you've had a baby...not a lobotomy

Listen up as I drop some truth bombs in this episode, waxing lyrical on why becoming a mother can accelerate your career like a bat out of h*ll!

We’re telling mothers that they lack drive, determination, commitment and that when the baby arrives, that’s it, it’s game over for their career and they’ll just shuffle off into the background.

But what if I told you this doesn't have to be the case?

What if I told you that becoming a mother is a supercharged way of achieving bigger and better things in your career?

It can be the beginning of realising that you can achieve success on your own terms without burnout, overwhelm or exhaustion.

Giving the finger to the stuff that’s been weighing you down, shunning the outdated beliefs about motherhood and what success means is key to this.

Recognising that we’re still carrying more than our fair share of the domestic/mental/emotional load at home AND living in a society that doesn’t value caregiving also comes into play is also important.

MOTHERS’ HOOD

If this episode or any other resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email me:

[email protected]

Or come and find me here:

www.mothershood.co.uk

Instagram: @mothers.hood

Facebook: @mothershoodtribe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

In this moving episode, I sit down with Robin Lynn.

Robin is a clarity coach, speaker, musician and the unapologetic host of the Gucci God podcast. As the founder of Robin Lynn Coaching, Robin guides women through life’s pivots with power, prayer, and a little bit of cosmic spice.

Robin shares her journey into and through motherhood. From navigating postpartum with bipolar disorder and infidelity to being blindsided in a custody battle, to redefining what it means to be a “good mother”.

We talk about the expectations we carry, the stories we inherit and how motherhood rarely, if ever, looks the way we imagined. And more than anything, this episode is a testament to what’s possible when you stop judging yourself and start building something that works for you and your child even if it doesn’t look picture-perfect on the outside.

FIND ROBIN HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-weaver-04048182/

ABOUT ROBIN:

Robin Lynn is a clarity coach, speaker, musician, and the unapologetic host of the Gucci God podcast—a bi-spiritual sanctuary for women who love Jesus and their crystals.

With a Master’s in Neuroscience & Education from Columbia University and years of experience in transformational coaching, Robin empowers women to break free from people-pleasing, reconnect with their purpose, and rise into the woman God designed them to be. Her unique approach blends brain-based strategy with soul-led alignment, uniting the sacred and the stylish in every session.

As the founder of Robin Lynn Coaching, creator of the On Purpose 1:1 mentorship, and leader of Clarity Club, Robin guides women through life’s pivots with power, prayer, and a little bit of cosmic spice. Whether she’s coaching clients, playing the pipe organ in church, or preaching truth on Instagram, she embodies what it means to walk holy and high-vibe—rosary in one hand, rose quartz in the other.

FOLLOW ROBIN LYNN:

Instagram: @robinlynncoaching

Facebook: Robin Weaver

Podcast: Gucci God

MOTHERS’ HOOD

If this episode or any other resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email me:

[email protected]

Or come and find me here:

www.mothershood.co.uk

Instagram: @mothers.hood

Facebook: @mothershoodtribe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

We live in a culture that celebrates and almost idolises mothers who appear to do it all and have it all together. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle - we do more and more and are praised for doing so, so we continue to do more and more because that praise and recognition feels good.

But this is often an appearance and frequently masks burnout and exhaustion.

In episode 7, Layla O’Mara shares her experience of being Supermum and the effect it had on her.

Listen as Layla shares

• The starkly contrasting experiences of the postpartum periods of her first two children in Germany with her third in Ireland
• How searching for answers about postpartum care led her to training as a doula and the healing that came from that
• How diving deeper into learning and understanding about motherhood concepts and matrescence was a game changer for her to understanding her own mothering experiences and how the societal expectations contributed to her own burnout and overwhelm.

We end the conversation with Layla describing how she is letting go of all of the baggage that she picked up along the way on the expectations of motherhood and how she is now softening and slowing down.

I hope this episode highlights the damaging conditioning around modern motherhood which makes us strive to do more and be more at the expense of our well-being. Being aware of it is the first step in healing from it and rejecting those parts that do not serve you.

Resources

The Heroin's Journey by Maureen Murdoch

LAYLA O'MARA

Layla is a Motherhood and Matrescence guide and also works as a 5 Element acupuncturist from her home in Wicklow, Ireland. Find her below:

Instagram: @nuanuaonline

Facebook: @nuanua

Website: www.nuanuaonline.com

MOTHERS’ HOOD

If this episode or any other resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email me:

[email protected]

Or come and find me here:

www.mothershood.co.uk

Instagram: @mothers.hood

Facebook: @mothershoodtribe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

The return to work for most mothers, who chose to or have to, is not smooth sailing. We have birthed and nurtured a new life and our lives have radically changed. Then we enter back into a world that does not recognise or value our mothering roles and the additional energy and time this requires.

This week’s guest, Rachelle Glendon, experienced this ‘friction point’ after the birth of her second child.

Listen as we discuss:

• The resentment and overwhelm Rachelle felt when she wasn’t able to fulfil her calling for ‘something more’ and how this manifested in frustration with her husband and internally with herself
• Rachelle’s exploration into what was going on leading to her recognising how modern patriarchal motherhood affects both men and women and how this dynamic was playing out in her marriage.
• How this feminist awakening changed her relationship with her husband and how she showed up as a mother.

She also discusses how her way of living slow is counter-cultural and what this brings up but how it enables her to show up and enjoy life as a mother, wife, friend and for herself.

We end on the story of her recent big solo trip which was a huge step for her and how it benefitted both her and her whole family.

I hope this episode highlights the pressures of modern motherhood and how we are set up to fail in a culture that does not value the role of mothers. We often look internally for our shortcomings but please know it’s not you who isn’t enough or who doesn’t do enough – we were never meant to mother alone and the modern idealisation of motherhood is unachievable and unrealistic.

RACHELLE GLENDON

Rachelle is a slow living coach for busy Mums. Find her below and join her community to embrace a slow living lifestyle and get clear on the essentials to create an intentional, fulfilled life.

Instagram: @ howtoliveslow

Facebook: @howtoliveslow

Website: www.howtoliveslow.com

Podcast: www.howtoliveslow.com/podcast

MOTHERS’ HOOD

If this episode or any other resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email me:

[email protected]

Or come and find me here:

www.mothershood.co.uk

Instagram: @mothers.hood

Facebook: @mothershoodtribe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

In this first solo episode, I open up about my own journey of becoming a mother and returning to work. The disorientation, the guilt, the tears and the transformation that followed.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Who the h*ll am I now?” after becoming a mother, this one's for you.

I share how discovering matrescence — the transformation of a woman to a mother — changed everything for me. From feeling lost, anxious and unseen, to finding clarity, purpose and confidence. And a lot of letting go of the things that no longer served me.

MOTHERS’ HOOD

If this episode or any other resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email me:

[email protected]

Or come and find me here:

www.mothershood.co.uk

Instagram: @mothers.hood

Facebook: @mothershoodtribe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

*Content/trigger warning – references to suicidal ideation and potential miscarriage*

Pregnancy is often a complex time of joy and celebration mixed in with worry, anxiety, uncertainty, physical pain, nausea, sickness, exhaustion, and everything in between. But for some women, there is little enjoyment because of the risk that their baby might not survive the pregnancy or for long after the birth.

This was the reality for our guest, Kylie Blascetta.

Kylie shares:

• Discovering early on that her baby might not survive the pregnancy due to a lack of amniotic fluid and the high risk of her pregnancy ending in miscarriage or death soon after birth
• The impact of this and further difficulties throughout her pregnancy that led to a loss of her support village and the impact this had on her mental health
• How a pivotal moment when she was in the depths of post-natal anxiety and depression was the catalyst to her choosing a different way, setting her on a path of recovery and reclaiming her power

We also discuss the lack of care she received for her own needs and mental health as the mother and how the cone of silence and shame which surrounded her pregnancy exacerbated an already incredibly vulnerable period in her life.

MOTHERS’ HOOD

If this episode or any other resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email me:

[email protected]

Or come and find me here:

www.mothershood.co.uk

Instagram: @mothers.hood

Facebook: @mothershoodtribe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

Becoming a mother is a huge transition and one that is rarely celebrated, supported, and honoured in the ways that mothers need. This leaves mothers disoriented, lost, and exhausted.

Gladys Kangau experienced all of this after the birth of her first child. She was told she had post-partum depression but believed it was something else. This started her on a journey of searching for her truth and led her to find matrescence which helped her to make sense of her mothering journey.

We discuss:

• The cultural expectations of a ‘good mother’ in Kenya
• How finding matrescence healed her mothering experience
• The small and simple steps that helped Gladys let go of the expectations and led her to being an activist in her community

GLADYS KANGAU

Instagram: @motherhood_unscripted AND @mama_kazaliwa

MOTHERS’ HOOD

If this episode or any other resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email me:

[email protected]

Or come and find me here:

www.mothershood.co.uk

Instagram: @mothers.hood

Facebook: @mothershoodtribe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

*Trigger Warning *Domestic Violence*

Entering motherhood and looking after a newborn baby can be challenging enough without adding what Lucy Wylde had to deal with. In this episode, Lucy bravely shares her experience with domestic violence in the form of coercive control. She discusses this abuse by her partner which appeared shortly after her daughter was born and the journey to leaving her partner several years later. Lucy is a beautifully empathic soul and you will hear how deeply she feels and expresses her emotions.

You will learn:

· How the abuse manifested and the signs that something was seriously wrong.

· How Lucy became her own hero and the moment she realised she needed to leave the relationship.

· What thriving as a solo mother looks like for her now.

Resources

Below are some links to where you can access help if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence.

Below are some of the UK based resources set up to help those experiencing domestic violence or abuse. Domestic violence is the systematic pattern of behaviour on the part of the abuser designed to control his partner.

The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. Anyone forced to alter their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner’s reaction is being abused. It can begin at any stage of the relationship. Domestic violence is rarely a one-off. Incidents generally become more frequent and severe over time.

Domestic Violence UK - a not-for-profit organisation set up to provide information, support and raise awareness on the issues of domestic and emotional abuse.

Refuge – The freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline. The Helpline can help you find a refuge vacancy for you and your children; call for more information. They can also support you to find other specialist services in your community, which can provide support whether or not you have left your partner. 0808 2000 247

UK Says No More - Safe Spaces Locations - UK SAYS NO MORE - UK SAYS NO MORE is working with Boots UK, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, HSBC, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK to provide Safe Spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse.

LUCY WYLDE

Website: https://www.thebirthrecoverycoach.com

Instagram: @thebirthrecoverycoach

Facebook The Birth Recovery Coach - Private Group

MOTHERS’ HOOD

If this episode or any other resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email me:

[email protected]

Or come and find me here:

www.mothershood.co.uk

Instagram: @mothers.hood

Facebook: @mothershoodtribe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

The very first episode of the Mothers’ Hood Podcast explores the taboo topic of rage and anger in motherhood with Alison Ryan.

Alison shares her experience of the overwhelming rage she felt after having her second daughter. This is a topic that is rarely discussed or acknowledged and is shrouded in so much shame and guilt.

We discuss:

• How the rage and anger manifested and the self-judgment she had in feeling this way
• Alison’s breaking point, resulting in smashing plates in the sink, and how this was a key moment for her to recognise that she was not ok
• The steps she took to start feeling calmer and to reset how she feels about motherhood and herself
• Alison provides some great tangible examples of the ways she takes care of her own needs today.
• Breaking the silence on this normal, human emotion, is the first step in helping mothers know that they are not failing motherhood or a bad mother for feeling this way.

MOTHERS’ HOOD

If this episode or any other resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you. Email me:

[email protected]

Or come and find me here:

www.mothershood.co.uk

Instagram: @mothers.hood

Facebook: @mothershoodtribe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

Tune in to raw and honest conversations about motherhood, identity, and the messy beauty of it all.

These are the stories we should have heard growing up, as we navigated pregnancy and motherhood - the real, unfiltered truths of the journey.

Yet, we live in a world where mothers often find themselves isolated, navigating the ups and downs of parenting alone.

Without hearing others' stories, we lack the reference to make sense of our own experiences and the language to express what we're feeling. This leaves many mothers feeling disconnected, lost and questioning if something is wrong with them.

This is the good, the bad, and the ugly of motherhood. This is motherhood in all its complexity.

No highlight reels. No experts or gurus – just real women, sharing real stories. We're in this together.

Come and find me here:

Instagram: @mothers.hood
Facebook: @mothershoodtribe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/