Show Notes
When Victoria Vanstone became a mum, she thought she was prepared. She imagined she’d simply add a baby to her already lovely life, pop them in a sling and carry on being herself.
That wasn’t quite what happened.
In this first episode of MAMA, Vic shares the messy, funny and emotional reality of becoming a mother, from carefree party girl to overwhelmed new mum struggling with anxiety, identity loss and the enormous responsibility of keeping a tiny human alive.
She talks honestly about the pressure to be a “good mum”, the loneliness that can hide behind smiling family photos, and the relentless mental load that so many mothers carry in silence. She also explores how alcohol slowly became her coping mechanism, not because she loved drinking, but because she was desperate for a way to switch off.
Together, we’ll unpack the myths of modern motherhood, why so many women feel like they’re failing when they’re actually doing an incredible job, and why reaching for a glass of wine can sometimes be a sign that something deeper needs attention.
If you’ve ever wondered where the old you disappeared to, questioned whether those “mummy reward wines” are really helping, or felt like everyone else got the parenting handbook except you, this episode is for you.
No judgement. No perfection. Just an honest conversation about the motherhood plot twist nobody saw coming, and the reassurance that you’re far from alone.
Resources & Links About MAMA
MAMA (Motherhood. Alcohol. Mental Health. Anxiety.) is a special podcast series from Sober Awkward, created to complement the Healthy Mum Healthy Bub program.
Developed in partnership with researchers from The University of Sydney and supported by funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), MAMA aims to help mums feel less alone, more informed and better supported as they navigate the challenges of early motherhood.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, struggling with anxiety, or questioning the role alcohol plays in your life, you’re in the right place.
Healthy Mum Healthy Bub healthymumhealthybub.org.au https://www.sydney.edu.au/matilda-centre
Sober Awkward Podcast, books, courses, community, events and support soberawkward.com
Victoria’s Books Mumming - A Year of Trying (and Failing) to be a Better Parent - https://amzn.asia/d/08E0CLyS A Thousand Wasted Sundays - https://amzn.asia/d/0eK3l8Bd
Sober Awkward Retreats Join Victoria and the Sober Awkward community for alcohol-free retreats, workshops and unforgettable adventures in Australia and overseas. Find out more at: soberawkward.com MAMA: Motherhood. Alcohol. Mental Health. Anxiety.
Hosted by Victoria Vanstone, author, speaker and co-host of the award-winning podcast Sober Awkward, MAMA is an honest, funny and reassuring podcast about the realities of modern motherhood.
From anxiety and overwhelm to wine o’clock culture, identity, relationships and mental health, Victoria explores the conversations many mums are thinking about but rarely say out loud.
Created in association with Healthy Mum Healthy Bub, researchers from The University of Sydney, and funded by the Medical Research Future Fund, MAMA combines lived experience, expert knowledge and practical tools to support mums through the challenges of parenting, mental health and alcohol use.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from MAMA - Motherhood. Alcohol. Mental Health. Anxiety
As we reach the final episode of MAMA, Victoria reflects on one of the most important lessons she has learned through motherhood, anxiety and eight years of sobriety:
When you change your relationship with alcohol, nobody really prepares you for the question that comes next:
There comes a point when you’ve read the articles, made the promises, created the rules and sworn that this time things will be different.
Every Friday night, Victoria Vanstone made the same promise to herself. Just one or two drinks. Home early. No hangover. No anxiety. No regrets. This time would be different.
Motherhood is hard. Not the cute Instagram version with matching outfits and homemade baby purées. The real version. The sleep deprivation, the self-doubt, the endless responsibility and the overwhelming feeling that everyone else somehow knows what they’re doing except you.