Motherhood Unveiled

• Blended Families, Advocacy & Boundary Setting

  In this episode of "Motherhood Unveiled," host Ashley welcomes Jamie Greenwood, a life and leadership coach, mother, and stepmother of three. Jamie shares candid insights into her blended family, the challenges of setting boundaries, and the importance of self-care for mothers. She discusses her journey through step-parenting, advocacy for her children, and navigating “mom rage.” Together, Ashley and Jamie explore the realities of motherhood, the value of honest conversations, and the need for community support, offering listeners practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement for embracing the messy, beautiful truth of parenting.Meet JamieJamie is a life and leadership coach who supports big-dreaming, high-achieving mothers to set exquisite boundaries and find agency within themselves, without an ounce of guilt. With over 16 years experience, Jamie specializes in helping women reconnect to their desires and joy so they can start living life on their own terms. As a mom, Jamie works hard to give her children the most loving, expressive and close knit family experience they can have. She also enjoys sharing her loves with them including cuban dance, local/sustainable foods, cooking, and Celtics basketball. Outside of being a mom, she LOVES being a life and leadership coach to other mothers and has a secret soft spot for rock music and cult documentaries.TimestampsJamie's Personal & Professional Identity (00:02:12) The Homecoming Program & Storytelling (00:03:46) Parenting in a House of Alphas (00:05:02) Boundaries and Evolving Parenting Styles (00:06:44) Beginning of Jamie’s Motherhood Story (00:08:33) Healing Through EMDR & Somatic Work (00:11:23) Pregnancy, Advocacy, and Clubfoot Diagnosis (00:14:10) Motherhood as Endurance & Guilt with Second Child (00:17:41) Relationship with Stepdaughter After Healing (00:19:56) Balancing Self-Care and Motherhood Expectations (00:24:17) The Dance of Meeting Needs (00:26:38) Motherhood as Advocacy (00:29:12) Teaching Children Self-Advocacy (00:29:48) Emotional Labor and Maternal Exhaustion (00:34:28) Parenting Influenced by Childhood (00:35:35) Power Dynamics and Parenting Styles (00:40:04) Choice, Overwhelm, and Parenting Adjustments (00:42:08) Motherhood as an Endurance Challenge (00:45:25) Adapting to Children’s Needs and Letting Go (00:47:47) Ambivalence and Processing Pregnancy (00:50:19) Partner Dynamics and Processing Big Decisions (00:54:46) The Reality of Having Multiple Children (01:03:31) Expectations vs. Reality of Motherhood (01:06:47) Maternal Labor Inequities and Default Parenting (01:07:15) Mom Rage and the Wildness of Motherhood (01:10:22) Judgment, Screen Time, and Letting Go (01:19:41) The Faulty Job Description of Motherhood (01:21:10) Honesty, Gratitude, and Naming the Hard Parts (01:24:42) Dispelling the Myth of Loving Every Moment (01:26:56) Links & MentionsWork with Jamie GreenwoodThe Path Home (Jamie’s podcast)Women Who Run with Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola EstésWhat is EMDR?What is gentle parenting?Connect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedInCover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography

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• The Empty Nest: Mothering Adult Children

  In this episode of "Motherhood Unveiled," host Ashley welcomes menopause consultant and coach Lisa Boate to discuss the evolving identity of mothers as children grow into adulthood. Lisa shares her personal journey through empty nesting, grief, and rediscovering herself beyond motherhood. The conversation explores the intersection of midlife transitions, perimenopause, and societal expectations, emphasizing the need for honest dialogue about the challenges and joys of later-stage motherhood. Lisa advocates for embracing one’s full identity and breaking the myth that a woman’s value lies solely in her role as a mother.Meet LisaLisa Boate is the Founder of Liberated Menopause Consulting and Coaching and the host of the Transforming 45 podcast. With over two decades of experience in education and a deep understanding of the systemic challenges women face in midlife, Lisa empowers individuals and organizations to navigate menopause with confidence, clarity, and compassion. Through keynote speaking, coaching, and her signature "Doctor Ready" sessions, Lisa helps women reclaim their quality of life and supports workplaces in becoming menopause-empowered environments.TimestampsLisa’s Personal Introduction and Identity (00:03:20)The Evolution of Self and Motherhood (00:05:06)Being vs. Doing in Motherhood (00:06:43)Summer Camp and Identity Through Life Stages (00:08:44)Motherhood as a Destination (00:12:14)Transitioning Beyond the “Happy Ending” (00:14:03)The Ongoing Evolution of Parenting (00:18:16)Letting Go and Redefining Roles (00:20:05)Navigating the Empty Nest Transition (00:25:30)Grief and the Nuance of Motherhood (00:28:23)Processing Grief and Major Life Changes (00:34:51)Redesigning Life and Embracing Joy (00:38:47)Encouraging Individuality in the Next Generation (00:40:47)Motherhood’s Role in Midlife Crisis (00:43:36)Intersection of Motherhood and Menopause (00:47:20)Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause (00:48:25)Societal Narratives and Suffering in Silence (00:54:29)The “Superhero Mom” Myth (00:56:00)The Greatest Gift of Motherhood (00:59:30)Dispelling the Myth of Motherhood as Value (01:01:35)LinksConnect with Lisa Boate: Liberated Menopause Consultant and CoachTransforming 45 PodcastPostpartum depression article - symptoms can occur well after birthConnect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedInCover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography

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• Overcoming Burnout: Balancing Career and Motherhood

  In this episode of Motherhood Unveiled, host Ashley shares an intimate conversation with Jessica Manca, a Certified Executive Coach and mother of two. Jessica opens up about her journey from career burnout to discovering her passion for coaching, while navigating the challenges and joys of motherhood. Offering insights into embracing one's unique journey, Jessica discusses the importance of prioritizing personal well-being, the impact of motherhood on career choices, and the ongoing process of finding balance. Tune in to hear how Jessica's experiences have shaped her approach to both life and career, and for a special offer exclusive to listeners of the show (see link below!).Meet JessicaJessica Manca is an expert at helping her clients shift from feeling like an imposter to feeling empowered. As an Executive Career and Personal Development Coach, Speaker, and author, Jessica has over 25 years of experience working inside global organizations, such as Deloitte and Amazon. As the founder of Mindspaces Coaching, Jessica specializes in helping over-thinkers, introverts, and perfectionists break free from limiting beliefs. Jessica's clients have unlocked the key to career change, building self-trust, and lasting confidence. Fifteen years ago, she overcame career burnout (when she started a family) to pursue her passion and wake up every day to pure joy coaching the beautiful soul across from her. As a business owner, she partners with mid-career introverts and perfectionists to align their dream career to who they really are, without overthinking. Jessica is also the mom of two amazing humans who encourages her children to make their own mistakes, and be individuals. Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Motherhood Unveiled01:12 Meet Jessica Manca: A Journey of Motherhood and Coaching04:03 Jessica's Family and Parenting Philosophy09:51 Balancing Career and Motherhood15:58 The Struggles of Burnout and Career Transition25:28 Rediscovering Identity Through Coaching34:38 The Physical and Emotional Toll of Burnout39:43 Motherhood During Dark Times41:30 Therapy and Damaging Feedback44:25 Finding Help and Support47:33 Starting a Business and Following Joy49:28 Balancing Motherhood and Business01:00:47 Transformational Lessons from Children01:03:54 The Journey of Motherhood01:15:05 Concluding Thoughts and ResourcesLinks and MentionsJessica’s Free Questionnaire!Finding Passion by Jessica MancaLearn more about JessicaThe WHO on Burnout If you, or someone you know is experiencing burnout, speak to your family doctor. Ask for help. If in Ontario, use ConnexOntario to connect with a licensed mental health specialist. Outside of Ontario, speak with your family doctor.Connect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedInCover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography

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• The Different Iterations of Mom

  In this heartfelt episode of "Motherhood Unveiled," host Ashley welcomes Shelley Lepp, a mother of four and CEO of Writers Collective of Canada. Shelley shares her journey through young single motherhood, miscarriage, divorce, and blending families. She discusses the evolving roles and identities of motherhood, the challenges of balancing self-care with parenting, and the power of storytelling for healing. Through candid stories of resilience, vulnerability, and support, Shelley offers listeners an honest look at navigating transitions, embracing imperfection, and finding joy in both the chaos and beauty of motherhood.Meet ShelleyShelley is the CEO of the Writers Collective of Canada - an arts-health charity that uses writing in a community as a way to address isolation and loneliness. She's been so many iterations of 'mom' - each feels slightly different. She's been a young mom, a single mom, a dating mom, an at home mom, an in school mom, a working mom, and mom again (older mom?) - Raising 3 teens and a toddler is a wild ride and she wouldn't have it any other way. Shelley loves early mornings, long walks, real conversation, hitting the gym, creating art in any form, and exploring the city.Timestamps Welcome & Podcast Introduction (00:00:04)Season Three Launch & Guest Introduction (00:01:18)Shelley’s Background & Connection to Motherhood (00:02:32)Stages of Motherhood & Upcoming Milestones (00:07:58Shelley’s Motherhood Story: Beginnings (00:12:15)Miscarriage and Grief (00:14:30)Marriage Ending & Single Motherhood (00:17:16)Reconciling Expectations vs. Reality (00:25:10)Choosing Passion & Returning to School (00:30:29)The Power of Storytelling & Career Path (00:31:32)Balancing Motherhood, Work, and Self (00:36:56)Support Systems & Community (00:52:04)New Relationship & Blended Family (00:44:53 & 00:53:21)Surrendered Motherhood & Current Iteration (01:01:08)Sibling Dynamics & Savouring the Present (01:07:44)Letting Go of Pressure & Embracing Change (01:13:41)Demystifying Motherhood & Final Thoughts (01:17:21Episode Wrap-Up & Resources (01:20:25)LinksMomwell: Therapists trained in supporting mothersThe WOMBWriters Collective of CanadaConnect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedInCover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography

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• A Journey to Herself

  In this episode of "Motherhood Unveiled," host Ashley converses with her long-time friend Caitlin Thompson, a queer single mother of two. Caitlin shares her complex journey through motherhood, discussing fertility struggles, conception, home birthing. She highlights the importance of intentionality in family creation and the emotional complexities of motherhood. Caitlin also reflects on her mental health, sobriety, and the impact of her separation. The episode underscores the significance of community, self-awareness, and embracing both the joys and challenges of parenting.Meet CaitlinCaitlin is a queer, single mother of two spicy Aries kiddos and is flying by the seat of her pants! She tries her best to be intentional and present in her parenting but some days she is truly just trying to get through until sweet, sweet bedtime. She loves to get outdoors and relish in the tranquility of nature. She is a sourdough baker, a mediocre poet, a hockey player, a camper and an aspiring hippie spiritual earth goddess with quite the case of ADHD. She is a trauma survivor and constantly in the process of learning, healing, growing and trying to keep her sh*t together. Links & Mentions1. Queer family book recommendations: What Makes a Baby (Cory Silverberg)Zak’s Safari: A Story about Donor-Conceived Kids of Two-Mom Families (Cristy Tyner)2. Sobriety resources:Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol (Holly Whittaker)Push Off fConnect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedInCover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography

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