In this episode, I speak with Dr. Shoshana Bennett, an internationally recognized clinical psychologist and maternal mental health expert, about the complexities of redefining postpartum care and personal narratives. As a dedicated advocate and survivor of life-threatening postpartum depression, Dr. Shoshana opens up about her personal challenges and triumphs that have shaped her philosophy on maternal mental health.

Dr. Shoshana shares insights into how she redefined her relationship with traditional maternal expectations after experiencing immediate and severe depression following the birth of her children. Our conversation explores the process of questioning societal expectations, detailing how she turned her pain into a driving force by founding the first postpartum depression support group in the United States right out of her living room.

We delve into actionable practices for living authentically, from understanding the distinct differences between the "baby blues" and clinical disorders like postpartum OCD, to navigating her comprehensive Dr. Shoshana Wellness Plan involving nutrition, exercise, sleep, and communication. Dr. Shoshana emphasizes the importance of seeking out specialized perinatal therapists rather than suffering in silence, inspiring others to break free from the stigma and rewrite the Mother Code by challenging one-size-fits-all myths.

You'll also hear about:

• (00:08:23) Dr. Shoshana's personal battle with severe, immediate postpartum depression and feeling like a shell of herself.
• (00:14:27) Turning pain into purpose by running the first PPD support group in the U.S. from her living room.
• (00:26:46) Distinguishing between normal pregnancy worries and abnormal symptoms like insomnia and loss of appetite.
• (00:36:58) The vital importance of receiving a full assessment from a specialized perinatal psychologist.
• (00:44:17) The Dr. Shoshana Wellness Plan: balancing nutrition, exercise, communication, and mandatory nighttime sleep.
• (00:51:03) Demystifying postpartum OCD, horrific intrusive thoughts, and hypervigilance versus postpartum psychosis.
• (01:03:36) Dr. Shoshana's reflections on rewriting the Mother Code by challenging myths and refusing to suffer in silence.

Don't miss Dr. Shosh's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between clinical expertise, maternal health, and self-advocacy!

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Learn more about Dr. Shoshana Bennett

• Learn more on Dr. Shoshana's Website
• Explore Dr. Shoshana's Books
• Connect with Dr. Shoshana 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 Substack
• Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”

In this episode, I speak with Kirsten Karchmer, a prominent health tech pioneer, women’s health expert, and founder-CEO of Conceivable. We discuss her remarkable journey from battling severe multiple sclerosis to pioneering reproductive acupuncture in North America and creating an AI-driven platform for accessible fertility solutions. Kirsten shares how a reluctant visit to an acupuncturist not only put her MS into remission but completely transformed her career path.

Kirsten provides eye-opening insights into how the menstrual cycle acts as a powerful diagnostic tool, arguing that women's bodies offer free, vital information about their overall health and fertility. Our conversation explores the hidden dangers of modern fertility trackers capturing late ovulation, the systemic issues within traditional Western fertility treatments , and the profound impact of daily habits like sleep, hydration, and caffeine intake.

We delve into actionable practices for living authentically and taking charge of your health. Kirsten emphasizes the importance of refusing to "eat the burned toast" by prioritizing our own well-being , exploring the "Conceivable" app's holistic approach to combining AI, customized supplements, and daily emotional support. She inspires us to rewrite the Mother Code by empowering every person with a period to become the hero of their own medical transformation.

You'll also hear about:

• (00:06:18) Kirsten's diagnosis with MS and her unexpected path to studying acupuncture.
• (00:14:38) The "burned toast" metaphor and why women must stop sacrificing their own well-being.
• (00:26:07) The truth about oral contraceptives being prescribed to "regulate" periods.
• (00:37:46) How the Conceivable app utilizes face scanning to track HRV, VO2 max, and predict health outcomes.
• (00:43:42) A powerful story of unconscious fears and spiritual intervention in the conception journey.
• (00:54:39) Manifesting your reality and examining the underlying beliefs that hold you back.
• (01:00:27) Kirsten's mission to win a Nobel Prize by making reproductive health transformation accessible and virtually free.

Don't miss Kirsten's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between holistic medicine, innovative technology, and women's empowerment!

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Learn more about Kirsten Karchmer

• Learn more on her Website
• Follow her on Instagram
• Connect with her 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 Substack
• Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”

In this episode, I speak with Kelli Moore, an identity strategist, former Emmy-winning TV host, and exited founder of Soul Fire Productions, about the transformative power of choosing your own narrative. Kelli opens up about her personal journey through chronic illness brought on by people-pleasing, and how leaving her television career became a catalyst for reclaiming her voice and authenticity.

She shares profound insights into how becoming a mother completely redefined her metrics of success, shifting her from a constantly producing "boss babe" to a deeply present, emotionally available parent. Our conversation explores the difficult, yet liberating, process of releasing control, letting go of the need to prove oneself, and understanding that we have a fundamental choice in how we respond to our deepest wounds and life's unexpected turns.

We delve into actionable perspectives on using curiosity to decipher which beliefs actually belong to us versus our conditioning, navigating the complex grief of losing a mother while becoming one, and the intense confrontation with mortality following a near-death experience in childbirth. Kelli emphasizes the importance of building a life and business rooted in embodiment rather than burnout, inspiring others to rewrite the internal rules that limit their expression.

You'll also hear about:

• (09:52) The chronic illness journey and the physical toll of anxiety and people-pleasing.
• (11:59) Leaving a television career, overcoming trauma, and reclaiming the power of choice.
• (20:50) The humbling transition into motherhood and redefining success beyond constant productivity.
• (33:21) The realization that drove her to exit her thriving production company to be present with her baby.
• (37:25) Using curiosity to decipher which thoughts and generational programming actually belong to you.
• (50:08) Her near-death experience after childbirth and how it shifted her relationship with mortality.
• (1:04:42) What rewriting the Mother Code means across the different iterations and identities of your life.

Don't miss Kelli's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between embodiment, healing, and true leadership!

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

Learn more about Kelli Moore:

• Follow Kelli on Instagram
• Connect with Kelli on LinkedIn
• Visit Kelli’s website

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 Substack
• Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Allison M. Alford, a clinical associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin and a scholar of communication studies, about the complexities of redefining our roles within our families of origin. As the author of the new book Good Daughtering: The Work You've Always Done, the Credit You've Never Gotten, and How to Finally Feel Like Enough, Dr. Alford opens up about the personal challenges and triumphs that have shaped her philosophy on the active, vital role adult daughters play in keeping families connected.

Dr. Alford shares insights into how she redefined her relationship with traditional family roles, navigating the delicate balance between honoring legacy and identifying the invisible labor women perform. Our conversation explores the process of questioning societal expectations, defining the four types of daughtering labor, acting, emotional, cognitive, and identity, and how embracing the role of the "porcupine daughter" can lead to deeper, more authentic family connections.

We delve into actionable practices for living authentically, from narrating your daughtering efforts out loud to dismantling the myth that mothers and daughters must be "best friends". Dr. Alford emphasizes the importance of establishing clear communication and autonomy, inspiring others to break free from matrophobia and rewrite the Mother Code by first embracing the daughter self.

You'll also hear about:

• (00:06:27) Introduction to the book Good Daughtering and the active role of midlife women.
• (00:08:40) Exploring the research gap regarding women's identities outside of maternal figures.
• (00:13:42) The four distinct forms of daughtering labor: acting, emotional, cognitive, and identity.
• (00:18:27) The invisible work of managing parents' emotions and preventing family conflict.
• (00:23:48) Dispelling the "best friends" myth and shifting toward intimacy and trust.
• (00:30:43) Reclaiming autonomy and the power of choice in adult family dynamics.
• (00:40:00) Understanding matrophobia and the fear of repeating generational patterns.
• (00:44:12) The "porcupine daughter" concept: breaking cycles by speaking difficult truths.
• (00:48:44) What it means to rewrite the Mother Code by fully examining the daughter self.

Don't miss Dr. Alford's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between personal truth and family dynamics!

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

Learn more about Dr. Allison M. Alford

• Learn more on Dr. Alford's Website
• Follow Dr. Alford on Instagram
• Connect with Dr. Alford on LinkedIn
• Connect with Dr. Alford on Substack
• Buy Dr. Alford’s Book

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 Substack
• Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”

In this episode, I speak with Danielle Amos, the Mystic Millionaire Mentor and a protege of Bob Proctor, about the complexities of redefining personal narratives surrounding wealth, success, and motherhood. As a dedicated transformational teacher and mother, Danielle opens up about her transition from a successful corporate career in food tourism to finding herself in six figures of debt after taking a leap into network marketing. She shares the profound turning point of realizing her results were a direct reflection of her self-image and mindset.

Danielle shares insights into how women often unconsciously sabotage their prosperity by adhering to the "hard work equals success" code, wearing struggle like a badge of honor. Our conversation explores the process of breaking the "this or that" paradigm—the limiting belief that women must choose between being a good mother and having a thriving career.

We delve into actionable practices for living authentically, from learning to ask for community support without feeling like a burden to utilizing masculine structures to safely embrace our feminine ability to receive. Danielle emphasizes the importance of putting on your own oxygen mask first and refusing to dim your light, inspiring others to transcend limitations and claim their birthright of abundance.

You'll also hear about:

• (01:36) From corporate success in food tourism to struggling with six figures of debt
• (04:26) The turning point of hearing Bob Proctor and taking radical responsibility for her life
• (09:20) Breaking the "this or that" paradigm regarding motherhood and career choices
• (16:22) Dismantling the cultural code that hard work is required for worthiness and success
• (20:41) Embracing the universal law of rhythm and trusting the seasons of planting versus harvesting
• (32:50) Putting on your own oxygen mask first to show up as the best version of yourself
• (44:48) Danielle's reflections on rewriting the Mother Code and the power to truly have it all

Don't miss Danielle's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between energetic mastery and lasting prosperity!

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

Learn more about Danielle Amos:

• Learn more on Danielle's Website
• Follow Danielle on Instagram at @thedanielleamos
• Listen to Danielle’s 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 Substack
• Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”

In this episode, I speak with Hayley Mullins, the inventor of the Joeyband and a passionate advocate for newborn safety, about the complexities of redefining the early days of motherhood. As a dedicated founder and mother of two, Hayley opens up about the personal challenges and triumphs that have shaped her philosophy on trusting your intuition and doing what works for you.

Hayley shares insights into how she redefined her relationship with traditional baby carriers after a terrifying experience with the startle reflex, navigating the delicate balance between launching a product and raising small children. Our conversation explores the process of questioning societal expectations, the importance of supportive maternity leave, and how embracing skin-to-skin contact leads to deeper connections for the whole family, including non-birthing partners.

We delve into actionable practices for living authentically, from taking control of your birth experience to the importance of sharing ideas without waiting for perfectionism. Hayley emphasizes the importance of modeling resilience for her daughters, inspiring others to break free from limiting beliefs and rewrite the Mother Code.

You'll also hear about:

• (03:01) The journey to inventing the Joeyband after a newborn startle reflex incident
• (07:32) The influence of skin-to-skin care on clinical outcomes and exclusive breastfeeding
• (14:13) Rewriting the birth experience and supporting mothers during C-sections or physical limitations
• (19:31) Navigating entrepreneurship, family growth, and the benefits of a 12-month maternity leave
• (27:18) Actionable practices for new business builders to overcome perfectionism
• (33:43) Hayley's reflections on rewriting the Mother Code and nourishing your baby

Don't miss Hayley's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between personal truth and newborn care!

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

Learn more about Hayley Mullins:

• Learn more about Joeyband
• Follow Joeyband on Instagram
• Connect with Hayley 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 Substack
• Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”

In this episode, I speak with Sonni Abatta, an award-winning and Emmy-nominated journalist, about the complexities of redefining personal narratives and navigating the modern media landscape. As a dedicated media professional and mother of three, Sonni opens up about her transition from spending 15 years in traditional media to creating a digital platform that informs women without the overwhelm.

Sonni shares insights into how her highly expressive Italian-American upbringing shaped her emotional intelligence and deep communication skills. Our conversation explores the process of connecting with the inner child, recognizing how early coping mechanisms can transform into powerful adult strengths like discernment and self-soothing.

We delve into actionable practices for living authentically, from intentionally consuming news across the ideological spectrum to holding opposing viewpoints without feeling attacked. Sonni emphasizes the importance of not parenting from your own trauma and raising children with the capacity to set boundaries, inspiring others to honor generational strength while rewriting the Mother Code.

You'll also hear about:

(03:50) The journey from traditional media to digital spaces

(08:20) The profound impact of inner child work and family dynamics

(14:59) Building emotional intelligence and the ability to self-soothe

(24:16) Navigating charged global topics with nuance and multiple perspectives

(31:29) Avoiding the trap of parenting from your own childhood trauma

(39:46) Blending news and lifestyle with a 25% serious, 75% fun approach

(41:22) Sonni's reflections on rewriting the Mother Code through generational strength

Don't miss Sonni's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between personal truth and conscious media consumption!

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

Learn more about Sonni Abatta:

• Learn more about Sonni
• Follow Sonni on Instagram
• Subscribe to her Youtube channel

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 Substack
• Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”

In this episode, I speak with Amy Briggs, a licensed speech and language pathologist and the visionary founder of Aviva, about the profound weight of the "mental load" and how we can reclaim our capacity for joy in parenthood. As a mother of two daughters, Amy shares her journey from clinical practice in public schools to creating a revolutionary tool designed to take the burden of family scheduling off parents' plates.

Amy shares insights into how the invisible labor of parenting often clouds the most important part of the journey: the connection we build with our children. Our conversation explores the systemic "codes" and scripts that leave parents feeling like they are never doing enough, and how we can begin to prioritize "being" and presence over the endless cycle of "doing".

We delve into actionable perspectives on reclaiming parental intuition, from recognizing the distracting influence of social media to creating scalable solutions for household labor. Amy emphasizes the importance of viewing technology as a true "team member", allowing parents to focus on the "big enchilada" of parenthood rather than the clutter of management.

You'll also hear about:

1. (06:05) Amy's journey from speech pathologist to focusing on family capacity
2. (13:03) Dismantling the harmful scripts and invisible labor placed on mothers
3. (16:42) Creating a "life raft": The birth of Aviva as a household team member
4. (27:12) How the Aviva app works to automatically manage family scheduling
5. (36:02) Normalizing the need to offload tasks and ask for help
6. (45:18) Modeling achievement and setting an example for her children
7. (50:42) What it means to rewrite the Mother Code and align with intuition

Don't miss Amy's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between efficiency and heart!

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

Learn more about Amy Briggs:

1. Learn more about Aviva
2. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn

Follow Dr. Gertrude:

1. Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website
2. Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
3. Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s Substack
4. Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”