The Motherkind Podcast

Why does no one tell you that becoming a mother changes you completely? Not just your life but your brain, your identity, your emotions, your ambition… everything. In this powerful solo episode, Zoe breaks down the concept of matrescence, the scientifically recognised transition into motherhood and why understanding it can completely change how you experience this season. Because so many mothers are silently asking: Why do I feel so different? Where did the old me go? Why does this feel so hard? This episode gives you the language, the science and the reassurance you’ve been missing. What matrescence is and how it explains the transition into motherhood Why do you feel lost, overwhelmed or different after having a baby How your brain, hormones and emotions change in motherhood Why identity loss in motherhood is normal (not a failure) How long does the motherhood transition really last Practical ways to support your mental health and identity through this stage You’ll also hear why motherhood isn’t just about loss, it’s a profound transformation that can lead to deeper purpose, stronger boundaries and a clearer sense of who you are becoming. This episode is your reminder that: You are not failing.You are not behind.You are in the middle of becoming. Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with Lucy Jones - Matresence: The Word We All Need Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Start your children’s reading journey with Usbourne Books 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:Sign up for your one-pound-per-month trial today at shopify.co.uk/motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if the thing you feel you have least time for… is actually the thing that would help you cope the most? In this powerful Motherkind Moment, Zoe is joined by play expert Emma Worrollo, who makes a compelling and surprising case for why playfulness isn’t frivolous, it’s foundational. Because when you’re carrying the mental load, juggling work, and just trying to get through the day, “have more fun” can feel like the most unrealistic advice in the world. But this isn’t about adding more to your to-do list. Emma explains why playfulness isn’t about being silly, extroverted, or endlessly positive. It’s something far more powerful - a deeply human skill that helps us become more resilient, more flexible, and better at navigating the challenges of motherhood. In this conversation, you’ll learn why so many of us feel like we’ve “forgotten how to play”, why that’s completely normal, and how to bring small moments of lightness back into even the busiest days. Because play isn’t just for children. It’s for you, too. . Why playfulness is directly linked to resilience, problem-solving and emotional well-being . The difference between play and playfulness (and why this changes everything) . Why feeling awkward or “bad” at playing with your kids is completely normal . Simple, realistic ways to bring more lightness into everyday motherhood Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this Moment, you can listen to the full episode here: The Power of Play with Emma Worrollo Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: . Follow Zoe on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok . Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: . Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. . Start your children’s reading journey with Usbourne Books . Sign up for your one-pound-per-month trial today at shopify.co.uk/motherkind What you’ll take from this Moment:For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sophie’s story went viral when she was photographed breastfeeding mid-ultramarathon, but what that moment really represents is something much bigger: the invisible load of motherhood, and a world not designed for women. . Why motherhood often forces a complete identity reset . How to stop chasing “having it all” and define success on your terms . The hidden mental and physical load mothers carry . Why your health is not optional, it’s foundational . How small acts of self-prioritisation change everything . The mindset shift that helps you take on things you never thought possible Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with Joeli Brearley - The Exhausted Mother’s Guide to A Successful Return to Work. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: . Follow Zoe on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok . Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: . Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. . Start your children’s reading journey with Usbourne Books 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:Sign up for your one-pound-per-month trial today at shopify.co.uk/motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Why am I the only one thinking about everything?” If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, resentful, or like the mental load is falling entirely on you since becoming a parent, this episode is for you. In this Motherkind Moment, Zoe shares a powerful conversation on one of the most searched and least solved challenges in modern motherhood - the mental load, emotional labour, and how it impacts relationships after children. Because for so many mothers, the pattern looks like this:👉 You’re holding everything in your head.👉 You feel unseen and unsupported.👉 Resentment starts to build. And the more you wait for your partner to change… the worse it feels. This episode offers a different way forward. One that actually works in real life. In this Moment, you’ll learn: Why the mental load in relationships creates resentment (and how to break the cycle) The biggest communication mistake couples make after having kids Why “if they loved me, they’d know” leads to frustration and disconnection A simple, non-confrontational phrase that improves communication instantly How to reduce resentment in your relationship without constant conflict Why “Done is better than perfect” is key to sharing the load You’ll also hear how shifting your communication — not controlling your partner — can transform your relationship dynamic over time. This isn’t about lowering your standards.It’s about creating a relationship that actually works for both of you. Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen to the full episode here: You can’t change them, but you can change yourself with Cat Sims Feeling like you’re carrying it all? Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes. Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Sign up for your one-pound-per-month trial today at shopify.co.uk/motherkind Start your children’s reading journey with Usbourne Books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No one talks about this part of motherhood: the moment your old life disappears, and you don’t recognise the new one yet. In this honest and deeply validating conversation, Zoe sits down with model and entrepreneur Jada Sezer to talk about the reality of motherhood, the identity shift, the overwhelm, and the pressure to “get back to normal.” After having twins, Jada’s life changed overnight. What followed was a journey many mothers will recognise - trying to hold on to who you were, before realising you’re becoming someone new. Why “having it all” is a lie we’re sold How to navigate identity loss in early motherhood The truth about the mental load and how to start sharing it Why motherhood makes you a stronger leader Letting go of “bouncing back” in your career, body and life This is a conversation about rebuilding, not your old life, but one that fits who you are now. Because you are not behind.You are not broken.You are becoming. Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Why Confidence Drops in Motherhood and How to Rebuild It Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:Start your children’s reading journey with Usbourne Books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you feel exhausted, resentful, or like you’re quietly failing at motherhood, this might explain why. In this powerful solo episode, Zoe explores the hidden force shaping how so many millennial mothers show up in their lives: good girl conditioning. It’s the unspoken programme many of us were raised with - be nice, be agreeable, don’t complain, don’t ask for too much, put everyone else first. And while it might have helped us succeed before children… motherhood is often where it all starts to unravel. Because suddenly, the expectations double. The pressure increases. The support often doesn’t. And instead of questioning the system, we question ourselves. In this deeply validating episode, Zoe explains why you’re not failing, you’re just running a programme that was never designed for the reality of modern motherhood. She also shares how to begin breaking free, gently, compassionately, and in a way that actually works in real life. . Why “good girl conditioning” leads to burnout, resentment and over-giving . Why motherhood often exposes this pattern more than any other life stage . How to reconnect with your own needs (even if you don’t know what they are yet) . Simple, practical ways to start breaking the pattern — one small step at a time If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding everything together while quietly falling apart… If you struggle to ask for help, rest without guilt, or say what you really need… This episode will help you understand why and what you can start to do differently. Because you are not failing. You are responding exactly as you were taught to. And you can choose a new way 💛 Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with Emma Reed-Turrell. How to stop people-pleasing and get your time, energy and joy back Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: . Follow Zoe on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok . Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:Start your children’s reading journey with Usbourne Books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the new era of Motherkind. This is a new chapter. More intentional. More expansive. The conversations are deeper, the guests are bold, and the ambition is clearer. We’re now video-first, which means you can watch every full episode on YouTube. I’d love you to subscribe and join us in this next season of Motherkind. If you’re ready to think differently about ambition and motherhood, you’re in the right place You grow a baby.Then you give birth to a baby.And somehow you’re expected to just… carry on. In this powerful and deeply validating conversation, Zoe sits down with nutrition scientist and public health expert Dr Federica Amati to explore how motherhood transforms the female body and why proper nourishment is essential from preconception through postpartum. Together, they unpack the science of the “first 1,000 days” from trying to conceive to toddlerhood and why this window is as important for mothers as it is for babies. Because pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding aren’t just life moments, they are physiologically intense, nutrient-depleting experiences that require real recovery, support and care. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why preconception nutrition matters more than we realise How partners’ health impacts fertility and baby outcomes What to focus on nutritionally during each trimester Why postpartum recovery is like running multiple marathons Practical ways to nourish your body when you’re exhausted The importance of rest, support and spacing pregnancies Dr Federica also challenges the myth of “bouncing back” and explains why physical change is a natural and healthy part of matrescence. This episode is a compassionate reminder that mothers are not machines. You deserve nourishment.You deserve recovery.You deserve support. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss a Motherkind conversation. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet If you liked this episode, listen to this next: 2026 health reset: Dr Mindy Pelz on burning fat, clearing brain fog, balancing moods and getting your energy back Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. Sign up for your one-pound-per-month trial today at shopify.co.uk/motherkind Start your children’s reading journey with Usbourne Books For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the new era of Motherkind. This is a new chapter. More intentional. More expansive. The conversations are deeper, the guests are bold, and the ambition is clearer. We’re now video-first, which means you can watch every full episode on YouTube. I’d love you to subscribe and join us in this next season of Motherkind. Have you been quietly wondering if your career still fits your life? Not because you’re ungrateful. Not because you’ve failed. But because something in you has changed. In this honest and reassuring solo episode, Zoe Blaskey speaks directly to the mother who feels stuck, restless, or ready for something different. After becoming a mother, Zoe completely changed careers — leaving her previous path, building Motherkind, retraining as a transformational coach, and becoming an author. In this episode, she shares the practical framework that helped her move from confusion to clarity. Because wanting to change careers after children isn’t selfish. It’s normal. Nearly half of mothers say they want to change jobs after having children — because motherhood shifts your priorities, your time, your identity and your definition of success. In this episode, Zoe shares the tools that helped her find direction: . Why following your energy is more powerful than “following your passion” . How to redefine success for this season of life . The powerful “dream day” exercise to create clarity . Why you’re not starting from scratch (and nothing is wasted) . How tiny career experiments bring clarity faster than overthinking This episode isn’t about quitting your job tomorrow. It’s not about blowing up your life. It’s about taking small, aligned steps toward work that fits who you are now. Zoe explains why clarity doesn’t come from thinking harder — it comes from taking action. From running small experiments. From testing ideas before committing to them, allowing change to happen gradually, in parallel with family life. If you’ve been asking yourself: . Should I change careers after having a baby? . How do I find purpose in motherhood? . What work fits around family life? . How do I figure out what I actually want? This episode will leave you feeling calmer, clearer and more capable. Because you are not behind.You are not stuck.You are evolving. And it’s allowed to look different now. Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with Ella Mills on redefining success in motherhood. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the new era of Motherkind. This is a new chapter. More intentional. More expansive. The conversations are deeper, the guests are bold, and the ambition is clearer. We’re now video-first, which means you can watch every full episode on YouTube. I’d love you to subscribe and join us in this next season of Motherkind. If you’re ready to think differently about ambition and motherhood, you’re in the right place What if confidence comes because you start, not before? In this energising, honest conversation, Zoe sits down with entrepreneur and personal branding expert Amelia Sordell to talk about visibility, ambition, and building a career alongside motherhood. Amelia shares how she grew, and later closed a multi-million-pound agency, rebuilt her career on her terms, and now helps women stop shrinking and start backing themselves. This episode is for mothers who want more — but feel overwhelmed about where to begin. In this episode, you’ll learn: . What personal branding really means (beyond social media) . How small career experiments build confidence fast . Practical ways to grow visibility — even on a career break . Why action beats overthinking every timeHow to redefine success around freedom, not status Amelia also opens up about juggling motherhood and business, burnout, and having the courage to walk away from success that no longer felt aligned. This is an episode about courage.About choosing yourself.About just getting started. Because you are not “just a mum.”And you don’t need permission to build something extraordinary. Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet If you liked this episode, listen to this next: Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: . Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. . Start your children’s reading journey with Usbourne Books . For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the new era of Motherkind. This is a new chapter. More intentional. More expansive. The conversations are deeper, the guests are bold, and the ambition is clearer. We’re now video-first, which means you can watch every full episode on ⁠YouTube⁠. I’d love you to subscribe and join us in this next season of Motherkind. If you’re ready to think differently about ambition and motherhood, you’re in the right place. Confidence isn’t a personality trait — it’s a skill. And it can be rebuilt faster than you think. In this practical, empowering solo episode, Zoe shares the simple shifts that helped her go from losing all her confidence in early motherhood to feeling stronger and more self-assured than ever. After interviewing hundreds of experts and writing extensively on confidence, Zoe breaks down the tiny daily habits that genuinely move the needle — no fluff, no toxic positivity, no “bounce back” pressure. Because confidence doesn’t come from massive life overhauls. It’s built through small, repeatable actions that compound over time. In this episode, Zoe shares: . Why comparison quietly destroys confidence — and how to stop doing it . The subtle language habits that make you feel smaller (and what to say instead) . How setting boundaries strengthens self-worth . The powerful body-language trick backed by social psychology . Why celebrating tiny wins rewires your brain for confidence These are micro-habits you can start today — in the next hour — that will create lasting change over the months ahead. If you’ve been feeling less confident since becoming a mother, this episode is your reminder: You’re not broken.You don’t need fixing. You just need tools that actually work in real life. Watch every full episode on ⁠YouTube⁠ and subscribe Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. You might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with ⁠Mel Robbins⁠ on how motherhood reshaped her confidence and the tools that changed everything. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your ⁠FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet⁠ Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on ⁠Instagram ⁠ Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, ⁠'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’⁠ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at ⁠wildnutrition.com/motherkind⁠. Ts and Cs apply. Start your children’s reading journey with⁠ Usbourne Books⁠ For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit ⁠Indeed.com/ Motherkind⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the new era of Motherkind. This is a new chapter. More intentional. More expansive. The conversations are deeper, the guests are bold, and the ambition is clearer. We’re now video-first, which means you can watch every full episode on YouTube. I’d love you to subscribe and join us in this next season of Motherkind. If you’re ready to think differently about ambition and motherhood, you’re in the right place. To open this new season, Zoe sits down with Maria Hatzistefanis, founder of Rodial and Nip + Fab, for a powerful conversation on discipline over motivation, burnout, guilt, and why hustle culture is failing mothers. Maria built her business over 25 years without external funding, without selling out, and without buying into hustle culture myths. But behind the glossy success was burnout, guilt, lost friendships, imposter syndrome and discipline most people never see. This conversation is honest, practical and deeply reassuring for any mother navigating ambition and family. Inside this episode, you’ll hear: . Why “overnight success” is a dangerous myth . How motherhood made Maria a better, not weaker, leader . The season she had no friends, and what she’d do differently . The simple two-question filter she uses before saying yes . Why discipline builds confidence (not the other way round) . How to start a business in just 30 minutes a day . Why guilt is the biggest drain on your energy and how to drop it Maria also shares the mindset from her latest book, How to Make Your First Million, including her practical framework for managing time, building powerful networks, and creating sustainable success that works alongside family life, not against it. This is a conversation about ambition without apology. About building slowly, intentionally and sustainably. And about redefining success on your own terms. If you’ve ever wondered: Can I build something meaningful without burning out? This episode is for you. Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. Start your children’s reading journey with Usbourne Books For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Motherkind’s biggest chapter yet! New brand. New studio. Bigger conversations. Clearer ambition. And a powerful commitment to supporting the woman behind the mother. Motherhood changes everything. Your identity. Your ambition. Your relationships. Your time. And somewhere in the middle of holding everyone else together, it can feel like you’re losing pieces of yourself. You don’t need more pressure.You don’t need another “should.” You need space.You need tools that work in real life.You need conversations that make you feel seen - never judged. That’s what this new era of Motherkind is about. Launching Thursday, 5th March. 🗓 New episodes every Monday and Thursday 🎥 We are now VIDEO-FIRST, meaning you can watch every full episode on YouTube - subscribe and join us there for the full experience. If you’re ready to think differently about ambition and motherhood, you’re in the right place. Follow or subscribe now so you never miss an episode. Follow Zoe on Instagram And if Motherkind has supported you, rating and reviewing helps us reach more women who need this space. We are just getting started! 💛 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who are you now? And why does motherhood feel like it’s quietly rewritten you? Today’s Motherkind Moment is with the incredible Michelle Kennedy, founder of Peanut, who has just launched the powerful “Make Matrescence Mainstream” campaign. Zoe was proud to be part of this campaign and truly encourages you to look it up, watch it, and sit with it. Because matrescence, the profound identity shift we go through when we become mothers, is still something we don’t talk about nearly enough. In this short but powerful clip, Zoe asks Michelle how her identity changed across her two matrescence experiences. What Michelle shares might surprise you. She speaks honestly about not knowing who she was after her first baby. She knew Michelle the professional. Michelle, the friend. Michelle, the daughter. But she didn’t yet know Michelle the mum. She shares how clarity didn’t arrive overnight; it evolved slowly. How motherhood became the best chapter of her life, but not the only chapter. And how realising she is multifaceted changed everything. They also explore trade-offs. The myth of “doing it all.” Why filling your own glass first isn’t selfish — it’s necessary. And why something as simple as a 20-minute shower can be the most humanising act in early motherhood. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve lost yourself… If you’ve wondered why this transition feels so seismic… If you’ve felt guilty for wanting space, ambition, rest or boundaries… This conversation is for you. However, your matrescence has unfolded, whether it felt joyful, destabilising, lonely, clarifying, or all of the above, you are not alone. In this Moment, you’ll hear: Why it’s completely normal to feel like you “lose yourself” after becoming a mother How matrescence reshapes your identity over time, not overnight Why motherhood can be the most powerful chapter of your life without being the only chapter. How protecting small, non-negotiable moments for yourself is not selfish — it’s foundational. If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: How to Turn Your Hardest Motherhood Struggles Into a Career With Purpose with Michelle Kennedy Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. Start your children’s reading journey with Usbourne Books For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if “manifesting” isn’t about vision boards and wishful thinking… but about brave, uncomfortable action? In this deeply personal solo episode, Zoe shares - for the first time - how she built Motherkind and manifested her dream career alongside early motherhood Not through magic.Not through overnight success.But through clarity, courage and trusting the nudges. Zoe breaks down the three-part framework that changed everything for her: How to get clear on what you actually want (even if all you know is what you don’t want) Why tiny, 1% brave steps build unstoppable momentum The truth about “paralleling” careers and why most transitions aren’t dramatic leaps What it really means to “trust the process” - and how to spot the breadcrumbs She shares the uncomfortable early days: buying a £50 microphone from Currys, consulting with clients to fund the dream, working late nights with a baby waking at 4 am, and the moments of flow that signalled she was on the right path If you’re sitting in a career that feels fine but not fulfilling…If you have an idea you can’t quite shake…If you’re wondering whether it’s too late, too risky, too unrealistic… This episode is your permission slip. Motherhood doesn’t end ambition.It can clarify it. Know what you want.Take one small brave step.Trust what flows. Listen to the episode Zoe references in this episode here: The Manifestation Expert Who Teaches Mothers How to Transform Their Lives — Even With No Time. Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet If you liked this episode, listen to this next: The Work Series: My Biggest Mistakes and Regrets - Zoe’s Story Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Start your children’s reading journey with Usbourne Books Sonic Rooms from Pop That Mumma is a guided audio album designed to help mums find moments of calm in everyday life – use code MOTHERKIND for 30% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s a quiet moment after you become a mum where you realise your life will never look the same again and neither will your career. In this Motherkind Moment, Zoe Blaskey is joined by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis, co-founders of Squiggly Careers, bestselling authors, and two of the UK’s leading voices on modern careers, learning and development. Together, they explore the reality so many mothers quietly hold: how becoming a parent doesn’t switch off your drive – but it does force you to make sense of it. They talk about the idea of a squiggly career, and why motherhood often accelerates that squiggle. There’s a clear before and after when you become a mum, and suddenly your life, priorities and decisions can’t look the same as they did before. But that doesn’t mean you stop wanting to grow, achieve, or do meaningful work. This Moment speaks directly to the judgment many working mothers experience – the head tilt, the comments, the unspoken assumptions about what you should want after having children. Zoe, Helen and Sarah talk honestly about returning to work by choice, feeling judged for it, and learning to make intentional decisions that work for you, even when they look different to everyone else’s. At the heart of the conversation is the power of values, not as a buzzword, but as a practical filter for navigating motherhood, work and identity. When you know what truly drives you, you can make choices with more confidence and less guilt, even in a season that’s noisy, exhausting and full of comparison. This Moment is a reminder that there is no one right way to do motherhood or ambition, only what works for you. In this Moment, they explore: Why motherhood often makes careers feel more “squiggly” How ambition can stay alive after becoming a mother Using values to make confident, intentional decisions If you’ve ever felt judged for what you want after having children or are unsure how to honour both your ambition and your family, this Moment is for you. If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: Success Isn’t Linear: 5 steps to Finally Start Defining Your Own Path with The Squiggly Career Experts Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if motherhood hasn’t set you back… but actually made you more powerful? We’re told we lose things when we become mothers - sleep, freedom, career momentum. But what if we’ve also gained something extraordinary? In this solo episode, Zoe shares the five “superpowers” she believes every mother develops - often without even realising it Because motherhood isn’t a step away from leadership. It’s one of the most intense leadership trainings you’ll ever experience. In this episode, you’ll learn: The 5 core superpowers motherhood builds - from empathy to creative problem solving Why time constraints and micro-decisions are sharpening your leadership daily How to stop apologising for nursery pick-up and start owning your efficiency A simple strength-based exercise to help you recognise and use your new skills If you’ve ever wondered what this season is building in you, this episode is your reminder. Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet If you liked this episode, listen to this next: How to Build Confidence + Self-Belief in Yourself Again (Even When You’re Knackard) Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Sonic Rooms from Pop That Mumma is a guided audio album designed to help mums find moments of calm in everyday life – use code MOTHERKIND for 30% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if staying on top of home life didn’t require doing more, but doing a few small things consistently? In this Motherkind Moment, Zoeis joined by Ingrid Jansen, co-founder of The Declutter Hub, to talk about daily resets and non-negotiables – a simple, realistic way to stop life at home from constantly tipping into overwhelm. Ingrid shares why having a handful of everyday tasks that always get done – like clearing the sink, loading the dishwasher, or running one load of laundry – can completely change how your home feels. Not because everything is perfect, but because you’re no longer starting each day already behind. They talk about how short, regular resets (just 10–15 minutes, once or twice a day) can support tired mums, especially in busy seasons where decision fatigue is high, and energy is low. This isn’t about rigid routines or unrealistic standards – it’s about doing small things that make life feel calmer for your future self. The conversation also explores toys, clutter, and the mental load of “stuff” – from organising play spaces in age-appropriate ways, to decluttering gently over time, to managing the constant influx of gifts. Ingrid shares why less really can be more for both children and parents, and how involving kids (and partners) builds shared responsibility rather than burnout. This is a compassionate, practical conversation for any mother who feels overwhelmed by the never-ending to-do list – and wants things to feel just a little lighter. In this Moment, they explore: Daily resets and non-negotiables that reduce overwhelm Why small, consistent habits help your future self Toys, clutter, and creating calmer spaces at home If you’ve ever thought, “I just want things to feel more manageable,” this Moment is for you. If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: Toys Everywhere? They’re making you Stressed - Here’s How To Finally Tackle The Kid’s Clutter with Decluttering Expert Ingrid Jansen Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling like you’re carrying it all? Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes. Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Default parenting doesn’t start with a conversation – it creeps in quietly, until one day you realise you’re carrying the mental load, the guilt and the responsibility almost entirely alone. In this powerful Motherkind moment, Zoe is joined by Lou Beckett, author of The Default Parent, to name something so many mothers feel but rarely have language for. Together, they unpack the emotional, physical and invisible weight of being the default parent – the one who carries the responsibility, the mental load, and the constant background hum of guilt. Lou shares the moments that pushed her to write the book, the research that confirmed it’s not “just you”, and why so many women feel lost in motherhood even when they’re doing an incredible job. This is an honest, funny, rage-inducing and deeply validating conversation for anyone who’s ever felt unseen in the day-to-day reality of parenting – and especially for those who are carrying more than their fair share. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why becoming the “default parent” often happens quietly – and why it’s so hard to undo once it’s set The invisible labour of motherhood, and why it’s exhausting even when you “have support” How guilt, comparison and unrealistic expectations keep mothers stuck – and how to start letting them go If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this feel so hard when everyone else seems to cope?” – this conversation is for you. Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling like you’re carrying it all? Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes. If you liked this episode, listen to this next: Why the Mental Load Causes So Much Tension and how to Communicate Your Way Out Of It Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. Usbourne Books For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Sonic Rooms from Pop That Mumma is a guided audio album designed to help mums find moments of calm in everyday life – use code MOTHERKIND for 30% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Motherkind Moment, Zoe Blaskey is joined by broadcaster and journalist Emma Barnett for a deeply honest conversation about early motherhood, identity, and what really happens to us when we become mothers. Emma shares the reframe that changed everything for her: moving from the idea of maternity leave to maternity service. A season where you are always on call, constantly adapting, sacrificing parts of yourself, and often expected to carry on without much language for how profound that experience really is. Together, Zoe and Emma talk about those early months – the walking, the exhaustion, the heatwaves, the survival mode – and the surprising way creativity can sometimes re-emerge in the middle of it all. Not because motherhood is easy, or beautiful, or calm – but because so much else has been stripped back. They explore the tension so many mothers feel: how maternity can be deeply depleting and, at the same time, quietly expansive. How there can be grief for who you were, uncertainty about who you’re becoming, and moments of clarity that feel almost shocking when you’re in the trenches. This is also a conversation about what we’re missing culturally – the lack of space, language and stories for matrescence. Not parenting advice. Not baby manuals. But an honest reflection on the inner shift of becoming a mother. Because motherhood doesn’t just add something to your life. It changes you. In this Moment, they explore: Reframing maternity leave as maternity service Creativity, identity and thinking again in early motherhood The loss, rebirth and in-between space of matrescence If you’ve ever felt changed by motherhood in ways you couldn’t quite explain, this Moment is for you. If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: Maternity Service, Not Leave: A New Perspective with Emma Barnett Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Ready to feel like yourself again? Download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if motherhood wasn’t meant to be this hard – or this lonely? In this episode of Motherkind, Zoe is joined by journalist and bestselling author Helen Russell to explore how culture shapes the way we experience motherhood. After becoming a mother in Denmark, Helen shares how living in a Nordic system gave her “permission to live differently” – with more rest, trust, parental support and far less guilt. Together, Zoe and Helen unpack why so many mothers in the UK feel under pressure to cope alone, and how much of that is cultural rather than personal. In this conversation, we explore: Why vulnerability in motherhood is normal – not a failure How parental leave, childcare and systems reduce guilt and burnout What Denmark gets right about raising children and supporting mothers Why happiness doesn’t mean feeling good all the time The power of community during big life transitions This episode is a gentle but powerful reminder that if motherhood feels overwhelming, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong – it’s because you were never meant to do it alone. Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet If you liked this episode, listen to this next: Motherhood transformed me into who I was meant to be all along | Megan Rose Lane Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Sonic Rooms from Pop That Mumma is a guided audio album designed to help mums find moments of calm in everyday life – use code MOTHERKIND for 30% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever felt like you’re trying so hard to be a good mum… but somehow it still never feels like enough? In this Moment, Zoe talks about good girl conditioning – the deeply ingrained beliefs many of us carry into motherhood without realising it. The need to be agreeable, to keep the peace, to over-give, and to measure our worth by how much we do. When these patterns come into motherhood, they don’t disappear – they intensify. Suddenly, we’re not just trying to be a good girl, we’re trying to be a perfect mum. And that can leave us exhausted, resentful, and disconnected from ourselves. This episode is about recognising that there is nothing wrong with you. These are learned behaviours – and they can be unlearned. In this Moment, we explore: What good girl conditioning is – and how it shows up in motherhood Why people-pleasing and perfectionism lead to burnout, not fulfilment How meeting your own needs and setting boundaries creates real confidence If you’ve ever felt burnt out from trying to be everything to everyone, this one’s for you. If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: Breaking Free From Perfectionism and People-Pleasing Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If confidence feels like something you’ve lost since becoming a mum, this episode is for you. If you’ve been moving through motherhood feeling lower in confidence than you ever expected – second-guessing yourself, feeling like you’re “just surviving”, or wondering where you went, press play on this one. In this episode, Zoe is joined by confidence coach and founder of PepTalkHer, Dior Bediako, for a conversation that completely reframes what confidence actually is, especially in early motherhood. Dior shares why confidence isn’t about feeling fearless or having it all together, but about being willing to feel doubt, fear and insecurity… and still showing up. Zoe and Dior talk about how much motherhood asks of us internally, why survival is not a failure, and how the relationship you have with yourself quietly shapes your confidence, your choices and the example you’re setting for your children. This conversation is grounding, expansive and deeply reassuring, a reminder that you are not behind, broken or failing. You are becoming. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why confidence often dips in early motherhood – and why that’s completely normal A powerful redefinition of confidence that allows fear and self-doubt to exist How tiny, compassionate actions can rebuild self-belief when life feels overwhelming Why the way you speak to yourself matters more than doing motherhood “perfectly” If you’ve been hard on yourself lately, if your inner critic has been loud, or if you need permission to meet yourself with more kindness, this episode is for you. Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet If you liked this episode, listen to this next: Work Series: If you're feeling low in confidence, listen to this - with Lauren Currie Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“It’s how you were parented that lays the foundation – it sets the blueprint for your own parenting.” This is a short moment from a much bigger conversation on Motherkind. But it tends to stop people in their tracks. In this clip, Harriet and Zoe talk about something so many of us don’t fully look at until we become parents ourselves – the relationship we had with our own parents, and how that quietly shapes the way we show up with our children. Harriet shares what it can be like to grow up in an enmeshed relationship, where you’re very close, but boundaries are blurred, where you might have been the best friend, the emotional support, the one who grew up a little too quickly. And how becoming a mum can suddenly shine a light on things you once told yourself were “fine”. She shares a question she now asks her clients – and it’s a powerful one: Would you want your child to have the childhood you had? This clip gently explores some of the early signs that something might feel off – struggling to say no, feeling guilty for wanting things differently, having your boundaries minimised or dismissed. And how confusing that can be, especially when you rely on your parent for support or childcare. If this resonates, please know you’re not alone. And you’re not ungrateful. And you’re not making it up. This is just one small part of a much bigger, compassionate conversation about awareness, autonomy, and breaking cycles – without blame, and with a lot of kindness. If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: Generational trauma expert: How to break unhealthy patterns and become the parent you wish you'd had - with Harriet Shearsmith Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Ready to feel like yourself again? Download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If the word “selfish” makes you uncomfortable… this episode is for you. In this conversation, Zoe is joined by Suzy Reading for a deeply reassuring exploration of what mothers truly need – and why self-care alone is often insufficient. Together, they talk about how so many women have been conditioned to put themselves last, why resting, saying no or asking for help can feel so hard, and how unmet needs often show up as guilt, resentment or snapping at the people we love most. Suzy shares the thinking behind her new book How to Be Selfish, gently reframing “selfishness” as self-advocacy – and offers simple, practical ways to reconnect with yourself, calm your nervous system and let yourself matter too. In this episode, you’ll learn about: Why self-care alone isn’t enough – and how learning to receive care changes everything How motherhood and conditioning pull us away from our own needs (and why that matters) Why guilt, resentment and “shouty mum” moments are signals, not failures Simple, compassionate ways to reconnect with yourself and remember that you matter too 💛 This is a compassionate, validating listen for any mother who feels stretched thin, disconnected from herself, or quietly carrying too much. Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet If you liked this episode, listen to this next: 100s of self-care practices tested and the ones that work with The Self Care Club Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’ve ever felt the pull to do something different with your career and then immediately talked yourself out of it with it’s too risky, I need a safe job, or this isn’t the season – this short episode is for you. In this powerful Motherkind Moment, from Zoe’s conversation with Debbie Wosskow OBE, they talk honestly about risk, motherhood, and why so many women feel stuck at the edge of change. Debbie shares the reality of building a business with young children, why most women start later than we think, and a simple, compassionate way to meet fear and self-doubt without letting them stop you – reminding us that you don’t need certainty to begin. In this Moment, you’ll hear: Why feeling scared is a natural part of change – not a sign you’re doing it wrong How motherhood reshapes your relationship with risk and can actually strengthen your confidence A simple mindset shift to manage fear and start before you feel ready If you’re in the early stages of motherhood and quietly wondering whether there might be another way of working for you, this is your reminder that you’re not behind, you’re not failing, and you don’t need to have it all figured out. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is take the first small step. If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: Work Series: How to Finally Find Your Self-Belief and Just Start, with Debbie Wosskow Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Ready to feel like yourself again? Download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If your body feels tired, foggy or unfamiliar, this conversation might change how you see yourself. January can feel like a strange in-between. The world is telling us to reset, optimise, and transform. But our bodies are often saying something much quieter: I’m tired. I need care. I need kindness. In this episode, Zoe sits down with Dr Mindy Pelz for a conversation that feels less like “health advice” and more like a deep exhale. Together, they explore what’s really going on for mothers beneath the brain fog, the overwhelm, the resentment, the stubborn changes in our bodies – and why so many of us feel like we’re failing, when actually our bodies are doing exactly what they were designed to do. Dr Mindy gently reframes stress, hormones and fatigue, helping us understand why women’s bodies respond so differently to pressure, why putting ourselves last comes at a cost, and why self-care isn’t something to squeeze in once everything else is done. They also talk about fasting – not as a rule or restriction, but as a way of working with the female body rather than against it – and how it can support clarity, calm and energy when done with care and context. And perhaps most powerfully, this conversation reclaims perimenopause and menopause as something rarely spoken about in this way: not an ending, but a powerful rewiring. A time when the brain begins to let go of people-pleasing, external validation and over-functioning – and moves us towards leadership, confidence and deep self-trust. This episode is an invitation to step into the year differently.To stop fixing yourself.To start listening to yourself. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why stress underpins so much of how mothers feel in their bodies and minds How women’s bodies and brains are uniquely wired through motherhood and midlife What self-care, fasting and strength really look like when done with compassion Why midlife can be a powerful return to clarity, confidence and self-trust 💛 If you’re entering this year feeling depleted, uncertain or disconnected from yourself, this conversation is a reminder that you don’t need to become someone new. You might just need to come back to yourself. Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet If you liked this episode, listen to this next: MOMENT | Why prioritising yourself IS caring for your children, with Emmy Brunner Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Motherhood doesn’t just change your routine – it can completely unravel who you thought you were. In this episode, Zoe is joined by Estelle Bingham to talk about the inner reality of becoming a mother – the identity shift, the loneliness, and the moment you realise the old version of you no longer fits. They explore why the early months can feel so disorientating, why so many mothers hit a point of exhaustion and self-doubt around six months in, and why this isn’t failure – it’s transition. Estelle shares how motherhood brought her to the “ground zero” of herself, surfacing unmet needs and old patterns, and why this cracking open is often an invitation rather than a problem to fix. At the heart of our conversation is a powerful reminder: compassion isn’t optional in motherhood. It’s what stops shame from taking over and allows us to show up for our children with steadiness and care. If you’ve ever thought, Why does this feel so hard? or What’s happened to me? This episode will help you understand what’s really going on. In this Moment, you’ll hear: Why motherhood can feel like an identity earthquake – lonely, disorientating, and nothing like you expected How your child can surface your own unmet needs, and why that discomfort is a sign of growth, not failure Why compassion, not perfection, is the skill that keeps shame and burnout at bay If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: You’re Not Lost, You’ve Just Forgotten Who You Are with Estelle Bingham Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. For a £100 sponsored job credit, visit Indeed.com/ Motherkind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes mentions of abortion and some strong language. If you’re starting this year feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like life has been happening to you rather than with you, this episode will feel like a reset button. Francesca Amber, host of the UK’s biggest self-development book club and author of Manifest Like a Mother, joins Zoe to share the real, lived experience behind manifesting as a mum. Not the polished Instagram version, but the version built in lockdown, with twins, a four-year-old, no childcare, no income, and sheer survival mode. This is manifesting in real life, messy life, where the tools have to work in chaos, not in perfect conditions. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why manifesting looks different for mothers—and why traditional advice often fails us How to set meaningful goals by working with the season of life you’re in How to overcome limiting beliefs using Francesca’s “courtroom method” Practical ways to weave self-worth, energy, and manifestation into the realities of motherhood You don’t need perfect routines to create change—just small, consistent actions that fit real family life. Your challenges can become your fuel, your self-worth can grow through everyday habits, and you’re always allowed to choose a new, aligned chapter. Let this conversation be your starting point. Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet If you liked this episode, listen to this next: Manifesting your best self in motherhood with Roxi Nafousi Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

January can feel like a strange in-between place — the decorations are down, the routine is returning, and yet so many of us still feel a bit foggy, stretched, or unsure where to begin again. If that’s you, this clip offers a simple, grounding way to ease into the year with more clarity and intention. In this short Moment, I share one of my most loved New Year practices: choosing a word of the year. It’s a beautifully straightforward tool that helps you zoom out, reconnect with the bigger picture, and gently guide your decisions through the year ahead. I picked this Moment because it cuts through the pressure of resolutions and long to-do lists. Instead, it offers a way to anchor yourself in what truly matters, even when life feels busy or overwhelming. In this Moment, you’ll learn: How to zoom out and get perspective before you set any goals Why one word can guide your whole year better than resolutions The words that supported me through big shifts in motherhood and work A simple way to set three clear, meaningful goals for 2026 It’s a gentle and inspiring way to start the year with focus, ease, and a renewed sense of what you want 2026 to represent. If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: Resolutions don’t work, but this does - 4 steps to achieving your goals in 2025 (without burning out) Remember to subscribe to Motherkind — it helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices