Soul Mammas Podcast Rethinks Motherhood

Moms really deserve a standing ovation. They cook, clean, and constantly care for everyone within reach — everyone but themselves. Sometimes, the push for perfection can be hard for new mothers, but a Santa Barbara–based podcast is helping them realize that their own happiness is just as important as that of their immediate family.

Soul Mammas reaches out to mothers who take time out of their busy schedules to pursue their own goals. Each episode, a new mom is interviewed on topics ranging from pregnancy and marriage to career success and self-care. And it’s all orchestrated by a woman who is no stranger to balancing passion and responsibility. Some time ago, Nicole De Leon — yoga instructor, entrepreneur, surfer, and mother of three — began to ask herself if being a mom meant losing her independence. With an infant, could she no longer go surfing or take an impromptu yoga class?

After having her baby last year, De Leon understood how moms can feel alone when they are obligated to others.