Perfect mom pressure: Sam Cowen's candid chat on motherhood | Don't Hold Back podcast

Perfect mom pressure: Sam Cowen's candid chat on motherhood

Being a new mom brings immense joy, but it also comes with unexpected struggles. From baby blues to belly laughs, join Nozi and Sam Cowen's candid conversation...

Huge pressure on new moms to 'be perfect'
JacPod | DW

Content creator, author, HIV activist, and "Don't Hold Back" podcast host, Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba, is a new mother, and she was taken aback by the sudden highs and lows of this new journey.

Many young women fight a silent battle against postpartum depression.

To help break the stigma surrounding the so-called 'baby blues', Nozi's joined this time on "Don't Hold Back" by radio personality, bestselling author, and life coach Sam Cowen, who recounts her own motherhood journey and struggles with depression.

“I wanted women to know they weren't alone...There is such pressure on us to be perfect,” Sam tells Nozi in this second episode of Season Two of the award-winning podcast.

"It's [motherhood] is the biggest thing you'll ever do, and it's the thing you get judged the most on," says Sam.

If you're a new mom trying to come to terms with this new journey, this episode is a must-listen. It's filled with lots of great, non-judgemental advice to help support new moms as they navigate this new journey; plus, of course, lots of Sam's trademark humour. Listen at the top of the page or watch it below.

Postpartum depression
Canva
Stop apologising for changing jobs! - Mzamo Masito
JacPod / DW

Meanwhile, Google Africa's Chief Marketing Officer, Mzamo Masito, went from fighting to make ends meet to being a South African captain of industry - but his journey is littered with battles and second-guessing. Not what you'd expect from a high-flying executive. 

He tells ‘Don’t Hold Back’ podcast, host Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba why young South Africans should not idolise Elon Musk, why Ubuntu is so underrated, and why changing jobs the right way helps you get ahead. 

Just a heads up: there is some swearing in this firs episode of Season 2. Listen to the full podcast above, or watch it below.

ALSO READ: 'Got fired into my dream job'

MORE ABOUT NOZIBELE QAMNGANA-MAYABA

South African presenter Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba is well known for her HIV-AIDS activism and YouTube channel. After her own HIV diagnosis in 2013, Nozibele made it her mission to hold open conversations about her journey. Now a published author and respected authority on the subject, the 31-year-old’s work was named as one of the web’s Top 15 HIV YouTube channels.  She recently completed a second season of her TV show called #YesIHaveHIV, where she assists others to disclose their HIV statuses to friends and family. In May of 2023, her presenting skills earned her an international nomination in the "Presenter of the Year" category at the Association of International Broadcasting awards. With her direct, engaging, and empathetic hosting style, she's the perfect fit to address taboo topics - and to say: Don't hold back!

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‘Don’t hold back – say it loud’  is a co-production between German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), Jacaranda FM and East Coast Radio.

Don’t hold back – say it loud’ is both an audio and video production.

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