In this episode, I speak with Carolyn Siegel, founder and executive director of If You Heard What I Heard, about the extraordinary power of storytelling to foster empathy, preserve history, and bridge divides. Inspired by her family's legacy as descendants of Holocaust survivors, Carolyn shares how personal stories have become the foundation of a movement dedicated to cultivating deeper human understanding.

Carolyn reflects on her unexpected journey from fashion marketing to nonprofit leadership, explaining how storytelling has remained the common thread throughout her career. She shares how the experiences and wisdom of her grandparents inspired her mission to ensure that future generations not only remember history, but also develop the empathy needed to prevent history from repeating itself.

Our conversation explores the transformative role of listening, the importance of preserving first-hand narratives, and how authentic human connection can challenge prejudice, dismantle assumptions, and inspire meaningful change. Carolyn offers a hopeful vision for creating a more compassionate world, one conversation and one story at a time.

You’ll also hear about:

(01:40) Carolyn's journey from fashion marketing to nonprofit leadership

(07:58) Growing up with the stories of Holocaust survivors

(15:43) The inspiration behind If You Heard What I Heard

(24:17) Why storytelling creates empathy more effectively than facts alone

(33:48) Preserving first-hand accounts for future generations

(43:21) Listening across differences with curiosity and compassion

(52:56) How personal stories challenge bias and build human connection

(01:02:14) Carolyn's hope for the future through shared understanding

Don't miss Carolyn's inspiring perspective on how listening deeply to another person's story can transform not only our understanding of history, but also our capacity for empathy and connection.

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Follow Carolyn Siegel:

• Learn more about If You Heard What I Heard
• Listen to If You Heard What I Heard 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 Perdita Finn, author, teacher, and spiritual guide, about her beautiful new book, Mothers of Magic, and the timeless wisdom of reclaiming mother energy as a force for healing, community, and transformation. Together, we explore the many ways motherhood extends far beyond biology, inviting us into a deeper relationship with ourselves, one another, and the unseen world.

Perdita shares the inspiration behind Mothers of Magic and reflects on the forgotten traditions of women gathering in community, honoring intuition, and embracing the sacred role of nurturing life in all its forms. Our conversation weaves together spirituality, storytelling, ancestry, and the profound importance of remembering the wisdom carried by generations of women.

We also discuss how modern culture has separated us from these ancient practices and why restoring community, ritual, and shared mothering is essential for both personal and collective healing. Perdita offers an expansive vision of motherhood that welcomes everyone into the practice of cultivating compassion, creativity, and connection.

You’ll also hear about:

(04:20) The inspiration behind Mothers of Magic

(10:48) Rediscovering the sacred traditions of women and community

(18:34) Why mother energy belongs to all of us

(27:16) Reclaiming intuition, storytelling, and ancestral wisdom

(36:42) The healing power of gathering in community

(49:51) Expanding motherhood beyond biology and family roles

(59:35) How remembering our spiritual lineage transforms the present

(01:03:40) Creating a future rooted in collective mothering and belonging

Don't miss Perdita's inspiring perspective on reclaiming the sacred power of mother energy and remembering the magic that has always lived within us.

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

Learn more about Perdita Finn:

• Follow Perdita on Instagram
• Subscribe to Perdita’s Substack
• Order Perdita’s books

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 Jenifer Goldin, a bestselling self-published author, about the complexities of redefining personal identity and navigating the societal expectations of motherhood. As a former pediatric cochlear implant audiologist who transitioned into a stay-at-home mom, Jenifer opens up about the personal challenges and triumphs that have shaped her writing career and her perspective on authentic living.

Jenifer shares insights into how she redefined her relationship with traditional mothering roles, navigating the delicate balance between the invisible labor of parenting and pursuing personal evolution. Our conversation explores the process of questioning the "SpaghettiOs problem" on social media, where constant comparison drains our joy, and how embracing the unknown led to her finally publishing her first novel, Anonymous Mom Posts.

We delve into actionable reflections for living authentically, from rejecting the "Flat Stanley" one-dimensional view of moms to finding "Big Magic" in everyday vulnerability. Jenifer emphasizes the importance of allowing yourself to step back, honor your creative urges, and model multidimensionality, inspiring others to break free from the limiting beliefs of modern culture.

You'll also hear about:

• (01:44) The transition from a full-time clinical career to motherhood
• (10:50) The inspiration behind Anonymous Mom Posts and crowdsourced Facebook advice
• (15:22) Challenging the "SpaghettiOs problem" and extreme social media comparison
• (22:54) Jenifer's courageous journey into the self-publishing world
• (25:28) A deeply vulnerable and magical moment shared with her daughter
• (39:12) Rewriting the mother code and rejecting the "Flat Stanley" analogy

Don't miss Jenifer's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between personal truth and the multidimensional reality of being a woman!

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

Learn more about Jenifer Goldin:

• Learn more about Jenifer on the Website
• Follow Jenifer on Instagram
• Buy Jenifers’s Books

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”