Marla Tellez on Motherhood, Media & Showing Up for Each Other
The transition to motherhood is perhaps one of life's most profound transformations, yet it's an experience that often feels impossible to fully prepare for, no matter how much advice you receive or how many books you read. For veteran broadcast journalist Marla Tellez, who has spent over a decade navigating the demanding world of morning television news, becoming a mother at 48 brought revelations that surprised even someone accustomed to high-pressure situations and unpredictable schedules.
Tellez, known for her work in broadcast journalism and as the host of the Lynne Cohen Foundation's annual Kickin' Cancer event, recently welcomed her daughter Sloan—born on March 23rd, sharing a birthday with Amy Cohen Epstein. In this intimate conversation recorded just 17 days after Sloan's birth, Tellez offers an unfiltered look at the early days of motherhood, from the physical recovery after an unexpected C-section to the emotional whirlwind of caring for another human being around the clock.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
All right, I’m so excited. This is going to be so much fun. I’m talking to Marla Tellez, and this is really informal—kind of like a mini-series. Marla is technically not working; she’s on maternity leave. She just had the most beautiful baby, Sloan, born at 12:38 a.m. on March 23—which happens to be my birthday, too. We’re birthday twins, and it’s so exciting. I saw her last—was it last week or two weeks ago already?
Marla Tellez:
Oh God, I think it was two weeks ago already.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
Two weeks ago—so she’s officially two weeks and three days old.
Marla Tellez:
Old, yeah. She’s 17 days old.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
Seventeen days old, and she’s absolutely perfect—beautiful round cheeks, just adorable. You don’t have to be doing this, but the first three months with your first baby are such a whirlwind. You can take notes, journal, take a million pictures… but there’s something about documenting it in a different way. I think if someone had done this with me, I would’ve been really grateful. So that’s why I asked you to do this. Maybe even a few little mini-episodes—you could rewatch them years from now.
We don’t have to relive the whole birth unless you want to. But I just want to ask: how are you doing—physically, hormonally? As my sister and I used to say, have you gone into your closet and cried yet?
Marla Tellez:
When you ask me that, I’m already on the verge of tears—happy tears, overwhelmed tears, all of the above. I also realize I don’t have any tissue nearby—so that was poor planning.
First, thank you for inviting me to do this. You were obviously more prepared than I was. I haven’t journaled much—well, I did take notes for the three days in the hospital, but since I’ve been home, it’s just been mental notes like, “Okay, I fed her at this time, she moved here…” I’ve taken a lot of pictures, but then I just stare at her and think, “I haven’t taken enough.”
I’m glad you invited me to do this—it’ll be a keepsake for her someday. In these 17 days, I’ve become a completely different person. My life has changed in more ways than I could’ve imagined. People say motherhood is the hardest job in the world—and until you live it, you can’t understand. I’ve cried for being tired, for being scared, for joy, for mourning my former life. I’ll never have that freedom again, but what I have now is more precious—filled with more joy—because we’ve created baby girl Sloan.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
It’s so amazing to, in a heartbeat, be responsible for someone for the rest of your life. At this stage, you’re just keeping her alive—and that alone is overwhelming.
Marla Tellez:
Exactly. And you’ve done it—you have three beautiful boys. You’re an inspiration, and a role model for me.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
That’s very nice. Honestly, my biggest accomplishment is they’re alive and not jerks.
Marla Tellez:
The other day someone asked, “What are you doing today?” I said, “Keeping my child alive.” They took it literally—like something was wrong. But I meant it both literally and tongue-in-cheek.
As a career woman, I thought my long hours and high-pressure job would prepare me. I’ve worked crazy shifts in broadcast news—waking at 2:30 a.m., staying up until 1:00 a.m.—I thought, “I’ve got this.” But no. The exhaustion is completely different because you’re caring for someone. Breastfeeding feels like a sport. And as someone about to turn 49, I thought age and life experience would make me tougher. In some ways it does—but nothing truly prepares you.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
Unless you live in a huge house where you can’t hear the baby, you don’t really need a monitor—you’ll hear every sound anyway. You’ll know the difference between a hungry cry and a “just farted” cry.
Marla Tellez:
Yes! My husband, John, is a deep sleeper, but since Sloan was born, he hears her too. Whether it’s a gurgle or a cry, you just know. Before she arrived, I thought I could handle the exhaustion—and I am—but it’s unlike anything else.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
And just when you think you have a routine, it changes—often because the baby is about to hit a milestone.
Marla Tellez:
That’s overwhelming for me as a planner. A nurse at the hospital gave me the best advice: focus on the next 15 minutes. For someone like me who loves control, that’s been invaluable.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
It’s hard for planners. But those early months are unpredictable for a reason—it helps your body heal and teaches you to follow your baby’s lead.
Marla Tellez:
Yes. My OB also told me it’s okay to take 15 minutes a day for myself. At first I felt guilty, but it really helps me reset.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
Even small things—like blow-drying your hair or putting on mascara—matter.
Marla Tellez:
Exactly. And having this conversation gave me something to look forward to outside of being Sloan’s mom.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
Before we wrap, what’s one big takeaway from labor, delivery, and these first two weeks?
Marla Tellez:
That no matter how much you plan, it can all go out the window. I was induced, but after hours in labor, I had a C-section because Sloan’s head was wedged. I wasn’t prepared for the swelling from all the fluids—they gave me IVs for more than two days. I left the hospital weighing more than when I went in. Recovering from surgery while caring for a newborn was intense. A nurse reminded me: you just had major surgery, but instead of resting, you’re responsible for another human. That perspective has stayed with me.
…And it changes your marriage—not in a bad way, but the focus shifts. You have to make an effort to stay connected.
Amy Cohen Epstein:
Well, you look gorgeous, you’re glowing, and I’m so happy for you.
Marla Tellez:
Thank you. And I love that Sloan shares your birthday—it’s the best.
Editor’s Note: This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.