Dear Body Revisited: And Then I Got Shingles

Dear Body Revisited: And Then I Got Shingles

by | Jul 31, 2023 | INVESTED - Podcast Episodes, Podcast

This month, I was planning to record a special solocast to welcome in our 100th episode of the podcast. Instead, three days before my son Jacob’s scheduled knee surgery on July 11th, I got diagnosed with shingles. I’m recovering well and so is Jacob thankfully. But it really caused me to revisit my relationship with my body. There was a need for forgiveness all the way around, a rebuilding of trust and a recommitment to myself.

In case you’re not familiar, shingles is the re-emergence of the chicken pox virus, which if you’ve ever had chicken pox lives dormant in your nerves and tends to come out later in life during a period of high stress or when your immune system is low. I should have gotten the shingles vaccine when I turned 50, around the time that I originally recorded this Dear Body episode I’m resharing with you today. Unfortunately, I had getting the vaccine in the back of my mind and never took care of it, leaving myself susceptible. 

So, if you had chickenpox as a child, are over 50 or have issues with your immune system, this is your friendly reminder and PSA to go get your shingles vaccine.

For me to get shingles when I was worried about my son’s surgery felt like a betrayal from my own body and the last thing I needed. But, a few things happened that are helping me to see this as an opportunity to make meaning and change.

1) The first person I called for guidance when I got the diagnosis was Dr. Samantha Brody, a podcast guest from 2019, when she released her book Overcoming Overwhelm, who has since become a friend and advisor. When I called her, Samantha reminded me that she had had shingles and shared some about her experience. I was surprised however, when a few days after my diagnosis I put shingles in my FB search to see if there was any wisdom I might find and came upon a post from Samantha from 2018, letting people know she had shingles because she was stressed out about her book launch and needed to ask for help. Did anyone know of any podcasts where she could share about her book she wrote? In the comments, I found the tag to me and Mother’s Quest that must have brought me and Samantha together in the first place. This was a reminder to relisten to my episode with Samantha, so relevant, and trust again that sometimes the universe connects you to what you will need in the future.

2) I had several helpful therapy sessions during these weeks of recovery where I uncovered a few things. One, the incredible parallel between my own open heart surgery at the age of 10, to repair a hole in my heart, and Jacob’s knee surgery at the age of 10 to repair a hole in his knee, from a condition called osteochondritis dissecans. We realized there may be some leftover trauma from my own experience that was adding some additional stress, even if only in my subconscious. I’m now giving myself some space and grace to look back on that experience and see if there is anything that needs some extra care and healing. 

3) Finally, this whole experience has helped me acknowledge that I’m often more stressed out than I realize. Most often, I mask my stress with a smile. And I allow my nervous system to be in a perpetual state of go go go. My therapist suggested that I should take my foot off the gas more when I’m in park. I love a good metaphor. There is a lot going on in my life and sometimes I can’t relax, but I can make an effort to be in park more often and when I’m in park, really allow myself to shut down and restore. I’m clearly on a quest for this, so may work to find some special podcast guests who are experts on this topic. Stay tuned.

I thought I’d invite all of us to listen to the Dear Body episode again and then also my conversation with Samantha Brody, linked in the show notes, with a fresh perspective. Is there something your body is trying to communicate to you? A “tell” as Samantha would say. What values are most important to you right now? And then how might that impact the commitment letter you write to your body? I’ll report back in the Mother’s Quest Facebook Group and would love to hear from you too! 

Wishing us all many moments of taking our foot off the gas while safely in park, good health and a restoration of trust between our body and ourselves as we close out the summer.

Announcement for my fellow Neurodivergent Listeners:

Sign Up for “Creating Your Personal 504 Plan” Summer Workshop with Briar Harvey

Heard of a 504 plan? A blueprint for how a child with a disability will have access to the accomodations and supports that will help them access their education? The truth is, a blueprint for support shouldn’t just be relegated to education and can be a model for adults as well!
Friday, August 4th @ 11 am PST 2pm ET join Mother’s Quest Member, and someone who has been an amazing coach for my family, Briar Harvey, for a Summer Workshop where you’ll discover the power of creating a Personal 504 Plan that truly caters to your unique needs.

Briar will walk us through the process of constructing a plan that goes beyond standard frameworks, accounting for your individual experiences and circumstances. By the end of this session, you’ll have a dynamic, personalized 504 plan that empowers you to navigate life’s challenges more effectively. I’m a proud affiliate and have signed me and my college son up too. Learn more about this workshop and others in her summer series here. 

More about Briar: Briar Harvey is a storyteller and systems witch. She believes that everything has a story and exists within a system. The trick then, is figuring out how to change the rules and tell a better story. She works with companies that are led by neurospicy minds (ADHD, autism, chronic depression, anxiety, all the fun stuff) or those that employ them, in order to create the systems and processes that work for them.

In her free time, she writes stuff and records podcasts. She’s the founder of The Neurodiversity Media Network, a collaborative and accessible media company that is hosting and curating all the news that is relevant to neurospicy folx.

Full Episode Show Notes

Check out the full show notes from the original episode here: https://mothersquest.com/ep-94-dear-body-reflections-on-embracing-and-embodying-50/

You can also listen to this episode:

Mother’s Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

As Mother’s Quest approaches 100 episodes, we invite you to help us spread the word by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Help us reach 100 reviews to honor 100 episodes this Season Eight of the Mother’s Quest Podcast!

You can also support the podcast by making a contribution or joining one of our memberships at our Patron Page on Ko-Fi.com. 

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest

 

Ep 99: Building and Thinking Outside the Box with David Neale

Ep 99: Building and Thinking Outside the Box with David Neale

by | Jun 19, 2023 | CONNECTED - Podcast Episodes, Podcast

I’m honored to share this special Father’s Day Episode featuring my very own father-in-law, David Neale. I started dating my husband Chris when I was only 19, so I realize David has been a source of inspiration and guidance in my life for over 30 years. How lucky I am to have had his example of leadership, impact, and joy for life to light my way for my entire adulthood! 

The inspiration for this episode was sparked several months ago at a big milestone birthday celebration David organized to honor his 80th year. That celebration was also the launch of a new fund he initiated through the San Jose Rotary, inspired by his experience as a grandparent to my two boys, Ryan who is autistic, and Jacob who navigates dyslexia, ADHD and dysgraphia. 

In this episode, we explore the stories and wisdom of David’s life, including his childhood in England, his move to Montreal and then San Jose, CA, his impactful work as the founder and CEO of The Core Companies, and all the thoughtful ways he shows up as a grandfather. We also talk about the Youth Empowerment Neurodiversity Fund, which Ryan and I have had the honor of helping to shape, alongside David and other Rotary committee members. 

One of David’s most significant contributions in leadership has come through his innovative thinking and outside-the-box solutions for redevelopment housing, including the creation of Art Ark, an innovative housing community for artists in San Jose, Willow Housing, a Veteran’s housing project in Menlo Park, CA that includes access to critical support services, and most recently the Agrihood in Santa Clara, CA, a unique affordable housing project that includes retail and has an Urban Farm at its center.  

His achievements are many, but as David says, his success did not happen in a straight line. His life journey was filled with plot twists, pivots, and even a few failures. Through it all, with my mother-in-law Anne by his side, he continued to believe in himself and his dreams.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did and leave inspired as I am to keep persevering through challenges, opening ourselves to new perspectives and out-of-the-box thinking, and knowing that each setback may bring us closer to all we’ve ever wanted.  

About David Neale:

David Neale is a leader and visionary in real estate development, known for his commitment to community building and for his innovative approaches to affordable housing and redevelopment. A career that began in 1978 in Montreal brought David to San Jose, CA in the 1980s and led him to found The Core Companies in 1989. As CEO of The Core Companies, David has built a vibrant company and spearheaded transformative projects that have left a lasting imprint on the communities they serve.

Notable projects Core has completed with David at the helm include Art Ark, an innovative housing community for artists in San Jose, Willow Housing, a Veteran’s housing project in Menlo Park, CA that includes access to critical support services, and most recently the Agrihood in Santa Clara, CA, a unique affordable housing project that includes retail and has an Urban Farm at its center.  

His leadership also extends into community engagement and education. David spent 16 years on the board of directors for the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and served as a founding member of the non-profit First Community Housing. His almost two decades of service on the San Jose Rotary recently led David to initiate a new Youth Empowerment Neurodiversity Fund, inspired by David’s experience with two of his grandchildren who are neurodivergent.

Throughout his career, David exemplified a commitment to building projects that not only enhance the physical landscape but also uplift the lives of individuals and communities. His greatest accomplishment however is the family he has built with his wife of over 60 years, including his two children, and his four grandchildren. 

Connect with David:

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

  • David’s childhood experiences in England and his mother’s transition from a stay-at-home mom to small retail store business partner.
  • The influence of David’s father’s ambition on his pursuit of independence and his adventures around the world.
  • The political upheaval in Montreal during the 1970s that led David to pursue his fate and a life and career near San Jose, CA. 
  • David’s reflections on spending time with his grandchildren and mentoring them on life skills and overcoming challenges
  • David’s individual toasts at a recent family dinner, celebrating each grandchild’s unique qualities and stages in life, one example of how he mindfully engages with them.
  • David’s efforts to understand and champion his neurodivergent grandsons, Ryan and Jacob, and his leadership in starting the Youth Neurodiversity Empowerment Fund through the San Jose Rotary.
  • David’s impactful career in building communities, particularly in affordable housing, including the creation of the artist housing project, Art Ark. Also why building housing communities requires more than just the physical structures. 
  • Reflections on personal lessons learned, through many pivots and failures, and his advice for us about how to more fully live our E.P.I.C. lives. 

This Episode’s Challenge: 

David invites us to embrace the understanding that life is not a straight line. He encourages us to adapt and pivot to new circumstances, recognizing that daily adjustments may be necessary. Despite the obstacles that may arise, David urges us to never give up on pursuing our goals and to engage in activities that we truly love. By cultivating a passion for what you do, he believes that success will naturally follow. David also emphasizes the importance of asking questions and maintaining an inquisitive mindset, as continuous learning is a fundamental aspect of personal growth. As we move through our own epic life journey, David’s invitation is to embrace failures as valuable lessons and to persevere with unwavering determination, knowing that each setback brings you closer to your ultimate destination.

This Episode is dedicated by: 

Jacob Neale, David’s youngest grandchild.

Jacob can also be heard in the recording for last year’s Father’s Day episode with Normal Sucks author and fellow dyslexic ADHDer Jonathan Mooney.

Listen to the episode here: https://mothersquest.com/different-is-not-deficient-with-normal-sucks-author-jonathan-mooney/

You Might Also Be Interested In These Father’s Day Special Episodes

Here Comes the Sun: A Solocast on Death, Grief, and Love

Ep 75: A Call for Kinetic Partnership with While Black’s Darius Hicks

Ep 44: A Family Legacy of Service and Leadership with California Assemblymember Rob Bonta

Mother’s Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

As Mother’s Quest approaches 100 episodes, we invite you to help us spread the word by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Help us reach 100 reviews to honor 100 episodes this Season Eight of the Mother’s Quest Podcast!

You can also support the podcast by making a contribution or joining one of our memberships at our Patron Page on Ko-Fi.com. 

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest

 

Mother’s Quest May Gift Guide – Gift Yourselves and the Mothers You Love Beyond Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Quest May Gift Guide – Gift Yourselves and the Mothers You Love Beyond Mother’s Day!

by | May 19, 2023 | Uncategorized

It doesn’t just have to be Mother’s Day to gift ourselves and the ones we love!

This month and every month we celebrate YOU. 

You are a mom. 

And you’re aware of how much motherhood has transformed you. 

You’re also a seeker with big dreams. 

And you’re committed to living a life of purpose and connection. 

Mother’s Quest provides inspiration, coaching, and community for mothers like you on a journey to create what we call an E.P.I.C. Life.

Look inside this guide, filled with founder favorites and special picks from past podcast guests, and find some treasures that can bring you joy on your E.P.I.C. Life Path.

Mana Minerals
Jen Kem curates the most beautiful collection of gems and crystals. Jacob and I love watching the live sales on IG and bidding on our favorites.
Link to Mana Minerals

Hello Audio
I’m loving the intimacy of private podcast feeds right now…and thinking of one for Mother’s Quest. You can create your own with Hello Audio and get 5% off forever with the MQ affiliate link.
Link to Hello Audio

Mother’s Quest Inspiration Guide: Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life (Vol. 1 – Engage) and the Tiny book course
The experts at Get it Done helped me publish my Inspiration Guide through their Tiny Book Course. I recommend their courses and done for you services (including book design)for all
your book creation needs.
Link to Inspiration Guide
Link to Courses 

I usually complete my planner reflection pages with a cup of tea by my side: Numi Matcha in the morning and Roobois at night. My tea stays hot now that I discovered this beautiful insulated cup from Corksicle.

Mother’s Quest Planner
Link to Planner

Corkcicle Paper Rifle Co. Insulated Travel Coffee Cup with Lid, 16 oz
Link to cup

Numi Organic Tea Rooibos
Link to tea

Hamilton Women’s Analogue Quartz Watch with Stainless Steel Strap
Trouble managing time like me? Don’t forget about the power of a beautiful watch as a tool. This is my absolute favorite, a gift from my husband Chris. Due to my ADHD time-blindness, looking at my watch often is a necessity..love that it’s so pretty to look at!
Link to watch

Outer Outdoor Couch
Looking to create an outdoor living room? This sustainably crafted waterproof couch has become our favorite place to hang out during the summer. $300 off with the MQ code
Link to Outer Couch

Oura Ring
On my quest to get more sleep, this beautifully designed sleep tracking ring gives me data that shifts my behavior. I’m a night owl, but when my sleep and readiness scores dip too low, I get myself to bed earlier! Good grad gift for your college-age kids too.
($40 off with my referral code)
Link to Oura ring

UGG Duffield Throw
Whether watching the latest season of Bridgerton or Ted Lasso, I love to snuggle on the couch with my guys and our favorite blanket. It’s the perfect weight, softness and color.
Link to throw

Recess Pickleball Paddles Set of 2
When you love tennis but have trouble getting to the ball these days…you play pickleball! Our family has so much fun playing together and I’ve been eyeing these fun rackets for myself!
Link to Pickleball Paddles

Little Words Project & Bullets4Life Bracelets
I love bracelets that have a message. Choose your own meaningful words with the Little Words Project Bracelets and match it with a bracelet from Bullets4Life.

15% off personalized discount for Little Words bracelets with code MOTHERSQUEST
Link to Little Words Project

Bullets4Life takes bullets off the street, replacing the gunpowder with a message on paper that matters to you.
Link to Bullets4Life

COCOFLOSS Coconut Oil–Infused Woven Dental Floss
Don’t discount good mental hygiene for living an E.P.I.C. life! In all seriousness, this floss, infused with coconut oil (a natural antimicrobial) and irresistible aromas, soothes your gums and boosts your mood.
Link to floss 

Canvas print and notecards, Art with Heart byJenksy
Jen Jenkins Dohner created this piece live during the 5 Year Mother’s Quest Celebration, capturing themes she heard throughout. It’s stunning!! Now on sale as a print or notecards. Jen has also created the cover art for the Mother’s Quest Inspiration Guide and Live Your EPIC Year planner cover.
Link to Art with Heart

Democracy 
My sister Caren’s brand, Democracy clothing, is my “go to” to look good and feel good while doing good (actually while doing anything!) Here I’m wearing the “Itty Bitty Boot” jean while volunteering at Circle of Mothers.
Link to Democracy Clothing  $1 of every order in May will be donated to Circle of Mothers                              Listen to Caren’s Podcast Episode here

Judabud Jewelry
Judy, mom to transgender model and activist Corey Rae, puts so much care and detail into her hand-carved jewelry…the perfect gift to give ourselves.
Link to Judabud Jewelry
Code MOTHERSQUEST10 for 10% off

Listen to the episode with Judy and her daughter Corey here

Whole Human Mama – Mama Bundle
The Mama bundle…from the “Mom for Moms” Graeme Seabrook. Journal, Planner and Momfirmations Deck help you put yourself first.
Link to Mama Bundle
Listen to Graeme’s Podcast Episode here

Lindsay Pera’s Oracle Cards
Drawing a card from podcast guest Mystic Society Lindsay Pera’s co-created Oracle Deck is part of my daily morning practice. Beautiful and inspiring words always provide guidance.
Link to Oracle Cards
Listen to Lindsay’s Podcast Episode here

Eve Rodsky’s fair play deck and books Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space
Recaim Your Time and Creativity – Eve Rodsky’s books Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space are the perfect gift for yourself for Mother’s Day. Grab the Fair Play Cards as a tool for conversation with your partner and children about household labor. Listen to the podcast for extra insight and inspiration
Link to Fairplay Deck
Link to Unicorn Space Book
Listen to Eve’s Podcast Episode here

From Scratch at Home
I loved following podcast guest Tembi Locke’s epic journey this year as her memoir became an award-winning Netflix hit. Explore themes of resilience, love, grief, family, travel, motherhood, and cooking from the comfort of your own home with her book, our episode,
the Netflix show or even a self-guided course.
Book Link Here
Course Link Here
Listen to Tembi’s Podcast Episode Here

 

 

 

 

 

 

Circle of Mothers

Sometimes, the best gift is one we give to others. I invite you to listen to my episode with Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, learn about the Circle of Mothers Healing Retreat and gift of healing to mothers who are grieving the loss of a child to senseless gun violence.
Support Circle of Mothers
Podcast Link Here

Did you find something you love? Which were your favorites? Tell us in the comments!

**This Gift Guide includes some affiliate links which means Mother’s Quest may also benefit from a small referral bonus from items you purchase. We only recommend things we love!

Ep 98: Sometimes Change Sucks “Reflections at the 5 year Anniversary of the Manifesto Challenge” With Graeme Seabrook

Ep 98: Sometimes Change Sucks “Reflections at the 5 year Anniversary of the Manifesto Challenge” With Graeme Seabrook

by | May 11, 2023 | INVESTED - Podcast Episodes, Podcast

In 2018, I sat down for a special Mother’s Day episode with Graeme Seabrook, a life coach and maternal health advocate, affectionately known by the thousands of mothers she supported as the “Mom for Moms.” We hit it off immediately, delving deep into her Motherhood Bill of Rights and my E.P.I.C. life framework, and noticing that both had become manifestos for how we wanted to live our lives while raising our children.

During that episode, we co-created what we called a Manifesto Challenge, inviting other mothers to create their own. And afterward, we would reconnect in some way each May, grateful to know that the episode and the challenge could spark an opportunity for others to reclaim themselves in motherhood.

In 2021, Graeme became ill and spent the next several years in bed, visiting doctors, and coming to terms with the fact that she had somehow suffered brain damage. Along the way, she realized she would need to burn her manifesto down to the ground before creating it anew. Living and mothering through hard and sometimes life-threatening times, and now feeling a little better, she has reemerged, reframing her work in the world as a front-porch philosopher who writes about the intersection between modern motherhood and humanity.

When I read a recent blog post from Graeme and realized this would be the five-year anniversary of the Manifesto Challenge, I reached out. I asked if she felt up to recording a special episode with me, where we could interview one another, reflect on the changes and challenges in our lives, and reconnect about the power of manifestos. 

I’m so glad that Graeme said yes to my invitation and I’m honored to share this episode with you. Our hour together was more unstructured than my typical interviews, real and unfiltered, and filled with Graeme’s signature blend of laughter, tears and powerful insights. I hope you’ll leave this conversation, as Graeme and I both did, open to the truth that change sometimes sucks, but that there can be unexpected joys discovered along the way, and that there is always power in owning and sharing our stories.

 

About Graeme Seabrook :

Graeme Seabrook was once a life coach and maternal mental health advocate who supported thousands of mothers. Since becoming disabled in 2021, she has reframed her work in the world and is now a front-porch philosopher who writes about the intersection between modern motherhood and humanity. When she’s not tending her garden, knitting on her porch, or playing video games with her kids, you can find her on Instagram or on her website – graemeseabrook.com.

 

Connect with Graeme Seabrook:

Learn more about one of Graeme’s unexpected joys, gardening, and how you can support her with her gardening dream here.

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

  • Graeme’s experience navigating illness and disability, core experiences that have shaped her life over the last two years
  • The old and negative narratives about herself that Graeme has finally learned, in her bones, are untrue 
  • Author Octavia Butler’s words that have resonated for Graeme about change, and Graeme’s honest reflection that “sometimes change sucks” 
  • My wishes for Mother’s Day, everything from a sauna to a million Mom manifestos 
  • The recommendation from Graeme’s neurologist that resulted in a new passion, knitting, that she can do from her bed 
  • My son’s knee condition, osteochondritis dissecans, a “change that sucks” and some of the unexpected joys we have discovered even in the midst of it 
  • The words of wisdom Graeme has for me, a parent trying to support a child with a physical disability 
  • What I’m embracing at this stage of my life 
  • How Graeme’s husband and friends have shown up for her in amazing ways and what it has taught her about her own worthiness
  • Graeme’s commitment to write a mini-manifesto and why it’s more than ok to make it small 
  • An invitation to participate in this year’s 7 day Manifesto Challenge, a self-guided course  


Other Episodes Mentioned in this Conversation: 

 

This Episode’s Challenge:

Are you feeling lost or trapped in motherhood? Would you like to connect with your purpose and reclaim yourself? Join us in the Mother’s Quest 7-day Manifesto Challenge and explore important questions, through a self-guided course,  that will help you create a manifesto as a guiding light. Let’s open doors together and choose ourselves in honor of Mother’s Day.. Sign up here. 

Mother’s Quest May – Join Us! 

Happy Mother’s Quest May! This month, we’re celebrating all the incredible mothers (and those who mother!) on a quest to live an E.P.I.C. life – one that’s Engaged, Purposeful, Intentional, and Connected. Mother’s Day is approaching, and we want you to invest in yourself by following along as we share resources, opportunities, and inspiration.

One invitation we hope you say “yes” to is our fifth annual Mother’s Quest Manifesto Challenge! Create a powerful manifesto to guide your life with our 7-day course for just $7, culminating in a live celebration on Sunday May 21st 11 am PST on Zoom.

Season Eight of the Mother’s Quest podcast is also starting this month, featuring a special 5-year anniversary conversation with the manifesto challenge co-creator, Graeme Seabrook.

Join us this Mother’s Quest May as we come together to support, inspire, and uplift each other on our journeys as mothers and “whole human beings” as Graeme always says. Sign up for the Mother’s Quest Manifesto Challenge, join the Mother’s Quest email list and become a member of the MQ Facebook group. Invest in yourself this Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Quest May Gift Guide 

Find a gift for yourself or a Mom you love! One day, Mother’s Day, isn’t enough, so this Gift Guide should be a source for inspiration all month long. See the specially curated items here. 

Mother’s Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest

Ep 97: Reclaiming Our Time and Creativity through Fair Play in the Household with Eve Rodsky and special guest Co-host Caren Lettiere

Ep 97: Reclaiming Our Time and Creativity through Fair Play in the Household with Eve Rodsky and special guest Co-host Caren Lettiere

by | Mar 8, 2023 | INVESTED - Podcast Episodes, Podcast

Welcome to this special Season Seven finale episode of the Mother’s Quest Podcast, released on International Women’s Day 2023. It feels like just right timing to bring this conversation to you, but the seeds for this episode have been germinating since last spring, when Jill Daniel of Happy Women Dinners came to me with an invitation. She asked whether my sister Caren, founder of Democracy Clothing, might be interested in hosting a brunch at her house in Los Angeles with best-selling author Eve Rodsky.

I had recently learned about Eve’s groundbreaking work, where she transformed her own “blueberries breakdown” into a catalyst for social change, applying her Harvard-trained background in organizational management to ask the simple yet profound question: What would happen if we treated our homes as our most important organizations?

Her New York Times bestselling book and Reese’s Book Club Pick, Fair Play, a gamified life-management system that helps partners rebalance their domestic workload and reimagine their relationship, has elevated the cultural conversation about the value of unpaid labor and care. In her highly anticipated follow-up, Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World, Eve explores the cross-section between the science of creativity, productivity, and resilience. Her journey and the tenets of both books came together in the Fair Play Documentary, a film by Jennifer Siebel Newsom in partnership with Hello Sunshine.

Needless to say, I encouraged Caren to say “yes” to this opportunity. I knew there would be synergy between Caren’s journey creating her hugely successful Unicorn brand Democracy Clothing, while raising two children and running a household, and Eve’s message. Jill gathered an incredible community of women for brunch that day where we gifted all of them with size inclusive Democracy jeans through a try-on experience that was empowering and a conversation between Jill, Caren and Eve that was profound.

When Eve said yes to being a guest on my podcast and it came time to interview her, I knew I wanted to include Caren in this conversation. What follows is an intimate look at the values and insights Eve has woven into her two books and an exploration of what Eve has learned about living an E.P.I.C. life.

As Eve shares at the end of this episode, the Mother’s Quest Podcast and this conversation between the three of us is also “unicorn space.” We’re so grateful to share it with you. We hope that what you hear sparks conversations with your own partner and children that bring to light and make more fair the division of labor in your household and that you use this as a permission slip to reclaim your own time and creativity in your E.P.I.C. life.

Content Note: Eve speaks in powerful ways and sometimes that includes a few carefully chosen bad words.  I encourage you to listen to this episode in privacy or to pop in some ear buds if you are with your children.

About Eve Rodsky:

Eve Rodsky transformed a “blueberries breakdown” into a catalyst for social change when she applied her Harvard-trained background in organizational management to ask the simple yet profound question: What would happen if we treated our homes as our most important organizations? Her New York Times bestselling book and Reese’s Book Club Pick, Fair Play, a gamified life-management system that helps partners rebalance their domestic workload and reimagine their relationship, has elevated the cultural conversation about the value of unpaid labor and care. In her highly anticipated follow-up, Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World, Rodsky explores the cross-section between the science of creativity, productivity, and resilience. Described as the ‘antidote to physical, mental, and emotional burnout,’ Rodsky aims to inspire a new narrative around the equality of time and the individual right to personal time choice that influences sustainable and lasting change on a policy level. Rodsky’s work is backed by Hello Sunshine—Reese Witherspoon’s media company whose mission is to change the narrative for women through storytelling. Rodsky was born and raised by a single mom in New York City and now lives in Los Angeles with her husband Seth and their three children.

Connect with Eve:

Eve’s Books and Documentary Mentioned in this Episode:

About this Episode’s Co-Host Caren Lattiere:

Caren Lettiere is the Founder and President of Democracy Clothing, the casual lifestyle brand designed for the modern, multitasking woman who grew up with fashion, then got busy with life. Caren is fueled by a passion for making fashion accessible, affordable and ageless.

Best known for its “Ab”solution jeans with fit technology, Democracy Clothing embraces women of all shapes and sizes, providing them with confidence-building clothing that helps them look good and feel good, while doing good.

Since launching the Democracy brand, Caren has successfully led her dynamic dream team through a period of unprecedented growth. In November 2019, Democracy launched their e-commerce site, www.democracyclothing.com, to facilitate an even closer connection to the brand’s loyal customers. Following the expansion into e-commerce, Caren helped secure a partnership with HSN and has become Democracy’s spokesperson to a live nationwide audience.

With her knack for storytelling and her authentic enthusiasm in front of the camera, Democracy has risen through the ranks at HSN establishing a following for it’s multigenerational appeal.

Alongside Democracy, Caren’s proudest accomplishment is the fulfilling family life she’s built with her husband of over 30 years, David, and their amazing kids Nicole and Josh.

Connect with Caren:

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

  • Eve’s experience as a “parental child” supporting her disabled brother and caring for her single mother
  • The influences that led Eve to believe she could do it all 
  • How Eve’s big dreams of smashing glass ceilings turned into smashing peas after she became a mother
  • The erasure of identity that happens for mothers and why we have to fight for an E.P.I.C. life 
  • We deserve permission to be unavailable from our roles and to do so takes power and unlearning 
  • Fair Play as a movement to reclaim our time and the toxic time messages that get in the way of our reclamation 
  • The importance of making our invisible labor visible with our children 
  • Why women feel ashamed to admit that the division of labor in their home is not fair
  • The number one issue Eve heard from men about why they hated home life and how the boundaries, systems, and communication formula can shift that
  • Using Fair Play’s Card Deck to engage in mindful conversation about domestic life with our families  
  • Eve’s description of Unicorn Space as an outlet for our passion and purpose
  • Eve’s 3 C’s: Curiosity, Connection, & Completion 
  • The biggest key to mothers granting permission to invest in themselves 

This Episode’s Challenge: 

Eve challenges us to discover once again, our individual identity separate from our roles. She wants us to look for a trusted accountability partner, and report to that person one day next week, that you prioritized doing something outside of your roles as a parent, partner or professional. Take one day off and do something completely for yourself. 

We welcome you to share your report in the Mother’s Quest Facebook Group so we can inspire one another!

This Episode is dedicated by Bridgid Coulter Cheadle

Bridgid Coulter Cheadle is an award winning, serial entrepreneur and philanthropist with a decades long history of advocating for access to education and protection of the environment. Bridgid is celebrated for her family’s philanthropic work with a focus on climate change, social justice, political decency, women’s equity and education for the historically marginalized.

Principal of her eponymous design studio, a boutique interior and design-build firm with offices in Santa Monica and Hawaii, her focus is on residential, hospitality, creative office space and furniture design. Established over fifteen years ago, Bridgid approaches each project whether for an individual client, a brand or design-build development; as an artistic venture whilst providing exceptional development from concept to administration. Her well recognized signature textile collections incorporate her own personal painting and design work that have been inspired by her avid travel and perception of nature.

In 2018 Bridgid founded Blackbird Collective, a for-profit public benefit corporation and the preeminent private membership collective for women of color and allies to create positive social and economic change for each other and the world. In its exquisitely designed Culver City Flagship location, Blackbird is a curated network of work, wellbeing and creative programming studios offering inspired space for entrepreneurs, makers, storytellers, executives, practitioners, trailblazers, content creators and changemakers to gather and work both individually and together, both in person and virtually — grounded by a love of storytelling.

With professional resources shared with aligned peers, experts and practitioners to support productivity, wellbeing, creativity and advocacy; Blackbird is a joy-filled place in aligned community where you don’t have to go it alone — where wellbeing includes the full spectrum of wellness to include nourishment of the physical, mental self with societal belonging. In 2020, Bridgid founded Blackbird Alliance, the non-profit sister organization to the collective, to further support advancement through sponsorship, mentorship and technical training.

She is a graduate of UCLA and serves on several company boards. In her free time, Bridgid enjoys fine art, playing board games, and solving the ongoing puzzle of juggling family life with her acting, entrepreneurial, and interior design careers.

She is the proud mother of two with the most supportive hubby; and she enjoys board games—and the puzzle of juggling family life with acting and interior design.

Connect with Bridgid Coulter Cheadle

 

You Might Like to Tune Into These Other Related Episodes:

Special Thanks To Jill Daniel of Happy Women Dinners

Happy Women Dinners is the brainchild of food writer, gourmet cook, and publicist Jill Daniel.  As a food writer, Jill wrote about food from one coast of the country to the other. With Happy Women Dinners, Jill has brought together fantastic food and speakers with a focus on women.  Happy Women Dinners events are held in intimate settings and limited to small groups of women.

Announcement

The Mother’s Quest Podcast will take a break between seasons until May. Make sure to sign up for email updates at mothersquest.com and join the free Facebook Group at www.mothersquest.com/community to stay connected and  informed about all the good things coming.

Mother’s Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest