The Motherscope Podcast

Today's Mother Writer is Lucy Beckley, a writer, poet and marketing consultant based in Cornwall. As a regular contributor to Motherscope over the past year, I've grown to be an immense fan of Lucy's beautiful writing and the way she strings together a seemingly simple moment with profound insight and validating conclusions. In this episode, Lucy walks us through her own process of reframing the mundane as marvelous and shares the steps she takes to find stories hidden in plain sight. At the end of the episode, Lucy lets us in on her current writing project and also reads an excerpt from her story, “Kisses in the Sky.” If you're a mother who finds yourself second-guessing about the worthiness of your stories, turn up the volume and sit tight, we're here to flip the script on that limited thinking and have you reaching for your Notes app.

Today's Mother Writer is Leesha Mony. I've had the privilege of knowing Leesha for the past couple years as a member of Motherscope's writing community and a regular contributor. In addition to writing and mothering Leesha is a somatic psychotherapist living in Seattle, Washington. In this episode, Leesha and I talk about her current writing project – a teachable memoir that follows her own lived experiences as a survivor navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood. Leesha shares the support and resources she's utilized to help her stay committed to her writing process, and also reads an excerpt from her working draft. Are you in the middle of writing a book? Have you struggled with writing about trauma? Keep listening to hear what's worked for us and more! Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope   

Calling all bookworms and bookworm wannabes! In this solo episode of Mother Writer, I'm unpacking Stephen King's famous advice about reading and writing. Rather, I'm adapting it for us mother writers out there who would like to read more, and write more, but fall short even with the best of intentions and an ever-growing pile of books to be read. I'll share why reading more has improved my writing in the past, and how I've kicked off 2023 reading more than I have in years. I've boiled it down to 5 things that have worked for me, and I'm sharing them with you. I couldn't end the episode without some book recommendations, and you'll hear what I'm currently reading as well as the next 6 books on my TBR list! Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope

Today's Mother Writer is Kristan Barczak. When I met Kristan via social media, I instantly felt connected to her because of the open and refreshing way she shares about motherhood, confronting often rage inducing topics with humor, anecdotes, and data. In this episode, Kristan and I have a conversation about the lies we tell ourselves when it comes to writing. We also discuss our experiences in the world of academia and the impact it had on our confidence as writers. Lastly, Kristan shares what helped her find the writing that is working best for her right now. If you struggle with insecurity around calling yourself a writer or have felt intimidated in literary or academic spaces, this episode is just what you need to replace the lies you tell yourself with some much needed truths. Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope

Today's Mother Writer is Kailyn Rhinehart. Kailyn is one of Motherscope's regular contributors, and I'm such a fan of her intentional, honest storytelling on motherhood. In addition to her creative writing, Kailyn is a professional writer, and in our conversation today, Kailyn shares what it looks like to make time for both types of writing in her schedule. We also talk about what drew her to writing more expressively and what she does to ensure she completes her work projects despite the unexpected curveballs of parenting. Have you been motivated to use your writing skills for compensated work? Keep listening to hear our thoughts on that and more. Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope 

In this episode of Mother Writer, I'm discussing the problem with having too many story ideas and not enough writing to show for it. I will walk you through a few recommendations you can implement early on in your writing process. They have worked for me in the past, and I am trying to incorporate them as well as I navigate three writing projects that are pulling me in opposite directions and taking me away from what I believe is also your goal - which is to get our ideas out of our heads and onto the page. So, if you're a writer who loves to collect ideas but has a more challenging time seeing those ideas through, grab some tea or coffee and get comfortable because you're going to feel very seen and validated and maybe a little called out in today's episode. Enjoy! Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope 

Today's Mother Writer is Christine Carpenter. This is Christine's second appearance on the show, but today I'm excited to spotlight her as a writer. I first met Christine through Motherscope's Write Beside Her Workshop. At the time, Christine's son was less than a year old, and to see how her journey has unfolded as a writer since then, has been incredible. Our conversation today is one that I personally needed to hear, and I know it will inspire you, too. In our talk, Christine shares how motherhood impacted her writing, how she carved out time to write with a newborn, and how she landed a paid writing job for her local newspaper. Do you ever find yourself minimizing or downplaying your writing, creative projects, or business pursuits? Keep listening to hear our thoughts on that and more. Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope   

Our very first Mother Writer, and guest in this new iteration of the podcast, is Megan Vos. This is Megan's third appearance on the show, but the first time I've spotlighted her as a writer in an episode. During our new Motherhood in the Wild segment, Megan shares her thoughts about all things Halloween as we recorded around that time; and my inner firstborn child comes out to give you all a quick PSA before we dive into our chat all about how to navigate writing about other people – especially our children. In our conversation, Megan shares the differences between her writing and publishing experiences and what has felt most aligned with her writing and parent values. This episode is for you if you have ever asked yourself, “Is this my story to tell?” Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope 

In this first episode of Mother Writer, you'll hear all about what led to the big changes on the podcast and what you can expect. I'm also sharing my reaction to some problematic headlines on a popular motherhood site before diving into today's topic. I'm unpacking what it means to be a mother writer and what makes the life of a writer while mothering uniquely challenging. At the end of the episode, I'll be reading a recent essay I published that might just convince you that giving up is the secret to productivity! I am recording this while recovering from a cough, so hopefully that isn't too distracting for you. I am so looking forward to getting feedback from you all about this new direction we're taking with the podcast, so let's get to it.  Visit this episdoe's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope 

I'm excited to share a special announcement today about the podcast that you currently know as The Motherscope Podcast. Season two of the show was really eye opening and it got me thinking about the stories that are grounding and show more of what we need. I also have seen that episodes that were focused more on writing and reading are our most popular episodes. I know more than ever that this world desparately needs more stories written by moms, but writers and mothers need support. So I'm excited to introduce A Mother Writer, a podcast that will inspire you to write and share your stories. Listen in for what to expect!  You can also catch up on previous episdoes of the show here, but new episodes will drop weekly beginning next week! 

I started Season 2 of The Motherscope Podcast back in March knowing that I had to do an episode on the TV show ‘Friends' for a lot of reasons. I know it's still a show that many people watch reruns of over and over again and it also addressed motherhood in direct ways throughout its tenure. However, it's taken me months for me to figure out what more I want to say about it that hasn't already been said. I've been taking notes and refreshing my memory by rewatching old scenes. I also reached out on social media to hear from ‘Friends' fans, asking them to share their thoughts on the motherhood arcs throughout the series. With that, here's what I plan on covering in the episode: my relationship with Friends to include my reaction to the 2021 reunion special on HBO, a couple of my “hot take” opinions about the show and its characters, I'm going to dive into the characters' relationships with their mothers (which I haven't seen a lot written about), and I will review the road to motherhood for its three central characters. Enjoy!  Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram @motherscope.

Recently, I was looking at the profile of a writer I really respect and enjoy reading. In her profile, she describes herself as a culture critic, which I loved and helped me realize I could consider myself a culture critic too. This writer specializes in writing about the abuse of women. If I were to pick, my obvious specialty is motherhood. In the spirit of my new title as Motherhood and Culture Critic, this week's episode is going to critically examine what we've come to know as maternal instinct, as well as the expectations we have for moms in our culture. Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram @motherscope.

I remember trying to watch The Handmaid's Tale when it first came out. I was pregnant with my first child and wasn't able to finish the first episode. Now, I've returned to the show, have watched every season, and anxiously await the next one. But even then, the question still remains: Does anybody have it in them to watch The Handmaid's Tale anymore? Let's discuss it together on this episode of The Motherscope Podcast. I'm sharing some of the more problematic criticisms of the show and alternatives to add to your TBR list. Then, I'm finishing up the episode with opportunities for writers within the Motherscope community. Enjoy! Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram @motherscope.  

I watched a movie during the break of the podcast that made me change my whole production schedule because I think it's so worth talking about – Hulu's original “Prey” that was released in July and has become its top performing original. I'm going to share a scene particularly that highlights the relationship between the main character and her mother that demonstrates the impact a mother has. The film also inspired me to think about writing. Specifically, all the ways that we can take stories that we are familiar with, and make them new or appropriate and entertaining for a new audience. I'm going to leave you with some “homework” to dig deeper too. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed the movie itself!  Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram @motherscope.

Recently, I've realized that the thing that I enjoy doing or providing for others is sharing what I know or what I've learned. This is the closest thing I have to a superpower – I love to research and find information, especially information that isn't well known to the general public and share it with others. In the spirit of that, I decided that I wanted to do a special content recommendation episode, which is really a summer send off because I'll be taking a little over a month off to give myself a break and focus some of my energy on a few other projects in the works with Motherscope. I also really want to give myself some time to think about how I want to return and show up for this podcast and for you. So enjoy this episode where I'm sharing everything from what you should read and watch this summer to a bit of media literacy and summer to-do's for you!   Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

This week's episode is really taking me back to my own late teen years as we are talking about One Tree Hill. I've found it so refreshing to learn a lot about the show that I didn't know, as a viewer in real time, and that I now see differently. I am sharing a little bit about my personal attachment to the show as I give a synopsis of it as well as some of the behind the scenes production and drama on the show, its present day relevance, the mom characters on the show, and some of the motherhood storylines I've been able to identify in each season. Then of course, we'll wrap it up with my rating on the guilty pleasure scale. So get ready for some major nostalgia as we dig into one of my favorite shows! Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope

Hold onto your butts. This week, I'm talking about a movie I've probably watched 100 times and know by heart – Jurassic Park. Spielberg's beloved dinosaur film ranks high on my list of influential films in my life. I didn't think I could learn something new about this movie but, in light of the Supreme Court's recent overturn of Roe v. Wade, I'm interpreting familiar scenes and characters with a whole new perspective. What does Jurassic Park have to do with birth control, conception, nuclear families, and reproductive rights? Is it perpetuating a pro-life agenda? Tune in to hear my thoughts.  Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

Since we've been talking about motherhood and its portrayal in the media, I wanted to bring on a couple of guests who can help us dive into representation in books as well. Mia Sutton & Sarah Hartley, hosts of the Reading Through Life podcast, join me on the episode and share some great tips on how to read more and why they like reading books about moms that have more dimension. They also share their top five book recommendations just in time for summer reading. Whether you'd already call yourself a reader or you want to get to that point, you'll love listening in on this episode. Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

On The Motherscope Podcast, I'm talking about a show that really took me by surprise – Netflix's The Crown. It took me a while to be open to watching it – even after hearing from many people how great it was. Even though I've grown up with a general awareness of the Royal Family gossip, I realized while watching that I knew very little about Queen Elizabeth and the current British monarchy. Now that I've seen all four current seasons, I can say I appreciate this show for its history lessons, the drama, its critical eye, and for offering a peek into a world none of us will ever truly know – to include the inner conflicts of the members of the British Royal Family. When my podcast manager and soon-to-be mom of two, Haley, learned of our theme for Season 2 of the podcast, she asked if I'd be covering The Crown, because it's one of her go-tos. So of course, we had to make an episode for it happen, and I'm so glad we did. Enjoy.    Visit this episode's blog post here.  Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

Today's episode is a continuation of last week's episode with Diana Levy that's all about The Real Housewives franchise, so if you haven't listened to that, be sure to head over before diving into this week's conversation. You can find it in your podcast player or using the link below. Today, Diana is doing more and more to convince me that The Real Housewives might just be the most feminist franchise on television as we continue to breakdown marriage, motherhood, and more within the different series. Enjoy (I know I did)!    Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

Welcome to the newest episode of The Motherscope Podcast! This week I'm excited to chat about the Real Housewives franchise with somebody who is more well versed than I could ever be on this lively series that spans many years, many locations, and many topics. I wanted to bring back a guest who I've interviewed before, Diana Levy, and when I asked her if she was interested, she told me she could “write a dissertation” on this franchise – and she definitely delivers and makes a compelling argument for why it's one of the most feminist series on TV today. Even though I've only watched a couple of the shows, I still clearly have a lot to say about it too – so much so, that we needed to break this up into two parts. I'm looking forward to sharing Part 1 of our conversation with you today! Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

What if we stopped apologizing for the mess in our homes? If you're like me, a lot of the time the mess we admit to is not what our actual mess and clutter looks like. I know it's easy to be worried about the judgment, so much so that we overcorrect. Which brings me to today's episode with Courtney Florey – we are chatting about the popularity of decluttering and organization thanks to shows like The Home Edit and Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Courtney is a decluttering coach and she has a lot of practical advice for decluttering our spaces that are often not realistically portrayed on these popular shows. It's time to shed the unrealistic expectations and guilt that we attach to the look of our homes, and focus instead on creating spaces that serve us and our families. I hope this episode is full of tangible steps and motivation for you! Visit this episode's blog post here.  Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

Is there a show that you've been watching for a really long time and you don't know why? For me, this is Grey's Anatomy. The show has definitely derailed a bit from its original cast and even plot and it's becoming harder and harder to watch these days. It's hard to deny how captivating the show was in its prime and in rewatching recently, I've especially noticed all of the nuanced ways that motherhood is represented. Joining me today to talk about the good, the bad, and the “Grey” this week is Megan Vos, an amazing writer, Motherscope's new Community Coordinator, and fellow Grey's and Shonda Rhimes fan. You'll hear about the characters we can relate to most, the impact of having Shonda Rhimes as the creator of the show, and much more. Whether you're a fan or not, I think you will appreciate the characters we talk about and the situations they find themselves in.    Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

Today we have show veteran on The Motherscope Podcast, Colleen Tirtirian. Something I love about Colleen is that she sees the humor of motherhood and really leans into that to cope with some of the harder parts of motherhood. We embrace both the humor and seriousness of motherhood into our conversation about Workin' Moms (Reitman, 2017) to you today. We focus primarily on the first season and we had a lot to say about the origin of the show, the show's creator, and how Workin' Moms can be both abrasive and truthful about the messy realities of motherhood. This is one of the first shows that we've covered that is written and produced by all women, and I think it's easy to see the differences. Listen in and let me know what you think!  Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope

It's been a while since I've done a solo episode, so I'm looking forward to chatting with you today about the Netflix original series, Ozark, created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams (2017). I've casually shared about Ozark a few times on social media and every time, I get a response from many of you, so I'm excited because I think there are a number of fans of the show who might be listening. Ozark is very different from any other show that I tend to watch, and yet, I have so much I have to say about it. I'm sharing why I believe the women of the show are the driving forces of its success and the unique portrayal of – and at times mysterious emphasis on – motherhood throughout each season.    Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope.

Today's episode is the second part of my conversation with Dr. Rose Schlaff, so if you haven't tuned into last week's episode, be sure to do that before listening to this week. We are continuing our discussion on the consequences of sex in the media. Specifically, today we are talking about different things we can do to combat the negative influence of sex as it has been depicted and ways that we can deepen our relationships with ourselves and with our partners. I can't wait to hear your takeaways now that our full conversation has been published!  Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope. Connect with Rose on Instagram: @bewellwithrose

Today's episode features Dr. Rose Schlaff, a sex and intamacy coach and pelvic floor therapist and we are diving deep into the consequences of how sex is represented in the TV shows and movies that we watch. Rose is truly an expert on how the representation of sex today is damaging to ourselves, how we form our sexuality and preferences, and how this is even more complicated for mothers. This conversation is dynamic and goes into many directions that I think are all important. Part one of this conversation is going to focus on the root of why we feel the way we feel, and next week on part 2, we will chat about actionable steps we can take to heal this bit of our lives.  Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope. Connect with Rose on Instagram: @bewellwithrose

Today's episode is a conversation with Jill Yancey about the NBC show This is Us (created by Dan Fogelman). This talk helped me realize how much I truly do enjoy this show, even if I have been critical of it in the past. Jill and I are chatting about the role of Rebecca as the matriarch of the Pearson family. We explore how her relationships with each of her children have changed overtime and even reference a few specific scenes from the show that impacted us the most. I also share some exciting details about Motherscope's upcoming Writers' Club membership and how you can join! Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

It's always ever present in my mind that I need to do things for myself, do something that makes me feel good for the sake of feeling good. But so often, as a mom, I find myself choosing to sit in the stress. So, that's what I'm feeling guilty about this week, what about you?    Something that has been truly nurturing for me though, is the conversation that you're about to hear with Mona Ray as we discuss the Netflix mini-series “Maid” (2021, Metzler). We're going to be diving into the complex dynamic of mother-daughter relationships, especially when addiction, abuse, and mental illness are involved. Mona and I both have a bit of experience with toxic and abusive relationships in our own pasts, so it was interesting to see, watch and talk with that perspective. “Maid” is a series that is by no means easy to watch, but it is a necessary one to finish.   Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram

Today I'm talking with Christine Carpenter about all things Gilmore Girls. I've only recently watched the series, so I knew I had to bring on a life-long fan. This conversation with Christine helped me appreciate the series in a whole new way. Whether you're a devoted viewer or not, I think that there's a lot to take away from this show, especially on the topic of our relationships with our own mothers and how it can shape the relationships we have with our own children. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!  Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope

This episode of The Motherscope Podcast is very important to me – it's one I want to nurture and get right, so much so that it's almost making me freeze up. Clearly I powered through because today I'm covering Maggie Gyllenhaal's directorial debut The Lost Daughter as well as the 2016 comedy Bad Moms (directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore). At the heart of this discussion is the topic of maternal ambivalence – what it is, why every mom experiences this, and the way The Lost Daughter does such a good (and heartbreaking) job of showing it in an honest, unfiltered way. Especially compared with other recent examples of motherhood movies such as Bad Moms which doesn't do us any favors combatting the ever-present stereotypes and judgment that mothers face. The episode is a heavy but worthwhile listen! Be sure to listen to the end to hear which of the two movies gets the “Mom Advocate” stamp!  Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope

I'm not sure if this is an episode for the Disney fans or the Disney foes, but either way it's happening. For today's episode, I'm diving into Disney animated feature films and their impact on motherhood. Listen in to hear my thoughts regarding Disney's “mom problem” – absent, dead, or troubling mom characters in our most-loved films, and the many missed opportunities to celebrate motherhood. I had so much fun dissecting these films and learned a few interesting tidbits about Disney's history too. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did! Listen in and pass it along to your fellow Disney loving (or not so loving) mamas. Movies discussed include Tangled, Encanto, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Brave, Frozen, and more! Visit this show's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram.

Welcome to the first episode of Season 2 of The Motherscope Podcast! This episode is really going to dive into my inspiration for Season 2: Mom Guilt & Guilty Pleasures. The idea for this started when mom guilt became a common topic with the guests I interviewed in Season 1 of the show. At the same time, I was having lots of fun, thought-provoking conversations with moms on social media about shows we've been binging and pop culture news. So, I thought it would be fun to combine the two and investigate the connections between our relationships, what we consume, and even our genetic makeup – to better understand what impacts the way we mother. Dig in with me as I share some of my preliminary findings and remember, the only thing you are guilty of is being a mom. If you haven't left a review for the show already and you're listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, I'd be grateful if you did so that more moms can find the show. Also, you can take the conversation even further by connecting with me over on Instagram and commenting on this episode's Instagram post.

Motherhood changes the way we see ourselves and the way we see our world. The Motherscope Podcast highlights the stories of motherhood through real, honest conversations with the moms who live them. A mix of solo-hosted and guest episodes, this podcast is here to help you shed your mom guilt, remember your identity outside of motherhood, and embrace your inner storyteller. Season 2: Mom Guilt & Guilty Pleasures is a deep dive into the way motherhood is and is not represented in pop culture, trends, and our favorite forms of entertainment. Podcast host Jackie Leonard is a writer, mom of two and the founder of Motherscope, a community of moms who inspire and uplift one another by writing and sharing their own stories. Learn more at motherscope.com

I'm so excited to have Cassie Frakes on The Motherscope Podcast today. Cassie is the founder and chef of Luna Nourish where she offers an accessible, convenient way to fuel women's bodies during their most vital time. Today's episode is going to shed light on Cassie's experience as a new mom with postpartum depression and anxiety and how this was a catalyst for her to create Luna Nourish. Food is a symbol of love and brings comfort to everyone, but can be especially helpful to moms during their most vulnerable times. This episode is full of information for soon-to-be or new moms.   Visit this episode's blog post here and connect with Jackie and Motherscope on Instagram.

This week's guest is Lisa Fletcher, mother, wife, mentor, and owner of Seven Gates Birth. We have such a special relationship because she was my own postpartum doula and helped my husband and I navigate our own growing family during the pandemic. Lisa is such an advocate for postpartum support and helping mothers feel nurtured and respected. Today Lisa shares her own entrance into motherhood and how this carved the path for her career change to a doula. If you're wanting to feel a bit seen and understood, you'll love this episode. Visit this episode's blog post here. Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @motherscope.

Lindsey Spelyng, mom to two and founder of MamaCommon is joining me on the podcast today and I'm so looking forward to you hearing this week's conversation around social media and its impact on motherhood. When I'm needing to carve out conscious me-time or create intentional relationship practices with my partner, I always turn to Lindsey for guidance. She has always shown what it's like to actually live out the advice and healthy recommendations that can be found for us in the online space. Social media can feel all consuming, so I hope this episode will help you learn some healthy boundaries.   Visit this episode's blog post here.

Julia Sparkman, podcast host and mom advocate, is joining me today on The Motherscope Podcast. In our conversation, Julia shares her perspective on overcoming the shifts that come with becoming a new mother. The way that she views motherhood is so aligned with what we believe here at Motherscope. Julia consciously practices radical motherhood, and I'm so excited for you to hear exactly what that means. This episode is for you if you're struggling with postpartum anxiety or depression, or if you're preparing for the birth of a new child. Enjoy!   Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/overcoming-motherhood-identity-shifts-with-julia-sparkman  

Today on The Motherscope Podcast I'm talking to Positive Parenting educator and family life coach, Wendy Snyder. Every time I talk to Wendy I feel held, and I hope you get to feel a bit of that today, too. We're talking about when and why she decided to adopt Positive Parenting, how life coaching quite literally changed her life, and more. Whether you're a soon-to-be mom or a bit of a veteran, I believe there's something to learn from Wendy.  Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/choosing-positive-parenting-with-wendy-snyder 

Welcome to the newest episode of the Motherscope Podcast, today Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson is joining and we're talking about the all-encompassing role of motherhood. Rowana is a Guyanese-American writer, mental health advocate, and founder of Spoken Black Girl, a publishing & media company that promotes mental health and wellness among Black women & women of color by amplifying emerging voices. She has so much knowledge and perspective to add to and understand the layers of motherhood. If you're grappling with the unexpected experiences and feelings of motherhood, this episode is for you. Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/finding-your-voice-as-a-new-mother-with-rowana-abbensetts-dobson  

I've admired today's guest, Rachel Crawford, for a long time. She is an expert in finding ways to really embrace her different interests - she works in interior design and is also a mystic, reiki master, and tarot reader. In our conversation today, we're talking about Rachel's experience with the need to slow down in order to be more present in the areas of her life that really matter. I think finding this balance is one that everyone, especially mothers and entrepreneurs, can relate to. Tune in and enjoy.  Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/breaking-the-hustle-cycle-with-rachel-crawford  

As a way to wrap up 2021, I wanted to do a solo episode to highlight a few things happening with Motherscope. Then, I'm sharing something that has been on my mind lately - struggling  with mental blocks on certain tasks, even if it's something I really want to do. I've been wanting to do an episode about this topic for months now and have not been able to, and ironically, the way that I was able to unlock this and talk about it was through writing. Thank you so much for spending the past 13 weeks with me, I'm so excited to bring more perspectives to you in 2022.   Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/moving-past-writing-blocks-with-motherscope-founder-jackie-leonard  

Fellow mother, Pediatric Sleep Specialist and friend, Kaela Kajiyma is joining me on The Motherscope Podcast today. We're not talking kiddos and sleep, but we are talking about the biggest hurdle that Kaela has overcome as a mother. You'll hear the importance of letting go of expectations, why we have to know what we want, and how to taper the insecurities we may feel as mothers. If you're struggling to mold your own version of motherhood that works for you and your family, then this episode is for you.   Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/releasing-your-ideals-of-motherhood-with-kaela-kajiyama

Kaitlin Mitchell is on The Motherscope Podcast today and I'm so excited to share her knowledge and experience with you. Kaitlin owns Rutabaga Education, a hands-on program for preschool through elementary-aged children that helps students develop socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually while connecting them back to the soil. Kaitlin truly is her garden personified, she's a joy to be around and listen to. She doesn't shy away from the reality and truth of not only her work but motherhood. This episode will help you feel like you're capable and worthy of creating a life for you and your family that you can be proud of.   Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/growing-through-gardening-with-kaitlin-mitchell  

Writer, director, producer, and mom, Diana Levy is joining me on The Motherscope Podcast today. Diana is someone I feel so grateful to know and who I realize I would not have met if it was not for the pandemic thanks to her virtual support group for soon-to-be moms. Now as I look back, I realize how much I valued that connection during such a scary time for pregnant people. Today, Diana and I talk about making hard, but right changes, and the way we craft our new identities after giving birth. Enjoy. Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/returning-to-the-workforce-as-a-first-time-mom-with-diana-levy 

Mother, entrepreneur, postpartum mental health advocate, and comedian, Lindsey Jones is joining me today on the podcast. In the few years I've known Lindsey, I've found her to be such an inspiration and someone who freely shares the resources she uses to improve her life. This distinction of leading by example can empower others to do the same. Today you'll hear her story of navigating the dating world as a single mom and the work she's done to improve the way she sees herself, enjoy! Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/navigating-dating-as-a-single-mom-with-lindsey-jones   

Today's guest is Eunice Brownlee who I met almost three years ago at a conference. The thing that has always stood out to me about Eunice is that she has a calling to help people. I see this in her and in her writing, she shares vulnerably to make a difference. She challenges me to bring some of this into my own writing and I hope she inspires the same from you.   Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/fighting-through-injustice-with-eunice-brownlee 

Today Kelsey Cichoski is on the show, her motherhood journey so far has consisted of being a foster mom to a group of siblings, losing her first baby, and then being diagnosed with cancer during her second pregnancy. Through these experiences, she has found peace in writing and hopes that by sharing, you can find peace too. Today, Kelsey is sharing a special kind of love story that will inspire you to courageously lead your life from the heart.   Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/what-you-should-know-about-fostering-with-kelsey-cichoski 

Kaitlin Solimine, writer and Motherscope contributor, is on the show today. I was introduced to Kaitlin through a mutual friend and I've always been captivated with the way she incorporates her advocacy for moms into her creative writing. She challenges the convention and structures that have held mothers back in the past and most likely the future too. This episode will get you thinking about your role as a mother, especially in this capitalistic world we all live in.    Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/why-mothers-deserve-better-with-kailtin-solimine 

I first met Melaina Williams over six years ago when she led a poetry workshop for my high school students. She's now a regular contributor for Motherscope and this week's guest. It's my honor to have her on the podcast today to talk about her latest creative project: motherhood. Melaina shares her own motherhood origin story – a story most of us can probably relate to – often our best laid plans never happen, and we have to learn how to trust the process. Melaina shares coming to terms with this, what it means to be a creative and a mama, and more. Be sure to listen to the end to hear some of her beautiful poetry, lean in and enjoy. Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/faith-as-the-foundation-for-motherhood-with-melaina-williams 

I'm so humbled and honored to have today's guest on the show, Micah Klassen.In this episode, Micah gets candid about her experience with miscarriage and her subsequent pregnancy. I valued our conversation and hearing about the aftermath of her experience, how she has coped with anxiety and PTSD, and how it has shaped her overall motherhood experience. Visit this episode's blog post here: https://motherscope.com/podcast/motherhood-after-miscarriage-with-micah-klassen