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Parenthood and maintaining a healthy relationship are ambitious endeavors. Being fully aware, you armed yourself with all the latest books, articles, podcasts, and resources, committed to being present and strong for your family. Yet, despite embracing every piece of advice and strategy in your search for reassurance, there are times you find yourself wondering why the harmony, connection, and closeness you envisioned seem out of reach. If this rings true, let me tell you: it’s not you! It’s what they didn’t tell you. The parenting guidance and strategies we read online lack depth. They hardly ever address the transition into parenthood and the profound impact this has on our identity, partnerships, and ability to show up as the parent we wish to be for our children. But guess what? We’re about to turn that around. Hi there, I’m Markella Kaplani. A clinical-counseling psychologist, a parenthood and relationship Coach, a matrescence coach and facilitator, a former special educator, and a parent myself. In my 15+ years in counseling and coaching, I know this to be true: once a parent is truly supported, not only through being given techniques to overcome parenting challenges, but on a personal and relational level, then the entire family can thrive. So, welcome to the Parenthood and Relationship Podcast! Here, we learn to grow individually, normalizing and validating the processes of matrescence and patrescence (i.e. struggling with identity, mom guilt, dad guilt, postpartum rage, work-life balance, etc). We also grow together by unraveling how parenthood affects marriage and what stands in the way of following the actionable parenting strategies that we know are helpful. So, if you’re feeling ready, let me hold your hand while we tackle intriguing, yet difficult topics, with compassion and curiosity. Interested to know more? - Reach out via email at info@markellakaplani.com with your questions, and - Visit www.markellakaplani.com to access FREE resources and check out ways to work with me personally. Let’s do this! --- 🔎 Is Parenthood Making or Breaking Your Relationship? FIND OUT NOW! https://www.markellakaplani.com/couplesquiz 🖥 Reconcile the ’old’ identity with the ’new’ Grab your FREE Matrescence Mini-Course https://www.markellakaplani.com/videoseries 👥 Join our Circle: www.facebook.com/groups/parenthoodandrelationship/ 🤝 Would you like a more personalized touch? I can offer Parenthood and Relationship Coaching. info@markellakaplani.com www.markellakaplani.com Book an introductory session to explore our chemistry and whether I am the right fit for you: http://tidycal.com/markellakaplani/intro-session
Episodes
Sunday May 04, 2025
Sunday May 04, 2025
Have you ever surprised yourself with how intensely you reacted to your child?
That flood of anger or shame? The moment where a small behavior felt so deeply personal?
This episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast dives into the tender truth that parenting often reawakens childhood wounds—and that’s not a flaw, it’s an invitation.
When our children act out, they're often unknowingly tapping into something buried within us: a memory, a hurt, a part of ourselves still waiting to be seen.
In this first episode of our May series, Healing the Past to Parent Better, we explore the concept of emotional triggers in parenting and why reactions like yelling, shutting down, or intense guilt often stem from the past, not the present.
You’ll learn how to spot disproportionate emotional responses when shame might actually be a sign of something deeper, and how to gently begin reparenting yourself while raising your child.
If you're ready to break generational cycles, build self-awareness, and respond from wholeness instead of wounding—this conversation is for you.
Today we explore:
🔍 Why your child’s behavior triggers disproportionate reactions
💬 How to know if you’re reacting from an old wound
🧠 A powerful question to interrupt patterns
❤️ Why this isn’t just parenting—it’s healing
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Full Transcript HERE.
—
Want to take our relationship to the next level?
👉Here are my top Resources
👉 Link to my Newsletter
👉 Join the Reconnect with Your Partner Challenge
📩 Get in touch with me (Instagram @markella.kaplani; website; e-mail: info@markellakaplani.com)
📢 Listen, share, and leave a review!
Your support means the world!
---
Markella Kaplani, M.A.
Clinical-Counseling Psychologist
Parenthood & Relationship Coach
www.markellakaplani.com
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Sunday Apr 27, 2025
Why do couples who love each other still drift apart after having children?
Why do the very efforts meant to show love often miss the mark?
In this heart-opening conversation, Marriage & Family Therapist Lodovica Guidarelli joins us to unpack why emotional disconnection happens even in committed marriages, and how love languages, unspoken expectations, co-leadership, and even undiagnosed neurodivergence can quietly erode intimacy.
We don’t just blame “communication issues.”
We get honest about what really pulls couples apart, and more importantly, how they can find each other again.
If you're feeling unseen, unappreciated, or stuck in endless loops of misunderstanding, this episode will help you feel understood and offer a compassionate roadmap back to connection.
Today we uncover:
🔍 Why emotional distance grows after parenthood
💬 How love languages can be misinterpreted
🧠 The hidden impact of neurodivergence in marriage
❤️ Why co-leading (not just supporting) matters
Stop assigning painful meanings to relationship struggles.
There's a different, and more hopeful, way to understand and repair.
✨ Tune in for powerful insights that could change the way you see your partner... and yourself.
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Who is Lodovica Guidarelli?
Lodovica Guidarelli is an Italian-American Marriage and Family Therapist, married, and mother of two. She works with couples, individuals, and parents, both online and in person, in the state of California. In her work, she integrates somatic and trauma-informed approaches, such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, and Narrative Therapy.
You can find her at:
- www.lodovicaguidarelli.com
- lodovicaguidarellimft@gmail.com
- via text at 858-255-0895
And don’t forget to mention the Parenthood and Relationship Podcast and get your 50% discount for your first session, should you decide to work with Lodovica!
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Full Transcript HERE.
—
Want to take our relationship to the next level?
👉Here are my top Resources
👉 Link to my Newsletter
👉 Join the Reconnect with Your Partner Challenge
📩 Get in touch with me (Instagram @markella.kaplani; website; e-mail: info@markellakaplani.com)
📢 Listen, share, and leave a review!
Your support means the world!
---
Markella Kaplani, M.A.
Clinical-Counseling Psychologist
Parenthood & Relationship Coach
www.markellakaplani.com
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
What if the problem isn’t your partner… but that you’re both trying to love each other in old ways that no longer fit?
In this gentle and reflective episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we explore how relearning love is essential after parenthood — especially when the spark feels faint, but the love is still there.
You may not be in crisis, but if you're feeling more like roommates in marriage than lovers, or wondering why the emotional connection after babyfeels different, you are not alone.
We’ll talk about why parenthood affects marriage, how to recognize the signs of emotional disconnection, and the quiet ache of missing your partner when they’re right next to you. If you've ever thought, “I love my partner, but I don’t feel in love,” this is for you.
No pressure. No perfection. Just simple, real-world tools for tired parents who want to feel close again—like micro rituals, weekly check-in questions, and using love languages in marriage as a compass, not a rulebook.
It’s about building emotional intimacy slowly, kindly, and with more awareness.
✨ This week’s free journaling prompt is designed to help you tune into what kind of love you need now—not what worked before kids. Download it via markellakaplani.com/newsletter.
Today we explore:
- 🔍 How parenthood changes your emotional needs
- 💬 Signs you're emotionally ready to reconnect
- 🧠 Tiny rituals that restore intimacy
- ❤️ Why love after baby requires a new emotional language
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Full Transcript HERE.
—
Want to take our relationship to the next level?
👉Here are my top Resources
👉 Link to my Newsletter
👉 Join the Reconnect with Your Partner Challenge
📩 Get in touch with me (Instagram @markella.kaplani; website; e-mail: info@markellakaplani.com)
📢 Listen, share, and leave a review!
Your support means the world!
---
Markella Kaplani, M.A.
Clinical-Counseling Psychologist
Parenthood & Relationship Coach
www.markellakaplani.com
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
You’re doing your best—making lunches, folding laundry, handling bedtime routines.
Yet, something feels off. Your partner seems distant, and despite your efforts, the emotional connection is missing.
In this episode of The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast, we delve into the complexities of love languages in the context of parenting.
As responsibilities increase, couples often find themselves expressing love in ways that may not resonate with their partner.
This mismatch can lead to feelings of being unappreciated and misunderstood.
We explore why these mismatches occur, especially during the demanding phase of early parenthood.
Factors like stress, fatigue, and changing personal needs can alter how we give and receive love.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for maintaining a strong emotional bond.
This episode offers practical strategies to bridge the gap:
- Recognizing and respecting each other’s love languages.
- Implementing regular check-ins to stay emotionally connected.
- Learning to express love in ways that resonate with your partner.
By becoming more attuned to each other’s emotional needs, couples can foster a deeper connection, even amidst the chaos of parenting.
To support this journey, I’ve created a free journaling prompt designed to help you reflect on your love language and better understand your partner’s. Sign up for my newsletter at markellakaplani.com/newsletter to receive this resource directly in your inbox.
Remember, love languages can evolve, especially during significant life changes like becoming a parent.
By staying curious and open, you can navigate these changes together, strengthening your relationship along the way.
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🎁 Want extra support?
Download my free journaling prompt to discover your current love language at markellakaplani.com/newsletter
--
Full Transcript HERE.
--
Want to take our relationship to the next level?
👉 Subscribe for more parenting insights
👉 Grab my top Resources
👉 Get on my [FREE] Newsletter
👉 Join the Reconnect with Your Partner Challenge
📩 Get in touch with me (Instagram @markella.kaplani; website; e-mail: info@markellakaplani.com)
🎧 Listen, share, and leave a review!
Your support means the world!
---
Markella Kaplani, M.A.
Clinical-Counseling Psychologist
Parenthood & Relationship Coach
www.markellakaplani.com
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Have you ever thought, “Why doesn’t love feel the same anymore?”
Maybe you used to love hugs, long talks, or sweet texts… but now, you just want someone to do the dishes or give you five minutes alone.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.
In today’s episode, we talk about something a lot of people wonder but don’t always say out loud:
"Why doesn’t my love language work anymore after having kids?"
If you've been searching things like:
- “My love language changed after baby”
- “I don’t like hugs anymore after becoming a mom”
- “Why am I annoyed when my partner says I love you?”
- “Love languages in marriage after kids”
…you are in the right place.
When we become parents, everything changes.
Our energy, our emotions, our body, our brain — all of it.
And that means the way we feel love changes too.
In this episode, I explain:
- What love languages are (in simple words)
- Why they often stop working after you have kids
- How parenthood rewires your brain and body
- What to do when you feel disconnected from your partner
- How to figure out what you need now, not what used to work before
Whether you’re feeling emotionally distant in your relationship, wondering if something is wrong, or just confused about why your partner’s kind gestures don’t hit like they used to, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on.
And no, you’re not cold or ungrateful. You’re simply adjusting to a new season. Your needs have changed — and that’s okay.
We’ll also talk about matrescence and patrescence — two big words that describe how our identity changes when we become parents. These changes touch everything, including the way we love and connect.
At the end, I’ll walk you through 4 simple steps to figure out what kind of love and support you need now. It’s not about fixing yourself — it’s about getting curious and starting a fresh, honest conversation with yourself… and your partner.
🎁 Want extra support?
Download my free journaling prompt to discover your current love language at markellakaplani.com/newsletter
---
Full Transcript HERE.
--
Want to take our relationship to the next level?
👉 Subscribe for more parenting insights
👉 Grab my top Resources
👉 Get on my [FREE] Newsletter
👉 Join the Reconnect with Your Partner Challenge
📩 Get in touch with me (Instagram @markella.kaplani; website; e-mail: info@markellakaplani.com)
🎧 Listen, share, and leave a review!
Your support means the world!
---
Markella Kaplani, M.A.
Clinical-Counseling Psychologist
Parenthood & Relationship Coach
www.markellakaplani.com
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
There’s a version of you that no one sees anymore—not because she’s gone, but because life got so loud and she got so quiet.
In today’s episode, we sit down with that forgotten part of you and whisper: “I still see you.”
Through real listener questions, I explore the hidden emotional terrain so many parents walk silently:
from grieving lost freedom, to watching your partner thrive while you unravel, to the numbness that creeps in and replaces passion with survival.
There is nothing wrong with you.
You’re becoming.
And together, we’ll name what’s been exiled, explore how identity gets reshaped in the trenches of caregiving, and discover how small acts of self-connection can start bringing you back.
Today we explore:
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The invisible grief that lives inside parental love
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Why your partner might be thriving while you feel lost
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The neuroscience behind emotional numbness and creativity blocks
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What it means to reclaim yourself—gently, without guilt
Whether you’re hiding in the bathroom with your earbuds or taking a quiet solo walk, this episode is your mirror.
Come back to yourself, one breath at a time.
---
Full Transcript HERE.
---
🔔 Subscribe for more parenting insights
📢 Share this with a parent who needs to hear it!
--
Want to take our relationship to the next level?
👉Here are my top Resources
👉 Link to my Newsletter
👉 Join the Reconnect with Your Partner Challenge
📩 Get in touch with me (Instagram @markella.kaplani; website; e-mail: info@markellakaplani.com)
🎧 Listen, share, and leave a review!
Your support means the world!
---
Markella Kaplani, M.A.
Clinical-Counseling Psychologist
Parenthood & Relationship Coach
www.markellakaplani.com
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Have you ever wondered if your back pain, discomfort during intimacy, or even that nagging feeling that “something’s just off” might be rooted in your birth experience — even if it happened years ago?
In today’s powerful conversation, I’m joined by Lynn Schulte, a pelvic health physical therapist with over 30 years of experience and a pioneer in recognizing what she calls the “open birthing pattern.”
Together, we unpack how childbirth — even when it seems “normal” — can leave lasting, unspoken impacts on our body, emotions, and relationships.
From misunderstood C-section scar pain to the quiet grief of disconnection after birth, we explore the stories that get trapped in our tissues — and how healing is always possible, no matter how long it’s been.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has given birth, loves someone who has, or wants to understand the hidden journey of postpartum recovery.
💥 Spoiler: It's never too late to heal.
Today we explore:
- The truth about pelvic pain, even years postpartum
- Why C-section scars can cause issues decades later
- How trauma manifests physically (and how to release it)
- What disconnection does to intimacy and how to come back home to your body
LISTEN IN!
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Full Transcript HERE
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Lynn Schulte’s Links
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website
VIDEOS
How to Close the Open Birthing Pattern in the Pelvis
How to Massage Your C-Section Scar
TRAININGS +MORE
Institute For Birth Healing Directory of Providers
Center for Birth Healing Clinical Practice to set up one-on-one sessions in Person or Online
Institute for Birth Healing Online Courses for Providers
Confidence in Your Core, Pelvic Floor and More for MOMS
--
Want to take our relationship to the next level?
🔔 Subscribe for more parenting insights
📢 Share this with a parent who needs to hear it!
👉 Here are my top Resources
👉 Link to my Newsletter
👉 Join the Reconnect with Your Partner Challenge
📩 Get in touch with me (Instagram @markella.kaplani; website; e-mail: info@markellakaplani.com)
🎧 Listen, share, and leave a review!
Your support means the world!
---
Markella Kaplani, M.A.
Clinical-Counseling Psychologist
Parenthood & Relationship Coach
www.markellakaplani.com
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “Who even am I anymore?”
Between sleepless nights, endless responsibilities, and taking care of everyone else, you may feel like you got lost somewhere along the way.
That feeling of identity loss after kids and losing yourself in motherhood /fatherhood is more common than you think—but what if the goal isn’t to go back to who you were before?
What if instead, you get to redesign who you are becoming?
In this episode, we’re moving beyond recognition and into action.
You'll learn how to reclaim your identity after baby without parental guilt, honor both who you were and who you are becoming, and create a version of yourself that feels true.
In this episode, we explore:
🔹 Why rediscovering yourself after baby doesn’t mean “going back”
🔹 What to keep from your past self & what to release
🔹 How parenthood expands you—rather than erases you
🔹 Powerful exercises to help you find yourself again
You get to choose who this new version of you is.
Let’s take that first step—together.
🎧 Listen now & reclaim YOU
–-
🔔 Subscribe for more parenting insights
📩 Join my [FREE] newsletter for extra support
👉 Get the [FREE] Calm Parent, Calm Child Guide
📢 Share this with a parent who needs to hear it!
---
Full Transcript HERE.
—
The [free] reconnect with yourself calendar that I referred to:
https://www.markellakaplani.com/selfconnectcalendar
--
Want to take our relationship to the next level?
👉Here are my top Resources
👉 Link to my Newsletter
👉 Join the Reconnect with Your Partner Challenge
📩 Get in touch with me (Instagram @markella.kaplani; website; e-mail: info@markellakaplani.com)
🎧 Listen, share, and leave a review!
Your support means the world!
---
Markella Kaplani, M.A.
Clinical-Counseling Psychologist
Parenthood & Relationship Coach
www.markellakaplani.com
Markella Kaplani
Psychologist | Parenthood & Relationship Coach
The Parenthood and Relationship Podcast offers a deep exploration of the emotional and psychological challenges of becoming a parent.
Diving into topics like matrescence, patrescence, and the loss of identity, this podcast is designed to provide holistic, compassionate insights for those looking to navigate the complex dynamics of parenthood and relationships.
With weekly episodes focused on personal growth, overcoming parental guilt, and strengthening family bonds, it invites you, the listener to join a supportive community dedicated to personal and relational fulfillment.
Let's (re)connect to ourselves, our partners, our children, and each other!