Experience Motherhood

Liz Emmerich, MA, LPCC, RPT
  • 5.0 (59)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Feeling alone in motherhood? Not sure of who you are anymore? Motherhood is a profoundly personal experience for every woman. Come along with me, a licensed therapist, as we delve into both the unique and shared aspects of this remarkable journey known as motherhood. You'll hear personal stories, encounters and knowledge as a therapist and mom. I'll be interviewing guests and moms (just like you) who have inspirational and relatable journeys in motherhood. Let's do motherhood together! We can't control all of our circumstances, but we can change how we experience them. 

  1. 3D AGO

    94. What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About This Season of Motherhood

    Every season of motherhood looks different. When my kids were babies and toddlers, I remember wondering what life would feel like once we got past those exhausting early years. I imagined things might feel calmer… more predictable… maybe even easier. Now that I’m parenting two elementary-aged kids and one middle schooler, I can tell you this: it’s different — but it’s not necessarily easier. In this episode, I’m sharing some of the honest things I wish someone had told me about this stage of motherhood. The good, the funny, the surprising, and the parts that still catch me off guard. We talk about:   • How the logistics may change, but the mental load often doesn’t   • The surprising ways kids still need us as they grow   • Why parenting older kids can feel both freeing and emotionally complex   • The funny realities of school schedules, sports, and constant snacks   • Learning to trust your intuition as a mom instead of trying to do everything perfectly If you’re in the thick of motherhood right now—whether your kids are little or getting older—I hope this episode feels like sitting down with a friend who gets it. Motherhood evolves, but the pressure we put on ourselves doesn’t have to. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can hear is simply: you’re doing better than you think. Listen to the episode and join the conversation. And if you’ve ever thought, “I wish someone had told me that…” I’d love to hear it. Send me a message or share it with me on Instagram. MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE: If you’re feeling stretched thin in this season of motherhood, I created a free resource to help. My Busy Mom Guide includes simple mindset shifts and practical ideas to help you slow down and feel more present in your everyday life. You can grab it here: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/busy-mom-guide I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :) Experience Motherhood more! Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhoodSTAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAILSign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818mGet access to other free guidesWebsite: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com -->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast! Your support is incredibly meaningful! Support the Show A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening! Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

    16 min

  2. MAR 17

    93. How Daily Routines Help Kids Thrive (and Moms Feel Less Overwhelmed) with Jessica Irwin

    Daily routines might sound simple, but the right rhythms can completely change how your days feel as a parent. Instead of rigid schedules or perfectly planned days, small pockets of consistency can help kids feel secure, reduce chaos at home, and give moms more breathing room in their day. In this conversation, I’m joined by Jessica Irwin, a pediatric occupational therapist, mom of two boys, and founder of Rooted in Routine. After years of working closely with families, and then experiencing motherhood herself, Jessica realized how powerful predictable daily rhythms can be. She shares practical ways to build flexible routines that support your child’s development while also helping you feel calmer, more confident, and less overwhelmed as a mom. In this episode, we talk about: Why predictable rhythms help regulate kids’ brains and nervous systemsThe five key parts of the day where simple routines can make the biggest differenceHow routines can create more calm for moms, not more pressureA simple morning rhythm that can help you carve out a little time for yourselfWhy independent play is an often overlooked but powerful routine for kidsUsing visual schedules to make after-school or after-work hours run more smoothlyWhat to do when kids resist routines or things don’t go as plannedHow to start building routines without feeling overwhelmed or adding more to your plateOne compassionate first step if your days currently feel chaotic or out of control If you’ve ever wished your days felt a little smoother, your kids knew what to expect, and you could create more calm in your home without rigid schedules, this conversation will leave you with practical ideas to start small and build from there. MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE: Connect with Jessica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedinroutine  Check out Jessica’s website, including her resources and membership community here: https://www.rootedinroutine.com/  Interested in a deeper space beyond the podcast? I’m gathering an interest list as I listen and discern what support might come next. Join the list here: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/a-place-to-go-deeper I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :) Experience Motherhood more! Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhood STAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAIL Sign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818m Get access to other free guides Website: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com -->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast! Your support is incredibly meaningful! Support the Show A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening! Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

    38 min

  3. MAR 10

    92. Buying Back Your Time as a Mom: How to Delegate Without Guilt with Christine Landis

    So much of motherhood isn’t the visible work; it’s the invisible remembering, anticipating, planning, and holding it all together. And for many of us, that mental load is what leaves us the most exhausted. In this conversation, I’m joined by Christine Landis, founder of Peacock Parent and creator of Proxy. Before becoming a mom, Christine built and sold an eight-figure company as a CEO who deeply understood systems and delegation. Motherhood, however, challenged her identity, her relationship with productivity, and her understanding of what success really means. We talk about delegating the doing and the thinking, navigating guilt when outsourcing at home, and how buying back your time can create space for a more intentional life. In this episode, we cover: The identity shift from high-level career to early motherhoodUntangling self-worth from productivityThe difference between delegating tasks and delegating mental loadWhy “it’s easier if I just do it” keeps us overwhelmedPractical, accessible ways to outsource supportReducing decision fatigue and protecting your mental energy If you’ve been carrying more in your head than anyone can see and wondering whether there’s a different way to do this, this conversation offers both permission and practical steps forward. MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE: Learn more about Proxy, a private thinking partner for the mental load: https://peacockparent.com/proxy/  Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askproxy  You can text Proxy at 820-732-2625 to try 15 messages for free. And with code Liz, you’ll receive three months free to see what it’s like to build this kind of support into your everyday life. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :) Experience Motherhood more! Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhoodSTAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAILSign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818mGet access to other free guidesWebsite: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com -->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast! Your support is incredibly meaningful! Support the Show A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening! Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

    31 min

  4. MAR 3

    91. The Power of Slowing Down in Motherhood

    Lately, I’ve been feeling the familiar tension of wanting to grow, be productive, and say yes, while also craving a slower, more present way of living. In this episode, I’m reflecting on a recent family trip that completely shifted my perspective on pace, presence, and what it really means to slow down in motherhood. What I realized surprised me: slowing down isn’t just about doing less, it’s about becoming different internally. Together, we explore why so many moms feel pulled in every direction, how our internal urgency gets shaped, and what it looks like to live at a more human pace, even in a very full life. In this episode, I cover: Why feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failingThe hidden pressure of modern motherhood and constant urgencyHow environment and pace shape your nervous systemWhat a slower pace can reveal about clarity, peace, and presenceSimple ways to disrupt autopilot and create micro-moments of calmHow to embrace the both/and of motherhoodPractical shifts to help you slow downThis episode is an invitation to breathe, reflect, and consider how a simple shift in pace might bring more clarity, connection, and calm into your everyday life. MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE: If you want to dive further into the topic of the invisible mental load of motherhood, check out episode 89, The Invisible Mental Load of Motherhood (And How to Start Letting Go): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/experience-motherhood/id1678603043?i=1000750125345  Interested in a deeper space beyond the podcast? I’m gathering an interest list as I listen and discern what support might come next. Join the list here: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/a-place-to-go-deeper I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :) Experience Motherhood more! Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhoodSTAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAILSign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818mGet access to other free guidesWebsite: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com -->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast! Your support is incredibly meaningful! Support the Show A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening! Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

    23 min

  5. FEB 24

    90. Finding Joy in Motherhood: Simple Mindset Shifts with Shayla of Hey Shayla

    Motherhood doesn’t always come naturally and when it feels hard, it’s easy to assume we’re doing something wrong. In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Shayla of Hey Shayla, a mom of three and creator known for her honest conversations about motherhood, mindset, and intentional living. Her perspective is a powerful reminder that joy isn’t something we earn by getting it right; it’s something we choose, even in the middle of exhaustion, mess, and uncertainty. In this episode, we cover: Why motherhood can feel harder than we expect and why that doesn’t mean you’re failingThe identity shift of matrescence and learning who you are after becoming a momHow comparison and social media quietly steal joy from everyday motherhoodPractical mindset shifts to help you find joy in your current seasonHow to create pockets of rest, fulfillment, and peace inside full, busy daysLetting go of perfection and embracing what works for your familyWhy joy is a daily practice, not a destination This conversation is gentle, grounding, and deeply relatable, especially if the joy of motherhood has started to feel distant. MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE: Connect with Shayla: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyshayla  On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heyshayla  Check out Shayla’s website to get her Mindset Guide and Positive Mindset Flip Book: https://www.heyshayla.com/shop/  Listen to Shayla’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-shayla-judgement-free-motherhood/id1589893217   I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :) Experience Motherhood more! Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhoodSTAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAILSign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818mGet access to other free guidesWebsite: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com -->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast! Your support is incredibly meaningful! Support the Show A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening! Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

    40 min

  6. FEB 17

    89. The Invisible Mental Load of Motherhood (And How to Start Letting Go)

    In this episode, I’m inviting you into an honest, couch-conversation style reflection on the mental and emotional weight so many of us carry in motherhood. From the never-ending “open tabs” in our minds to the invisible labor of keeping everything running smoothly, I’m sharing what I’ve been noticing in my own life and how this constant vigilance can quietly become part of our identity, shaping not just what we do, but who we believe we need to be. In this episode, I talk about: The invisible mental load and emotional labor many moms carryWhy “resting” doesn’t always mean our nervous system is actually restingHow motherhood wires us for constant vigilance and awarenessThe concept of “mom math” and what it reveals about mental loadWhen being responsible turns into control and how control can stem from anxietyHow resentment can quietly build when we carry more than we need toWhat it might look like to loosen your grip by just 10%Letting go of perfection without letting go of careIf motherhood feels heavy right now, if your mind never seems to slow down, or if you’re craving more peace, presence, and emotional breathing room, this episode is for you. MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE: Interested in a deeper space beyond the podcast? I’m gathering an interest list as I listen and discern what support might come next. Join the list here: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/a-place-to-go-deeper I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :) Experience Motherhood more! Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhoodSTAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAILSign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818mGet access to other free guidesWebsite: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com -->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast! Your support is incredibly meaningful! Support the Show A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening! Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

    15 min

  7. FEB 10

    88. What I’m Letting Go of in This Season of Motherhood

    Lately, I’ve been noticing that the most meaningful shifts in my life haven’t come from adding more, but from gently letting things go. In this episode, I share some of the pressures, expectations, and beliefs I’m loosening my grip on in this season of motherhood and invite you to reflect on what you might be carrying that no longer needs to be yours. In this episode, I talk about: Letting go of the idea that there’s a “right” way to do motherhoodReleasing constant self-monitoring and second-guessing yourselfStepping back from being the emotional manager for everyone in your familyWhy the “perfect mom” fantasy disconnects us from ourselves and our kidsUntangling your worth from productivity and being neededLetting go of the “I’ll get back to myself later” lie If you’re feeling weighed down by invisible expectations, exhausted by carrying everyone else’s emotions, or longing for a version of motherhood that doesn’t require you to disappear, this episode is for you. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :) Experience Motherhood more! Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhoodSTAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAILSign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818mGet access to other free guidesWebsite: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com -->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast! Your support is incredibly meaningful! Support the Show A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening! Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

    13 min
  8. 87. Redefining Success in Unexpected Seasons of Motherhood with Kristin Mervich

    FEB 3

    87. Redefining Success in Unexpected Seasons of Motherhood with Kristin Mervich

    In this episode of Experience Motherhood, I’m joined by therapist, business owner, and mom of three Kristin Mervich for an honest conversation about what happens when motherhood and life take an unexpected turn. We talk about how ambition, identity, and expectations can shift when everything feels off script, and what it really looks like to redefine success during seasons marked by uncertainty and change. Kristin shares how navigating her child’s cancer diagnosis reshaped both her personal and professional life and offers a grounded perspective for moms learning how to let go of the plan they once had. This conversation is reflective, steady, and full of wisdom for anyone moving through an unexpected season and trying to honor what matters most now. In this episode, we cover: Redefining success in unexpected seasons of motherhoodHow hardship can reshape ambition and identityNavigating major life transitions while caring for your familyMotherhood, career shifts, and evolving definitions of balanceMom guilt, limited capacity, and internal pressureReleasing perfectionism and trusting yourself in uncertain seasonsIf you’re a mom navigating an unexpected season, questioning who you are now, or learning how to let go of the plan you once had, this episode is for you. MENTIONS IN THE EPISODE: Grab a copy of my free Busy Mom Guide: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/busy-mom-guide Connect with Kristin Mervich! Follow Kristin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resourcedmother/  Follow Kristin’s therapy practice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outsmartingocd/  Learn more about Kristin’s group practice: https://outsmartingocd.com/  I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :) Experience Motherhood more! Follow over on Instagram: @experiencemotherhoodSTAY CONNECTED THROUGH EMAILSign up for the Experience Motherhood Newsletter: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/kac05b818mGet access to other free guidesWebsite: https://www.experiencemotherhood.com -->Take one minute to subscribe, rate and review the podcast! Your support is incredibly meaningful! Support the Show A small donation of $5, $10 or more is an amazing way to keep this podcast going and support me! Thank you so much for listening! Until next time. . . Go Experience Motherhood! Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. In no way is this therapy or clinical advice.

    32 min
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About

Feeling alone in motherhood? Not sure of who you are anymore? Motherhood is a profoundly personal experience for every woman. Come along with me, a licensed therapist, as we delve into both the unique and shared aspects of this remarkable journey known as motherhood. You'll hear personal stories, encounters and knowledge as a therapist and mom. I'll be interviewing guests and moms (just like you) who have inspirational and relatable journeys in motherhood. Let's do motherhood together! We can't control all of our circumstances, but we can change how we experience them. 

Information

  • Creator
    Liz Emmerich, MA, LPCC, RPT
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Experience Motherhood
  • Show Website
    Experience Motherhood

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