Defrost the Chicken

Dive into the unfiltered world of parenting with host Natalie Calderon as she explores the pressure to look perfect on social media. In this episode, Natalie shares a much-needed reminder that it’s okay to step back when life feels overwhelming. She unpacks the dangers of comparing real-life parenting to carefully curated online content and sheds light on the blurry line between genuine family moments and performing f...

In this powerful episode of Defrost the Chicken, host Natalie Calderon sits down with Amanda, who bravely recounts her emotional journey through divorce. Amanda opens up about the painful decision to separate from her husband, whose struggles with addiction and infidelity deeply impacted their marriage. She shares how these experiences shaped her perspective and ultimately led her to prioritize the well-being of herse...

In this deeply personal episode of Defrost the Chicken, Natalie opens up about her journey through two C-sections—each one filled with its own lessons, challenges, and moments of unexpected strength. In honor of C-Section Awareness Month, she shares her story.

Through candid reflections, historical insights, and a whole lot of heart, Natalie shares how a quiet, undeniable presence guided her to make a la...

In this episode of Defrost the Chicken host Natalie and guest Paula explore the vital topic of creating open lines of communication with children. Paula shares her personal experiences and challenges as a single mother raising her 19-year-old son. She emphasizes the importance of building trust and fostering an environment where children feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics. The conversation highlights the complexities of m...

In this episode of Defrost the Chicken, we’re diving into something so many moms feel but rarely say out loud—losing yourself a little (or a lot) in motherhood.

From juggling friendships and marriages to managing expectations that were basically handed down with zero instructions, we’re keeping it real with candid convo and personal stories that’ll have you laughing, nodding, or possibly yelling, “Same!” at your phone.

We unpack wh...

What does it mean to mother when you didn’t have one—or lost yours too soon? In this episode of Defrost the Chicken, we dive into the emotional weight and resilience behind mothering without a mother. Whether you’re grieving, navigating strained relationships, or simply figuring it out without a blueprint, this one’s for you.

We talk about the ache, the unexpected strength, and the beauty in it all.

It’s messy. It’s honest. It’s re...

What’s something your parents did that you know you won’t do with your own kids?

In this episode, I asked a bunch of parents that exact question—and I’m sharing some of their answers along with my own.

Breaking cycles isn’t easy. A lot of us are out here trying to unlearn some of the weird, wild, or straight-up toxic stuff we grew up with while figuring out how not to totally screw up our own kids. Fun times, right?

Heads up: there...

In this episode, we’re revisiting some thoughts from episode one while diving deeper into the very real struggles of maternity leave.

Do moms actually get enough time off? Well… that depends on where you live. We’re unpacking the differences between maternity and paternity leave in the U.S. versus other countries, and how those policies (or lack thereof) impact families during such a tender (and let’s be honest, totally chaotic) ti...

Being a good parent is not for the weak.

There are a million ways to mess it up, and even more moving pieces to juggle. In this first episode, I’m taking you inside the mind of a mother navigating postpartum anxiety and depression—yep, that mother is me.

This is my truth. My healing journey.

This episode will not only give you a glimpse into who I am, but also why I decided to share the one thing I’ve been most ashamed of with a bu...