spark your e.p.i.c. life

Being present for your children in these years when you’re caregiving and raising them is your highest priority.

You are also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.

Often, parenting a child with extra needs, you feel like you have to choose between being a mom, a caregiver,  and doing the passionate, purposeful work you feel called to do.

In the midst of this juggle, investing in yourself, pursuing wellness, and your relationships often gets lost entirely.

Now, you’re ready to change the paradigm…to live a life where you are the author of your story, where you can design a life around engaged parenting (E), purposeful work (P), investing in yourself (I), and connecting (C) to a strong support network.

At Mother’s Quest, we call this living your E.P.I.C. Life and we know that when we do this, our children learn through our example, and we show up as even more powerful mothers.

To be clear, we’re not talking about a perfect life, a “balanced” life, or someone else’s version of an E.P.I.C. life… we’re talking about a life filled with the things that matter most to YOU. 

A life where when things feel out of alignment (which you can expect they will!) you give yourself the grace and space to notice and shift things back to what you really want.

We recognize that for mothers who also caregive, getting support and connecting with peers can be critical. If you’re on a quest to live an E.P.I.C. life, but you’ve been feeling challenged, isolated, or unsure of the path ahead, the Mother’s Quest Caregiver Circle may be the source of connection you’re looking for.

The Mother’s Quest Caregiver Circle provides inspiration, coaching, wellness practices, and community for an intimate group of no more than 10 women who are ready to say “yes” to:

  • Reflecting together, in a community of like-minded mothers, on what matters most
  • To consciously living a more E.P.I.C. life
  • Taking bold action toward one of the E.P.I.C. life guideposts before the end of the session
  • Learning and practicing techniques to enhance wellness 
  • Holding space for sharing, coaching, and championing one another so we are “in community” on our journey

Mother’s Quest Founder, Julie Neale, honors both the magic and the mess of parenthood and believes our children challenge us to grow into our best selves. She is on a mission to live a truly E.P.I.C. life and, through her example, inspire her children to do the same.

After a 20-year career as a leader in youth-serving non-profit organizations, Julie turned her focus to coaching, training at the Coaches Training Institute, and facilitating a process known as “reflection” for youth development professionals.

Through this and her parenting experience, she realized that mothers need an opportunity to reflect on their own growth, dreams, and plans and created Mother’s Quest Circles to champion them.

Co-Facilitator Nancy Netherland is a mother of, and advocate for two children living with chronic, complex and rare diseases.  She founded Kids and Caregivers in response to the need for families, caregivers, and providers of children living with chronic illnesses to have increased support, resources, and information.

Nancy also works as a healthcare writer and data and program strategist for non-profit healthcare programs and safety-net health clinics and hospitals.

In the past 10 years, she and her team have helped secure more than $100-million in grant funding, influenced local and international policy, designed award winning programs, and conducted research for publications and speeches presented before the United Nations, World Health Organization, and the United States Congress. 

 

Julie Neale led Adult Reflection circles at the school I was leading for years. The beautiful way in which she held space for our teachers to practice open and direct communication, curiosity and care for each other was transformative for my staff. Julie brings a brilliant mixture of belief in people, and the ability to delve into uncomfortable yet deep waters to her work with teams. She is not afraid to ask hard questions and be vulnerable with herself. The way she models the practices of adult reflection gives others the courage and wisdom to do the same. I have been so grateful for her steady, thoughtful and always prepared hands!

-Sheila SatheWarner

Caregiver Circle Dates: Four Thursdays

 

  • February 4th 4:00 – 6:00 PM PST
  • February 18th 4:00 – 6:00 PM PST
  • March 4th 4:00 – 6:00 PM PST
  • March 25th 4:00 -6:00 PM PST

We will meet in a transformative process that will include:

  • A commitment to defining a vision and goals for an E.P.I.C. life and taking one bold, significant step for one of the guide-posts before the last session
  • Four two hour virtual group circle “sessions”
  • Opportunity to learn and practice foundational E.P.I.C. life skills that you can incorporate into your work and life
  • Assignments in between including accountability partners to help you stay on track
  • A Private Facebook Group for ongoing discussion + Voxer Channel Communication During the Month of March

**Participants will be encouraged to access the resources available through Mother’s Quest including the MQ Facebook group and the Podcast.**

Each session follows a consistent process that includes:

  • Introduction of that session’s theme/concept
  • Focus on a wellness practice teaching from co-facilitator Nancy Netherland
  • Review of an E.P.I.C. life skill training focus (listening, empowering questions, requests/accountability, acknowledgement) 
  • Opportunity for a personal check-in
  • Focused activity drawing on the theme for the session
  • Open space reflection
  • Time to write down personal take-aways
  • Acknowledgements

OPTIONAL ADD-ON: One-on-one coaching sessions with Julie or Nancy during the process to take the work deeper. Email julie@mothersquest.com to inquire about rates.

THEME:
Group Forming and Future Self Meditation
E.P.I.C. Life Skills:
Listening

THEME:
E.P.I.C. Life Guidepost Goal-Setting
E.P.I.C. Life Skills:
Empowering Questions

THEME:
Inspired Action
E.P.I.C. Life Skills:
Requests and Accountability

THEME:
Reflecting on Progress and Integrating the Learning
E.P.I.C. Life Skills:
Acknowledgement

Given the times that we are in, and an increasing commitment we have to make sure that Mother’s Quest Coaching programs are financially accessible, we decided to adopt Mark Silver’s “Pay from the Heart” approach for the Group Coaching Series.

Put simply, Pay From The Heart means you check in with your heart and arrive at a payment that feels right to you.

We hope that you can arrive at a number that allows you to feel invested in this commitment, and may be a little bit of a stretch, without being a strain, and that also values Mother’s Quest and helps us sustain the work we do in the world.

We decided, from the heart, to set the introductory price at $540.

The more sustainable price for each participant is $648. 

The price that helps us thrive? $720.

This price also helps support those who need to pay less than the $540 minimum.

You can pay less than $540. If you are in a situation where spending $540 is not feasible and you are committed to participating fully, you are invited with an open heart to choose an amount lower than our minimum. We are serious about welcoming you.

How it works.

First decide if you are going to join us. Check in to see if this experience really calls to you right now and if you have the ability to make the commitment to the process. 

Then, if you decide “Yes,” make a decision of how much. Connect to the reality of your financial situation and to your heart to find a number that feels right. We trust you will make an aligned decision, and we welcome you!

What a gift it has been to have Julie’s brilliant mind and compassionate heart helping me bring my best self into my life as a mother, professional, and community builder. Whether coaching me one-on-one or holding space in a reflection circle, Julie’s warm, positive, non-judgmental approach, combined with her purposeful questions and suggestions, have been instrumental in bringing more intentionality into my life.

-Jane Sperling Wise

Frequently Asked Questions:

What results will I expect from this experience?
The experience will help you feel more clear and connected to the life you want to live and have you taking purposeful action to make it come true. You’ll leave with a vision for the future you want to create, clear priorities and goals across the E.P.I.C. guideposts, a bold action step that you’ll implement before the session is over, and an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned along the way. In the process, you’ll also build deep and meaningful relationships with like-minded mothers.

What’s the purpose of the application?
The application is meant to give you an opportunity to reflect on where you are and what success will look like and for us to get to know you and make sure what you’re seeking is something the Circle is set up to provide. 

What if I can’t make a session? Are there refunds?
This is an investment and commitment to yourself and the group. If you sign up, you pledge to make every effort to attend every session unless there is an emergency. There will not be refunds available. If something unexpected comes up after you’ve signed up, reach out and we’ll discuss a plan to move your investment to one-on-one coaching or a future circle.

Are there discounted rates or scholarships available?
It’s important that the Mother’s Quest Circle be as accessible as possible. Reduced rates are available on an as needed basis. If this is something you need, let’s talk to find an amount that feels like a stretch and investment WITHOUT putting yourself in any financial strain or risk. At the same time, if you can afford to pay the full rate or make an additional contribution, please do, as this makes it possible for others who cannot.

If you know you’re ready to say “yes” to this experience, fill out the form below ASAP to get you started in thinking about what you are most on a quest for, and then proceed to the Paypal Cart to confirm the “Pay from the Heart” payment that feels right for you. We will be in touch before the start date to give you all the details to join our first call. 

 

If you have more questions you need answered before you can decide, you can reach out to Julie at julie@mothersquest.com.

 

Until then, “seize the day, love your people, honor your gifts!”