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Welcome to episode ELEVEN of the Re-Imagining Motherhood podcast.

I am thrilled to bring you Michaeleen Doucleff, Ph.D., author of "Hunt, Gather, Parent". As a science journalist for over a decade, Michaeleen studies and reports on cross-cultural parenting, psychology and neuroscience, primarily for NPR. Michaeleen began her career as a research chemist, completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. In this episode, Doucleff and I unpack what it really means to be a mother—through both the lens of Western, patriarchal ideals and the wisdom of cultures that approach parenting in entirely different ways. We deconstruct the myth of the “village,” offering tangible, realistic ways to begin rebuilding one for yourself. We also explore the pressure to do parenting “right,” the myth of the “good” mother, and how these ideals quietly fuel guilt and isolation for so many women. I’m deeply grateful for her work and perspective—this conversation left me wanting to read her book all over again.

Episode Summary:
In my work supporting mothers over the years, I’ve witnessed time and again how guilt, shame, and loneliness quietly shape a mother’s sense of self. From endlessly researching the latest parenting trends to second-guessing how they “should” mother in public, so many women are carrying the invisible weight of doing it right—according to standards they never consciously agreed to.

That’s why Doucleff’s book, and this conversation, feels like such a breath of fresh air. It doesn’t offer another checklist, another strategy, or another way to perfect motherhood. Instead, it invites you to pause. To get curious about why we parent the way we do. To see that much of what we call “modern motherhood” is rooted in systems and norms that disconnect us...from ourselves, our children, and our communities.

What Doucleff offers is not a new set of rules, but gentle permission to ease up—to remember that there is no single “right” way to raise a child, only a way that honors your humanity too.

Additional episode resources:
To purchase Hunt, Gather, Parent: https://michaeleendoucleff.com/hunt-gather-parent/

To learn more about Doucleff's work: https://michaeleendoucleff.com

Doucleff’s full bio:
After earning her PhD in Chemistry from UC Berkeley, Michaeleen Doucleff spent a decade working in labs before realizing her true passion was storytelling. In 2012, she joined NPR’s Science Desk, where she’s since reported from three continents—covering everything from the Ebola outbreak in Liberia to ancient pathogens in the Arctic and early warnings of a coronavirus pandemic in Borneo.

As an award-winning science journalist, Michaeleen’s work bridges neuroscience, psychology, and parenting, combining her scientific training with a deep curiosity about human connection and culture. Her unique background allows her to translate complex research into meaningful, relatable insights for everyday life.

She’s written for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and her reporting with NPR earned a Peabody Award for coverage of the Ebola outbreak. With degrees in biology, horticulture, and chemistry, Michaeleen brings a rare blend of scientific rigor and heart to her exploration of how we live, learn, and parent.

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Welcome to episode TEN of the Re-Imagining Motherhood podcast.

I am thrilled to bring you Lucy Jones, investigative journalist and award-winning author of the incredibly inspiring book, “Matrescence”. In this episode, Jones and I explore the theory of matrescence - from both personal lived experience to that of the larger cultural narrative. Jones put the concept of matrescence on a much larger map - she has popularized this term, helping give Mothers the words to finally talk about their otherwise silent experiences. She has helped to normalize the messy, painful, growth-producing and awe-inspiring complex sides of Motherhood. I am so grateful for her contributions to this space. This conversation felt like meeting up with an old friend.

Episode Summary:
Talking about matrescence is something I do nearly every day—I can’t get enough. It's a theory that feels truly alive, continuously inspired and reshaped by each mother’s unique lived experience. I’m constantly moved by the activists, authors, and artists who offer their interpretations, planting seeds of new consciousness and fresh perspectives on what it means to be a mother—and on motherhood as an institution.

The raw authenticity in Jones’s writing is why so many women have been drawn to her book. She has a way of making you feel instantly at home, as if you belong somewhere. Her words don’t just see you—they validate you and, even more importantly, empower you to create your own meaning out of your experience of motherhood. Who would have thought that a book—or even a single word—could have such a profound impact?

From exploring her personal connection to the word "matrescence" to diving into its cultural implications for motherhood, this conversation is rich and thought-provoking. This episode gives me hope that, together, we can reimagine motherhood by embracing the fullness of matrescence and using it as a tool for collective change.

Additional episode resources:
To purchase Matrescence: https://www.amazon.com/Matrescence-Childbirth-Motherhood-Lucy-Jones/dp/0593317319

To learn more about Lucy’s work: https://lucyfjones.com/

Lucy Jones’ full bio:
Lucy Jones is an award-winning author and investigative journalist. Jones was educated at University College London and since has written extensively on culture, science and na­ture. She is the author of four books. Her first book, Foxes Un­earthed, received the Society of Authors’ Roger Deakin Award. In other writings, her articles have been published on BBC Earth and in The Sunday Times, The Guardian and the New Statesman. Jones is a sought after speaker too, having given talks at various organisations, including TATE, LSE, NHS, UBS, Forest School Association, 5x15 and for universities and local authorities. She’s talked at festivals, including Hay, Edinburgh, Cambridge Literary Festival, Greenbelt, End of the Road and many more.

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Welcome to episode NINE of the Re-Imagining Motherhood podcast.

I am thrilled to bring you Jessie Harrold, coach, doula and author of her most recent book, “Mothershift - Reclaiming Motherhood as Rite of Passage”. In this episode, Harrold and I explore the concept of matrenscence - both personally and professionally. Harrold shares personal experience and professional expertise that leaves me feeling inspired that we can re-imagine Motherhood together - if only we center the Mother and bring this one word, “Matrescence” to every Mother (and human) we know.

Episode Summary:
This is one of my most favorite topics - matrescence. It’s a gamechanger; it’s amazing the power that one word can have on a Mother’s experience and self-definition. That’s this conversation and we geek out as much as two matrescence educators can. In this episode, Harrold and I explore her own journey of discovering the theory and where it has taken her in her work supporting Mothers through this lens. Harrold’s background as a doula makes her perspective on the theory come alive - for it isn’t just about the birth of the baby; the birth of the Mother matters too. From discussing the importance of Rites of Passage and grief in Motherhood to MotherPowers, this episode gives me hope that we can re-imagine Motherhood together.

Additional episode resources:
To purchase MotherShift: https://www.jessieharrold.com/mothershiftbook/
To learn more about Jessie’s work: https://www.jessieharrold.com

Jessie Harrold’s full bio:
Jessie Harrold is a coach and doula who has been supporting women through radical life transformations and other rites of passage for over fifteen years. She works one-on-one with women and mothers, facilitates mentorship programs, women’s circles and rituals, and hosts retreats and nature-based experiences.

Jessie holds degrees in Neuroscience and Health Promotion, and her research on women’s experiences navigating health and wellbeing has won multiple awards and been published in peer-reviewed journals internationally. Her writing and work has been featured in Spirituality & Health, Green Parent, Expectful and Explore Magazine, among many others.

Jessie specializes in matrescence, or the transition to motherhood. She is the founder of the internationally acclaimed matrescence support program MotherSHIFT, and its sister program for postpartum professionals, The Village. She is the author of Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage (Shambhala 2024).

Jessie is also the author of Project Body Love: my quest to love my body and the surprising truth I found instead, and the host of The Becoming Podcast. Jessie lives on the east coast of Canada where she mothers her two children, writes, and stewards the land.

Like what you heard and want more?!

• If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5 star rating, a glowing review and make sure to share this podcast with all your friends and family.
• Make sure to check out: www.mamasmodernvillage.com for my Becoming Mama groups and The Matricentric Way professional training!
• Sign up for my newsletter to stay in the know of all my latest happenings AND tips to support you in all things matrescence and Motherhood on the website.
• Plus - follow me on IG @mamasmodernvillage.
• Make sure to subscribe to stay in the know of all future episodes!