Rewrite the Mother Code with Dr. Gertrude Lyons

In this episode, I speak with Jenifer Goldin, a bestselling self-published author, about the complexities of redefining personal identity and navigating the societal expectations of motherhood. As a former pediatric cochlear implant audiologist who transitioned into a stay-at-home mom, Jenifer opens up about the personal challenges and triumphs that have shaped her writing career and her perspective on authentic living.Jenifer shares insights into how she redefined her relationship with traditional mothering roles, navigating the delicate balance between the invisible labor of parenting and pursuing personal evolution. Our conversation explores the process of questioning the "SpaghettiOs problem" on social media, where constant comparison drains our joy, and how embracing the unknown led to her finally publishing her first novel, Anonymous Mom Posts.We delve into actionable reflections for living authentically, from rejecting the "Flat Stanley" one-dimensional view of moms to finding "Big Magic" in everyday vulnerability. Jenifer emphasizes the importance of allowing yourself to step back, honor your creative urges, and model multidimensionality, inspiring others to break free from the limiting beliefs of modern culture.You'll also hear about:(01:44) The transition from a full-time clinical career to motherhood(10:50) The inspiration behind Anonymous Mom Posts and crowdsourced Facebook advice(15:22) Challenging the "SpaghettiOs problem" and extreme social media comparison(22:54) Jenifer's courageous journey into the self-publishing world(25:28) A deeply vulnerable and magical moment shared with her daughter(39:12) Rewriting the mother code and rejecting the "Flat Stanley" analogyDon't miss Jenifer's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between personal truth and the multidimensional reality of being a woman!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Learn more about Jenifer Goldin:Learn more about Jenifer on the WebsiteFollow Jenifer on InstagramBuy Jenifers’s BooksFollow 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”

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 strengthDon'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 InstagramSubscribe to her Youtube channelFollow 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”

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”

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”

In this enlightening episode, I am joined by the talented Chellie Carlson, a premier stylist who has turned the art of dressing into a modality for deep healing and self-discovery. Chellie shares her remarkable journey, from growing up on a farm in Missouri to founding her own styling business at the age of 40, just two weeks before the world changed in 2020.We explore why the act of getting dressed is about so much more than just looking "pretty." Chellie discusses her background in the lingerie industry, where she spent 20 years learning how to create safety for women in their most vulnerable moments. This experience laid the foundation for her unique approach to styling, which she views as a form of "body love" and a way to help women outwardly express their most authentic selves.I also share my own personal experience working with Chellie, including the "style trauma" I carried from my past and how her process helped me navigate those old filters to step into a new, empowered identity. Whether you think you need a stylist or not, this conversation will change the way you look at your closet and your reflection.You'll also hear about:(02:22) Chellie's upbringing on a Missouri farm and how her mother's love for fabrics and sewing influenced her path.(08:15) The transition from a 20-year corporate career in the lingerie industry to founding her own styling business at age 40.(14:40) Lessons from the fitting room: Learning to create a "container of safety" for women to confront body shame.(21:10) Why personal styling is a transformational modality rather than a superficial or "materialistic" pursuit.(28:55) Dr. Gertrude shares her personal "style trauma" and how working with a stylist helped heal old filters of identity.(35:20) Using Human Design and Gene Keys as tools to help clients align their internal essence with their external wardrobe.(42:45) The concept of "Dressing for the woman you are becoming" vs. the woman you used to be.(51:15) The generational shift: How Dr. Gertrude's daughter utilized Chellie's services to navigate her own career transition.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Connect with Chellie CarlsonFollow Chellie on InstagramLearn more about Chellie on her WebsiteFollow 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”

In this heartfelt solo episode, Dr. Gertrude Lyons reflects on the transition from a monumental year of birthing her book and TEDx talk in 2025 to a year of deep nurturing in 2026. Recording from her sanctuary in Mexico, she shares her personal experiences with slowing down, the pressure of new year resolutions, and the profound lessons she's learned about planning, solitude, and self-mothering.Dr. Gertrude opens up about the "liminal space" of post-creation, feeling lost yet guided by intuition and trusted advisors to embrace a "nurture mode." She discusses the difference between linear "spreadsheet planning" and "dreaming planning," encouraging listeners to trust their desires as a form of strategy. She also shares a vulnerable story about taking four days of solitude in Mexico, initially questioning its necessity, only to discover how critical that space was for her well-being and connection to the environment.This episode is an invitation to explore how we can better nurture ourselves and our creations. Dr. Gertrude also gives a sneak peek into her upcoming retreats in Mexico and Ireland, designing containers for women to drop deep, heal, and connect with the elements and each other.You'll also hear about:(00:32) "Tales from the Tub": Dr. Gertrude's new Substack musings and the joy of different creative mediums .(04:56) Declaring 2026 as a "year of nurturing" for herself, her book, and her community after a year of intense creation .(07:36) Overcoming the fear of media exposure and receiving affirmation from experts like Lynn Smith and Nicole Bigley to step into bigger visibility .(12:44) The two types of planning: "spreadsheet planning" vs. "dreaming planning," and why following your desires is a valid strategy .(15:12) The power of solitude: Dr. Gertrude's experience taking 4 days alone in Mexico and why we often resist giving ourselves necessary space .(18:19) Why retreats are essential for women: creating a container to be tended to, nurtured, and deeply connected to oneself and nature .(20:00) Upcoming retreats: Spring Equinox in Mexico (March) involving temazcal and water work, and two retreats in Ireland (May & October) focusing on the ancient landscape and silence .Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!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”

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Courtney Boylan, the founder of LeiLolo, a brand dedicated to revolutionizing the postpartum market by turning sterile, clinical accessories into beautiful, empowering essentials. Courtney shares her personal journey from corporate life at Target and Amazon to becoming an entrepreneur, driven by her own postpartum struggles and the desire to feel like herself again after childbirth.We discuss the genesis of LeiLolo, which started with a simple frustration over losing clear nipple shields and evolved into a mission to honor new mothers. Courtney opens up about the vulnerability of launching a business while raising young children, the invaluable support of her husband, and the parallels between birthing a baby and birthing a brand.Our conversation delves into the importance of self-mothering, establishing rituals like journaling and early morning connection, and the cultural shift needed to prioritize the mother's well-being alongside the baby's. Courtney passionately advocates for normalizing all aspects of the female body and postpartum experience, reminding us that "there's no one who deserves pretty accessories more than a new mom."You'll also hear about:(03:37) The "nipple shield epiphany": how losing clear shields led Courtney to design beautiful, colored alternatives .(04:25) Why postpartum products are often "stale and sterile" and make moms feel like patients rather than creators of life .(09:08) The pivotal role Courtney's husband played in pushing her to follow her dream and the emotional journey of taking that leap .(14:05) Breaking the stigma around female bodily functions and products, like hiding tampons or nursing pads .(19:34) Courtney's philosophy that LeiLolo is a "company for moms," regardless of how they choose to feed their babies .(29:48) The power of journaling as a release and self-connection tool during early motherhood .(31:44) Establishing a morning routine with her husband at 5 AM to connect before the chaos of the day begins .(40:08) Letting go of rigid visions for the future and learning to be present in the messy, beautiful "now" of motherhood and business .(45:03) The funny story behind the name "LeiLolo" and its accidental perfect meaning .(46:15) Courtney's definition of "Rewrite the Mother Code": living authentically, following your dreams, and believing in your power as a woman .Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Learn more about Courtney Boylan & LeiLoloVisit LeiLolo WebsiteFollow LeiLolo 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”

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Harper A. Bailey (the pen name of Teosha Bailey), a public health leader, speaker, and author of the powerful new memoir It Was Her. Harper shares the deeply personal and spiritual journey of bringing her book to life, a process she describes as a "co-creation with God and my ancestors."We discuss how the idea for her memoir came to her four years ago as a "God idea," and how a vivid dream on her birthday finally pushed her to commit to writing it. Harper opens up about the vulnerability of sharing her story, particularly the heavy first chapter about her mother's transition, and the writer's block she had to overcome. She reveals her unique writing process, which included creating a sacred shrine with photos of her ancestors, using music and scents to set the mood, and dedicating time for writing retreats around the world, from Hawaii to Rome.Our conversation also touches on the healing power of storytelling within families. Harper shares how her book has sparked profound conversations with her son, aunt, and cousins, allowing them to see her in a new light and uncover hidden family histories. We explore the concept of "self-mothering" through the creative process, the importance of celebrating small milestones (like hitting word counts with ice cream!), and the profound realization that wholeness is our birthright.You'll also hear about:(03:52) The vivid dream that finally pushed Harper to write her book after being stuck for a year and a half .(04:14) How Harper gifted herself a writing retreat at a hotel and left with a complete outline for her memoir .(07:59) Her "YOLO Mother's Days" tradition: traveling to Rome with her aunts instead of doing the traditional "pancakes and construction paper" routine .(15:37) The detailed "shrine" Harper created for her writing sessions, featuring photos of her ancestors to remind her she wasn't alone .(18:10) Using the four elements (earth, air, fire, water) and sensory details like music and incense to create a sacred writing space .(26:37) How her book has opened up new dialogues with her family, including her son realizing what she was going through as a mother .(29:59) Harper's core message for readers: "Wholeness is your birthright," and you have the power to reclaim your narrative .(41:20) Her definition of "Rewrite the Mother Code": being authentically who you are, mothering in any season, and learning how you want to be mothered yourself .Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Learn more about Harper A. BaileyBuy her memoir, It Was HerFollow Harper on Instagram Learn more about Harper on her WebsiteFollow 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”