Better Relationships After Baby

One Sure Way to Eff Up the Holidays for Your Family

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The number one way to tank the holidays for your family isn’t burnt rolls, forgotten gifts, or a crooked tree. It’s walking into every room wound ...

Day 10: The Wrap-Up — A Lighter, More Connected Holiday Starts Here

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

ou made it to the final episode of our 10-day Holiday Mental Load Series, and that says something meaningful about who you are as a partner and a pare...

Day 9: Supporting Each Other Through Mixed Holiday Emotions

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re talking about something almost every new parent experiences during the holidays, but few couples actually prepare for: Mixed emotions.Be...

Day 8: How to Have a Holiday Huddle — Talk First So You Don’t Fight Later

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re breaking down one of the most powerful tools for reducing resentment, confusion, and emotional overload during the holidays: the Holiday...

Day 7: Gift Logistics + Special Extras — Share the Load Before the Wrapping Paper

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re digging into one of the biggest (underestimated) parts of the holiday mental load: Gift logistics and all the special extras that come w...

Day 6: Holiday Safety + Travel Prep — Protect Your Sanity (and Your Schedule)

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Day 6 of our 10-Day Holiday Mental Load Series for new and expecting parents.Today we’re digging into a part of the season that becomes s...

Day 5: Self + Sanity — Protecting Your Capacity During the Holidays

23 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re talking about the part of the holiday mental load that almost no one prioritizes, but absolutely every new parent needs: your own capaci...

Day 4: Emotional Labor + Holiday Expectations — The Hidden Load That Drains New Parents

22 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 4 of 10: Emotional Labor + Holiday Expectations (Holiday Mental Load Series)Today we’re talking about the invisible part of the holiday ment...

Day 3: Event Schedules + Seasonal To-Dos — How to Stop Overscheduling Your December

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re talking about the part of the holiday mental load that drains new parents faster than anything else: the nonstop event schedule and the ...

Day 2: Holiday Logistics + Family Coordination — The Plan That Prevents December Blowups

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re unpacking the part of the holiday mental load that drains new parents faster than wrapping paper and sugar crashes: logistics and family...

Day 1: Home + Hosting — Your Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough Begins

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the first episode of our 10-day Holiday Mental Load Series—created for new and expecting parents who are overwhelmed by the mental load o...

The Mental Load of the Holidays: A Survival Guide for New Parents Who Are Tired of Doing It All

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You love your baby. You love your partner.But the holidays hit, and suddenly you’re the one tracking gifts, outfits, nap schedules, travel plans, an...

Why Every Parent Needs a Mom Group or Dad Group: The Science of Connection

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Modern parenthood wasn’t meant to be a solo project, yet so many new moms and dads are trying to figure it out in isolation. We scroll, read, and li...

Anchored, Not Stoic: How Dads Can Steady the Postpartum Home

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When a new baby arrives, the whole family’s nervous system changes. In this episode, we’re talking about what helps families thrive in the postpar...

Behind the Scenes: How We Talk About Emotional Steadiness (Without Sounding Stoic)

02 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're pulling back the curtain. This is our real planning convo on how we align language, debate “steady vs. stoic,” and map the tools before ...

Where a New Kind of Manhood Begins

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this solo episode, Mike Skaggs — co-founder of Postpartum Together — speaks directly to the men stepping into fatherhood, partnership, and purp...

Why You’re Snapping (and How to Stop): Dysregulation, Co-Regulation, and Early Parenthood with Manu Brune

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Early parenthood can fry your nervous system.Hello overstimulation, zero bandwidth, and snapping at your partner or kids. In this conversation, Chelse...

What This Dad is Most Afraid Of

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Becoming a dad after a baby arrives can shake a man to his core. In this episode, Mike opens up to share fears, emotions, and invisible battles many f...

The Stories We Tell Ourselves (Pt. 2): Emotional Safety, Sex, and Finding Yourself Again After Baby

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this second part of The Stories We Tell Ourselves series, Chelsea and Mike get into how the stories we carry in early parenthood shape connection, ...

The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Repairing Conflict After Parenthood Begins

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Conflict after a baby is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to break your relationship. In this episode, Chelsea and Mike go deeper than their Babies &...

NICU Stories and Support: Emily Rosen’s Waiting for Max

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When your newborn goes to the NICU, nothing feels “normal.” In this honest conversation, author and creative director Emily Rosen shares the 16-da...

The Invisible Load: How to See It, Share It, and Stop Resentment Before It Starts

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever feel like your brain has 27 tabs open—and none of them can close? That’s the invisible load of parenthood: The endless mental and emotional l...

Why Parents Fight Differently: Processing Styles in Marriage After Baby

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of having the same fight on repeat with your partner? One of you wants to hash it out right now, the other goes silent, and suddenly you’re no...

Marriage Under Pressure: What We Would’ve Fixed Before Becoming Parents

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Early parenthood has a way of putting every crack in your relationship under a spotlight. In this candid conversation, Chelsea and Mike pull back the ...

From People-Pleasing to Peace: Rewriting the Rules of Family Life

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you constantly saying “yes” when you really want to say “no”?In this episode, Chelsea and Mike get honest about people-pleasing, the “el...

Shoot the Shit Sessions: Fatherhood, Presence, and the Micro-Griefs of Parenting

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this off-the-cuff parenting podcast episode, Chelsea and Mike get real about fatherhood, parenting grief, and the pressure to be present.From cryin...

Why You Can’t Do Motherhood Alone: Building Your Village, Ditching Guilt, and Finding the Right Support {Guest: Stephanie Fornaro, Hello Nanny}

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Motherhood was never meant to be a solo act.In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Stephanie Fornaro, founder of Hello Nanny, to talk about why accep...

Rupture, Repair, and the Nervous System: Why Connection Builds Resilience

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is your stress response a sign you're failing, or a sign you're human?In this episode, Chelsea and Mike get real about what stress is actually...

You Can’t Fix a Relationship from Fight or Flight: Conflict, Co-Regulation & Repair

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

“Let’s just figure it all out right now…”You’ve said it. Or your partner has. And before you know it, it’s 10:30pm, you’re in survival m...

Touched Out: What Your Nervous System Is Trying to Tell You

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever felt like you want a connection, but the thought of one more person touching you makes your skin crawl?You’re not cold. You’re not broken. Yo...

How to Spot Emotional Distance After Baby + Rebuild Together

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You’re in the same room, but it feels like miles apart.You love your partner, but you feel more like co-managers than a couple.Sound familiar?In thi...

The World Is on Fire, But We’re Still Parenting

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When the world feels like it’s burning politically, socially, & emotionally, what do we do as parents? In this episode, Chelsea and Mike get hon...

HOW You Talk About the Mental Load Matters

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

<<GET THE FREE MENTAL LOAD LIST TEMPLATE: ⁠https://chelseaskaggs.kit.com/9116bb8436⁠>>Once we learned about the mental load, we though...

We Didn’t Know What the Mental Load Was—But It Was Ruining Our Connection

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

<https://chelseaskaggs.kit.com/9116bb8436>>For the first 4 years of our parenting journey, we didn’t know what the mental load was, let alo...

Why We Almost Gave Up on Our Marriage — And Why We Didn’t

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From postpartum rage to career stress to spiritual deconstruction, we’ve walked through some serious identity earthquakes and nearly walked away fro...

Stop Self-Sabotaging: The 3 Ways You’re Blocking Your Own Joy

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If your emotional hangover keeps crashing your good days, or your confidence lives and dies by your partner’s mood… we need to talk. This one’s ...

Stop Nagging, Start Connecting: How to Get Your Partner to Actually Talk to You

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feel like you're the only one trying to keep the conversation (and the relationship) alive? In this episode, Chelsea Skaggs breaks down how to get you...

Touched Out & Overwhelmed: What Moms Can Do When They’re Maxed Out on Physical & Emotional Demands

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling touched out as a mom is so real — and so under-talked about.In this episode, we’re diving into what it means to feel touched out, how over...

Why Your Vacation Feels Like More Work (And How to Fix It as a Team)

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You planned the trip. Packed the bags. Hoped for rest.But somehow, you’re still managing tantrums, tracking snacks, and wondering why your partner i...

Spring Clean the Emotional Clutter: The Hidden Blocks Holding Your Relationship Back

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby, we’re not just opening the windows and scrubbing baseboards—we’re clearing out the emotional...

How to Repair After Arguments and Build Emotional Connection in Your Relationship

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Arguments happen. Misunderstandings are inevitable. But what separates thriving couples from those who grow distant isn’t how often they argue—it’...

How to Stop Relationship Drift and Reignite Connection Through Coaching

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is your relationship feeling “fine” but not exactly thriving? Relationship drift is real, and it can happen to even the strongest couples. In this...

Dismantling the Patriarchy Together: Real Talk on Gender, Relationships & Emotional Labor with Fred Van Riper

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful and raw conversation, Chelsea sits down with Fred Van Riper, a Fair Play facilitator and men’s relationship coach, to explore the i...

Can Relationships Survive Political Differences? Tips for Couples

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Has your relationship felt heavier lately? You’re not alone.In this episode, we’re tackling the rising tension many couples are facing, especially...

Breaking the Loneliness Cycle in Your Marriage

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever feel disconnected from your partner—even when you’re spending time together? You’re not alone.In this episode, I’m diving into the quiet ...

The Hidden Cost of Doing It All—and How to Ask for Help (with Nicole Buckley)

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New parents often feel the weight of doing it all—managing the baby, the house, the career—without asking for help. But the cost of that is high.I...

Breaking the Argument Cycle: Why You Get Loud and They Shut Down"

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you find yourself stuck in the same argument loop? One of you gets louder, pushing for resolution, while the other shuts down, emotionally withdraw...

"s Your Relationship Built to Last Through Anything?

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your relationship doesn’t crumble in one dramatic moment—it’s the small, everyday fractures that weaken the foundation. In this episode, we’re...

Why You Keep Fighting Over “Nothing”: The Truth About the Mental Load

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever felt like you and your partner keep arguing over the tiniest things—like chores, schedules, or who forgot to buy the milk—this ep...

Teaser: What's NOT Working For You

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tune into tomorrow's episode to learn what you CAN DO to stop arguing over "nothing" and address the common struggles in your relationsh...

How to Ask for More Help Without Sounding Ungrateful

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling overwhelmed but nervous to ask your partner for more help? You’re not the only one. Many of us worry that asking for support will be taken a...

How to Build Equity in Your Relationship with the Fair Play Method (with Sandi Konta)

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling like you carry the mental and emotional weight of your home while your partner coasts? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep doing...

How to Break Out of the Roommate Phase in Your Relationship

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Does it feel like you and your partner are just running the house and raising kids… but missing the connection you once had? You’re not broken—t...

INVITE: Rebuilding Your Mom Confidence

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This isn’t just another episode—it’s a heart-to-heart invitation. 💛Becoming a mom shifts everything: your routines, your relationships, your ...

Where Did My Mom Rage Come From? Understanding and Navigating the Hidden Roots

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mom rage is real—and you're not the only one feeling it. 😔If you've ever slammed a cabinet, yelled louder than you meant to, or felt so o...

How Do We Keep the Intimacy Alive While Trying to Conceive (TTC)? (Guess Erin McCaffrey Crespon)

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

rying to conceive can feel like a rollercoaster—filled with hope, pressure, and so many emotions. 🌀And while everyone talks about ovulation track...

Relationship Misunderstandings After Parenthood: What’s Really Going On?

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever feel like you're speaking a different language than your partner—especially in the thick of raising kids? 🙃You're not alone. Misunde...

Why You Feel the Need to Justify Yourself in Conversations—and How to Stop

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you find yourself constantly justifying, explaining, or defending your choices in conversations—especially with your partner? That pattern has a ...

How to Build Emotional Safety and Strengthen Your Relationship

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the real secret to deeper connection, lasting trust, and stronger intimacy with your partner? In this episode, we unpack the foundational rol...

How to Stop Fighting About Money and Start Working Together

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why does talking about money feel so hard—and why does it lead to so many fights in relationships?In this episode, Chelsea is joined by money mindse...

Reaching Your 2025 Relationship Goals: Less Input, More Intention

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling stuck in the cycle of information overload? You’re not alone—and it’s time to break free in 2025. In this episode, we explore how embrac...

One Powerful Question to Simplify the Holidays and Strengthen Your Relationships

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby, we’re flipping the script on holiday stress. If your calendar feels packed, your mind is racing,...

3 Relationship Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore in 2025 (And What to Do Instead)

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is your relationship feeling off, but you’re not sure why? In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby, Chelsea breaks down three sneaky red ...

How Baby Sleep Affects Your Relationship: What Every Parent Needs to Know with Alexa Lee

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If sleep deprivation is straining your relationship, you’re not alone. In this powerful episode of Better Relationships After Baby, Chelsea chats wi...

Holiday Parenting Hack: How “Shift Work” Can Save Your Sanity (and Your Relationship)

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of being the default parent while your partner sips cocktails and chats it up at family gatherings? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to...

Pets and Babies: How to Prepare Your Dog (and Your Relationship) for a New Baby

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bringing a baby into a pet-loving home can be beautiful… and a little chaotic. In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby, Chelsea teams up ...

Why Advocacy Starts at Home: Strengthening Your Family to Change the World

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Want to raise kind, aware, change-making kids? It starts with what happens under your own roof. In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby, Ch...

What Men Gain When We Dismantle the Patriarchy: Rethinking Power, Identity & Connection

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Worried that dismantling the patriarchy means losing something? You’re not alone—but you might be asking the wrong question. In this episode of Be...

From Separation to Connection: How One Couple Rebuilt Their Marriage Through Coaching

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After years of feeling unseen and carrying the emotional load in her marriage, Jenny asked for a separation. But then, one recommendation and a leap ...

Tricking Your Brain to Make Space for Relationship Growth

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Change is hard—especially in relationships. Our brains are wired to crave certainty and familiarity, even if it’s not serving us anymore. In this ...

How to Improve Communication in Relationships: The Foundation for a Stronger Partnership

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Effective communication is the backbone of any healthy relationship. Without it, love, attraction, and shared goals can struggle to survive long-term....

Preparing Now for a Less SAD Winter

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hey friends, it’s Chelsea, and today on Better Relationships After Baby, we’re diving into a topic that hits hard this time of year: Seasonal Affe...

Why You NEED to Have These Conversations Before Baby Arrives

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why You NEED to Have These Conversations Before Baby ArrivesPregnancy is an exciting time, but let’s face it—there are some tough conversations yo...

Do You Show Enough Appreciation to Your Partner?

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When was the last time you really, intentionally showed appreciation to your partner?Are there moments where you assume they know what you love and ad...

How (and Why) to Make Couple's Friends: Building Meaningful Connections

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby, Chelsea explores the importance of couples’ friendships and why they’re essential for the heal...

Business and Family: Honoring Both (Guest: Emerson)

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I sit down with my eight-year-old son, Emerson, for an honest chat about family, business, and marriage. We dive into the ups and dow...

Parental Stress: A Significant Public Health Issue

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ready to explore coaching with me? Schedule your free call here. In this episode, I dive into the critical topic of parental stress and its profound...

Masculinity: How Does the Conversation Impact Your Family? (with guest Mike Skaggs)

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode of Better Relationships After Baby, I’m joined by my husband, Mike, as we dive into the complex topic of modern masculinity....

How to Strengthen Your Relationship by Aligning Values with Your Partner

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby, we’re talking about one of the most powerful (and most overlooked) tools in your relationship to...

How to Stay Calm and Communicate Clearly in Tough Conversations

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever tried to talk to your partner about something important, but the second you start, you feel flustered, your heart races, and the words c...

What Your Kids Learn from Your Marriage: Modeling Healthy Communication for Future Relationships

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do your kids see healthy communication, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution in your relationship? In this episode of Better Relationships Af...

How to Prioritize as Parents Without Burning Out: Understanding Glass and Plastic Balls

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling stretched too thin trying to do it all? In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby with Chelsea Skaggs, we’re talking about one of t...

Why Overwhelm Is Costing Moms—and Society—More Than We Realize

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if reducing mom overwhelm wasn’t just a personal need, but a social necessity? In this unscripted, heart-led episode of Better Relationships Af...

Beyond the Bounce Back: How to Heal Your Postpartum Body Image and Strengthen Your Relationship

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Better Relationships After Baby with Chelsea Skaggs, we’re calling out the toxic “bounce back” culture and digging into the r...

BEST OF: Matresence

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While I'm chasing my children around on vacation (basically parenting in a prettier place,) I am digging back into season 1 with the most popular ...

Rediscovering Intimacy After Baby: How to Reconnect Emotionally & Physically with Your Partner

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Better Relationships After Baby with Chelsea Skaggs, we’re getting real about the changes that impact intimacy after having a bab...

The Intimacy Dance After Baby: How to Balance Emotional & Physical Needs in Your Relationship

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby with Chelsea Skaggs, we’re diving into one of the most common disconnects couples face after kids...

Navigating ‘Touched Out’: Reclaim Your Body & Reconnect with Your Partner

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Better Relationships After Baby with Chelsea Skaggs, we’re talking about a feeling many moms know all too well but rarely name: b...

Mom Rage: How to Identify and Manage The Big Feels

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Better Relationships After Baby with Chelsea Skaggs—the podcast for expecting, new, and seasoned parents who want to stay connected and g...

Finding Core Needs with the Enneagram

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Understanding yourself is the first step to improving your connection with your partner—and the Enneagram is one of my favorite tools to get there.I...

How Defensiveness Shows Up for New Parents & How to Manage It

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Defensiveness in relationships is common, especially for new parents navigating the challenges of parenthood. In this episode, we dive into why defens...

The Danger of Miscommunication: How the Stories We Tell Ourselves Impact Relationships

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Miscommunication in relationships is often more about the stories we tell ourselves than the words we actually say. In today’s episode, we explore h...

3 Reasons You Feel Jealous of Other Moms & How to Overcome It

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mom jealousy is a common, yet often taboo, feeling that many new moms experience. In today’s episode, we explore the three main reasons behind these...

Can You Change Your Partner? Navigating Parenthood and Building a Stronger Relationship

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered if it’s possible to change your partner—especially in the context of parenthood? In this episode, I’m diving into the reality of t...

Rupture and Repair

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The goal isn't to never have an argument or hurt in your relationship with your partner or with your child. The goal is to create a safe place t...

Before You Judge Yourself (Being Your Expectation Bouncer)

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Where have your expectations come from? Are they serving you? Are you carrying dead weight? Today Chelsea talks about how you can evaluate your mothe...

One Thing I Wish I Would Have Focused on as a New Mom: The Power of Meaningful Connections

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As a new mom, there’s so much to juggle, but one thing I wish I had focused on more is building meaningful connections—with myself, my partner, an...

The Mental Load of Early Motherhood: Reclaiming Balance and Finding Peace

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The mental load of motherhood is real, especially in the early years. Whether you're a new mom feeling overwhelmed or a partner trying to understa...

Why Every Stay-at-Home Mom (AKA the Default Parent) Needs a Job Description

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you the stay-at-home mom who ends up being the default parent for everything—sick days, school calls, household needs, and more? Without a clear...

Creating a Motherhood Vision

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the power of crafting a unique motherhood vision and breaking free from societal expectations. In today's episode, the first of Season 2,...