Episode 19: Elle invites us to pause... to breathe... to stay for the exhale.

As the leaves turn and the holidays begin, she explores a deceptively simple yet profound concept: truly experiencing the moments we create. It's not about doing more—it's about being more present in what we're already doing.

Elle shares her journey from frantic holiday-maker to intentional memory-creator, offering a mini masterclass in emotional presence. She challenges us: Are we confusing participation with presence? Are we unconsciously fleeing from joy?

From yoga mats to dinner tables, Elle provides practical wisdom for savoring life's exhales. It's time to linger, to ask one more question, to offer our full gaze.

This isn't just about slowing down—it's about showing up fully for the life we're living.

🍂 Ready to transform your fall from frantic to fulfilling? Listen now.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Fall reflections and the nurturer's season

04:06 - The "stay for the exhale" revelation

09:44 - Embracing the matriarch's wisdom

12:17 - The surprising challenge of tolerating joy

17:22 - Practical ways to linger in life's moments

Down The Well Links:

About Down The Well:

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Episode 18: Elle sits down with her longtime friend and fellow entrepreneur, Andrea Faulkner Williams, to share real and heartfelt reflections on nurturing friendship through the busyness of motherhood.

Ever felt like you're drowning in the demands of life? You're not alone.

Elle and Andrea share raw, honest truths about:

• The tender challenges that shape motherhood

• Keeping friendships strong when life feels busy

• Championing each other's dreams

• Turning comparison into inspiration

Take a moment to laugh and cry along with Elle and Andrea as they show you the positive difference friendship can make in motherhood.

🔔 Subscribe for more soul-nourishing conversations that remind you: You're not alone in this beautiful mess of motherhood and life.

💬 Comment below: In what was is friendship a lifeline for you?



Timestamps:

0:00 Intro: First in-person podcast with Andrea

5:40 Motherhood: The most challenging job ever

11:16 Friendship challenges in adulthood and mothering

19:56 Non-comparative support in friendships

25:43 Handling emotional mismatch in friendships

31:25 How to be a good friend

37:05 Creating a joy list for happiness

42:38 Championing each other's callings and dreams

49:26 Rapid-fire questions about their friendship

55:54 Dealing with insecurities and teen gossip

59:19 Closing thoughts and appreciation

Show Links:
Andrea's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreafaulknerwilliams/?hl=en

Tubby Todd: https://tubbytodd.com/?brand_general&tw_source=google&tw_adid=764490404375&tw_campaign=22807709662&t...

Solly Baby: ⁠https://sollybaby.com/collections/wraps?wickedsource=google&wickedid=CjwKCAjwu9fHBhAWEiwAzGRC_7SVVjW...

"Present over Perfect" by Shauna Niequist

"What in the World?" by Leanne Morgan


Down The Well Links:

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN6Y...

Elle's Substack: https://substack.com/@ellerowley

Elle's Instagram: instagram.com/ellerowley

About Down The Well:

Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley explores the mother's hero's journey—a path different from what you've read in books. It's a descent into the soul, where transformation is inevitable. Let's ensure it's for the better.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 17: We have the pleasure of hearing from Lisa Marchiano for the second time on the Down The Well Podcast, a Jungian analyst and author of "Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself." Lisa and Elle peel back the layers of the "Good Mother" myth and dive deep into the transformative power of shadow work in motherhood.

Are you ready to confront the shadow side of mothering? To embrace the parts of yourself you've been told to hide?

Lisa reveals how the "good mother myth" sets impossible standards, leaving us feeling inadequate and disconnected from our true selves. But here's the kicker—what if those "negative" aspects we try to suppress are actually the key to our growth?Elle and Lisa explore:

• The liberating truth about the "Good Mother" myth [1:27]

• Why your anger might be your greatest teacher [19:44]

• The golden nuggets hidden in your shadow [41:52]

• How to parent from wholeness, not perfection [30:51]

Prepare to be challenged, inspired, and ultimately freed by this raw and honest exploration of motherhood's deepest truths.

🔔 Subscribe for more soul-stirring conversations that light the path to authentic motherhood.

💬 Comment below: What part of yourself are you ready to reclaim in your mothering journey?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro: The good mother myth

5:34 How the good mom image affects women

8:28 Disempowering effects of perfect parenting ideals

14:11 Letting go of the good mother myth

21:15 Working with difficult emotions in motherhood

28:43 Understanding and integrating your shadow

37:38 Identifying shadow qualities in yourself

44:33 Practical steps for shadow work

49:22 Reintegrating positive aspects of younger self

54:12 Advice for different stages of motherhood

Show Links:

• "Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself" by Lisa Marchiano

• Lisa's website: https://lisamarchiano.com/

Down The Well Links:

• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN6YKPAhI1Rstsc4dT2N86w

• Elle's Substack: https://substack.com/@ellerowley

• Elle's Instagram: instagram.com/ellerowley

About Down The Well:

Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if the transition to motherhood isn't just about diapers and sleepless nights... but a profound archetypal shift that reshapes your entire being?

In this soul-stirring episode, Elle dives deep into the often overlooked journey from maiden to mother. She peels back the layers of societal pressure, personal resistance, and the bittersweet beauty of this transformation.

Are you clinging to your "maiden" self even as you navigate motherhood? You're not alone.

This isn't just about having kids—it's about saying yes to a fuller, vaster version of yourself. Ready to step into your power?

🔔 Subscribe for more soul-nourishing conversations on motherhood, identity, and becoming.

💬 Comment below: What's been the hardest part of your maiden-to-mother transition?

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

00:40 - Understanding the archetypes

02:43 - Why we resist the mother

09:20 - Three lies holding us back

16:27 - The gifts of motherhood

20:32 - Missed your maiden years?

23:35 - Integrating maiden and mother

Show Links:

Oura Ring: https://ouraring.com/product/rings

Down The Well Links:

Elle's Substack - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@ellerowley⁠⁠⁠⁠

Elle's Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ellerowle⁠y

Listen to Down The Well:

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6lUJfguVjtso0sPEg2wR6t?si=votEkMgqRiq8b_aEKht1gg⁠

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-the-well/id1797861644

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Down-The-Well

About Down The Well:

Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better.

SEO Keywords:

transformational motherhood, maiden archetype, mother archetype, matriarch archetype, women's developmental phases, releasing maidenhood, embracing motherhood, cultural expectations, societal pressures, aging and beauty, body acceptance, self-discovery, personal growth, life transitions, motherhood challenges, work-life balance, self-care for mothers, identity shifts, parenting journey, female empowerment, archetypal psychology, women's spirituality, intergenerational wisdom, life stages, personal transformation

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this soul-stirring episode, Elle dives deep into the heart of modern motherhood's greatest paradox: How do we find wholeness in a role that seems to demand we shatter ourselves into a million pieces?

Drawing inspiration from Ann Morrow Lindbergh's timeless wisdom, Elle explores the concept of "Zerissinheit"—that torn-to-pieces feeling so many mothers know all too well. But here's the plot twist: What if fragmentation isn't our destiny, but our chrysalis?

Elle challenges the notion that mothers must sacrifice everything on the altar of caregiving. Instead, she offers a radical new vision: motherhood as a catalyst for profound personal growth and self-discovery.

🔔 Ready to revolutionize your approach to motherhood? Hit subscribe and join the wholeness revolution!

💬 Share below: What fills your "source" and makes you feel most alive?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

03:03 - Unpacking "Zerrissenheit"

08:40 - The audacity of maternal time off

15:49 - Your motherhood HR department

23:00 - Restoration through deep presence

Show Links:

"Gift from the Sea" by Ann Morrow Lindbergh: https://www.amazon.com/Gift-50th-Anniversary-Anne-Morrow-Lindbergh/dp/0679732411

Oura Ring: https://ouraring.com/product/rings

Down The Well Links:

Elle's Substack - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@ellerowley⁠⁠⁠⁠

Elle's Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ellerowle⁠y

Listen to Down The Well:

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6lUJfguVjtso0sPEg2wR6t?si=votEkMgqRiq8b_aEKht1gg⁠

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-the-well/id1797861644

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Down-The-Well

About Down The Well:

Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better.

SEO Keywords:

motherhood challenges, work-life balance, self-care for mothers, Ann Morrow Lindbergh, Gifts from the Sea, torn-to-pieces-hood, wholeness in motherhood, maternal burnout, solitude for mothers, nurturing source, creative pursuits, maternal identity, family dynamics, personal growth, maternal well-being, time management for mothers, maternal mental health, parenting strategies, maternal restoration, mindful motherhood, maternal boundaries, purposeful giving, maternal self-reflection, maternal resilience, balancing motherhood roles

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 14: Elle dives deep into the often-overlooked middle years of marriage with couples coach Natalie Clay. They explore the hidden treasures and challenges of long-term partnerships, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to truly grow together.

Are you feeling more like roommates than soulmates? Struggling with communication or emotional self-reliance? This episode can be your lifeline.

Natalie shares powerful insights on:

• The importance of emotional self-reliance (without losing connection)

• Transforming conflicts into opportunities for growth

• Embracing vulnerability as the key to deeper intimacy

It's time to rewrite the narrative of the "boring" middle years. Let's discover how this phase can be the most transformative and rewarding chapter of your love story.

🔔 Subscribe for more soul-nourishing conversations about relationships, personal growth, and the journey of becoming.

💬 Comment below: What's been your biggest challenge (or unexpected joy) in the middle years of your relationship?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro: Middle years of marriage discussion

5:12 Emotional self-reliance in relationships

10:12 Dealing with insecurities in marriage

20:24 Why couples feel like roommates

25:05 Physical intimacy and mismatched desire

36:29 Parenting differences in marriage

42:42 Radical acceptance in relationships

49:41 Navigating different parenting approaches

55:41 The role of mystery in marriage

57:05 Hidden strengths of middle years

1:02:15 Lightning round: Marriage advice

Show Links:

Natalie Clay Coaching

Couples Coaching with Natalie Clay podcast

@Natalieclaycoaching on Instagram

Down The Well Links:

Elle's Substack - ⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@ellerowley⁠⁠⁠

Elle's Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ellerowle

_____

Listen to Down The Well:

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6lUJfguVjtso0sPEg2wR6t?si=votEkMgqRiq8b_aEKht1gg⁠

Apple: 

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-the-well/id1797861644⁠

Amazon: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0p4aFo3SlBSNWNpUzhiNkt⁠

_____

About Down The Well:

Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better.

SEO Keywords: marriage coaching, emotional self-reliance, middle years of marriage, couples communication, vulnerability in relationships, conflict resolution, parenting differences, intimacy challenges, personal growth in marriage, marriage struggles, emotional connection, self-compassion, relationship dynamics, marriage expectations, long-term commitment, marital conflict, relationship coaching, marriage counseling, emotional intimacy, relationship vulnerability, marriage longevity, relationship autonomy, marriage challenges, relationship growth, marriage satisfaction

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 13: What if the key to unlocking your creative genius lies in the pages of a century-old novel?

In this episode, Elle Rowley shares another installment in her series of Portrait of a Matriarch. She takes us on a journey through the life of the matriarch, Lucy Maud Montgomery, creator of Anne of Green Gables and unexpected mentor to generations of dreamers.

From Prince Edward Island's red-clay roads to the depths of personal struggle, we explore how Montgomery's resilience and creativity shaped a literary legacy that still resonates today.

Elle shares her 5 favorite lessons she learned from studying Maud’s complex life, and the gems of wisdom she took from her matriarchal years:

Success comes from small and simple things done consistently

Creativity can offer resilience and beauty in the bleakest of circumstances

What other people think of you is none of your business

Nature is a constant source of wonder and healing

The matriarch is the wise woman

Are you ready to find your own "Green Gables" of the soul?

Share with us what lesson resonates with you as a current or future matriarch.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro: Lucy Maud Montgomery's impact

5:07 Childhood and early life of Montgomery

10:15 Writing career and publishing Anne of Green Gables

15:23 Marriage, motherhood, and personal struggles

20:35 Five lessons from Lucy Maud Montgomery's life

25:44 Creativity as resilience in difficult circumstances

31:25 Overcoming fear of others' opinions

37:33 Nature as inspiration and solace

42:38 Montgomery's message to future generations

47:13 Reflecting on Montgomery's legacy and impact

Show Links:

"Lucy Maud Montgomery: The Gift of Wings" by Mary Henley Rubio: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Lucy-Maud-Montgomery-Gift-Wings/dp/0385667604⁠

Anne of Green Gables (1985) starring Megan Follows

Anne of Green Gables, 1908 edition: https://www.amazon.com/Anne-Green-Gables-Original-Montgomery/dp/B0BTNNMXBV

Down The Well Links:

Elle's Substack - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@ellerowley⁠⁠⁠⁠

Elle's Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ellerowle⁠

_____

Listen to Down The Well:

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6lUJfguVjtso0sPEg2wR6t?si=votEkMgqRiq8b_aEKht1gg⁠

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-the-well/id1797861644⁠

Amazon: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0p4aFo3SlBSNWNpUzhiNkt⁠

_____

About Down The Well:

Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better.

SEO Keywords: Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, Canadian literature, Prince Edward Island, creative writing, childhood imagination, resilience through creativity, matriarchal lessons, mental health struggles, literary success, consistent writing habits, nature inspiration, character development, female authors, early 20th century literature, overcoming rejection, balancing motherhood and career, societal expectations, personal journals, childhood abandonment, community gossip, self-doubt in writing, nature as solace, literary legacy, historical fiction

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 2 Episode 1: What if motherhood isn't just about raising children, but a profound journey of self-discovery and transformation?

Elle is back with another season and starts us out with this soul-stirring episode, she dives deep into the concept of the "mother's hero's journey," inspired by Lisa Marchiano's groundbreaking work. She unravels the seven stages of this journey, from the initial call to adventure to the triumphant return—each step a potential for growth, challenge, and rebirth.

The 7 Stages Elle discusses:

1. Departure from ordinary world

2. The call to adventure

3. The descent

4. Meeting the shadow

5. Receiving help and inner wisdom

6. Integration and transformation

7. Return and Contribution

This episode goes beyond theory. Elle shares deeply personal stories from her own journey through motherhood—the disorientation, the growth, the unexpected beauty. From sleepless nights that unravel the ego to moments of reckoning with fear and identity, her reflections offer something every mother will recognize.

If you've ever wondered whether the everyday trials of motherhood hold deeper meaning, this conversation is for you. What if the hero’s journey isn’t out there—but right here, in your own kitchen, carpool, and quiet breakdowns?

Subscribe for more spirit-awakening explorations of motherhood, identity, and personal growth.

Comment below: What stage of the mother's hero's journey resonates most with you right now?

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the mother's hero's journey

06:00 - Breaking down the seven stages

12:00 - Ego death and motherhood

18:00 - Shadow work and integration

24:00 - Finding wisdom in unexpected places

30:00 - The alchemy of transformation

36:00 - Returning with gifts: How mothers change the world

42:00 - Elle's personal childbirth story

Show Links:

"Motherhood: Finding and Facing Yourself" by Lisa Marchiano - https://lisamarchiano.com/books/

Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey - https://www.amazon.com/Heros-Journey-Joseph-Campbell-Collected/dp/1608681890/ref=asc_df_1608681890?m...

Down The Well Links:

Elle's Substack - ⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@ellerowley⁠⁠⁠

Elle's Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ellerowle

_____

Listen to Down The Well:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lUJfguVjtso0sPEg2wR6t?si=votEkMgqRiq8b_aEKht1gg

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-the-well/id1797861644

Amazon: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0p4aFo3SlBSNWNpUzhiNkt

_____

About Down The Well:

Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 11: In a world that feels increasingly fractured, overwhelmed, and chaotic—what if peace begins not with politicians, but with parents?

In this powerful episode, Elle explores how world peace starts at home. She draws a straight line between how we engage with our children and how we shape the future of our society. This is not about perfection—it’s about presence, intention, and radical gentleness.

🔔 Subscribe for more soul-grounded conversations from the edge of motherhood, identity, and becoming.

💬 Comment below: What does peace look like in your home?

04:38 - 3 Keys to Peace at Home

04:45 - Teaching peace

09:45 - Safeguarding our homes

18:56 - Cultivating inner peace

24:29 - World Peace Begins at Home t-shirts

Show Links:

World Peace Begins At Home t-shirts

The Humble Village

Down The Well Links:

Check out Down The Well on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode on YouTube found ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠

Elle's Substack - ⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@ellerowley⁠⁠⁠

Elle's Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ellerowley⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 10: What happens when your body changes… and the world doesn’t talk about it? In this honest episode, Elle speaks with Chelsea Etheridge, founder of Not Young, a supplement company geared towards women in perimenopause.

Chelsea shares how navigating perimenopause became the unexpected spark for personal transformation and the creation of her platform, Not Young. She opens up about aging, identity, and why the “maiden-obsessed” culture is due for a rewrite. Take a listen...

09:05 - Story of Not Young

10:25 - Signs of perimenopause

19:03 - Plot twist!

20:18 - Husband's health

26:44 - Mothering today

35:20 - Future of Not Young

Show Links:

Not Young

Discount Code: SR69JVRINV

Not Young Instagram

Down The Well Links:

Check out Down The Well on ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠

This episode on YouTube found ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠

Elle's Substack - ⁠⁠https://substack.com/@ellerowley⁠⁠

Elle's Instagram - ⁠⁠instagram.com/ellerowley⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices