In this special bonus episode, Courtney sits down with therapist and coach Laura May Culver to talk about Laura May's upcoming retreat, "The Sacred Daughter." This retreat is designed to support women who don't have mom support, whether due to death, illness, estrangement, or emotional unavailability.

Laura May shares her personal journey and why she is uniquely qualified to hold space for women navigating the longing for a maternal connection. She discusses how her own experiences with a mother who was emotionally unavailable and later passed away at a young age have shaped her understanding and ability to offer deep care and validation to those in similar situations.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Laura May's background as a clinically trained therapist, and coach

• The profound impact of sharing personal stories and why it's a therapeutic experience, even outside a clinical setting.

• Laura May's experience as an inaugural storyteller at MotherTelling, highlighting the powerful and healing container Courtney creates for her storytellers.

• Details about "The Sacred Daughter" retreat: a rustic, intimate day on a farm designed for women to share their stories, connect, and find support around not having mom support.

• The inclusive nature of the retreat, welcoming women who lack mom support for various reasons, emphasizing shared experiences rather than identical circumstances.

• The nurturing elements of the retreat, including delicious food, opportunities for self-care, and strategies to leave feeling empowered and less alone.

• How to express your interest in attending "The Sacred Daughter" retreat and the interview process Laura May uses to ensure a safe and supportive environment.

This episode is a heartfelt invitation to women seeking connection, understanding, and healing around the complex experience of not having mom support.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Sacred Daughter Retreat: To learn more and express your interest in joining, please visit https://trainings.knowselfservices.com/sacreddaughter

Connect with Laura May Culver:

• https://www.knowselfservices.com/

Connect with Courtney Hobbs:

• MotherTelling Academy: Doors open October 1st! Learn more at https://courtneyhobbs.com/academy.

• Story in a Day Workshops: Coming this Fall: https://courtneyhobbs.com/storyinaday

• MotherTelling Micro Event: A Christmas-themed event planned for November! Get you tickets here: https://courtneyhobbs.com/microevents

Don't miss this opportunity to hear more about "The Sacred Daughter" and to connect with a community that understands and supports your unique journey.

Courtney sits down with Crystal Shadwell in this episode to discuss the profound impact of the Mothertelling program. Crystal shares her experience with the supportive community, the challenge of crafting her personal story for speaking engagements, and the therapeutic nature of storytelling. They also explore practical strategies for balancing personal and professional life, including the importance of slowing down and saying no.

Connect with Crystal Shadwell: Find Crystal on Instagram at @CrystalShadwell for links to Something Beyond Mom and the Team Crew Podcast.

Want to share your own story?

Mothertelling Academy: Doors open October 1st! Learn more at https://courtneyhobbs.com/academy

Story in a Day Workshop: Coming this Fall - https://courtneyhobbs.com/storyinaday

Mothertelling Micro Event: A Christmas-themed event planned for November! https://courtneyhobbs.com/microevents

In this episode of Own Your Story, we dive deep into the art of creating vivid and captivating scenes for your stories, whether you're writing or telling them.

• Discover how to transport your audience directly into the heart of your narrative by mastering the power of description and sensory details.
• Explore the "show, don't tell" principle, with tangible examples that transform mundane descriptions into unforgettable moments.
• Learn how to weave in sights, sounds, smells, and feelings to create a truly immersive experience.
• Understand how your descriptive choices can evoke emotion.
• Discover a fun and practical activity using AI image generators to hone your scene-setting skills.

Get ready to elevate your storytelling and make every scene count!

To learn more about our upcoming Micro Mothertelling Event click here: https://courtneyhobbs.com/microevents

Want to learn to tell your own story but need to do it fast? Join our Story in a Day Workshop: https://courtneyhobbs.com/storyinaday

Music: Fun Day, ⁠bensound.com⁠

In this episode, Courtney sits down with Deanna Hope for a conversation that will inspire and resonate. Deanna shares her personal journey, from discovering Courtney's Mothertelling Program while pregnant to navigating a devastating miscarriage just weeks later.

How did Deanna find healing and transform her grief into a powerful narrative? Discover how sharing her story in a safe space became "one of the most healing experiences" of her life.

This episode delves into the raw realities of motherhood, including challenging recoveries, the strain on relationships and careers, and the difficult choices parents face. Deanna's honesty about not enjoying every aspect of mom life will make you feel seen.

Links and Resources:

Watch Deanna's Story: https://youtu.be/Rhro_5v33fU

Reclaiming Birth Conference: https://www.reclaimingbirthconference.com/

Connect with Courtney Hobbs:

on IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamcourtneyhobbs/

Connect with Deanna Hope:

On IG: https://www.instagram.com/deanna_hope/

Learn more about the Mothertelling Academy: https://mothertelling.myflodesk.com/mtacademywaitlist

Join the Story in a Day Waitlist: https://mothertelling.myflodesk.com/storyinadaywaitlist

Music: Fun Day, ⁠bensound.com

Join Courtney as she chats with storyteller Rhea Daniels.

Rhea was part of the very first Mothertelling Co-Hort that spoke on the first Mothertelling stage in May 2024.

Listen as Rhea talks about:

• Facing fear of judgement,

• The importance of a supportive audience

• Stepping on to the next stage and where storytelling can take you.

Storytelling is the just the beginning and Rhea proves that sharing how many things have happened since sharing her story!

To join the waitlist for the Mothertelling Academy click HERE

Watch Rhea's story on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ek0Ud8WV8S8

Attend the Reclaiming Birth Conference: https://www.reclaimingbirthconference.com/

Music: Fun Day, ⁠bensound.com⁠

In this episode, we dive deep into the art of storytelling, focusing on a crucial element that hooks your audience and keeps them engaged: Stakes.

Whether you're sharing a personal anecdote, writing a novel, or crafting a compelling presentation, understanding and utilizing stakes is key to making your narrative resonate.

What You'll Learn:

Defining Stakes: What exactly are stakes in a story, and why are they so important?

We break down how stakes inject urgency and energy, making your audience eager to listen or read every word.

We'll look at how 2 Mothertelling storytellers have used stakes so well to make their story entertaining and interesting.

Join us as we unlock the secrets to leveraging stakes to craft stories that not only capture attention but also leave a lasting impression.

Dive deeper by joining the Mothertelling Academy this fall. Get on the waitlist today to join when doors open!

https://mothertelling.myflodesk.com/mtacademywaitlist

Join me this week as I share a story from a family trip to British Columbia that turned into a powerful lesson on the importance of storytelling.

What started as a peaceful ferry ride with my young daughters quickly escalated into an unexpected event that left us all shaken.

Discover how acknowledging fear, processing emotions, and most importantly, sharing our story, became a surprisingly cathartic experience.

This episode is a raw, real-time reflection on why your story matters – for you, and for those around you.

Story in a Day Workshop Waitlist: https://mothertelling.myflodesk.com/storyinadaywaitlist

This in-person workshop is for those that want fast results. The women that want to walk away with a story ready to tell anywhere. Details are still being figured out but joining the waitlist will get you the information first!

Learn how to share your story in a safe and supportive environment - The Mothertelling Academy will be welcoming new members very soon!

Join the waitlist here: https://mothertelling.myflodesk.com/mtacademywaitlist

oin Courtney in this episode as she shares a fun and creative game perfect for sparking stories and mining memories: "First, Last, Best, Worst."

This game is simple and fun to play solo or with others.

It's an excellent way to:

Spark creativity and get your juices flowing.

Engage in deeper conversations with friends and family.

Make road trips more entertaining.

Discover new stories about yourself and others.

To grab a more in depth version of the game head here: https://mothertelling.myflodesk.com/hcisjodcqp

Or do the whole Find Your Story Workshop: https://mothertelling.myflodesk.com/findyourstoryondemand

Music: Fun Day, ⁠bensound.com⁠

License code: 5QPZF9UMOE4VOVVF

In this episode of Own Your Story, I sit down with Rebecca Ogilvie, founder of The Detour Co., a natural skincare brand built on authenticity, storytelling, and community. Rebecca shares her journey from travel blogger to entrepreneur, how motherhood completely transformed her identity, and the role storytelling plays in her business and personal growth. We dive into the challenges of showing up authentically, navigating self-doubt, and embracing change as an inevitable part of life.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

✨ How Rebecca’s storytelling roots go back to her grandfather’s books

✨ The unexpected detour that led her to start a skincare brand

✨ Why storytelling is an essential part of running a business

✨ The power of community in motherhood and entrepreneurship

✨ Overcoming self-doubt and sharing your story, even when it feels scary

Connect with Rebecca:

🌿 Website: https://www.thedetourco.com/

🌿 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedetourco.muskoka/

Connect with Courtney:

📖 Website: https://courtneyhobbs.com/

📖 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcourtneyhobbs/

📖 Own Your Story Academy: https://courtneyhobbs.com/academy

If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it!

Music: Fun Day, ⁠bensound.com⁠

Please note: this episode was recorded about 2 months ago in April 2025.

In this heartfelt and vulnerable episode of Own Your Story, Courtney shows up with stuffed sinuses, grief, exhaustion, and all, to remind us what it really means to be creative and committed in the messy middle of life.

After a whirlwind season of loss, illness, and sleepless nights, she shares five honest, practical ways she's been navigating the tension between honoring your limits and showing up anyway. Whether you're preparing a speech, leading a meeting, or just trying to get through the day, this episode is your reminder that perfection isn't the goal, presence is.

What you'll hear:

• Why Courtney almost didn’t record this episode and what made her hit "record" anyway
• How showing up for your creativity is like going to the gym
• Five practical tips for showing up when you don’t feel like it
• The truth about rest, authenticity, and planning ahead
• How to know when to push through… and when to pull back

📩 Let Courtney know: Which tip resonated most with you? Or what helps you show up when it’s hard. Email: [email protected]

Music: Fun Day, ⁠bensound.com⁠