In this episode of Motherhood Unveiled, host Ashley speaks with Allison Venditti, founder of Moms at Work. Allison shares her journey as a mother of three children with medical complexities, her HR background, and how personal experiences shaped her advocacy for working parents. She discusses navigating parental leave, workplace accommodations, and self-advocacy, while highlighting policy changes Moms at Work helped achieve in Canada. Allison also reflects on societal pressures placed on mothers, the importance of trusting your instincts, and how motherhood continuously evolves. She encourages moms to celebrate their efforts and embrace growth at every stage of life.

Meet Allison

After becoming a mother and surviving a life-altering brain injury, Allison decided to leverage her expertise as a corporate recruiter for industries ranging from healthcare to banking, to start a career coaching business to help women, and especially mothers, build meaningful careers and develop leadership skills to become changemakers in their organizations. She has since grown Moms at Work to Canada’s largest professional network for working mothers providing resources, community and support to over 22,000 women! Allison is passionate about breaking down the barriers to women succeeding in their careers and motherhood and is a sought-after speaker and regular commentator for national news outlets on return-to-work, pay transparency and working parenthood.
When not working, Allison can be found sitting on her front porch in her favourite Star Wars tee-shirt planning her next advocacy initiative or biking around Toronto with her three boys – yes, even in wintertime.

Time Stamps

Introduction to Motherhood Unveiled (00:00:04)

Episode and Guest Introduction (00:00:32)

Allison's Introduction (00:01:30)

The Moms at Work Community (00:02:25)

Allison's Motherhood Story Begins (00:04:10)

Navigating Motherhood and Medical Complexities (00:06:01)

HR, Parental Leave, and Self-Advocacy (00:07:56)

The Problem with "Flexibility" (00:12:47)

The Power of Advocacy (00:14:54)

The Compression of Life's Major Events (00:17:49)

Ignoring Unhelpful "Hustle Culture" Advice (00:20:36)

Expectations vs. Reality of Motherhood (00:22:47)

The Conviction to Live Authentically (00:24:15)

Policy Change and Advocacy Achievements (00:26:38)

The Importance of Acknowledgment (00:29:56)

The Role of a Supportive Partner (00:33:25)

Trusting Your Gut (00:34:16)

The Myth of "It Gets Easier" (00:38:24)

Becoming Your Parents (00:39:34)

Links & Mentions

1. Moms at Work
   1. Moms at Work: Your Return to Work Handbook
2. Connect with Allison on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thisismomsatwork/ Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonvenditti/

Work with Ashley

Connect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedIn

www.ashleybeatty.ca

Cover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography

In this episode of Motherhood Unveiled, host Ashley welcomes Fernanda Villanueva, therapist, mom of two, and founder of Bloom Well Therapy. Fernanda shares her personal motherhood journey, shaped by being raised by a single mom in Chile, and discusses how she grew into her identity as a mother. Together, they explore the invisible mental load mothers carry, the importance of setting boundaries, accepting help, and prioritizing self-care. Fernanda debunks the romanticized myth of motherhood, emphasizing that it's challenging yet rewarding work. She encourages moms to lean on their communities, vocalize their needs, and never forget themselves in the process.

Meet Fernanda

Fernanda is a mother of two boys that are 7 and 2 years of age who remind her again of the importance of slowing down and being present to watch life unfold. In the midst of a busy work/life balance, she tries to stay as present and grounded for them…and for herself. She loves spending time with other amazing women and being inspired by their wisdom. She loves a good laugh, painting and walks in nature. Fernanda is also the founder of Bloom Well Therapy, a virtual therapy clinic for women navigating different stages of life. She has been working in the mental health field for over 20 years and also offers speaking, consulting and workshops on topics related to women's mental health and reproductive mental health, including fertility, postpartum & perimenopause.

Time Stamps

Introduction to Fernanda Villanueva (00:00:32)

Who is Fernanda? (00:01:38)

The "Admin Work" of Motherhood (00:05:11)

Balancing Personal and Professional Lenses (00:08:15)

Influence of Being Raised by a Single Mom (00:10:58)

The Power of Asking for and Accepting Help (00:14:20)

Making the Invisible Load Visible (00:18:02)

How to Take Up More Space (00:25:34)

The Ever-Evolving Journey of Motherhood (00:30:12)

Leaning Into Your Strengths (00:38:22

The Myth of the Romanticized Motherhood Experience (00:40:05)

Links & Mentions

1. Bloom Well Therapy
2. Follow Fernanda on Instagram: @itsfernandavillaneuva and @bloomwelltherapy

Work with Ashley

Connect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedIn

www.ashleybeatty.ca

Cover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography

In this episode of Motherhood Unveiled, host Ashley interviews Gianna Edwards, a mom of two, Reiki practitioner, and entrepreneur. Gianna shares her contrasting pregnancy experiences, her first being smooth, her second marked by severe sciatica and pelvic floor challenges, and how these shaped her purpose as a healer. She discusses her spiritual journey, emphasizing intuition, meditation, and Reiki. Gianna also introduces Haven, a community app designed to build modern support villages for mothers and families, set to launch in late 2026. The conversation highlights the importance of community, vulnerability, and ongoing support throughout motherhood.

Meet Gianna

Gianna Edwards is a mother, lifelong learner, and advocate for creating stronger communities around mothers and families. After more than a decade in Human Resources, becoming a mother sparked a profound shift in her identity and a deeper calling toward healing, self-development, and service. Inspired by her own experiences of pregnancy and motherhood, and a belief that mothers need a modern day village, Gianna created a platform and app designed to foster connection and support for mothers and families. Outside of motherhood and her work, she loves reading, writing, hiking, travelling, meditation, yoga, and spirituality. She is also Reiki Level 1 certified and continuing her journey toward Level 2.

Timestamps

Introducing the Guest, Gianna Edwards (00:00:32)

Gianna's Identity and Purpose (00:02:05)

The Beginning of Motherhood (00:05:43)

A Challenging Second Pregnancy (00:06:41)

Finding Purpose in Healing (00:09:31)

Lessons from Two Different Children (00:10:58)

Children as Teachers (00:13:24)

Reframing the "Letting Yourself Go" Myth (00:14:36)

Domains of Motherhood Transformation (00:15:35)

Introducing "Haven": A Modern Village (00:17:35)

The Importance of Supporting Mothers (00:21:19)

Expectations vs. Reality of Motherhood (00:23:21)

The Most Helpful Postpartum Support (00:26:29)

The Need for Peer Support (00:30:15)

Support Beyond the Postpartum Period (00:33:08)

Guilt, Shame, and Children as Reflections (00:35:35)

Gianna's Spiritual Journey (00:37:45)

The Power of Trusting Intuition (00:40:28)

How to Connect with Intuition (00:43:30)

Final Reflections and Conclusion (00:45:10)

Links & Mentions

1. Haven app: @haven.app_
2. The WOMB: Holistic mother care support for every stage. Find a centre near you
3. Bloom Well Therapy: a trusted mental health resource for women of all stages

Work with Ashley

Connect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedIn

www.ashleybeatty.ca

Cover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography