The Motherkind Podcast

Have you heard of Sophrology? No, well, I hadn’t actually either until I started preparing for this episode. And now I’ve got to say, I’m really excited about it.Sophrology is a form of dynamic meditation practice - the Guardian calls it the “dynamic young cousin” of mindfulness - and the Independent said “While many people try and fail to reap the benefits of meditative practices, taking up Sophrology could be the key to unlocking your mind’s potential."Dominique Antiglio is the world’s leading Sophrologist, she is a best-selling author and founder of BeSophro, a global Sophrology platform. She is also a mum to 5-year-old Elliot.She specialises in stress management, anxiety reduction and burnout prevention. Three things that I think every mother on the planet experiences. It can be done lying down, sitting, standing up and even whilst moving, and combines breathwork, meditation, visualisation exercises and light body movement to engage both the mind and body to bring you into presence so you can better manage daily pressures.Generally, practising it teaches you how to become more mindful of your needs, strengths, limits and your capabilities so that we can create capacity within ourselves to better manage life’s challenges.I loved both learning about Sophrology and getting to know Dominique. She is incredibly inspiring. I think you’ll agree I found her energy really calming and grounding.This was a very calming episode. I hope you love it. As ever, if you did please review it. Let’s get the world out there to support more mothers.We chat about: What is Sophrology How she got into it Her decision not to have more children. Managing burnout Her powerful mantra As always, we continue the conversation over on Instagram, so come and join us there.Resources mentioned in this episode: BeSophro - website The life-changing power of Sophrology - book Instagram FREEBIES! Find out how you can take control of your life, reconnect to you and more! Download ‘10 Ways to Reconnect to You’ and our weekly and monthly check-in on Motherkind.co.Are you ready to find freedom from guilt? Let me help you find Freedom from Perfectionism if you are a mother who has ever felt not quite enough.About Dominique AntiglioThe world’s leading Sophrologist (a dynamic meditation specialist), a best-selling author and founder of BeSophro, a global Sophrology platform.Dominique specialises in stress management, anxiety reduction and burn-out prevention. Her best-selling book The Life-Changing Power of Sophrology was the first widely published book on Sophrology in English and is now the leading authority on the subject.After running a successful osteopathy practice in Switzerland and feeling lost in her career, she made the difficult decision to close her business and move to London, UK to start a new life and start her second career as a Sophrologist – a profession people had never heard of outside of a few European countries. Single-handedly, she has built up Sophrology to become part of the health and wellness mainstream, in a similar vein to mindfulness, meditation and yoga, and she continues her mission to spread the word about how the practice can benefit the world.Dominique and her work regularly features in the likes of The Guardian, Times, Daily Telegraph, Independent, BBC, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Cosmopolitan and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is Clemmie Telford. Many of you will know Clemmie. She is a podcaster, creative strategist curator of the Mother of All Lists blog and now author. What you might not know is that I've known Clemmie since she was 18. One of her best friends from university is also one of my best friends from where I grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon. So, we have known each other a very long time.It is always such a joy to get to chat with her. In this episode we start by talking about the impact this past year has had on her. Like so many of us, it has led her to question a lot, deepening her own path of self-inquiry.She bravely and honestly shares what it's like for her right now. She is in what I call the messy middle when you begin to question your own life. Motherhood is a huge trigger for this. It’s a time when we begin to question who we are beyond society's expectations. She is asking herself this question - Who am I really?Clemmie also has a new book out called But Why? She attempts to get to the bottom of some of life's trickiest questions. We talk about what this process has been like for her and the new direction her career has taken her in.I hope you enjoy this episode. It is very real, raw, and honest and I am sure many of you will relate and find comfort and truth in her words.We chat about: The impact this year has had on her The messy middle Asking ourselves: Who am I really? What she learned from writing But Why? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to this episode of The Motherkind podcast. This week is with Alister Gray. He is a transformational coach who infuses neuroscience, intuition, psychology, mindfulness and meditation into his coaching. He is also the founder of Mindful Talent and co-founder of Mindful Talent Training Academy, which delivers coach and leadership training and workshops to some of the biggest brands in the world.This is a special episode for me because Alister is also my coach. I did the advanced transformational coach training with Mindful Talent. It was an incredible experience, and I still work with Alister today as part of his mastermind group.I find Alister incredibly inspiring. A few years back, Alister realised his life was out of alignment. He looked very successful on the outside but he felt totally lost on the inside. He also felt disconnected and stressed and I know many of us including myself know what this feels like. As it is with so many people, it was his body that first started showing the signs and he shares the story in this episode. If you have ever felt like your life looks good on paper, but you don’t feel joy and connection, then this episode is going to be incredibly powerful for you.Since then, Alister has been on a path to help others realize their real potential. Including me. I challenge you not to cry over the gift he wishes for all mothers. It’s so beautiful.We talk about: His recent move to Costa Rica with his family Where does safety and security come from The work he and his partner did prior to the birth of their daughter How he jumped from a profession in recruitment to coaching What does he say to people who are at the start of considering a transition How he keeps faith and trust during challenging times His intention as a father to Rumi His gift for all mothers in the world and why LAST FEW SPACES FOR MY GROUP PROGRAMME BEGINNING 23 JUNEI believe never before has the need for connection, sharing and support been greater for mothers.So, for the FIRST TIME EVER I'm launching a month-long group coaching programme.Think of it as a boost of self-love, calm and joy setting you up perfectly for the summer break.Spaces are limited AND I'm offering it at a massive discount (in return for feedback). It will fill up very fast - go to https://www.motherkind.co/group-programme to secure your place in the circle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’m re-releasing this important episode covering Matrescence with the wonderful Amy Taylor-Kabbaz. Amy is an author, journalist and a matrescence activist. Her latest book, ‘Mama Rising: Discovering the New You Through Motherhood’ , is brilliant and was released last year. For the last 10 years, Amy’s work has revolved around her search for an answer to the question of what happens to a woman when she becomes a mother. Amy’s search began after not being able to find anything that described the experience she had been through in her own journey to motherhood, until she came across the word ‘matrescence’.Matrescence means the experience of becoming a mother and the radical identify shift that goes along with it. Amy describes this in such a beautiful way – she says that when we become a mother, ‘we split in two’ – the person we used to be and the mother we are becoming. And, unless we honour that shift, we can get lost in the process of trying to figure out exactly who we are now.I know I really relate to this, and that many of you do, too. I really enjoyed my conversation with Amy and I think you’re going to get a lot out of this episode. As always, the conversation continues over on Instagram so do come and join us there.+++ As you might know, my 121 coaching is sold out with a waitlist. I'm so passionate about supporting more mothers, I've decided I'm going to launch my first ever group programme next week, there's space for just 30 of our community - find out more and register https://www.motherkind.co/group-programme +++ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kate Silverton has been a journalist for 25 years. She is one of the BBCs leading and most popular broadcasters. Kate has spent decades interviewing leading figures throughout the world, from politicians through to celebrities and scientists.What you might not know about Kate, is that throughout it all her lifelong passion has been to advocate for children and their emotional well-being. Her academic roots are in child development with a BSc in psychology. After having children of her own, Kate decided to retrain as a child psychotherapist. She is currently volunteering as a counsellor on placement working with children at a London primary school. Kate’s counselling work with children, her own personal experience of psychotherapy and the interviews she has conducted with world-renowned psychiatrists, neuroscientists and psychotherapists have all informed her approach and the concept in her Sunday times bestseller There is no such thing as naughty.Her philosophy is, which is all rooted in neuroscience, ‘If we get it right from conception to five, we can set our children up for life’. And her passion is to share what she has learned with as many parents as she can, to help them to have the parenting experience they always hoped to have, and for their children to have the parenting experience they deserve.As you can imagine we had a wonderful chat. We have this absolute shared passion for fostering emotional health in our children and ourselves. That is the most important thing. I say this so often because I’m so passionate about it, just like Kate.There is nothing more important than emotional health and we now know that from so many of the studies that Kate and I talk about during this episode.Kate shared how much joy she is getting from hearing from people about the concepts she is talking about. I’d love to hear from you about what you think of the episode, the book and what she shares.We talk about: Where her passion for child well-being came from Her duty to reach a wider audience to support children and parents Why conception to 5 is so important The aim of the book There is no such thing as naughty FREEBIES! Find out how you can take control of your life, reconnect to you and more! Download ‘10 Ways to Reconnect to You’ and our weekly and monthly check-in on Motherkind.co.Are you ready to find freedom from guilt? Let me help you find Freedom from Perfectionism if you are a mother who has ever felt not quite enough.About Kate SilvertonIn 25 years as a journalist, Kate Silverton has become one of the BBC’s leading and most popular broadcasters. She has produced and presented numerous documentaries, including for the BBC’s flagship current affairs programme Panorama. She has come under fire on the frontline in Iraq and Afghanistan, covered the glamour of the Oscars in Hollywood, and stepped out beneath the glitter ball herself as a contestant for the BBC’s much-loved entertainment show, Strictly Come Dancing. Kate has spent decades interviewing leading figures throughout the world, from politicians through to celebrities and scientists.THIS EPISODE IS SUPPORTED BY NHS TEST AND TRACEWith the kids finally back at school and some normalcy returning, we are all keen to keep life moving. NHS Test and Trace are encouraging all adults in England to get tested twice a week using totally free rapid Covid-19 tests, which are now available for all adults in England.Testing is going to help prevent around 1 and 3 people who have Covid-19 but with no symptoms or knowledge they are spreading it.It’s a fast and easy way to find out if you have Coronavirus, with results in around 30 minutes. You can order tests to your home or go to a test site or participating pharmacies.For more information and guidance online go to nhs.uk/gettestedThe more of us who take part the more we can help protect each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

My guest this week, Eliane Glaser, says that mothers are trying too hard and society is not trying nearly hard enough. She says worldwide mothers are overworked, underpaid, often lonely, and made to feel guilty about everything.She says that motherhood is one of modern society’s awkward little secrets and that fixing this is the unfinished work of feminism. How powerful is that - Motherhood is feminism’s unfinished business.She is an author, a BBC radio producer, a research fellow at the school of advanced study UEL, and has just released a powerhouse of a book called, Motherhood: a Manifesto.We talk about the really helpful distinction between motherhood the experience - the joyful, hard mess of it, the intoxicating love, and yet the fear and rage (all those feelings which I’m sure all as mothers of you can relate to) and the institution of motherhood with its societal messages and the systems that are set up or not to support us.This is such a helpful distinction because it enables us to bring more nuance to the conversation than is often present. It enables us to love the experience of being a mother, most of the time, imperfectly, while also allowing us to feel rage and anger at the system and the cultural messages we operate in and that often let us down.This conversation is a little bit different from what we usually talk about on the podcast but I think it is such a brilliant complement to last week’s episode about The Motherhood Penalty and I found it really enlightening and fascinating. Her book is full of data and statistics which you’ll hear throughout the episode.I hope you really enjoy it. Please do let me know what you think.We talk about: The data and statistics of motherhood Why motherhood is a barrier to equality Motherhood the experience vs motherhood the institution And so much more At a time when women are supposed to be more liberated than ever before, modern motherhood has become rigidly perfectionist.- Eliane GlaserAs always, we continue the conversation over on Instagram, so come and join us there.Resources mentioned in this episode: Website Twitter Motherhood: a Manifesto FREEBIES! Find out how you can take control of your life, reconnect to you and more! Download ‘10 Ways to Reconnect to You’ and our weekly and monthly check-in on Motherkind.co.Are you ready to find freedom from guilt? Let me help you find Freedom from Perfectionism if you are a mother who has ever felt not quite enough.About Eliane GlaserEliane Glaser is the author of Elitism: A Progressive Defence, Anti-Politics: On the Demonization of Ideology, Authority and the State and Get Real: How to See Through the Hype, Spin and Lies of Modern Life. In addition to writing books, Eliane is a BBC radio producer, a research fellow at the School of Advanced Study, University of London, and writes for publications including the Guardian, Prospect, and the London Review of Books.THIS EPISODE IS SUPPORTED BY NHS TEST AND TRACEWith the kids finally back at school and some normalcy returning, we are all keen to keep life moving. NHS Test and Trace are encouraging all adults in England to get tested twice a week using totally free rapid Covid-19 tests, which are now available for all adults in England.Testing is going to help prevent around 1 and 3 people who have Covid-19 but with no symptoms or knowledge they are spreading it.It’s a fast and easy way to find out if you have Coronavirus, with results in around 30 minutes. You can order tests to your home or go to a test site or participating pharmacies.For more information and guidance online go to nhs.uk/gettestedThe more of us who take part the more we can help protect each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you heard of the phrase the motherhood penalty? This week’s guest, Joeli Brearly, founder of the brilliant Pregnant Then Screwed charity is on a mission to help us understand what it means and also how to do something about it.She set up Pregnant Then Screwed after being sacked when she was just 4 months pregnant. It started as a project to collect other women’s experiences and now seven years later it is a leading charity supporting thousands of mothers each week who have faced discrimination at work. If you are not familiar with it, it’s worth looking up.Reading Joeli’s book, The Motherhood Penalty was incredibly eye-opening for me. I loved digging into the data on this. My intention with this episode was to bring awareness to this issue and bring to light some of the shocking data and statistics around what it means and how the system is basically rigged against us. Joeli explains why brilliantly in this episode.I hope this conversation inspires you to do something about it and think about how we can all support each other to make it a fairer playing field for mothers. If you can get the book I highly recommend it, but if you can’t she shares amazing information on so much on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.We talk about: The truth about the motherhood penalty Working mum’s during Covid What we can do to help fix the motherhood penalty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s guest really needs no introduction. Lorraine Pascale is a TV personality, celebrity chef, and best selling author of 7 books. She also is incredibly positive. We had such I wide-ranging conversation. I found it really inspiring, light-hearted and funny.We talk about healing, relationships, parenting and what she learned from mothering her daughter who is now 25.What I took from Lorraine and her energy was how to be you and show up authentically as yourself. How to have compassion with yourself and how to take everything you read and listen to, even on this podcast, with a pinch of salt.We talk about: Parenting Relationships Healing How to be authentically you How to have compassion for yourself FREEBIES! Find out how you can take control of your life, reconnect to you and more! Download ‘10 Ways to Reconnect to You’ and our weekly and monthly check-in on Motherkind.co.Are you ready to find freedom from guilt? Let me help you find Freedom from Perfectionism if you are a mother who has ever felt not quite enough.About Lorraine PascaleLorraine Pascale is a British television TV chef and USA Food Network host and former top model, best known for selling almost one million books in the UK alone. Her TV shows are in 70 countries worldwide. She had her own cooking show on the BBC for several seasons. From 2007-2012 she owned a retail outlet in London selling baked goods called Ella’s Bakehouse named after her daughter. She is the United Kingdom Government Fostering and Adoption Ambassador and an emotional wellness advocate.THIS EPISODE IS SUPPORTED BY NHS TEST AND TRACEWith the kids finally back at school and some normalcy returning, we are all keen to keep life moving. NHS Test and Trace are encouraging all adults in England to get tested twice a week using totally free rapid Covid-19 tests, which are now available for all adults in England.Testing is going to help prevent around 1 and 3 people who have Covid-19 but with no symptoms or knowledge they are spreading it.It’s a fast and easy way to find out if you have Coronavirus, with results in around 30 minutes. You can order tests to your home or go to a test site or participating pharmacies.For more information and guidance online go to nhs.uk/gettestedThe more of us who take part the more we can help protect each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode is all about the power of slowing down. Even if just for a few minutes a day.My guest is Fiona Arrigo. Acknowledged as a leader in her field, Fiona is an internationally acclaimed intuitive healer, mental life teacher, qualified psychotherapist and biodynamic psychologist.For the past 35 years, isn’t that amazing, she has been running The Arrigo Programme, her internationally acclaimed retreat in Someret, which brings together her approach with working through trauma and stress. It is all about liberating and shifting energy. Reading the reviews of the retreat attendees consistently say that just 5 days feels like 5 years of therapy.She is also a mum of two grown-up children and it was really great to have her perspective. This felt like such an important time to have this conversation with Fiona. Please do let me know what you thought.We talk about: How to hold the challenge and opportunity of the pandemic together The questions to ask ourselves at this particular time Her own journey as a mother and different parenting style How we can truly listen to ourselves As always, we continue the conversation over on Instagram, so come and join us there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

My guest on today’s podcast is Mo Gawdat. He wants you to know that happiness is easier to achieve than we are led to believe. Mo Gawdat is the former Chief Business Officer of Google X; host of the popular podcast, Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat and author of the international bestselling book Solve for Happy. After a long career in tech, Mo has made happiness his primary topic of research. In 20014, motivated by the tragic loss of his son, Ali, from a routine surgery that went wrong, Mo began pouring his findings into his book, Solve for Happy. His mission is to help one billion people become happier by founding #OneBillionHappy. It’s his attempt to honour Ali by spreading the message that happiness can be learned and shared. His word for the year is flow and that was present throughout this conversation. His wisdom shines through and he offers so many ideas to take away from this episode, I hope you enjoy it. We talk about: - The key to happiness - Why we become unhappy - How to find peace and acceptance - The happiness flow chart - How to practice being happy About Mo Gawdat Mo Gawdat is the former Chief Business Officer of Google; host of the popular podcast, Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat; author of the international bestselling book Solve for Happy and found of One Billion Happy. After a long career in tech, Mo has made happiness his primary topic of research, diving deeply into literature and conversing on the topic with some of the wisest people in the world. In 20014, motivated by the tragic loss of his son, Ali, Mo began pouring his findings into his book, Solve for Happy. His mission to help one billion people become happier, #OneBillionHappy, is his attempt to honour Ali by spreading the message that happiness can be learned and shared. In 2019, Mo co-founded T0day, an ambitious project that aims to reinvent consumerism for the benefit of consumers, retailers and our planet. In 2020, Mo laughed his successful podcast, Slo Mo: A podcast with Mo Gawdat, in which he conducts interviews that explore the extraordinary lives of everyday people. THIS EPISODE IS SUPPORTED BY NHS TEST AND TRACE With the kids finally back at school and some normalcy returning, we are all keen to keep life moving. NHS Test and Trace are encouraging all adults in England to get tested twice a week using totally free rapid Covid-19 tests, which are now available for all adults in England. Testing is going to help prevent around 1 and 3 people who have Covid-19 but with no symptoms or knowledge they are spreading it. It’s a fast and easy way to find out if you have Coronavirus, with results in around 30 minutes. You can order tests to your home, go to a test site or participating pharmacies. For more information and guidance online go to nhs.uk/gettested The more of us who take part the more we can help each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices