Down The Well

Elle Rowley
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Parenting
  • Weekly

Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley, talks about how mothers can achieve that meaning and joy by going on their own hero's journey. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better.

  1. 3d ago

    The Devouring Mother: Why Our Children Need Us to Become Less Necessary

    Season 4 Episode 1 | The Devouring Mother: Why Our Children Need Us to Become Less Necessary What happens when a mother's love becomes tangled with her need to be needed? In this episode of Down The Well, Elle explores The Devouring Mother, the shadow side of the caregiver archetype that emerges when protection becomes control, sacrifice becomes martyrdom, and devotion makes it difficult to let our children grow. Through psychology, mythology, and honest reflections on her own motherhood, Elle challenges the modern ideal of the "good mother" and asks whether our efforts to prevent every struggle are actually holding our children—and ourselves—back. From the three faces of the Devouring Mother to the wisdom of the Matriarch, this conversation is an invitation to love without possession, guide without controlling, and find the courage to become less necessary. Because the goal isn't to love our children less. It's to love them well enough to let them become themselves. ______________ Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop Elle's Links: https://substack.com/@ellerowley https://www.instagram.com/ellerowley _____________ Show Notes: Young adults living with parents (the 18% stat) Pew Research Center, “The shares of young adults living with parents vary widely across the U.S.,” April 17, 2025. ⁠https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/04/17/the-shares-of-young-adults-living-with-parents-vary-widely-across-the-us/⁠  Adults without children (the 47% stat) Pew Research Center, “The Experiences of U.S. Adults Who Don’t Have Children,” July 25, 2024. ⁠https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/07/25/the-experiences-of-u-s-adults-who-dont-have-children/⁠  Only if you kept the 52% / Great Depression line Pew Research Center, “A majority of young adults in the U.S. live with their parents for the first time since the Great Depression,” September 4, 2020. ⁠https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/09/04/a-majority-of-young-adults-in-the-u-s-live-with-their-parents-for-the-first-time-since-the-great-depression/⁠  Intensive mothering Hays, Sharon. The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1996.  The good-enough mother Winnicott, D. W. “Transitional Objects and Transitional Phenomena.” International Journal of Psycho-Analysis 34 (1953): 89–97. Reprinted in Playing and Reality. London: Tavistock, 1971. ____________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Introducing the Devouring Mother 04:18 The Archetype's Dark Side 06:57 When Love Becomes Dependence 10:31 Three Faces of Control 15:47 The Good Mother Trap 23:29 Motherhood's Impossible Expectations 28:22 Learning to Let Go 32:36 From Devouring Mother to Matriarch ~ About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  2. Jun 2

    The 3 Stages of Caregiving in Motherhood

    Want to work with Elle? (Life Coaching) 🔗 ellerowley.com Season 3 Episode 9 | The 3 Stages of Caregiving in Motherhood In this episode, Elle explores the caregiver archetype and the three levels of development that shape how we love, give, and grow in motherhood. From overgiving and burnout to boundaries, empowerment, and generative care, this conversation offers a new lens on what it means to care for others without losing yourself. Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop 🔗 Elle's Links: https://substack.com/@ellerowley https://www.instagram.com/ellerowley ~ About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  3. Apr 29

    The 3 Pillars of an Unshakable Mindset (For the Hard Days of Motherhood)

    Want to work with Elle? (Life Coaching) 🔗 https://paperbell.me/elle-rowley#packagestarpk S3 E8 | The 3 Pillars of an Unshakable Mindset (For the Hard Days of Motherhood) In this episode, Elle shares the 3 pillars of an indomitable mindset — a framework for building resilience, clarity, and purpose in the middle of real life. Through the lens of Meaning, Belief, and Action, she explores how the way you interpret your life shapes how you experience it — and how intentional mindset shifts can help you navigate motherhood, challenge, and growth with greater strength and alignment. From defining your “why,” to choosing beliefs that serve you, to taking action even when motivation is low, this episode is a practical and empowering guide for any woman who wants to feel more grounded, capable, and connected to her life. Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop https://substack.com/@ellerowley https://www.instagram.com/ellerowley ~ About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  4. Apr 7

    Maiden → Mother → Matriarch: The Map No One Gave Us

    Want to work with Elle? (Life Coaching) 🔗 https://paperbell.me/elle-rowley#packagestarpk S3 E7 | Maiden → Mother → Matriarch: The Map No One Gave Us In this episode, Elle explores a framework that brings clarity to the often confusing experience of becoming a woman: maiden, mother, matriarch. Drawing from psychology, myth, and scripture, she reframes the disorientation many women feel — especially in motherhood — not as failure, but as initiation into a deeper identity. From the maiden’s search for meaning, to the mother’s transformation through sacrifice, to the matriarch’s emergence as a source of wisdom and authority, this conversation offers language for a path many women are already walking… but don’t yet have words for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  5. Mar 24

    Letters from Down the Well: Finding Yourself After Motherhood (Postpartum, Identity & Overwhelm)

    Want to work with Elle? (Life Coaching) 🔗 https://paperbell.me/elle-rowley#packagestarpk Season 3 Episode 6 | Letters from Down the Well: Finding Yourself After Motherhood (Postpartum, Identity & Overwhelm) In this episode, Elle introduces Letters from Down the Well — a new series where real questions from women and mothers open the door to honest, transformative conversations. From postpartum identity and overwhelm to marriage, mom guilt, and breaking generational cycles, Elle offers a grounded reminder: You’re not failing — you’re becoming. If you’ve felt lost, stretched, or unsure of who you are in this season of motherhood, this episode will meet you there with clarity, perspective, and encouragement. ~ We would LOVE your thoughts on this episode. Do you want more podcast episodes in this layout? You ask, I answer. Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop https://substack.com/@ellerowley https://www.instagram.com/ellerowley 00:00 - Welcoming Listeners 02:01 - Identity Struggles Postpartum 03:41 - Advice: Humility and Curiosity 05:49 - Starting Solibaby After Birth 07:34 - Open-Heartedness After Loss 10:13 - Mothering Without Your Mother 13:36 - Adjusting Homeschooling Expectations 16:44 - Connection During Toddler Phase 21:00 - Weekly Date Night Advice 27:02 - Meltdowns: Mothering Yourself ~ About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  6. Mar 10

    Reclaiming the Table: Why Gathering Matters

    Want to work with Elle? (Life Coaching) 🔗 https://paperbell.me/elle-rowley#packagestarpk Season 3 Episode 5 | Reclaiming the Table: Why Gathering Matters In this episode of Down The Well, Elle Rowley sits down with cookbook author and Recipe Club founder Kelsey Nixon for an honest conversation about why gathering around the dinner table matters. Kelsey shares childhood memories, her personal journey through motherhood and loss, and practical tips for reclaiming family dinner—even when life is busy or imperfect. Together, they bust the myth of “perfect” hosting, discuss the real reason dinner matters, and inspire listeners to embrace simple, meaningful meals as a source of connection and love. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by dinner or hosting, this soulful episode is for you. P.S. If you haven’t tried meal planning through Recipe Club, stop everything and sign up for two weeks free (code: ELLE) to test it out. You’ll never go back. I still can’t decide if it’s because of the one-click Instacart shopping or the fact that my kids never complain about dinner now as long as it’s a “Kelsey recipe.” It has truly revolutionized dinner time at our house almost three years ago and I promise it will at your house too. Recipe Club - https://kelseynixon.com/ Kelsey's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kelseynixon/?hl=en Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee - https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop https://substack.com/@ellerowley https://www.instagram.com/ellerowley ~ About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  7. Feb 24

    Overwhelm, Resentment, and the Return of Inner Authority

    Schedule a free coaching consult elle@levincapital.com Season 3 Episode 4 | Break The Cycle of Overwhelm and Resentment In Motherhood In this episode of Down The Well, Elle Rowley dives into the root causes of overwhelm and resentment in motherhood, revealing how the stories we tell ourselves can quietly define our experiences. Moving through scenarios of three mothers, Elle explores how old beliefs can keep us trapped. Have you had any of these thoughts before? “I am the only capable adult” "A good mother never has limits" "I have everything, I don't get to want more" If so, this episode is for YOU! With empathy and practical advice, Elle Rowley encourages listeners to rewrite these narratives, embrace healthy boundaries, and reclaim inner authority. This is an empowering guide for anyone ready to shift from martyrdom to self-leadership, and build a more aligned, fulfilling life as a mother. Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop https://substack.com/@ellerowley https://www.instagram.com/ellerowley 00:00 - Overwhelm Isn't Random, It's Story-Driven 01:07 - Phases: Maiden, Mother, Matriarch 03:52 – Overwhelm = Busy Mom Stereotype 04:55 – Overwhelm: Cognitive, Emotional, Existential 07:45 – Sarah: Only Capable Adult 14:51 – Maria: Never Has Limits 20:07 – Availability VS True Presence 28:55 – Architect Your Life, Intentional Choices ~ About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  8. Feb 10

    Who She Became After the Waiting — 5 Lessons From Leanne Morgan

    Schedule a free coaching consult - elle@levincapital.com Season 3 Episode 3 | Who She Became After the Waiting — 5 Lessons From Leanne Morgan In this episode of Down The Well, Elle Rowley takes listeners on a journey through the inspiring life and career of comedian Leanne Morgan, celebrating her as a modern-day matriarch whose humor and wisdom are hard-earned and deeply relatable. Through stories of motherhood, late blooming success, and finding comedy in the chaos of everyday life, Elle Rowley distills five powerful lessons from Leanne Morgan's journey—including the transformative power of humor, the quiet strength of gentleness, and the mythic value found in ordinary lives. With warm anecdotes, personal reflections, and snippets from Leanne Morgan herself, this episode is both a tribute to a beloved Southern voice and an uplifting reminder that it’s never too late to step into your own light. Leanne's Book: https://www.leannemorgan.com/book Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee: https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop https://substack.com/@ellerowley https://www.instagram.com/ellerowley 00:00 Introduction to Leanne Morgan 02:59 - Attending Leanne’s Netflix taping 05:03 - Leanne’s “Ordinary” Life Details 07:00 - Matriarchal Lessons: Right on Time 10:18 - Leanne on God’s Timing 12:40 - Humorous Motherhood Moments 18:00 - Mythic Power in Ordinary Lives 26:30 - Closing Lessons & Gratitude ~ About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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5
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About

Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley, talks about how mothers can achieve that meaning and joy by going on their own hero's journey. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better.

Information

  • Creator
    Elle Rowley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36

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