In this heartfelt episode of "Motherhood Unveiled," host Ashley welcomes Bernadette Catalano—lawyer, writer, and mother—to discuss the generational journey of motherhood. Bernadette shares how her mother’s struggles shaped her own approach to parenting and healing, emphasizing the importance of self-mothering, forgiveness, and breaking cycles. She reflects on the joys of grandmotherhood, the myth of maternal perfection, and the power of rewriting family narratives through writing. The episode closes with a loving tribute to Bernadette’s mother, celebrating resilience, transformation, and the enduring legacy of maternal love.

Meet Bernadette

Bernadette Catalana is one of seven children—six of them daughters. She is also a lawyer, mentor, cooking enthusiast, and avid yoga practitioner. But the role she identifies with most is mother to Carly and Courtney. She grew up in Endicott, New York, raised her girls in Rochester, New York and currently lives on Central Park with her significant other and her Havanese, Jackson. Her daughters, who are now grown and starting families of their own, are both within walking distance. Bernadette is the author of Daughter Lessons, a collection of essays on leading, learning from, and loving our daughters.

Timestamps

Introducing Bernadette Catalano (00:01:13)

Bernadette’s Self-Introduction (00:03:12)

Mothering Beyond Biology (00:04:33)

Parenting Ourselves & Compassion for Parents (00:05:59)

Reactive vs. Intentional Parenting (00:08:38)

Bernadette’s Early Motherhood Story (00:10:44)

Empowerment Through Motherhood (00:13:27)

Impact of Her Mother’s Sadness (00:15:30)

Rewriting the Family Narrative (00:19:58)

Loss of Her Mother & Caregiving (00:22:33)

Writing as Healing & Rewriting Her Mother’s Story (00:26:31)

Forgiveness and Personal Growth (00:30:13)

Motherhood and Adult Relationships (00:35:41)

Raising Daughters & Family Dynamics (00:40:17)

Transition to Grandmotherhood (00:45:05)

Grandmother Stereotypes & Generational Love (00:48:40)

Generational Healing & Positive Legacies (00:54:19)

Myth of Motherhood: Perfection (00:55:57)

Tribute to Her Mother (00:58:00)

Closing Reflections & Farewell (01:00:21)

Links & Mentions

1. Bernadette’s Book: Daughter Lessons
2. Learn about the mother wound:
   1. Bethany Webster’s work
   2. The Holistic Psychologist
3. Connect with Bernadette on IG (@daughterlessons)

Work with Ashley
Connect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedIn
Cover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography