In this episode, Courtney shares the details behind the January creative writing challenge — a simple, joyful way to step into the new year with momentum, reflection, and a spark of creativity.

After running a wildly successful November writing challenge inspired by Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages, she realized how many people were craving an accessible, low-pressure way to write and connect each day.

She shares several sample prompts, offering a preview of the kinds of stories and reflections the challenge inspires.

Join the Challenge HERE: https://mothertelling.myflodesk.com/b23k7dfc64

In this reflective, story-workshop style episode, Courtney explores one of her “story worthy moments” from the year - a seemingly ordinary one involving a simple chicken fried rice recipe. What started as a cooking class with her friend Holly, quickly became a cherished family ritual that continued long after the class was over.

Courtney shares how the recipe became a rare parenting jackpot: a dinner everyone loves, eats, and gathers around without complaints, negotiations, or battles over bites. More importantly, she reflects on how these small, consistent moments often hold more emotional weight than we realize.

If you want to learn how to craft stories from the ordinary moments in your life, join the Academy or hop on the mailing list for workshops, prompts, and creative support.

Give yourself a delightful distraction: https://mothertelling.myflodesk.com/addnewsletter

In this workshop-style episode, Courtney invites listeners into the behind-the-scenes story of the very first Micro-Mothertelling event — a night that almost never happened.

After selling only six tickets to a venue sized for over 100 people, she found herself convinced the event was a failure, ready to cancel, and battling the familiar negative self-talk of “Why would anyone want to come?”

But a series of unexpected conversations sparked a surprising pivot:
What if I pivoted?

That single shift transformed everything. Courtney shares how this moment reshaped her understanding of success, community, and the power of small spaces to hold big stories.

Attend the Story in a Day Workshop Friday January 9th 2026 to learn storytelling and public speaking skills to use anywhere.

If you want more storytelling prompts, workshops, and community support, join the mailing list or explore The Academy — your home for becoming a more confident, compelling storyteller.

Melissa McIntosh shares her story "Inner Child Christmas" at our first ever Micro Mothertelling Event.

In November 2025 a small group gathered to hear stories of the holiday season. Melissa shared how she made sure the magic of Santa stayed alive and well in her home.

Listen and enjoy this magical story bu please listen with earbuds as it is not for little ears!

Anita Watamanuk shares her story "Magic Errands" at our first ever Micro Mothertelling Event. In November 2025 a small group gathered to hear stories of the holiday season. Anita shared how one chance encounter changed her whole perspecitve. Listen and enjoy this magical story bu please listen with earbuds as it is not for little ears!

Rose Couse shares her story "The Christmas Stocking" at our first ever Micro Mothertelling Event.

In November 2025 a small group gathered to hear stories of the holiday season. Rose shared how joy made its way back into her holiday season after a devastating loss.

Listen and enjoy this magical story but please listen with earbuds as it is not for little ears!

In this episode, Courtney shares one of the foundational lessons from inside the Mothertelling Academy: how to give solid feedback - the kind that is supportive, specific, useful, and focused on genuine growth.

She breaks down the difference between vague comments and truly helpful feedback, explaining why “good job” isn’t enough and how solid feedback helps storytellers feel seen, understood, and motivated.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to give and receive feedback that truly helps people improve.

To go deeper, join The Academy — a place where feedback, community, and craft come together to help you tell better stories.

In honour of her 40th birthday, Courtney reflects on the past year by sharing a curated list of 40 memorable “moments” — big, small, joyful, chaotic, emotional, and deeply human.

From Maple getting sprayed by a skunk to the magic of the second Mothertelling MainStage to witnessing her daughters find their confidence on ice and on stage, this episode is a reminder that stories live inside ordinary life if we learn how to notice them.

Courtney also shares how her own story-collecting habit evolved this year and why writing down simple, everyday moments has changed the way she understands and preserves her life. Whether you’re a storyteller, a mom, or someone who simply wants to feel more present, this episode offers a gentle nudge to start paying attention to the moments that matter.

🎧 Listen now and choose one moment of your own to jot down today.

If you want to practice finding, collecting, and shaping your stories with support, creativity, and community, join the Mothertelling Academy — your place to tell it better and feel less alone in the process.

Grab your own Daily MOMents journal to start collecting your story worthy moments. (Affliate link)

In this heartfelt solo episode, Courtney shares her section of a collaborative tip sheet created with grief-support expert Marny Williams and parenting expert Rose Couse for families navigating loss. These five simple, compassionate tips are designed for anyone facing a moment where telling their story feels overwhelming, messy, or too raw to put into words.

Courtney breaks down why your story doesn’t need to be polished to be meaningful, how starting wherever you need to can ease the pressure, and why sticking to simple facts can be grounding when emotions feel too close to the surface.

At its core, this episode is about trusting what comes out in the moment. Storytelling can be healing, connective, and clarifying… even when it isn’t pretty.

Listen now to feel supported, seen, and reminded that your story belongs to you.

Want more support in finding and crafting your stories? Join the mailing list or explore the Mothertelling Academy — your community for creative, confident storytelling.

Listen to Rose's Interview on the OYS Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ww9l2yq2TNefJLgsi3D69?si=7-I5UtXUTYqR_yfZygVy1Q

Listen to Marny's Interview on the OYS Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5VoaOAcRXsKRYnZh9OrsNe?si=pc_oRmzNRQW5K41nS0IhuA

Grab the One Page document: https://mothertelling.myflodesk.com/xkt2y5v86u

Learn more about The Hummingbird Centre for Hope. A local, Waterloo Region charity that supports widows with young children living at home.

Ths interview panel was recorded live at the Mothertelling Mainstage event that happened in May 2025.

All 3 women that spoke are widows and Mothertelling storytellers.

💛 Marny Williams is one of the co-founders of the Hummingbird Centre for Hope.

💛 Rose Couse is the founder of Thrive Together Parent Coaching

💛 Amanda Thibeault sits on the board for the Hummingbird Centre for Hope.

I encourage you to both listen to their stories and learn more through this panel!

If you would like to donate to the Hummingbird Centre for Hope visit their website here: https://hummingbirdcentreforhope.com/donate/

Listen to Rose's episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ww9l2yq2TNefJLgsi3D69?si=7-I5UtXUTYqR_yfZygVy1Q

Listen to Marny's episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5VoaOAcRXsKRYnZh9OrsNe?si=pc_oRmzNRQW5K41nS0IhuA