In this episode, I sit down with the wonderfully multifaceted Stephanie Sprenger—a writer, podcaster, producer of live storytelling and comedy shows, and single mom to two teenage girls. Stephanie shares her journey from being an early childhood music therapist to reclaiming her identity as a writer, a path that led her to create vibrant communities for women to find and share their voices.

Our conversation dives deep into the power of storytelling as a form of self-mothering and community-building. Stephanie, the executive producer of Listen to Your Mother Boulder, explains why sharing honest, unfiltered stories about motherhood—complete with the guilt, ambivalence, and messy moments—is a radical act that combats isolation and challenges the myth of the perfect mom.

Stephanie also opens up about her late-in-life ADHD diagnosis, a revelation that occurred while writing her forthcoming memoir. She describes this discovery as finally getting the right "operating system manual" for her brain, allowing her to reframe her struggles with the practical demands of motherhood and embrace her strengths with newfound compassion. We also touch on her dive into the world of stand-up comedy as a form of healing and the importance of finding supportive, women-centered spaces to take creative risks.

You'll also hear about:

• (03:44) Stephanie’s career pivot from music therapy to writing and creating communities for women storytellers like the Her Stories Project and Listen to Your Mother.
• (09:34) Why sharing our honest, unfiltered stories is a crucial act of self-mothering that builds community and combats isolation.
• (10:25) The importance of being the "main character" in your own life, especially as a mother.
• (24:16) Stephanie’s journey to an adult ADHD diagnosis and how it helped her understand her experience of motherhood.
• (28:58) How her ADHD diagnosis felt like being a "lefty in a right-handed world" and finally getting the right operating system manual for her brain.
• (35:34) How hitting a wall as a solo single mom forced her to let go of the "do-it-all-yourself" code and embrace outsourcing.
• (41:53) Her experience using stand-up comedy as a healing tool, especially within the supportive "womb" of all-women comedy groups.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about reclamation, self-trust, and the profound freedom that comes from telling your own story, your own way.

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Learn more about Stephanie Sprenger

• Learn more on Stephanie's Website
• Connect with Stephanie on Linkedin
• Follow her on Substack at The Reclamation Era
• Listen to her podcast, Perry Normal
• Follow Stephanie on Instagram

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• Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s

In this fascinating and vital episode, I speak with Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum - a neuroscientist, doula, infant and family sleep specialist, and author of The Nurture Revolution. Greer is leading a movement to revolutionize mental health by focusing on the profound impact of caregiving in the earliest stages of life. Her work combines cutting-edge neuroscience with the ancient wisdom of nurturing to empower parents and transform our world.

Our conversation begins with Greer’s own birth story and how the trauma of being separated from her mother planted the seeds for her life's work. We dive into the science that debunks long-held, harmful parenting myths, particularly the idea that you can "spoil a baby." Greer explains how early experiences create implicit memories that shape our brain circuitry for life and offers powerful insights into healing our own birth imprints. We also discuss how the act of mothering is a deeply transformative, neuroplastic experience for the parent, offering a unique opportunity for our own healing and growth.

You'll also hear about:

• (05:24) How Greer’s own traumatic birth experience—being separated from her mother for hours—became a powerful catalyst for her life's work.
• (08:26) Why the myth that "babies don't remember" is false, and how early experiences create implicit memories that shape our brains for life.
• (12:17) A powerful healing technique: re-imagining birth trauma to create a new, embodied sense of safety and trust.
• (26:32) The surprising and harmful origins of the "spoil your baby" myth and why science proves the opposite is true.
• (40:32) The "brain bath": How holding your baby releases a cocktail of beneficial neurochemicals for them and rewires your own brain for empathy and self-regulation.
• (48:36) Why modern mothers are disempowered by the loss of community modeling and what we can do to reclaim that wisdom.
• (51:36) The "Chrysalis" metaphor for early motherhood: a messy, gooey phase of transformation that allows you to emerge as a beautiful butterfly.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who is a parent, plans to be one, or is on a journey to heal their own inner child.

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Learn more about Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum

• Learn more on Greer's Website
• Buy the book: The Nurture Revolution
• Follow Greer on Instagram
• Listen to the Spoil your baby Podcast

Follow Dr. Gertrude:

• Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s website
• Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
• Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s newsletter
• Order...

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my dear friend Joey McCune, a visionary entrepreneur, sacred space designer, and portal guide. Joey is the founder of the stunning Sound Healing Tulum and Cenote Sagrado sanctuary in the Yucatan jungle, as well as the leader of Sakred Journeys, a platform for transformative retreats to sacred sites around the world.

Our conversation centers on Joey's own journey of learning to receive care after years of being a constant giver and "mother" to others. She shares the powerful story of how she followed a channeled message to build a sound temple, the lessons she learned in trusting the universe during the pandemic, and what led her to a point where she knew her own cup was nearly empty. We explore the profound medicine of sisterhood, the bittersweet healing that can come from simple acts of care, and how allowing herself to be "mothered" on my Ireland retreat sparked a period of profound creative expansion in her own life.

You'll also hear about:

• (01:57) How a powerful channeled message in the middle of the night led Joey to sell everything and birth a sacred sound sanctuary in the Yucatan jungle.
• (04:49) Why Joey, a retreat leader herself, recognized her own cup was nearly empty and made the intentional choice to receive mothering.
• (09:45) The profound and bittersweet experience of being "tucked in" for the first time, and how this simple act revealed a deep mother wound.
• (15:12) The pattern of over-mothering her own children to fill a void from her childhood, and the sense of loss she felt when they left home.
• (17:50) How allowing herself to be filled up sparked a massive creative rebirth and expansion in her own life and work.
• (20:19) The realization that sisterhood is not just a support system, but a "divine puzzle piece" essential for self-mothering and spiritual evolution.
• (39:03) Joey's 20 years of dharma work leading sacred, transformative journeys through the temples of Egypt.

Join us for this beautiful exploration of what it means to be a creator, a mother, and a woman willing to be held, and discover why the act of receiving is just as sacred as the act of giving.

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Learn more about Joey McCune

• Follow Joey on Instagram
• Learn more about Joey's Retreats at Sakred Journeys
• Follow Sound Healing Tulum on Instagram

Follow Dr. Gertrude:

• Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s website
• Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
• Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s newsletter
• Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother...

In this powerful episode, I am joined by Valerie Jones, author of The Selfish Year, host of The Selfish Woman podcast, and founder of The Selfish Woman Movement. Valerie shares her incredible journey from being a chronic people-pleaser, conditioned to be the "good girl," through two difficult marriages that ultimately led her to a profound breaking point. In a radical act of self-preservation, she embarked on a year-long experiment to be selfish—a decision that changed everything.

Our conversation is a deep dive into what it truly means to be selfish, redefining it not as a dirty word, but as the sacred act of being "full of self." Valerie introduces the beautiful concepts of the "First Girl"—the exuberant, authentic version of us before the world told us who to be—and the "Hurt Girl," the protector who emerges to keep us safe. We discuss the immense cost of people-pleasing, the patriarchal programming that conditions women to be selfless, and the two stages of reclamation: first, learning to put yourself first so you can give from abundance, and ultimately, arriving at the freedom of prioritizing yourself simply because you are worthy.

You'll also hear about:

• (03:23) Valerie’s journey as a chronic people-pleaser through a 24-year marriage that ended in divorce.
• (06:36) How an externally perfect life in Spain led her to a breaking point and the decision to start her "Selfish Year" experiment.
• (13:23) The first crucial lesson Valerie learned: in order to be truly selfish, you must first get to know yourself.
• (15:38) Redefining selfish as being "full of self" and learning to mother the parts of ourselves that are scared and afraid.
• (21:04) The concepts of the "First Girl" (our true, unconditioned self) and the "Hurt Girl" (our protector self) and how to integrate them.
• (27:08) The high cost of being a "good girl"—including resentment, depression, and patterns of self-abandonment.
• (40:58) The two stages of embracing selfishness, from a "Trojan horse" for the brain to the ultimate freedom of prioritizing yourself, full stop.

Join us for this liberating conversation and discover why Valerie’s message is so vital: "You are not broken. You are becoming."

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Learn more about Valerie Jones:

• Learn more on Valerie's Website
• Buy the book: The Selfish Year
• Listen to The Selfish Woman Podcast
• Follow Valerie on Instagram

Follow Dr. Gertrude:

• Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s website
• Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
• Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s

Episode Title Options:

• Should We Listen to Our Mothers? A Legacy of Love and Strength with Jackie Tantillo
• The Golden Thread of Motherhood: Lessons from a Large Family with Jackie Tantillo
• Rewriting the Mother Code Through Communication and Forgiveness with Jackie Tantillo
• Growing Up with Seven Siblings: A Story of Family, Creativity, and Connection with Jackie Tantillo

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Jackie Tantillo, the host and executive producer of the award-winning podcast,

Should Have Listen to My Mother. Jackie shares the beautiful and dynamic story of her upbringing as the youngest of seven children and the profound impact of her mother, Linda—a trailblazing, creative, and forward-thinking woman who worked for the Rockefeller Foundation in Peru before raising her family.

Our conversation explores the "golden thread" that connects us all through our relationship with our mothers, whether that bond was a source of strength or a challenge to overcome. Jackie reflects on how her mother’s love for music and conversation inspired her own four-decade career in broadcasting. We also discuss the vital importance of family rituals, the lessons learned from having five older sisters, and how her mother modeled challenging the status quo, both in her community and her faith. After six seasons of her podcast, Jackie shares her biggest takeaways on motherhood, forgiveness, and the power of truly listening.

You'll also hear about:

• (04:32) How Jackie's mother, Linda, and a house filled with music inspired her career in radio.
• (07:09) The incredible story of Jackie's mother, a forward-thinking linguist and world traveler who raised seven children.
• (13:34) The common paradigm of mothers who encourage their children but struggle to give themselves the same love and support.
• (24:14) The power of nightly family dinners (with no TV!) to foster deep connection and conversation.
• (32:45) What it was like growing up with five older sisters who acted as "second mothers".
• (37:21) Key lessons Jackie has learned after six seasons of listening to guests share stories about their mothers.
• (45:39) Jackie’s powerful interpretation of "Rewrite the Mother Code" and the importance of apologizing to your children.

Don't miss this heartwarming and insightful exploration of family, legacy, and the enduring influence of our mothers.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Learn more about Jackie Tantillo

• Listen to Should Have Listen to My Mother
• Visit her Website
• Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn
• Follow Jackie on Facebook

Follow Dr. Gertrude:

• Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s website
• Follow Dr. Gertrude on

In this episode, I speak with Linda Brand, a transformational coach and host of the Worthy and Abundant podcast, about her powerful journey of healing and self-discovery. Linda shares her story of overcoming a childhood rooted in scarcity and fear, navigating a debilitating illness that became a major awakening, and making the courageous leap from a career in real estate to founding her own coaching practice.

Our conversation delves into the critical importance of self-love and self-worth as the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life. Linda explains how a lack of self-love leads to seeking external validation and offers practical tools to begin the practice of unconditional self-acceptance, including journaling, mirror work, and affirmations. We also explore powerful healing modalities like EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), the connection between unprocessed trauma and physical health, and the importance of reparenting our inner child.

• (01:23) Linda’s journey of overcoming a childhood of scarcity and fear.
• (03:08) How a debilitating illness became her biggest spiritual awakening.
• (07:39) The power of Kabbalah as ancient wisdom for modern life.
• (16:04) Why self-love is essential to stop seeking external validation and feel whole.
• (19:34) Practical tools for developing self-love, including mirror work and compassionate inner talk.
• (20:51) The connection between ADHD in women and intense self-criticism.
• (39:50) How to use EFT (tapping) to release energy blocks and imposter syndrome.
• (43:32) Dr. Gertrude’s profound experiences with dynamic breathwork and its ability to unlock cellular memory.

Don't miss Linda’s inspiring perspective on rewriting your past to create a truly worthy and abundant future!

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Learn more about Linda Brand:

• Learn more on Linda’s Website
• Listen to Linda’s Podcast
• Listen to Manifest + Chill

Follow Dr. Gertrude:

• Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s website
• Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
• Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s newsletter
• Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”

In this episode, I sit down with Tracy Ftacek - serial entrepreneur, manifestation coach, and host of Manifest + Chill - to explore what it really means to release perfectionism, let go of hustle culture, and step into a life of joy, ease, and alignment.

Tracy shares her powerful story of growing up in Alaska, building businesses in the beauty industry, selling her company, and navigating the disorienting question of identity that followed. She takes us inside her journey of discovering meditation, manifestation, and visualization practices, and how these became not just tools but lifelines for creating a new way of living.

We also dive into Tracy’s transformative experience at one of my retreats, where she confronted and began healing her mother wound through a powerful water birthing ceremony. Tracy reflects on how rewriting her story allowed her to release generational patterns, embrace her wholeness, and model a new way of being for herself and others.

This conversation is filled with wisdom, laughter, and deep healing, an invitation for all of us to “manifest + chill” while building lives we actually love.

• (04:30) Growing up in Alaska, loss of her father, and early lessons in independence
• (06:45) Choosing career over family, then building businesses on her own terms
• (08:20) Selling her company and the disorientation of losing titles and identity
• (12:10) Relearning self-care through meditation, manifestation, and coaching
• (16:00) Why hustle culture keeps women stuck in burnout, and how to flip the script
• (20:15) The “manifest + chill” philosophy and integrating ease into ambition
• (22:00) Creating her beauty app and finding alignment through entrepreneurship
• (25:20) Attending her first retreat and overcoming the fear of showing up alone
• (28:30) Launching her new business at the retreat and signing her first client there
• (31:00) Retreat reflections: healing in community and feeling deeply supported
• (32:30) Healing the mother wound through a water birthing ceremony
• (34:40) Realizing the soul’s choice in family dynamics and releasing blame
• (36:20) Transforming anger into gratitude and acceptance
• (39:00) Embracing joy, play, and authenticity in both business and life
• (42:15) Building a business model around fun, alignment, and sustainable growth
• (48:00) Final reflections on rewriting generational narratives and choosing joy

Don’t miss Tracy’s inspiring perspective on how to release the hustle, embrace healing, and manifest a life filled with intention and joy.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Learn more about Tracy Ftacek:

• Learn more on Tracy’s Website
• Follow Tracy on Instagram
• Connect with Tracy on Linkedin
• Listen to Manifest + Chill

Follow Dr. Gertrude:

• Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mary Ella Wood, physician, medical director, and new mother, to explore her path from general surgery to integrative medicine, and how her personal journey of motherhood has deepened her approach to healing.

As the Medical Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern, Dr. Wood blends evidence-based functional and holistic practices - nutrition, herbal medicine, yoga, Ayurveda, and mind-body medicine - into patient care. She shares how her experiences during COVID, residency, and high-risk obstetrics shaped her passion for whole-person healing.

We also dive into her transformative journey through pregnancy and birth, navigating unexpected complications, and the raw realities of postpartum life. Dr. Wood opens up about breastfeeding struggles, resilience, and the miracle of welcoming her son, all while continuing her groundbreaking work in integrative medicine.

This conversation is both deeply practical and profoundly human, offering insights into how we can honor the science of medicine while holding space for the feminine, relational, and soulful dimensions of care.

• (04:34) Dr. Wood’s transition from surgery to integrative medicine
• 
  
• (07:42) What integrative and functional medicine really mean
• 
  
• (12:00) The importance of whole-person, individualized care
• 
  
• (20:50) Reflections on delivering babies as a physician and as a mother
• 
  
• (25:30) Her personal birth story and navigating unexpected complications
• 
  
• (35:25) Postpartum challenges, breastfeeding struggles, and rediscovering herself as a new mom
• 
  
• (37:50) The balance of motherhood, medicine, and the joy of family life
• 
  
• (42:10) The role of midwives, medicalization of birth, and advocating for informed choice
• 
  
• (50:15) How environment, beauty, and stress impact healing and birth outcomes
• 
  
• (57:40) Rewriting narratives around women’s bodies and medical studies

Don’t miss Dr. Wood’s powerful reflections on blending professional expertise with lived experience as a mother, and how integrative care can transform both medicine and motherhood.

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Learn more about Dr. Mary Ella Wood:

• Learn more on Mary’s Website
• Follow Mary on Instagram
• Connect with Mary on Linkedin

Follow Dr. Gertrude:

• Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s website
• Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
• Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s