In this episode of Hurt to Healing, I’m joined by Zoe Blaskey — founder of the Motherkind platform, host of the award-winning podcast, and author of Motherkind. Zoe shares her personal journey into motherhood, and how the challenges she faced inspired her to question societal expectations and support others navigating similar paths.

We talk about “matrescence” — the identity shift that happens when a woman becomes a mother — and the emotional, hormonal and relational changes that come with it. Zoe opens up about burnout, the inner critic, and why self-kindness is so essential in parenthood. Whether you're a mother or not, this is a conversation about compassion, identity, and healing that resonates far beyond motherhood.

Find Zoe:

Website: www.motherkind.co

Instagram: @zoeblaskey

Podcast: The Motherkind Podcast on Spotify

Motherkind Book: https://amzn.eu/d/3r2NUyU

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m opening up about some very real feelings I'm sitting with as I prepare for a family trip to Italy — and the challenges that come with stepping away from routine when you live with OCD and have a complicated relationship with control, food, and movement.

I reflect on how holidays, for me, have often triggered a lot of anxiety rather than rest, and how I’m trying to approach this trip differently: with more spontaneity, curiosity, and self-compassion. I also talk about the importance of embracing childlike joy, silliness, and imperfection in a world that constantly pressures us to be productive and goal-driven.

You'll hear about:

• How my past patterns with holidays and control have looked — and how I’m trying to gently rewrite that narrative
• The concept of living life now, not as preparation for “real life” later
• How movement, spontaneity, and playful moments can be such powerful antidotes to heavy emotions
• The inner critic that creeps in when things feel unstructured — and how I'm learning to soften its voice
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Finally, I share a little about last week's conversation with Emma Healey on overexercise, identity, and healing, and why it resonated so deeply with me.

If you've ever struggled with the pressure to get holidays "right," the need to control the uncontrollable, or simply allowing yourself to just be — I hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone.

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Healing 101, where we dive deep into the foundations of mental wellbeing. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Phil Hopley—consultant psychiatrist and stress expert—to unpack one of the biggest challenges of modern life: chronic stress. Dr. Hopley explains how to recognise the early warning signs before burnout strikes, why our relationship with stress matters more than the stress itself, and how small, daily resets can make a huge difference. From practical tools for busy parents to the vital roles of sleep, hydration, and boundaries, this is an empowering guide to building resilience in a world that rarely slows down.

Find Phil: https://www.cognacity.co.uk/team/dr-phil-hopley/

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.