Episodes

  • 223: The Invisible Labor of Daughtering: Dr. Allison M. Alford's Journey

    223: The Invisible Labor of Daughtering: Dr. Allison M. Alford's Journey
    Apr 20 2026

    In this episode, I speak with Dr. Allison M. Alford, a clinical associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin and a scholar of communication studies, about the complexities of redefining our roles within our families of origin. As the author of the new book Good Daughtering: The Work You've Always Done, the Credit You've Never Gotten, and How to Finally Feel Like Enough, Dr. Alford opens up about the personal challenges and triumphs that have shaped her philosophy on the active, vital role adult daughters play in keeping families connected.

    Dr. Alford shares insights into how she redefined her relationship with traditional family roles, navigating the delicate balance between honoring legacy and identifying the invisible labor women perform. Our conversation explores the process of questioning societal expectations, defining the four types of daughtering labor, acting, emotional, cognitive, and identity, and how embracing the role of the "porcupine daughter" can lead to deeper, more authentic family connections.

    We delve into actionable practices for living authentically, from narrating your daughtering efforts out loud to dismantling the myth that mothers and daughters must be "best friends". Dr. Alford emphasizes the importance of establishing clear communication and autonomy, inspiring others to break free from matrophobia and rewrite the Mother Code by first embracing the daughter self.

    You'll also hear about:

    • (00:06:27) Introduction to the book Good Daughtering and the active role of midlife women.
    • (00:08:40) Exploring the research gap regarding women's identities outside of maternal figures.
    • (00:13:42) The four distinct forms of daughtering labor: acting, emotional, cognitive, and identity.
    • (00:18:27) The invisible work of managing parents' emotions and preventing family conflict.
    • (00:23:48) Dispelling the "best friends" myth and shifting toward intimacy and trust.
    • (00:30:43) Reclaiming autonomy and the power of choice in adult family dynamics.
    • (00:40:00) Understanding matrophobia and the fear of repeating generational patterns.
    • (00:44:12) The "porcupine daughter" concept: breaking cycles by speaking difficult truths.
    • (00:48:44) What it means to rewrite the Mother Code by fully examining the daughter self.

    Don't miss Dr. Alford's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between personal truth and family dynamics!

    Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

    Learn more about Dr. Allison M. Alford

    • Learn more on Dr. Alford's Website
    • Follow Dr. Alford on Instagram
    • Connect with Dr. Alford on LinkedIn
    • Connect with Dr. Alford on Substack
    • Buy Dr. Alford’s Book

    Follow Dr. Gertrude:

    • Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website
    • Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
    • Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s Substack
    • Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
    Show more Show less
    43 mins
  • 222: From Six-Figure Debt to Abundance: Danielle Amos' Journey

    222: From Six-Figure Debt to Abundance: Danielle Amos' Journey
    Apr 13 2026

    In this episode, I speak with Danielle Amos, the Mystic Millionaire Mentor and a protege of Bob Proctor, about the complexities of redefining personal narratives surrounding wealth, success, and motherhood. As a dedicated transformational teacher and mother, Danielle opens up about her transition from a successful corporate career in food tourism to finding herself in six figures of debt after taking a leap into network marketing. She shares the profound turning point of realizing her results were a direct reflection of her self-image and mindset.

    Danielle shares insights into how women often unconsciously sabotage their prosperity by adhering to the "hard work equals success" code, wearing struggle like a badge of honor. Our conversation explores the process of breaking the "this or that" paradigm—the limiting belief that women must choose between being a good mother and having a thriving career.

    We delve into actionable practices for living authentically, from learning to ask for community support without feeling like a burden to utilizing masculine structures to safely embrace our feminine ability to receive. Danielle emphasizes the importance of putting on your own oxygen mask first and refusing to dim your light, inspiring others to transcend limitations and claim their birthright of abundance.

    You'll also hear about:

    • (01:36) From corporate success in food tourism to struggling with six figures of debt
    • (04:26) The turning point of hearing Bob Proctor and taking radical responsibility for her life
    • (09:20) Breaking the "this or that" paradigm regarding motherhood and career choices
    • (16:22) Dismantling the cultural code that hard work is required for worthiness and success
    • (20:41) Embracing the universal law of rhythm and trusting the seasons of planting versus harvesting
    • (32:50) Putting on your own oxygen mask first to show up as the best version of yourself
    • (44:48) Danielle's reflections on rewriting the Mother Code and the power to truly have it all

    Don't miss Danielle's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between energetic mastery and lasting prosperity!

    Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

    Learn more about Danielle Amos:

    • Learn more on Danielle's Website
    • Follow Danielle on Instagram at @thedanielleamos
    • Listen to Danielle’s Podcast

    Follow Dr. Gertrude:

    • Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website
    • Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
    • Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s Substack
    • Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
    Show more Show less
    52 mins
  • 221: Transforming Postpartum: Personal Growth and Family Evolution with Hayley Mullins

    221: Transforming Postpartum: Personal Growth and Family Evolution with Hayley Mullins
    Apr 6 2026

    In this episode, I speak with Hayley Mullins, the inventor of the Joeyband and a passionate advocate for newborn safety, about the complexities of redefining the early days of motherhood. As a dedicated founder and mother of two, Hayley opens up about the personal challenges and triumphs that have shaped her philosophy on trusting your intuition and doing what works for you.

    Hayley shares insights into how she redefined her relationship with traditional baby carriers after a terrifying experience with the startle reflex, navigating the delicate balance between launching a product and raising small children. Our conversation explores the process of questioning societal expectations, the importance of supportive maternity leave, and how embracing skin-to-skin contact leads to deeper connections for the whole family, including non-birthing partners.

    We delve into actionable practices for living authentically, from taking control of your birth experience to the importance of sharing ideas without waiting for perfectionism. Hayley emphasizes the importance of modeling resilience for her daughters, inspiring others to break free from limiting beliefs and rewrite the Mother Code.

    You'll also hear about:

    • (03:01) The journey to inventing the Joeyband after a newborn startle reflex incident
    • (07:32) The influence of skin-to-skin care on clinical outcomes and exclusive breastfeeding
    • (14:13) Rewriting the birth experience and supporting mothers during C-sections or physical limitations
    • (19:31) Navigating entrepreneurship, family growth, and the benefits of a 12-month maternity leave
    • (27:18) Actionable practices for new business builders to overcome perfectionism
    • (33:43) Hayley's reflections on rewriting the Mother Code and nourishing your baby

    Don't miss Hayley's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between personal truth and newborn care!

    Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

    Learn more about Hayley Mullins:

    • Learn more about Joeyband
    • Follow Joeyband on Instagram
    • Connect with Hayley on LinkedIn

    Follow Dr. Gertrude:

    • Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website
    • Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
    • Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s Substack
    • Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
    Show more Show less
    42 mins
  • 220: Living Authentically: Finding Growth in Media and Motherhood with Sonni Abatta

    220: Living Authentically: Finding Growth in Media and Motherhood with Sonni Abatta
    Mar 30 2026

    In this episode, I speak with Sonni Abatta, an award-winning and Emmy-nominated journalist, about the complexities of redefining personal narratives and navigating the modern media landscape. As a dedicated media professional and mother of three, Sonni opens up about her transition from spending 15 years in traditional media to creating a digital platform that informs women without the overwhelm.

    Sonni shares insights into how her highly expressive Italian-American upbringing shaped her emotional intelligence and deep communication skills. Our conversation explores the process of connecting with the inner child, recognizing how early coping mechanisms can transform into powerful adult strengths like discernment and self-soothing.

    We delve into actionable practices for living authentically, from intentionally consuming news across the ideological spectrum to holding opposing viewpoints without feeling attacked. Sonni emphasizes the importance of not parenting from your own trauma and raising children with the capacity to set boundaries, inspiring others to honor generational strength while rewriting the Mother Code.

    You'll also hear about:

    (03:50) The journey from traditional media to digital spaces

    (08:20) The profound impact of inner child work and family dynamics

    (14:59) Building emotional intelligence and the ability to self-soothe

    (24:16) Navigating charged global topics with nuance and multiple perspectives

    (31:29) Avoiding the trap of parenting from your own childhood trauma

    (39:46) Blending news and lifestyle with a 25% serious, 75% fun approach

    (41:22) Sonni's reflections on rewriting the Mother Code through generational strength

    Don't miss Sonni's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between personal truth and conscious media consumption!

    Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

    Learn more about Sonni Abatta:

    • Learn more about Sonni
    • Follow Sonni on Instagram
    • Subscribe to her Youtube channel

    Follow Dr. Gertrude:

    • Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website
    • Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
    • Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s Substack
    • Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
    Show more Show less
    52 mins
  • 219: From Mental Load to Meaningful Connection: Amy Briggs' Journey

    219: From Mental Load to Meaningful Connection: Amy Briggs' Journey
    Mar 23 2026

    In this episode, I speak with Amy Briggs, a licensed speech and language pathologist and the visionary founder of Aviva, about the profound weight of the "mental load" and how we can reclaim our capacity for joy in parenthood. As a mother of two daughters, Amy shares her journey from clinical practice in public schools to creating a revolutionary tool designed to take the burden of family scheduling off parents' plates.

    Amy shares insights into how the invisible labor of parenting often clouds the most important part of the journey: the connection we build with our children. Our conversation explores the systemic "codes" and scripts that leave parents feeling like they are never doing enough, and how we can begin to prioritize "being" and presence over the endless cycle of "doing".

    We delve into actionable perspectives on reclaiming parental intuition, from recognizing the distracting influence of social media to creating scalable solutions for household labor. Amy emphasizes the importance of viewing technology as a true "team member", allowing parents to focus on the "big enchilada" of parenthood rather than the clutter of management.

    You'll also hear about:

    1. (06:05) Amy's journey from speech pathologist to focusing on family capacity
    2. (13:03) Dismantling the harmful scripts and invisible labor placed on mothers
    3. (16:42) Creating a "life raft": The birth of Aviva as a household team member
    4. (27:12) How the Aviva app works to automatically manage family scheduling
    5. (36:02) Normalizing the need to offload tasks and ask for help
    6. (45:18) Modeling achievement and setting an example for her children
    7. (50:42) What it means to rewrite the Mother Code and align with intuition

    Don't miss Amy's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between efficiency and heart!

    Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

    Learn more about Amy Briggs:

    1. Learn more about Aviva
    2. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn

    Follow Dr. Gertrude:

    1. Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website
    2. Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
    3. Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s Substack
    4. Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
    Show more Show less
    57 mins
  • 218: Motherhood, Medicine, and Making Meaning with Dr. Rebecca Thompson

    218: Motherhood, Medicine, and Making Meaning with Dr. Rebecca Thompson
    Mar 16 2026
    In this deeply thoughtful and expansive conversation, Dr. Gertrude is joined by Rebecca Thompson, MD—family physician, writer, and author of Held Together, a shared memoir exploring motherhood, medicine, and what she calls “imperfect love.”Rebecca’s path to this work began long before the book—rooted in a lifelong relationship with storytelling, and later shaped by her experiences both as a physician and as a patient navigating pregnancy loss and medical complexity. What emerged is a powerful body of work that weaves together her story with the voices of 21 other women, offering a rare and intimate look at how we make sense of our lives through story.Together, Gertrude and Rebecca explore the intersection of motherhood and medicine, the role of community in times of crisis, and how we begin to redefine what it means to mother—far beyond biology or expectation.This conversation is an invitation to slow down, to listen more deeply, and to consider how we choose to make meaning of our lives—even, and especially, when things don’t go as planned.In this episode, you’ll hear:(01:00) Rebecca’s lifelong connection to storytelling—and how writing became her way of making sense of the world(03:40) The moment everything shifted: becoming a patient while training as a physician(06:30) The deep need for community during crisis—and why we don’t have to share the same story to feel less alone(10:00) Redefining support: how community looks different for every woman and every experience(14:00) Growth through challenge—and how our hardest experiences shape who we become(16:30) Inside Held Together: how Rebecca co-created 21 deeply personal stories over a decade(20:00) Why this is not an anthology, but a truly collaborative and interwoven narrative(24:00) “Extraordinary moments in ordinary lives”—and the power of listening to everyday stories(28:00) Expanding the definition of motherhood beyond biology, and making space for grief and choice(36:00) Finding meaning in the ordinary—and why awe is something we can practice(39:00) Fear, discomfort, and curiosity: what scuba diving reveals about how we move through life(42:00) Where to find Rebecca and how she’s bringing narrative medicine into healthcare spaces(45:00) What it means to “rewrite the mother code”: choosing what meaning we make from our livesRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Connect with Rebecca Thompson:Get her book Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love.Visit Rebecca's Website Follow Dr. Gertrude: Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s WebsiteFollow Dr. Gertrude on InstagramStay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s SubstackOrder Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • 217: Magnetic Presence: Turning Pressure into Power with Lynn Smith

    217: Magnetic Presence: Turning Pressure into Power with Lynn Smith
    Mar 9 2026
    In this high-energy and empowering episode, I am joined by Lynn Smith, a nationally recognized media and communication expert, former news anchor for NBC, CNN, and MSNBC, and the creator of the Authority Collective. Lynn shares her journey from the intense, fast-paced world of national news to founding her own business dedicated to helping high-level leaders and entrepreneurs own their voices and amplify their impact.We dive into the "Media Mindset" and how the skills used in the newsroom, clarity, confidence, and concise communication, are the same skills needed to lead a family or a business. Lynn opens up about her own "pivot" moment, the challenges of balancing a high-profile career with motherhood, and how she transitioned from being the face of the news to the architect of her own life.Our conversation also touches on the importance of teaching these communication and confidence skills to the next generation. Lynn shares practical frameworks for parents to help their children navigate a world of constant influence and how to "unwind" dysfunctional wiring to give our children more space and potential.You'll also hear about:(02:22) Lynn’s transition from national news anchor to media consultant and the "aha" moment that sparked the Authority Collective.(08:15) The reality of the newsroom: Lessons learned from the front lines of NBC and CNN about resilience and presence.(14:40) Defining the "Media Mindset": How to communicate with authority in every room you enter, from the boardroom to the living room.(21:10) The "Pivot" Framework: Lynn’s strategy for navigating major life and career changes without losing your North Star.(28:55) Motherhood in the spotlight: Navigating the unique pressures of raising children while maintaining a public-facing career.(35:20) Confidence as a skill: Why we need to stop waiting to "feel" confident and start practicing the behaviors that create it.(42:45) Teaching influence to the next generation: How to support children in recognizing and navigating the "wiring" of social influence.(51:15) Lynn’s definition of Rewriting the Mother Code: Moving from dysfunctional legacy patterns to intentional, empowered leadership.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Connect with Lynn Smith:Visit Lynn's website: lynnsmithtv.comFollow Lynn on Instagram: @lynnsmithtvFollow Dr. Gertrude: Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s WebsiteFollow Dr. Gertrude on InstagramStay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s SubstackOrder Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
    Show more Show less
    58 mins
  • 216: The Feral Heart of Grief: Reclaiming Motherhood with Kristin Mundy

    216: The Feral Heart of Grief: Reclaiming Motherhood with Kristin Mundy
    Mar 2 2026
    In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Kristin Mundy, a birth, postpartum, and bereavement doula, and the founder of The Doula Life. Kristin’s journey is one of profound resilience, having navigated the heart-wrenching loss of multiple pregnancies, including her daughter Vienna and son William, before welcoming her Earthside daughter, Senna.We explore how Kristin’s identity was shaped as the only girl among four brothers, where she first discovered her "mother’s helper" energy. This early calling eventually led her to become a doula, a word that literally translates to "mother’s helper", long before she faced her own path through baby loss.Kristin shares the painful reality of being a mother in "limbo", feeling the transformation of motherhood while society fails to recognize that identity without a child on Earth. We discuss her mission to help women remember they are more than their loss stories and the essential work of "mothering oneself" through unimaginable grief. This conversation is a testament to the fact that healing and motherhood can, and do, coexist.You'll also hear about:(02:22) Kristin’s "winding road" from a large family in Niagara to her current life near Toronto.(08:15) Facing the "lightning strike" of repeated late-term losses and the struggle to be seen as a mother by the world.(14:40) Defining the "Mother Code": How Kristin had to expand her definition of motherhood beyond raising an Earthside baby.(21:10) The transition from serving all mothers to specializing in bereavement and pregnancy after loss.(28:55) Reclaiming intuition and rebuilding trust in one's body after it feels like it has "failed".(35:20) The concept of "mothering the sky" - how to continue parenting and loving babies that are no longer here.(42:45) Navigating the "flames" of trying to conceive again and the unique anxiety of pregnancy after loss.(51:15) Kristin’s definition of Rewriting the Mother Code: Giving yourself permission to act out motherhood in your own perfect, unique way.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Connect with Kristin MundyVisit The Doula Life WebsiteListen to the Rainbow Connection podcastFollow Kristin on InstagramFollow Dr. Gertrude: Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s WebsiteFollow Dr. Gertrude on InstagramStay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s SubstackOrder Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins