Episodes
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Few topics are as important to the Packers as mental health. In this episode, they take a second to reflect on where this passion stems from. From Anya's initiative to bring a sports psychologist onto the Riveters team to Madison advocating for suicide prevention on the ice, they share how these moments fueled their commitment to change the hockey community for the better. They also open up about their own struggles with depression and anxiety, and why they encourage their kids to embrace honesty and openness about their emotions at home. Most importantly, they share the resources and tips that helped them get through challenging times. If you're struggling, know that you're not alone—we see you, we hear you, and we love you.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
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To fans, three-time Olympian Natalie Spooner seamlessly transitioned back to the ice after giving birth, even earning honors as the 2024 PWHL Most Valuable Player and Forward of the Year. But in reality, there was a lot more going on behind the scenes. In this candid conversation, Natalie opens up to Madison and Anya about the challenges she faced — both on and off the ice — during her pre- and post-partum journey. She reveals how the lack of education around the postpartum experience impacted her and what information could have made a significant difference. Madison and Anya also dive into the reasons behind Natalie’s offensively low draft pick last year and what her remarkable comeback means to them as mothers.
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Missing episodes?
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After 146 games at the University of Wisconsin, two gold medals with Team USA, and 154 games over nine years in professional leagues, Madison has announced her retirement from pro hockey. Just after the news broke, she sat down with Anya to reflect on her remarkable career. Together, they explore Madison’s journey and how she came to realize that hockey is much more than just a game — from her early days with the Riveters to finding her voice as an advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights. Renowned as a captain, friend, confidante, and pioneer, Madison played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of women’s hockey, leaving the sport better than she found it. Tune in for Madison’s heartfelt final love letter to the game, and get a peek at what’s next for her off the ice.
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There’s no sugar-coating it, being a mom is hard. In this episode, the Packers talk to someone who truly understands this: Kirsten Ferguson, a Peloton instructor, single mom of two young girls, and self-proclaimed president of the Ratchet Moms Club, an online community that Kirsten started so moms can be upfront about the messiness that goes hand in hand with raising kids. Kirsten opens up about the miscarriages she endured before having her kids, how she learned to parent post-divorce, and why it is so important to maintain her own mental health as a mom. Hear Kirsten and the Packers give voice to the real experiences of motherhood, in all its messy glory.
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Anyone who gets to the top of their sport has a very strong “why” that drove them to get there. For Ashlyn Harris, soccer was her way out of an unstable childhood. Her work ethic led to an enviable career which included 10 seasons playing in the NWSL and two World Cup wins on the US Women’s National Team. While playing, she was an advocate for players, fighting alongside her teammates for equal pay in women’s soccer. Post retirement, she continues to use her platform to raise awareness around issues that are important to her, such as LGBTQ+ rights and mental health issues. On top of all that, Ashlyn became a mom while still playing, which gives her lots to talk about with the Packers. They unpack the lack of resources available to players, what it’s like to parent as a public figure, and much more.
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In this episode, the Packers call up their hockey mentor and go-to person for mom advice, Meghan Duggan. Meghan is a former pro hockey player, three time Olympian, and mom of three. She was captain to Madison at University of Wisconsin and to Anya in the CWHL, and continues to be an inspiring leader to all who know her in work and life. Meghan and her wife had their first kid just before Madison and Anya (during COVID no less), and together they discuss their experiences as queer parents, the challenges they face, and their shared mission to nurture empathetic, kind-hearted kids in a world filled with adversity.
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It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Hockey players and married couple Madison and Anya Packer glide onto the podcast scene with their very own show. Their goal? To fill a gap in women’s sports content around what it’s like to be a professional athlete and a mom. They’ll do this by talking to other athletes about their unique experiences, but first, the Packers open up about their own lives to show just how chaotic and unpredictable this life can be. How did Anya and Madison survive with Anya solo parenting their two kids last summer, while Madison geared up for the PWHL's second season? And how did their wild parenthood journey start in the first place? Learn about their early relationship and marriage, their challenges of conceiving through IUI, Anya's two pregnancies and postpartum depression, and how they support one another today.
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Listen to Moms Who Puck starting November 12th, wherever you get your podcasts!
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