In this insightful conversation, Dr. Gertrude Lyons sits down with entrepreneur, leadership coach, and podcast host Emily Bronaugh. Together, they unpack what it means to lead with intention, hire with care, and mother a business without losing yourself in the process. Emily shares her journey from burnout to business ownership, and how she learned to build systems, delegate with trust, and create space for both feminine values and effective leadership. They explore the cultural narratives aroun...
Jul 08, 2025•57 min•Season 5Ep. 186
In this powerful and unapologetic conversation, I sit down with Sonali Fiske—TEDx speaker, creative coach, former radio host, and fierce advocate for cultural equity and representation. We explore the intersection of creative expression, sacred rage, and self-mothering, and the courage it takes to tell the truth in a world built to silence it. Sonali shares her journey of moving from invisibility to global visibility, and why anger became the alchemical force that transformed her life and leader...
Jun 30, 2025•55 min•Season 5Ep. 185
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’...
Jun 23, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 184
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...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 183
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,...
Jun 09, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 182
In this deeply embodied conversation, I speak with Jen Pastiloff - bestselling author of On Being Human , creator of the Shame Loss Movement, and a radically honest voice in the world of healing and presence. Jen brings her whole self to the mic: her deafness, her grief, her humanness, and her fierce belief in truth-telling as a path to freedom. In Part One of our conversation, we trace Jen’s journey through early loss, chronic self-doubt, and the internalized belief that she had to hide or perf...
Jun 02, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 181
In this raw and powerful episode, I sit down with Allie Casazza—author, coach, and founder of the “Becoming Her” movement—for a deeply honest conversation about the messy, miraculous process of breaking open and rebuilding. Allie shares her journey from building an 8-figure business rooted in minimalism to experiencing a profound unraveling of her personal and professional life. We talk about the self-betrayal that can accompany success, the silence of shame, and how illness, burnout, and trauma...
May 30, 2025•48 min•Season 5Ep. 180
In this episode, I sit down with Nina Mongendre—author, guide, and family constellations practitioner—for a deeply spiritual and nourishing conversation on inner child healing, ancestral connection, and reimagining the healing journey through archetypal wisdom. Nina shares her path from Kundalini yoga teacher and spiritual seeker to integrating shamanic practices, constellation work, and ancestral healing in a more embodied, emotionally attuned way. We discuss her forthcoming book Reclaiming You...
May 20, 2025•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 179
In this deeply personal solo episode—recorded exactly two weeks before the release of my first book, Rewrite the Mother Code —I invite you into the tender and powerful space I found myself in as I prepared for one of the most meaningful transitions of my life. Now, as the book officially launches into the world, this recording captures the rawness, the reverence, and the inner preparation that took place behind the scenes—not just for the celebration, but for the becoming . This episode is not a...
May 12, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 178
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Julia Krankl—a Harvard-educated physician, UCLA-trained psychiatrist, TEDx speaker, author of The 21st Minute , and mother—for a deeply enriching conversation on mental health, emotional wellness, and the complex, sacred unraveling of the postpartum experience. Dr. Krankl brings both clinical insight and lived wisdom to our dialogue, drawing from her extensive training and personal journey. Julia shares insights from her new book, The 21st Minute: Everything ...
May 05, 2025•55 min•Season 5Ep. 177
In this episode, I have the great pleasure of sitting down with Sarah Trott—mother, advocate, and visionary creator of the Fourth Trimester Podcast , as well as the founder of HelloGaia , a beautifully designed digital resource rooted in evidence-based parenting support. Sarah’s journey into maternal wellness began, like so many of ours do, through lived experience. As a new mother, she found herself asking questions that echoed across generations—questions that had remained unanswered for far t...
Apr 28, 2025•56 min•Season 5Ep. 176
In this episode, I’m joined once again by the radiant Yann Dang—a transformational coach, devoted mother, former CFO, and one of the most expansive women I’ve had the honor of witnessing on her journey. Together, we explore the ever-evolving path of self-mothering and what it means to show up with presence, truth, and grace as both a parent and a leader. Yann shares the raw and real layers of her transition from the corporate world into entrepreneurship, the profound lessons she’s learning while...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 175
As I prepare for the launch of my book and upcoming TEDx Talk, I’ve been reflecting deeply on the themes of self-care, trust, and intuitive guidance. In this solo episode, I share insights from a recent retreat that helped me reconnect with a sense of ease, openness, and joy—especially in times of uncertainty. I explore the support that surrounds us, both seen and unseen, and the importance of tuning into our intuition—particularly during astrological moments of intensity. Drawing on insights fr...
Apr 14, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 174
In this episode, I talk with Nina Spears, founder and CEO of Baby Chick, about her work supporting mothers through their pregnancy and parenting journeys. Nina shares her unconventional journey into the field, from working a job she disliked to becoming a certified baby planner, doula, and maternal wellness expert. We discuss the importance of community for new mothers, the overwhelming amount of information available, and the need for personalized support. Nina also shares insights into the ser...
Apr 07, 2025•58 min•Season 5Ep. 173
In this episode, I speak with HeatherAsh Amara, best selling author and spiritual guide, about her journey of self-discovery and her teachings on personal transformation. HeatherAsh shares her insights on moving from self-judgment to discernment and from victimhood to authentic vulnerability. We discuss her books, including "Warrior Goddess Training" and her latest, "Wild, Willing, and Wise," and how they connect with the theme of rewriting the mother code. HeatherAsh also opens up about her per...
Apr 01, 2025•57 min•Season 5Ep. 172
In this episode, I sit down with Mel Harris, a strategic alliance builder, four-time co-producer of the GLAAD Media Awards, and host of Finding Our Way Forward . Mel and I first connected as fellow TEDx speakers, and our shared experience forged an instant bond. Beyond the stage, Mel’s work amplifies marginalized voices, builds transformative partnerships, and redefines leadership through advocacy and empowerment. Our conversation explores Mel’s personal journey of resilience—from navigating the...
Mar 24, 2025•52 min•Season 5Ep. 171
In this solo episode, I take a moment to reflect on a pivotal time in my life—the final stretch before my book release and TEDx talk launch. As I sit in this liminal space, I explore the emotions that arise when we are on the edge of something significant, the excitement and discomfort of creation, and the deep inner work required to stay present through change. I dive into the challenges of self-promotion, the tension between external validation and internal fulfillment, and the importance of r...
Mar 17, 2025•28 min•Season 5Ep. 170
In this episode, I speak with Janina Shorter, a professional doula, midwifery student, and passionate advocate for maternal care and healing. Janina shares her powerful journey from childhood loss and foster care to becoming a birth worker dedicated to breaking cycles of generational trauma. Her story is one of perseverance, self-mothering, and finding purpose through supporting others. We dive into the transformative power of birth work, the realities of maternal health disparities, and the rol...
Mar 10, 2025•59 min•Season 5Ep. 169
In this episode, I speak with Megan Rosselot, a behavior analyst, special education teacher, and host of The Behavior Project Podcast . Megan shares her journey into behavioral health and how working with families inspired her to create an educational platform to help parents navigate challenges with their children. Our conversation dives into the emotional and psychological aspects of behavior, the importance of understanding a child’s internal experiences, and how communication strategies can ...
Mar 03, 2025•56 min•Season 5Ep. 168
In this solo episode, Dr. Gertrude Lyons shares a deeply personal reflection on her journey through major life transitions, including the completion of her book, her TEDx talk, and the recording of her audiobook. She describes the powerful emotions and energy of the liminal space—the in-between phase where one chapter closes, and the next has yet to fully unfold. Gertrude opens up about the importance of support, self-trust, and embracing uncertainty. She explores how stepping into the unknown c...
Feb 24, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 167
In this episode, I speak with Rebe Huntman, a memoirist, essayist, and poet whose work explores the intersections of feminism, world religion, and spirituality. Rebe shares her deeply personal journey of losing her mother at a young age and how this profound loss shaped her exploration of the Divine Feminine. Our conversation delves into Rebe’s experiences with dance as a sacred practice, her time studying Afro-Cuban spiritual traditions, and the transformative journey that led her to write My M...
Feb 17, 2025•53 min•Season 5Ep. 166
In this episode, I speak with Kristin Revere, the founder of Gold Coast Doulas, an elite-certified birth and postpartum doula, newborn care specialist, and passionate advocate for maternal support. Kristin shares her journey from a background in political fundraising and nonprofit work to creating a doula agency dedicated to providing evidence-based, judgment-free support for mothers and families. Our conversation explores the crucial role doulas play in birth and postpartum care, the challenges...
Feb 10, 2025•52 min•Season 5Ep. 165
In this episode, I speak with George Lizos, a bestselling author, spiritual teacher, and host of the Lit Up Lightworker podcast. George shares his profound journey of self-discovery, from his early struggles with identity to becoming a guiding light in the spiritual community. His story is a testament to resilience, self-acceptance, and the transformative power of intention. Our conversation dives into George’s expertise on energy protection, the universal laws of manifestation, and ancient spir...
Jan 27, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 164
In this episode, I speak with Cari Frame, a self-kindness coach, about the profound impact of embracing kindness toward oneself. Cari shares her journey from self-criticism to self-compassion and how her experiences inspired her to guide others on their paths to self-kindness. As a certified professional co-active coach, Cari helps individuals navigate life’s challenges by cultivating small, intentional practices of self-care and compassion. Our conversation explores the barriers to self-kindnes...
Jan 20, 2025•59 min•Season 5Ep. 163
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Emily Guarnotta, a clinical psychologist and certified perinatal mental health provider, to discuss the intricacies of parenthood and mental health. Together, we delve into the challenges faced by parents, how to balance personal identity with parenting, and strategies to build resilience during life’s transformative moments. Dr. Guarnotta shares her experience as the founder of Phoenix Health and offers actionable advice for thriving as a parent while priori...
Jan 13, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 162
In this episode, I speak with Anna Maria DiDio, a devoted adoptive mother, accomplished children’s author, and passionate advocate for fostering open family dialogues about adoption and trauma. Anna Maria opens up about her personal experiences raising two daughters—one biological and one adopted—while dispelling the myths surrounding adoption and shedding light on its emotional complexities. We delve into Anna Maria’s insights on the primal wound, a concept that explores the trauma of separatio...
Jan 06, 2025•55 min•Season 5Ep. 161
In this episode, I speak with Gabriel Piemonte, a deeply influential figure in my own journey of writing and personal growth, about the complexities of redefining personal and cultural narratives about family and self-discovery. As a dedicated community leader and advocate, Gabriel opens up about the personal challenges and triumphs that have shaped his philosophy on authentic living. Gabriel shares insights into how he redefined his relationship with traditional family roles, navigating the del...
Dec 30, 2024•55 min•Season 5Ep. 160
In this solo episode, I’m diving into a year of immense transformation, gratitude, and new beginnings. With the winter solstice as a backdrop, I reflect on the cycles of endings and beginnings that have shaped my journey over the past year. This reflective period has offered me a chance to not only celebrate milestones but also reckon with challenges that have pushed me out of my comfort zone. From writing my first book, an experience filled with discovery and perseverance, to crafting a TEDx ta...
Dec 21, 2024•18 min•Season 5Ep. 159
In this episode, I speak with Mariya Shiyko, a best-selling author and coach, about overcoming cultural expectations, her journey of self-discovery, and her experiences in motherhood. Mariya didn’t set out to write a memoir but accepted the calling once she discovered the power of women sharing their stories. She shares her writing journey and the ups and downs of her first literary birth. The act of sharing her voice and expressing herself led Mariya to confront the fear and conditioning she re...
Dec 16, 2024•57 min•Season 5Ep. 158
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Avanti Kumar-Singh, an Ayurvedic integrated medicine practitioner and yoga therapist, about integrating Western medicine with Ayurveda, longevity switches, and owning your power. Healing comes from within. Dr. Avanti’s philosophy integrates the best of Western medicine with 5,000 years of Ayurvedic wisdom. Dr. Avanti’s upcoming book, the Longevity Formula, was inspired by the vibrant lives of her grandparents and sharing the longevity practices that have kept th...
Dec 09, 2024•58 min•Season 5Ep. 157
