In this solo episode, I reflect on the emotional swirl of launching my first book, Rewrite the Mother Code, and everything that came after the sprint. From excitement and fulfillment to overwhelm and uncertainty, I open up about the full spectrum of the experience, and why it reminds me of new motherhood.

This is a conversation about truth, creativity, vulnerability, and the deep work of staying present. I share the beauty, the mess, and the moments of grace that made this journey real.

If you’ve ever launched a project, stepped into a new version of yourself, or tried to savor a moment while holding a thousand details - this one’s for you.

• (01:55) The emotional rollercoaster after book launch and letting go of the sprint
• (05:01) Advice from Marianne Williamson and the call to have fun and be present
• (07:04) Why self-mothering means saying no to things that drain you
• (09:56) The shift from sprint to marathon and the fear of losing momentum
• (14:56) Social media, perfection, and the unspoken stress of event logistics
• (17:50) Self-care in New York and what didn’t go according to plan
• (21:05) Money fears, rainstorms, and the little love shots that kept her going
• (24:03) Doubt, darkness, and choosing to keep showing up anyway
• (26:12) Invitations, outreach, and asking for continued support
• (29:04) Shifting from shyness to pride and standing behind your work
• (31:00) Future offerings, community engagement, and what Gertrude wants to create next

This episode is a love letter to the entire experience, not just the polished launch photos, but the rain, the setbacks, and the heart-opening moments of truth.

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

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 newsletter
• Pre-order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”

In this soul-expanding episode, I sit down with artist, composer, writer, and TEDx speaker Gregg Stewart to explore creativity as both a path of healing and a lifelong act of becoming. From music to novels, parenting to presence, Gregg invites us to step into our creative selves with curiosity, compassion, and the audacity to do it anyway.

We talk about the emotional labor of sharing your truth on a TEDx stage, the fear and joy of co-parenting, and the inner transformation that comes with giving yourself permission to create. Gregg's wisdom is both practical and poetic, and this conversation is a love letter to creative expression in all its forms.

• (01:55) The magic of sharing the TEDx stage and how Gregg ended up the “wild card”
• (06:00) Gregg’s journey through music, writing, film, and his upcoming novella
• (10:10) Creativity as a form of subconscious processing and personal truth-telling
• (13:45) The deeper value of creativity beyond capitalism and performance
• (17:05) Why you don’t need to be a professional to benefit from a creative life
• (22:30) How fear and curiosity helped Gregg stay connected to his daughter after divorce
• (29:20) The radical parenting lesson of meeting your child brand new each time
• (34:00) Creative expression as an antidote to self-judgment
• (37:40) Letting go of childhood wounds around singing, art, and voice
• (41:25) Reclaiming joy in creativity after years of disconnection
• (45:50) The power of community, reflection, and staying open to being surprised
• (50:10) Why presence, not polish, is the soul of all creative work
• (54:20) How art helps us mother ourselves and meet the moment with heart

Gregg's philosophy reminds us that creativity is not about perfection - it’s about presence, honesty, and the willingness to show up for ourselves and each other.

Learn more about Gregg Stewart:

• Follow him on Instagram
• Order his Book
• Watch his TEDXTalk

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 newsletter
• Pre-order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”

In Part Two of our conversation, Jen Pastiloff shares from the beating heart of her new book, Proof of Life - a work that was birthed through grief, trauma, beauty, and a fierce devotion to truth. This episode is a masterclass in living unfiltered, trusting the body, and speaking the unspeakable.

We go deeper into her creative process, the limitations of traditional wellness spaces, and what it means to parent while unlearning self-abandonment. Jen offers an invitation not to perform or perfect, but to pause. To feel. To say what is real.

This conversation is for the humans who are doing their best to stay in their bodies and live from a place of honest belonging.

• (01:55) Why she almost didn’t give her TEDx talk and what happened next
• (05:30) Her relationship to voice, silence, and speaking from the body
• (09:35) Why she tells her son: “You can be mad at me and I still love you”
• (14:20) The energetic power of writing and her new book Proof of Life
• (18:35) How she reclaims motherhood, worthiness, and creative identity

Jen reminds us that healing is not about fixing what’s broken — it’s about remembering who we are underneath the noise.

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

Learn more about Jen Pastiloff:

• Visit her Website
• Follow her on Instagram
• Follow her on Facebook
• Pre-order Proof of Life

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 newsletter
• Pre-order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”