Cognitive Load in Pregnancy & Beyond + More Birth Stories (MumDem S2 Pilot Part 2)

Part 2 of our research-led Season 2 Pilot! Deep dive into cognitive load theory and the non-stop "thinking work" that leaves so many of the mumdem feeling "wired but tired" and burnt out. Part 1 introduced Allison Daminger’s framework and the groundbreaking concept of gendered cognitive stickiness. In this episode, we unpack the hidden toll this invisible labor takes on mothers’ mental health and, most importantly, provide a full, solution-focused discussion on how to genuinely share the invisible load. Here's the free 5-4-3-2-1 app part of Rachael's Work-Life Harmony Framework: rachaeltwumasicorson.com/54321app We cover: The Mental Health Toll: Research on how carrying a disproportionate share of cognitive labor directly correlates with higher depression, stress, burnout, and poorer relationship quality. The "Mum Brain" Myth: Tackling the idea of "Mum Brain" head-on, explaining why that sense of constant forgetfulness is more likely a result of mental overload, sleep deprivation, and constant interruption, rather than a biological decline. Episodic vs. Continuous Tasks: Discussion on the crucial difference between fathers often taking on clear, episodic tasks (e.g., taxes, fixing a leak) versus mothers holding the daily/continuous tasks that constantly regenerate (e.g., meal planning, school admin, social calendar). The "Wired but Tired" Stress Cycle: We break down the clinical explanation of how chronic, 24/7 "on call" stress can lead to HPA-axis dysregulation, leaving you exhausted but unable to fully switch off. Solutions covered include: Eve Rodsky’s Fair Play Framework and Rachael's free tool for Work-Life Harmony: https://www.rachaeltwumasicorson.com/... Follow us:   / mumdempod   *Research mentioned:* Daminger, A. (2019). “The Cognitive Dimension of Household Labor.” American Sociological Review.[journals.sagepub]​ “Cognitive household labor: gender disparities and consequences for women’s mental health.” Archives of Women’s Mental Health (2024/2025). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38951... L. Burge et al. “Take a Load Off? Not for Mothers: Gender, Cognitive Labor, and the Limits of Time and Money.” Socius (early online 2025). https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/... Inspire the Mind (2025). “Mum Brain or Mental Over‑Load?”[inspirethemind]​ U.S. Surgeon General (2024). Advisory on the mental health and well‑being of parents https://www.aha.org/news/headline/202... Eve Rodsky. Fair Play cards: https://amzn.to/48PysGU Fair Play book: https://amzn.to/4dfH2Qu HPA‑axis dysregulation and chronic stress (“wired but tired”) https://teressatodd.com/the-hidden-st...