instagram:

Podcast: @motheringonmyown.podcast

Rach: @rachel.maksimovic

Natahsa: @natashaevewakefield

Natasha Wakefield shares her unique upbringing in a cult-like church and her journey to finding her own identity and leaving the church. She discusses the challenges of being a single mum and a business owner, as well as the guilt and discomfort that can arise from making difficult decisions (like a separation).The conversation explores the complex relationship women have with food, exercise, and their bodies. It delves into the importance of discipline and sacrifice in achieving long-term goals. Natasha shares her personal journey with health and fitness, including her battle with an eating disorder. She emphasises the need for realistic and achievable habits, such as meal prepping and staying hydrated. The discussion also touches on the impact of stress on our bodies and the importance of self-care. In this final part of the conversation, Natasha and Rachel discuss the topic of dating for single mums, with Natasha sharing her personal experiences and the challenges she has faced. They discuss the importance of putting yourself out there and trying new things to meet potential partners.FOLLOW US:Instagram:Podcast: @motheringonmyown.podcastRach: @rachel.maksimovicNatahsa: @natashaevewakefield <hr>

Now What? is a podcast for single mothers, solo mums by choice and women navigating separation, co-parenting, dating again and blended families. Formerly Mothering On My Own, the show has evolved to reflect how single motherhood keeps shifting and reshaping over time. Hosted by Rachel Maksimovic, it’s a space for honest conversations, expert insights and real stories that help you feel less alone as you navigate each new chapter and ask yourself… now what?

Now What? is a podcast for single mothers, solo mums by choice and women navigating separation, co-parenting, dating again and blended families. Formerly Mothering On My Own, the show has evolved to reflect how single motherhood keeps shifting and reshaping over time. Hosted by Rachel Maksimovic, it&rsquo;s a space for honest conversations, expert insights and real stories that help you feel less alone as you navigate each new chapter and ask yourself&hellip; now what?

Now What? is a podcast for single mothers, solo mums by choice and women navigating separation, co-parenting, dating again and blended families.

Now What? Podcast

49. Leaving the church, health and wellness & dating - with Natasha Wakefield

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/f68ae212-8985-4bb4-b785-b482017eb323/transcript

This episode dives into one of the messiest and most misunderstood dynamics in modern parenting, the relationship between a mum and the woman who steps into her kids' life. Step parent coach Kris joins the conversation to unpack the assumptions that get made on both sides before anyone's even met, the moments that quietly break trust, and the role dads and partners actually play in how these relationships unfold, which turns out to be a lot more than they usually get credit for. Real experience gets shared throughout, including what it's like to step into a partner's kids' world without any of the rulebook, and neither guest holds back on the harder, messier parts of it. For anyone who's ever felt threatened by, competitive with, or unsure how to navigate the other woman in their children's life, this conversation offers a rare, honest look at both sides.

Find our guest: Kris, Step Parent Coach
Find our host: Rachel Maksimovic

This episode dives into one of the messiest and most misunderstood dynamics in modern parenting, the relationship between a mum and the woman who steps into her kids' life. Step parent coach Kris joins the conversation to unpack the assumptions that get made on both sides before anyone's even met, the moments that quietly break trust, and the role dads and partners actually play in how these relationships unfold, which turns out to be a lot more than they usually get credit for. Real experience gets shared throughout, including what it's like to step into a partner's kids' world without any of the rulebook, and neither guest holds back on the harder, messier parts of it. For anyone who's ever felt threatened by, competitive with, or unsure how to navigate the other woman in their children's life, this conversation offers a rare, honest look at both sides. Find our guest: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stepparentcoach/">Kris, Step Parent Coach</a> Find our host: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rachel.maksimovic/">Rachel Maksimovic</a>

Stepmum vs Single Mum: Why We're Fighting the Wrong Fight- with Karissa Byrnes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/a8353071-1549-4398-841f-b4b900265556/transcript

Today's guest is Megan Dalla-Camina, author, women's leadership expert and PhD researcher, whose work explores what happens when women start questioning the lives they've built and begin reconnecting with themselves. Her latest book, She Who Remembers, makes the case that so many women aren't actually lost, they've just become disconnected from who they are beneath years of expectations, achievements and caregiving.

Megan and I get into what it really means to stop "fixing" ourselves and start remembering ourselves instead, especially in the wake of divorce or separation, when identity can feel completely fractured. We talk about honouring where you're at before you try to figure out who you're meant to be next, why motherhood (and single motherhood especially) can intensify all of this, and how the collapse of a relationship can actually become a doorway back to yourself rather than just a failure. Megan also shares the daily rituals that have made the biggest difference in her own life, sleep, meditation, nature and nourishment, and why protecting your energy from mindless distraction matters just as much as any of it.

If you've ever felt like you don't know who you are anymore, this conversation is a really gentle, honest place to start.

Megan Dalla-Camina: Instagram

Today's guest is Megan Dalla-Camina, author, women's leadership expert and PhD researcher, whose work explores what happens when women start questioning the lives they've built and begin reconnecting with themselves. Her latest book, She Who Remembers, makes the case that so many women aren't actually lost, they've just become disconnected from who they are beneath years of expectations, achievements and caregiving.
Megan and I get into what it really means to stop "fixing" ourselves and start remembering ourselves instead, especially in the wake of divorce or separation, when identity can feel completely fractured. We talk about honouring where you're at before you try to figure out who you're meant to be next, why motherhood (and single motherhood especially) can intensify all of this, and how the collapse of a relationship can actually become a doorway back to yourself rather than just a failure. Megan also shares the daily rituals that have made the biggest difference in her own life, sleep, meditation, nature and nourishment, and why protecting your energy from mindless distraction matters just as much as any of it.
If you've ever felt like you don't know who you are anymore, this conversation is a really gentle, honest place to start. Megan Dalla-Camina: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/megandallacamina/">Instagram</a>

The Doorway Divorce Opens, with Megan Dalla-Camina

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/3903bea8-2c31-44ec-a637-b4b200251374/transcript

Child support. Say those two words and most people think it's simple, one parent transfers money to the other, end of story. But if you've been through it, you know that's not even close to the truth.

In this episode I sit down with Terese Edwards, CEO of Single Mother Families Australia, who has spent over 15 years fighting for single parents at the highest levels of government. We talk about how child support can be weaponised, why so many women end up trapped in a system that was supposed to protect them, and what's actually changing after the biggest reforms since 1988.

Terese pulls back the curtain on the reports, the research, and the real stories behind the numbers, including why 25% of child support payments are $10 a week or less, and how private collect arrangements quietly leave women with no record and no recourse. We also get into the emotional side of all this, the guilt, the pressure to just be the bigger person, and why so many women stay silent.

This one is heavy in places but it's also full of hope. Terese has been in the room when the changes were announced, and she shares what's coming, what to hold on for, and why she genuinely believes we're in a turning point.

If you've ever felt like the system was working against you instead of for you, this conversation will make you feel seen.

Single Mother Families Australia
Single Mother Families Australia (Facebook)

Child support. Say those two words and most people think it's simple, one parent transfers money to the other, end of story. But if you've been through it, you know that's not even close to the truth.
In this episode I sit down with Terese Edwards, CEO of Single Mother Families Australia, who has spent over 15 years fighting for single parents at the highest levels of government. We talk about how child support can be weaponised, why so many women end up trapped in a system that was supposed to protect them, and what's actually changing after the biggest reforms since 1988.
Terese pulls back the curtain on the reports, the research, and the real stories behind the numbers, including why 25% of child support payments are $10 a week or less, and how private collect arrangements quietly leave women with no record and no recourse. We also get into the emotional side of all this, the guilt, the pressure to just be the bigger person, and why so many women stay silent.
This one is heavy in places but it's also full of hope. Terese has been in the room when the changes were announced, and she shares what's coming, what to hold on for, and why she genuinely believes we're in a turning point.
If you've ever felt like the system was working against you instead of for you, this conversation will make you feel seen. <a href="https://smfa.com.au/">Single Mother Families Australia</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=single%20mother%20families%20australia">Single Mother Families Australia (Facebook)</a>

The Truth About Child Support in Australia- with Terese Edwards

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/099c02b8-000d-4995-a9da-b4aa00c9a457/transcript

49. Leaving the church, health and wellness & dating - with Natasha Wakefield

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