EP 115 – Optimizing Maternal Mental Health with Kate Kripke

Kaleidoscope of Possibilities

To watch the video of this episode, please go to: https://youtu.be/F95hlNYTPjM

What if the pressure to be the perfect mom is actually hurting you and your child?

How do unresolved emotions and limiting beliefs impact parenting?

What can we do to support mothers better—emotionally, physically, and systemically?

In this episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities – Alternative Perspectives on Mental Health, Dr. Adriana Popescu speaks with Kate Kripke, a licensed maternal mental health expert, author, podcaster, and creator of the Calm Connection System™. With over 20 years of experience, Kate has helped thousands of mothers around the world navigate the emotional rollercoaster of early parenthood, manage anxiety, and rebuild their sense of self through neuroscience-backed, compassionate support.

Together, Adriana and Kate explore the often-unspoken struggles of new motherhood—including emotional dysregulation, trauma, self-judgment, and the unrealistic standards imposed by society. Kate offers deeply grounded, empowering strategies that invite moms to shift from survival mode to a place of calm, stability, and connection.

In this episode:

• Why emotional discomfort is a natural part of motherhood

• How childhood beliefs impact your parenting style

• Understanding the connection between trauma, nervous system regulation, and maternal overwhelm

• The power of co-regulation and self-compassion

• Practical tools for emotional regulation and healing intergenerational trauma

• What it really takes to develop secure attachments with children

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Kate’s Website: https://www.katekripke.com/

• Kate’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katekripke/

• Reinventing Supermom Book: https://a.co/d/7grfC1F

About Kate:
Kate Kripke is a licensed maternal mental health expert, author, podcaster, and founder of the Calm Connection System. With over two decades of experience, Kate has worked with over 6,000 mothers, helping them overcome burnout, guilt, and emotional overwhelm. Her science-based approach blends nervous system regulation, somatic techniques, and mindset transformation to help moms thrive—not just survive—through motherhood, parents, and educators with powerful strategies to transform learning, focus, and daily life. A sought-after speaker, she is dedicated to lasting change.

“There is no motherhood without emotional discomfort… and many of us were never taught that emotions are okay.” – Kate

Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/)

About your host:

Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the book, What If You're Not As F***d Up As You Think You Are?

For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/

To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/

To learn about her trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/

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Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical or treatment questions.

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