Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 182 W/Stella Falkner
Mon Feb 02 2026
Stella Falkner is a 2-time founder who believes in maternal mental health and the wellness that support can change and save lives. Her experience of being a first time mom compounded with experiencing trauma, she experienced mental health challenges that made her determined to help other moms.
She was fortunate to be able to attend a mental health program for moms that changed the course of her recovery journey. She credits the program and the moms who were there with saving her life. Most motherhood support programs only support the first 12 months of postpartum but we know that mothers need support before and well beyond that timeline. She believes (as do we) that expecting moms to find the help they need on their own is unrealistic and without someone who noticed something wasn't right (through texts) she wouldn't have gotten the help she needed. Her biggest challenge changes from year to year but in the beginning it was figuring out how to work full-time without missing any of the special moments. Being present is a challenge for working moms (as well as SAHM's) and sometimes that challenge is overwhelming. Her biggest supporter is her husband and although it wasn't always perfect, it has been a working relationship and has improved throughout the last four years. His emotional support has been life changing for her. Dads go through PPD as well and not talked about. Her favorite mama moments are when her 4 year old is a special gentleman who wants mama to "sparkle." Her worst mama moment was when her 1 and ½ year old was dabbing the tears away trying to make her feel better. That moment made her think that she may have "ruined" him but to flip that script and realize that she was raising a very empathetic child who wanted to make his mama feel better. She wishes she would have been more aware of the toxicity of social media and motherhood. Her amazing app is called DOWA and can be found on the app store. GREAT resource for mamas! Check it out.
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Stella Falkner is a 2-time founder who believes in maternal mental health and the wellness that support can change and save lives. Her experience of being a first time mom compounded with experiencing trauma, she experienced mental health challenges that made her determined to help other moms. She was fortunate to be able to attend a mental health program for moms that changed the course of her recovery journey. She credits the program and the moms who were there with saving her life. Most motherhood support programs only support the first 12 months of postpartum but we know that mothers need support before and well beyond that timeline. She believes (as do we) that expecting moms to find the help they need on their own is unrealistic and without someone who noticed something wasn't right (through texts) she wouldn't have gotten the help she needed. Her biggest challenge changes from year to year but in the beginning it was figuring out how to work full-time without missing any of the special moments. Being present is a challenge for working moms (as well as SAHM's) and sometimes that challenge is overwhelming. Her biggest supporter is her husband and although it wasn't always perfect, it has been a working relationship and has improved throughout the last four years. His emotional support has been life changing for her. Dads go through PPD as well and not talked about. Her favorite mama moments are when her 4 year old is a special gentleman who wants mama to "sparkle." Her worst mama moment was when her 1 and ½ year old was dabbing the tears away trying to make her feel better. That moment made her think that she may have "ruined" him but to flip that script and realize that she was raising a very empathetic child who wanted to make his mama feel better. She wishes she would have been more aware of the toxicity of social media and motherhood. Her amazing app is called DOWA and can be found on the app store. GREAT resource for mamas! Check it out.