Motherhood has a way of rewriting the plans we were so sure we had figured out.

For Susanna Peace Lovell, that meant becoming a mother to her daughter, Arizona, who is neurodivergent and has autism, ADHD, anxiety, and significant allergies. For Jacqueline, it meant infertility, loss, a 24-week premature birth, a four-month NICU stay, and eventually learning that her oldest son has autism and ADHD, and her younger son also has ADHD and sensory processing disorder.

In this deeply personal conversation, Jacqueline and Susanna talk about what happens when motherhood looks nothing like the version you imagined—and how you learn to find yourself within it.

They open up about receiving a child's diagnosis, the instinct to immediately jump into "fix it" mode, the fear of what the world will think of your child, and the invisible mental load of raising a child with additional needs. They also talk about something caregivers don't hear nearly enough: you are allowed to have needs, joy, interests, dreams, and an identity outside of caring for everyone else.

Susanna shares the importance of compassion—for our children, for other mothers, and especially for ourselves—and why finding people who simply get it can change everything.

In this episode:

• When motherhood doesn't look the way you imagined
• Processing an autism or ADHD diagnosis
• The invisible work of parenting a neurodivergent child
• Why gratitude and overwhelm can exist at the same time
• Letting go of the pressure to "fix" everything
• What other people don't understand about raising a child with additional needs
• Building a village when you can't do it alone
• Rediscovering joy and identity outside of caregiving
• What Susanna would tell a mom who just received her child's diagnosis
• Why your child is still the exact same child they were before the label

Susanna also shares her work with We Are Brave Together, a community supporting the mental health and wellness of caregiving moms, and the anthology Suddenly Brave Together, featuring letters from experienced caregiving mothers to moms who are just beginning this journey.

If you've ever wondered where you went while taking care of everyone else—or you're navigating a motherhood story you never saw coming—this conversation is for you.

Connect with Susanna:
SusannaPeaceLovell.com
Instagram: @mamapeace

Learn more about We Are Brave Together:
WeAreBraveTogether.org

Support the show

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Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

A Her Village Solo Episode 🎙️

The backpacks are packed, the school supplies are labeled, and the kids are settling back into their routines. But once we’ve gotten everyone else where they need to be… what about us?

In this solo episode, I’m talking about the back-to-school season as more than just a reset for our kids. It can be a reset for us, too.

Not in a reinvent your entire life now that the kids are in school kind of way. But as an opportunity to check in with ourselves and ask: What do I want this next season to feel like?

We’re talking about the routines we want to come back to, the things we may be ready to let go of, the parts of ourselves that have gotten pushed aside, and how to make a little more room for what fills us up.

Because motherhood has a way of dividing life into seasons—and sometimes a new season is exactly the invitation we need to reconnect with ourselves.

In this episode:

• Why back-to-school can feel like a fresh start for moms, too
• The difference between adding more to our plates and making intentional changes
• Taking inventory of what worked (and what didn’t) this summer
• Reconnecting with the parts of ourselves that exist outside of motherhood
• Thinking about how we actually want this next season to feel
• Starting small instead of trying to overhaul everything at once

And if connection is one of the things you’re craving in this season, that’s exactly why I’m building Her Village—a place for women to connect with themselves, each other, and their local community, both through these conversations and in real life.

🎧 Hit play, take a walk, pour another cup of coffee, and spend a little time thinking about what you want from this next season.

I’ll be right here when you come back to hit play.

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

What happens after you've survived something that could have defined the rest of your life?

Today's guest, Cindy Benezra, is a USA Today bestselling author, speaker, trauma recovery advocate, and author of Under the Orange Blossoms. Cindy is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her father.

But this conversation isn't about the details of what happened to Cindy. It's about what came next.

Cindy and I talk about what healing actually looks like in everyday life, learning to trust yourself again, breaking generational cycles, reclaiming your voice, and shifting the question from "What happened to me?" to "What's next?"

We also talk about Cindy's beautiful concept of "Freckles of Light"—the small, ordinary moments of hope and goodness that remind us healing doesn't always happen through one massive breakthrough. Sometimes it happens quietly, little by little.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Moving from a past-defined identity toward what's next
• What it means to become your own healer
• Cindy's "Freckles of Light" and finding hope in ordinary moments
• Breaking intergenerational cycles
• Reclaiming your voice and learning to trust yourself
• The role of storytelling and vulnerability in healing
• Why community and connection matter
• Finding hope when you're still carrying something from your past

Whether you've experienced trauma yourself or you're simply carrying something from your past that has shaped who you are today, this conversation is a reminder that what happened to you can be part of your story without getting to write the rest of it.

Connect with Cindy:
Learn more about Cindy, Under the Orange Blossoms, and her work at CindyTalks.

Connect with Her Village offline:
If you're local to the Naperville area, Her Village is about getting out from behind the screens and building real-life connection, too. Join us for upcoming coffee dates, nights out, book gatherings, and other opportunities to meet women in your local community.

Find details and upcoming gatherings by following along on Instagram or signing up for our email list.

And if this episode made you think of someone in your own village, send it her way. Sometimes being part of someone's village is as simple as saying, "I heard this, and I thought of you."

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

As summer winds down and back-to-school season approaches, it's easy to look back and wonder...

Did I do enough?

Did we make enough memories?
Did my kids have the summer they deserved?
Did I somehow miss the mark?

If you've been carrying those thoughts, this episode is for you.

In today's solo episode, Jacqueline shares an honest reflection on the pressure moms often put on themselves during the summer—from trying to create magical memories to balancing work, childcare, businesses, and everything in between.

Whether you're a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, or somewhere in the middle, this conversation is a reminder that your worth isn't measured by Pinterest-worthy adventures or perfectly planned summers.

Your kids don't need a perfect summer.

They need you.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why moms feel so much pressure to "win" summer
• The comparison trap of social media
• Why working moms and stay-at-home moms are both carrying invisible loads
• How to redefine what a "successful" summer really looks like
• Why back-to-school can be a fresh start for moms, too
• How creating community for yourself is just as important as creating memories for your kids

If this conversation encouraged you, I'd love for you to share it with another woman who may need to hear these words today.

✨ Learn more about Her Village or join our email community at joinhervillage.co

📍 Local to the Naperville area? We'd love to have you at an upcoming Her Village gathering!

If you're enjoying the Her Village Podcast, leaving a rating and review is one of the best ways to help more women discover these conversations.

Thank you for being here.
I'm so grateful you're part of this village.

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

Some stories entertain us.

Others help shape who we become.

This week on the Her Village Podcast, I'm joined by Emmy Award-winning creator, author, and storyteller Angela Santomero, whose work has helped generations of children learn, grow, and navigate the world with curiosity and confidence.

Known for creating Blue's Clues and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Angela shares the thoughtful research, educational philosophy, and heart behind the stories she's spent her career bringing to life. We explore why imagination isn't just play—it's a powerful tool for helping children build resilience, process emotions, solve problems, and develop empathy.

We also dive into her newest YouTube series, Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things, and discuss how storytelling can encourage kids to embrace creativity, face uncertainty, and see challenges as opportunities for growth.

Whether you're raising young children, missing the days of singing along with Blue's Clues, or simply interested in the lasting impact stories can have on our lives, this conversation is full of thoughtful insights and practical takeaways.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Angela's journey creating Blue's Clues
• The lessons behind Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
• Why imagination plays such an important role in childhood
• The research that guides Angela's storytelling
• Helping children build confidence and emotional resilience
• Encouraging curiosity, kindness, and creativity
• Angela's newest project, Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things
• What parents can take away from the stories their children love

If this episode resonates with you, I'd love for you to share it with another parent, grandparent, educator, or anyone who believes in the power of raising kind humans.

And if you're looking for connection in your own season of life, I'd love to welcome you into Her Village—a community where women come together to build meaningful friendships, support one another, and remember they don't have to do life alone.

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

When I started Her Village, I thought I was creating a place where women could make new friends.

What I didn't expect was what those first few months would teach me—not just about friendship, but about belonging.

In this solo episode, I'm sharing some of the biggest lessons I've learned while building this community from the ground up. From women nervously walking into events alone to conversations that linger long after the official end time, I've realized that what so many of us are searching for isn't simply more friends—it's a place where we can show up as ourselves and feel genuinely connected.

If you've ever wondered why making friends as an adult feels so different, or if you've found yourself craving deeper connection in this season of life, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I share:

• Why I realized women aren't just looking for more friends—they're looking for belonging.
• What surprised me most after hosting Her Village events.
• The biggest misconception about adult friendship.
• Why meaningful connection takes intention in this stage of life.
• Small, brave steps you can take to begin building your own village.

Whether you're navigating motherhood, a new city, a career change, or simply a season where life feels a little lonely or disconnected, I hope this conversation reminds you that you're not the only one looking for your people.

And maybe… your village starts with one conversation, one invitation, or one courageous "yes."

🌻 Connect with Her Village

If you're local to the Chicago suburbs and looking for meaningful connection with other women, I'd love to welcome you to an upcoming Her Village gathering.

Learn more at joinhervillage.co

Follow along on Instagram: @hervillagehq

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

When we're kids, friendship just... happens.

We're surrounded by classmates, teammates, roommates, and neighbors. But somewhere between careers, motherhood, relationships, and the never-ending to-do list, making meaningful friendships can start to feel surprisingly difficult.

In this episode, I'm joined by licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and founder of Bluebird Counseling Services, Alexandria Gohla, to unpack why connection feels so much harder in adulthood—and why so many women find themselves longing for something deeper than another group chat.

Alex shares insights from her work with women, the inspiration behind her upcoming book, More Than the Group Chat, and the importance of vulnerability, intentionality, and creating spaces where women feel safe to truly belong.

Together, we explore:

• Why adult friendships require more intention than they did growing up
• What's really keeping women from forming deeper connections
• The difference between being surrounded by people and feeling genuinely known
• How vulnerability strengthens relationships
• Practical ways to begin building meaningful friendships—even if you're starting from scratch
• Why online communities can be a starting point, but in-person connection still matters

If you've ever caught yourself thinking, "I wish I had people like that," this conversation is for you.

Connect with Alex:

• Blue Bird Counseling Services
• More Than the Group Chat

Connect with Her Village:

If you're longing for deeper connection and you're local to the Chicago suburbs, I'd love to meet you at an upcoming Her Village event!

🌻 Learn more: joinhervillage.co

📸 Instagram: @hervillagehq

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

She Left Her Career to Raise Her Kids. Then She Started Again.

What happens when the life you've built no longer fits the woman you're becoming?

This week on the Her Village Podcast, Jacqueline sits down with Dr. Vandana Arcot to talk about identity, ambition, motherhood, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself.

After a successful global health career spanning more than a decade and work across 13+ countries, Dr. Arcot made the decision to step away from her professional life to focus on raising her children. Years later, she found herself navigating the vulnerable process of returning—not to who she used to be, but to a new version of herself.

Together, Jacqueline and Dr. Arcot explore:

• The emotional realities of stepping away from a career to focus on family
• Losing—and rediscovering—your sense of identity
• The guilt and fear that can come with wanting something more
• How motherhood reshaped Dr. Arcot's definition of success and leadership
• The pressure women feel to choose between caregiving and ambition
• Why reinvention isn't about becoming someone new—it's about reclaiming the parts of yourself that were waiting to be rediscovered
• The permission to evolve through different seasons of life

Dr. Arcot is the founder of Komselj, a strategy firm advancing women's and children's health and empowerment worldwide, and VUND, a home décor and fragrance company that supports women-led beekeeping initiatives. Her work has helped raise millions for global health causes while empowering women and communities around the world.

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to dream again, pivot careers, pursue a passion, or redefine what success means to you, this conversation is for you.

Because every season changes us—and sometimes beginning again is exactly what we're meant to do.

Connect with Dr. Vandana Arcot:

• Website: https://www.komselj.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvandanaarcot/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drvandanarcot

Support the show

__________________________________________________________________________________

Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live.

If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________