If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Who even am I anymore?” — this one’s for you.

In today’s episode, we’re joined by author, coach, doula, and researcher Jessie Harold, who’s spent nearly two decades walking alongside women through one of the most profound identity shifts of their lives: becoming a mother.

We dive deep into matrescence — the emotional, psychological, and spiritual transformation of motherhood — and why understanding it might just be the permission slip you’ve been waiting for. Whether you’re still in the baby trenches or facing new transitions (hello, kindergarten drop-off or career reinvention), this episode will give you the language, validation, and tools to hold both the grief and the growth.

• Why motherhood is a rite of passage — and how it mirrors adolescence

• The truth about “losing yourself” (hint: you’re not broken, you’re becoming)

• What to do when you're stuck in the "in-between" — that sacred pause where identity hasn’t caught up with reality

• How to use grief as a guide through transformation

• Why modern motherhood feels lonelier and more demanding — and how systems (not just individuals) are to blame

• The power of tiny, safe-to-fail experiments when you're reimagining your life

Whether you’re navigating the early days of postpartum or in the thick of a new season, Jessie’s wisdom is a balm and a compass.

“We fear losing ourselves in motherhood. But sometimes, that's exactly what we need in order to truly thrive.”

• Jessie Harold’s website: jessieharold.com

• Book: Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage

• The MotherShift and

• The Becoming podcast

• The Birth of a Mother – NYT Article

• Jessie on Instagram: @jessie.es.haro

For more honest, empowering conversations around motherhood, identity, and ambition, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother wherever you get your podcasts — and follow us on Instagram @mightyasamotherpodcast.

The lunchboxes are packed, the inbox is full, and the emotional load of another school year is setting in. If you’re craving a reset—one that prioritizes your needs, too—this episode is for you.

Re-airing one of our favorites from the vault: Jeanelle Teves, General Manager of Bugaboo and mom of two, joins us to talk about the intentional routines and unapologetic boundaries that help her lead a team, raise a family, and stay grounded in her values.

This episode isn’t about perfection—it’s about practical mindset shifts that actually work in the chaos of modern motherhood.

🎙️ Tune in to hear us talk about:

• What leadership looks like when you’re running a team (and a household)

• Creating business travel routines that support your mental health

• How to build a morning routine that’s realistic and restorative

• Why boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re essential

• Productivity hacks that don’t require you to sacrifice your soul

Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to lead your morning without losing your mind, Jeanelle’s insights will leave you feeling seen—and inspired.

Links:

• Forbes: The Rise of the Stay-at-Home Dad

• Follow Jeanelle on Instagram

👉 For more honest conversations about motherhood, leadership, and identity, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Ever feel like you’re climbing a ladder you didn’t choose—or running on a bedazzled hamster wheel you can’t seem to step off? You’re not alone, mama. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Anne Welsh—clinical psychologist, executive coach, and mom of four—to talk about why modern motherhood demands a shift from the relentless “ladder” model of ambition to a more sustainable “web” model that honors the many directions life can take.

Anne brings two decades of expertise helping leaders navigate major career and life transitions—think parental leave, return-to-work, and full-on career reinvention. She’s also the creator of the Working Mothers Lifeline, a coaching program that helps women move from survival mode to sustainable success.

In our conversation, we explore:

• What the “web” model of ambition is and how it gives you permission to pause, pivot, or change direction without losing momentum

• How to recognize when it’s time to redraw your version of success—and why values naturally shift across different seasons of life

• The difference between healthy and unhealthy ambition (and why ambition itself isn’t the problem)

• How to dial work and life up or down based on your kids’ needs without losing yourself in the process

• Practical tools to break free from perfectionism and find balance that’s flexible, not fixed

• How to rebuild trust in yourself to make hard decisions—and why you might already have more evidence than you think

Anne’s insights are a reminder that motherhood isn’t a detour from leadership—it’s a powerful training ground for it. If you’ve been craving permission to slow down, rethink your definition of success, or simply choose what’s for dinner without guilt (spoiler: sushi is always a good answer), this episode is your deep exhale.

Links:

• Closet Identity Cleanout

• Dr. Anne Welsh’s Website

• The Working Mothers Lifeline

• Dr. Anne Welsh on Instagram
• Dr. Anne Welsh on LinkedIn

For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: @mightyasamotherpodcast