Feminine Profiles

It's been a minute, and what a special episode to return to.

In this episode, I sit down with Catherine Pakaluk, author of Hannah’s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth. Her book gathers the stories of American women who have chosen to raise five or more children in an age where birth rates are in historic decline.

Together, we explore:

• Why some women embrace large families, and how it reshapes their identity, purpose, and sense of legacy.

• How motherhood changes us—not just for a season, but as a lifelong transformation.

• The role of faith, culture, and technology in shaping our choices about children.

• What it means to move from maiden to mother, and how that transition requires letting go of the idea of “going back” to who we once were.

• Why children are not only a private family decision but also a cultural inheritance and a gift to the wider community.

• The overlooked wisdom and resilience that comes from spending years in the trenches of newborn life.

We also talk about Catherine’s upcoming work interviewing fathers—offering new perspectives on family life, vocation, and what it means to raise children in today’s world.

This conversation is both countercultural and deeply hopeful, offering encouragement for mothers and families navigating their own choices in a culture that often overlooks the sacredness of children and the home. Read or listen to her book here.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. It helps this podcast reach more women who are seeking to reconnect with the cycles of life, motherhood, and the wisdom of the Great Mother.

shopgreatmother.com/shop

Welcome back to The Feminine Profiles podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Norton of Cucina Melissa to explore her inspiring journey from culinary school in Italy to building a thriving business centered around food, travel, and community. What started as a small pasta and pizza kit venture during the early days of COVID has grown into a sought-after culinary brand with an immersive Italian cooking school and a dedicated following!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The evolution of Cucina Melissa from a passion project to a full-scale culinary brand.

• How Melissa leveraged social media and influencer marketing to grow her business.

• The importance of community and connection in Italian food culture.

• The reality of entrepreneurship—burnout, resilience, and the power of delegation.

• What goes into creating unforgettable cooking retreats in Italy.

Resources & Links:

• Follow Melissa Norton on Instagram: @cucinamelissa

• Learn more about Cucina Melissa and upcoming cooking retreats: cucinamelissa.com

• Follow me on Instagram: @brookemackenzie____

• Work with me: brookembaldwin.com

Welcome back to the podcast! I'm so excited to share my conversation with Kathrin Smirke. Kathrin is a designer, a photographer, and she lives on the beautiful Mendocino Coast of Northern California with her husband Brian, their rescued Great Pyrenees, Daisy, and their two adopted kitties, Cobie and Bruno.

In this conversation, we dive into the art of slowing down, of listening to the whispers of intuition, and of building a life that nourishes the soul. Kathrin shares how her journey led her away from the fast-paced world of entertainment into the rhythm of nature—living amongst the redwoods, tending to her animals, and immersing herself in creative practices.

We explore the balance between the masculine and feminine energies in our lives, the power of trusting our instincts, and the deep ancestral wisdom found in simple, meditative acts like baking, canning, and tea rituals. This episode is an invitation to reflect on what it truly means to cultivate a life of beauty, meaning, and presence. Enjoy! Xo, Brooke

Work with me: brookembaldwin.com

Welcome back to the podcast! I’m so excited to share today’s conversation with Nicole Silaperre, the heart and mind behind The Sunshine Pescadero. Nicole is the founder and owner of this incredible grocery shop, which is far more than a store—it’s a hub of nourishment, community, and sustainability, located in the charming town of Pescadero, California.

In our conversation, we cover so much ground, including:

• Nicole’s unique upbringing and the spiritual influences that shaped her journey.
• Her 25-year career in event design and the eventual pivot that led her to create The Sunshine.
• How she cultivates a space rooted in nutrient-dense, thoughtfully sourced foods and the stories behind the farmers and artisans she works with.
• The challenges and rewards of running a small, intentional business in today’s world.
• And how she stays aligned with her values while fostering connection and creativity within her community.

We also dive into broader topics like:

• The importance of ancestral food traditions and the wisdom behind them.
• How we can balance the push for convenience with the need for connection in a fast-paced world.
• And her inspiring perspective on trusting the flow of life as a creative and business owner.

Find Brooke at brookembaldwin.com or instagram.com/brookemackenzie____

In this episode, I sit down with Quinn McCormick, graphic designer, creative director, and co-founder of Rhea Creative, a bicoastal agency she launched in 2024. Quinn shares her inspiring journey from her artistic upbringing in Canada to navigating the professional design world, eventually taking the leap to start her own agency.

In this episode we cover:

-How Quinn discovered her passion for graphic design and built a career rooted in creativity.

-The challenges and rewards of launching a creative agency.

-The importance of balancing personal style with client projects.

-Strategies for overcoming fear and embracing imperfection in the creative process.

- How to cultivate boundaries and stay inspired as a creative entrepreneur.

Whether you’re in the creative field or simply looking for inspiration to take the next step in your career, I hope this episode serves you! Xo, Brooke

brookembaldwin.com

Happy New Year! Welcome Alex Rooted, a basket weaver, creative, and advocate for slowing down and reconnecting with ancestral wisdom. Alex shares her journey from a faster-paced life as a photographer and videographer to finding purpose and meaning in the ancient craft of weaving.

What You’ll Hear:

-       Grounding into Winter: Embracing the season’s invitation to slow down, reflect, and align with nature’s cycles.

-       Weaving as a Life Practice: How Alex discovered basket weaving, its ancestral roots, and the profound lessons it teaches about patience, presence, and imperfection.

-       Creating Intentional Beauty: The transformative power of crafting a life filled with meaning, from building a tiny home to weaving with natural materials.

-       Ancestral Connection and Authentic Living: Exploring ancestry as a guiding force for modern creativity, motherhood, and returning to a slower, more authentic way of life.

-       Navigating Creativity and Capitalism: Balancing personal passions with the pressure to monetize art while fostering community and connection in a fast-paced world.

I’m doing my first giveaway! To win a gorgeous hand-made basket by Alex (highly sought after!), please:

-       Rate & review the podcast

-       Follow Brooke & Alex

-       Tag a friend!

Links:

• Visit Alex’s website: ⁠alexrooted.com⁠
• Follow Alex on Instagram: ⁠@alexrooted⁠
• Brooke’s website: brookembaldwin.com

Welcome back to the podcast! I'm so honored to share this episode with Naomi and highlight the important work she is doing to address OCD and mental health from a buddhist framework. She wrote the workbook 'A Thought is Just a Thought : A Buddhist Guide to OCD'. I can't wait for you to listen!

Xo, Brooke

brookembaldwin.com

Welcome back to the pod! A little solo episode to ground and round out the year. This was a literal stream of consciousness, so I hope I don't put you to sleep!

Many beautiful guests in the queue that I am excited to share in the coming weeks in a more consistent way. Sending you so much love. You can connect with me here or on Instagram.

Welcome back to The Feminine Profiles! Today, I am honored to have Dorothea Barth Jorgensen on the podcast. Dorothea is an Intuitive guide in breathwork, sound healing & self inquiry. Her lifelong awareness and fascination with Creation and Consciousness led her to explore and study several healing modalities including non-duality, breathwork & the art of sound healing. She’s currently living between Kauai and Sweden and works with people in person and online. Today we discuss her background and upbringing,  her practice and ongoing connection to Self, and the energy of the collective.

I am hosting a virtual women’s circle next Tuesday, November 26 at 10am if you feel called to join. brookembaldwin.com

Xo, Brooke

Welcome back to the podcast! Today, I am sharing in conversation with Joanna Steblay of Mammal Herbs. Today we discuss her road to finding herbalism after making the decision to depart from her career in law. Joanna offers herbalism workshops, postpartum offerings, and her latest Mineral Milk. I hope you enjoy this conversation. Xo, Brooke

brookembaldwin.com