What they DON'T tell you about Motherhood: Changes to Bodies, Relationships & more w/ Friendship Frequency

In this week's episode of According To B, I sit down with Stephanie Ndlovu and Petronella Tshuma — actresses, mothers, storytellers, and real ones.

We’re talking about motherhood — the parts we don’t often say out loud. The parts that are beautiful. The parts that are hard. And everything in between.We talk about what it really means to become a mother, how your identity shifts, the guilt, the love, and how you rebuild yourself in the process.

But this episode isn’t just for mothers — it’s for:The women who are raising childrenThe ones who are still figuring it outAnd the ones who know motherhood might not be for themIt’s honest, vulnerable, funny, and full of grace. This one’s for all the women — wherever you are on your journey.

✰ MEET OUR CO-HOSTS ✰

Stephanie Ndlovu

Stephanie is an actress, writer, content producer. MTV SAF Co-Chair. MC. who has graced South African screens for over a decade. Known for her roles in Scandal and MTV Shuga, and other acclaimed projects, she is also co-host of Friendship Frequency with her best friend of over a decade Petronella Tshuma and The Ndlovu’s Uncut, a YouTube series with her husband.

Petronella Tshuma

Petronella is a multi-award-winning actress, co-host of the Friendship Frequency podcast and businesswoman. She is best known for her gripping performances in films like Of Good Report and TV shows such as Rhythm City, Scandal, Hustle, Mzansi Love, Sokhulu & Partners and 90 Plein Street. With a fearless approach to both her craft and her voice, Petronella is not only a powerhouse on screen but also a passionate advocate for authenticity, healing, and storytelling that reflects the real lives of women.

✰ TIMESTAMPS✰

00:00 - Intro

01:56 - Coming up

03:39 - Meet Friendship Frequency

08:05 - 10/10 Recommend

17:06 - Stephanie and Petronella introduce their children

18:11 - What Petronella and Stephanie were not prepared for in motherhood

21:50 - Myth or reality: Motherhood pushes your career back

23:29 - The impact of motherhood on career aspirations

26:26 - Creating balance as moms and working women 29:25 - Myth or reality: Your body will never be the same after having kids

30:28 - Petronella and Stephanie's relationship with their post-baby bodies

34:49 - Dealing with unsolicited post baby body comments37:54 - Learning to accept the post-baby body

42:37 - Myth or reality: Becoming a mom means losing your old self

45:50 - The grieving process of letting go of the old you49:20 - The post baby growth

53:42 - Myth or reality: Moms automatically become the primary default parent

55:49 - Is there room for mothers to be honest about motherhood?

01:01:07 - Myth or reality: Kids will fix your relationship

01:02:40 - How did having a child change the relationship dynamic in marriage: Stephanie

01:05:26 - Lessons of dating as a single mom: Petronella

01:08:45 - What romance looks like post having kids

01:14:19 - Advice to women who are uncertain about becoming moms

01:20:02 - Where to find Petronella and Stephanie on social media

01:20:49 - Afterthoughts

✰ SOCIAL MEDIA ✰

Bokang➜ Instagram: @sheisbokang-https://www.instagram.com/sheisbokang

➜ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheisbokang The B Word

➜ Instagram: @thebword_za -https://www.instagram.com/thebword_za

➜ Tik Tok: @thebwordza https://www.tiktok.com/@thebword_za

Stephanie

➜ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss_sandows ➜TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@officialstephaniendlovu

Petronella

➜ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petronella_tshuma

➜ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@petronellatshuma ✰ LISTEN ON ✰

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0XnqZ7b...

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/id5426930?...

✰ BUSINESS INQUIRIES ✰

E-mail: [email protected]

✰ TEAM/CREDITS ✰

Director: Bokang Lehlokoe

Producer: Bokang Lehlokoe & Tshegetso Moepi Production Assistant: Denga Madzivhandila

Editor: Nelani Majozi