Mothers' Hood

Samantha Murrell

We should be mothering amongst the stories of motherhood - its complexities, joys and challenges - and we should have been supported and mentored through it, with the knowledge being passed down from generation to generation. But today we mother largely in isolation, away from our families, friends and communities; it was never meant to be this way.  Without all of this we lack the reference to make sense of our own experiences and the language to express how we are feeling. It leaves mothers feeling disconnected, lost and believing there is something wrong with them.  The Mothers’ Hood Podcast lifts the lid and tells the real, raw and honest stories of motherhood. It celebrates mothers thriving in motherhood and challenges the damaging modern narrative of the perfect mother and intensive mothering.       

Episodes

  1. 10 - It’s Not the Glass Ceiling Holding Mothers Back with Tamsin Broster.

    07/28/2025

    10 - It’s Not the Glass Ceiling Holding Mothers Back with Tamsin Broster.

    In this episode, I’m joined by Tamsin Broster, feminist visibility and confidence coach, former Ministry of Defence leader, mother of two and all-round powerhouse.  Tamsin shares her deeply personal story of stepping away from a 20-year civil service career to reclaim her identity, rebuild her confidence and rewrite what success means not just as a mother, but as a woman navigating loss, IVF, leadership, and the complexity of modern motherhood. This is a raw, rich, and honest conversation about what it means to live through matrescence in its fullest expression. From navigating IVF treatments, perimenopause and sandwich caregiving, to ultimately choosing joy and visibility on her own terms. Listen as we we talk about: The hidden toll of IVF while holding a senior roleWhat happens when the "maternal wall" collides with career ambitionResentment, rage, and reckoning with identity after her second childThe legacy she’s intentionally rewriting for her children TAMSIN BROSTER Tamsin is a feminist visibility and confidence coach who helps women stop shrinking and become the face of their business. She works with entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders navigating body image issues, impostor syndrome, and the pressure to look or act a certain way. With a background in MoD Logistics and Commercial support, she understands the leadership challenges women face and the work required to shift identity from a long term career into entrepreneurship. Her work is rooted in the belief that the world changes when women stop waiting to feel ready and start taking up space exactly as they are. Known for her warmth, humour, and straight-talking style, Tamsin brings a powerful blend of compassion and challenge to every stage. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsin-broster-1a66a8210/ https://www.instagram.com/tamsin_broster MOTHERS’ HOOD Work with me www.mothershood.co.uk MOTHERS’ HOOD Work with me www.mothershood.co.uk If this episode resonated and you're back at work after maternity leave wondering who the h*ll you are now — I work with women like you 1:1 to cut through the noise and get you to where you want to be, without overwhelm and burnout. My three-month 1:1 coaching programme, Sexy Motherfu*ker, is bespoke to you — because your path back isn't going to look like anyone else's and cookie-cutter doesn't cut it here. Not sure if it's for you? Start with a no-obligation Clarity Call. I'll walk you through exactly how working together gets you results —no hard sell. Book your Clarity Call Come and find me here: Instagram: @mothers.hood Facebook: @mothershoodtribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

    37 min
  2. 07/21/2025

    9 - Forget What They Told You. Motherhood Accelerates Careers.

    Listen up as I drop some truth bombs in this episode, waxing lyrical on why becoming a mother can accelerate your career like a bat out of h*ll! We’re telling mothers that they lack drive, determination, commitment and that when the baby arrives, that’s it, it’s game over for their career and they’ll just shuffle off into the background. But what if I told you this doesn't have to be the case? What if I told you that becoming a mother is a supercharged way of achieving bigger and better things in your career? It can be the beginning of realising that you can achieve success on your own terms without burnout, overwhelm or exhaustion. Giving the finger to the stuff that’s been weighing you down, shunning the outdated beliefs about motherhood and what success means is key to this.  Recognising that we’re still carrying more than our fair share of the domestic/mental/emotional load at home AND living in a society that doesn’t value caregiving also comes into play is also important. MOTHERS’ HOOD Work with me www.mothershood.co.uk If this episode resonated and you're back at work after maternity leave wondering who the h*ll you are now — I work with women like you 1:1 to cut through the noise and get you to where you want to be, without overwhelm and burnout. My three-month 1:1 coaching programme, Sexy Motherfu*ker, is bespoke to you — because your path back isn't going to look like anyone else's and cookie-cutter doesn't cut it here. Not sure if it's for you? Start with a no-obligation Clarity Call. I'll walk you through exactly how working together gets you results —no hard sell. Book your Clarity Call Come and find me here: Instagram: @mothers.hood Facebook: @mothershoodtribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

    29 min
  3. 8 - Letting go of the Perfect Family Ideal with Robin Lynn

    07/14/2025

    8 - Letting go of the Perfect Family Ideal with Robin Lynn

    In this moving episode, I sit down with Robin Lynn.  Robin is a clarity coach, speaker, musician and the unapologetic host of the Gucci God podcast. As the founder of Robin Lynn Coaching, Robin guides women through life’s pivots with power, prayer, and a little bit of cosmic spice. Robin shares her journey into and through motherhood. From navigating postpartum with bipolar disorder and infidelity to being blindsided in a custody battle, to redefining what it means to be a “good mother”.  We talk about the expectations we carry, the stories we inherit and how motherhood rarely, if ever, looks the way we imagined. And more than anything, this episode is a testament to what’s possible when you stop judging yourself and start building something that works for you and your child even if it doesn’t look picture-perfect on the outside. FIND ROBIN HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-weaver-04048182/ ABOUT ROBIN: Robin Lynn is a clarity coach, speaker, musician, and the unapologetic host of the Gucci God podcast—a bi-spiritual sanctuary for women who love Jesus and their crystals. With a Master’s in Neuroscience & Education from Columbia University and years of experience in transformational coaching, Robin empowers women to break free from people-pleasing, reconnect with their purpose, and rise into the woman God designed them to be. Her unique approach blends brain-based strategy with soul-led alignment, uniting the sacred and the stylish in every session. As the founder of Robin Lynn Coaching, creator of the On Purpose 1:1 mentorship, and leader of Clarity Club, Robin guides women through life’s pivots with power, prayer, and a little bit of cosmic spice. Whether she’s coaching clients, playing the pipe organ in church, or preaching truth on Instagram, she embodies what it means to walk holy and high-vibe—rosary in one hand, rose quartz in the other. FOLLOW ROBIN LYNN: Instagram: @robinlynncoaching Facebook: Robin Weaver Podcast: Gucci God  GET GROUNDED Learning to connect to myself was one of the most important parts of discovering who I was and what I really wanted when I became a mother - and it still is. We grew up giving away our power - looking for answers externally when we had them inside all along. Realising this was profound for me. But it took practice - over and over. Getting still. Listening. Connecting. Acting on the whispers and nudges, building trust with ourselves. I’ve created a free 5 minute audio for you, called Get G MOTHERS’ HOOD Work with me www.mothershood.co.uk If this episode resonated and you're back at work after maternity leave wondering who the h*ll you are now — I work with women like you 1:1 to cut through the noise and get you to where you want to be, without overwhelm and burnout. My three-month 1:1 coaching programme, Sexy Motherfu*ker, is bespoke to you — because your path back isn't going to look like anyone else's and cookie-cutter doesn't cut it here. Not sure if it's for you? Start with a no-obligation Clarity Call. I'll walk you through exactly how working together gets you results —no hard sell. Book your Clarity Call Come and find me here: Instagram: @mothers.hood Facebook: @mothershoodtribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

    27 min
  4. 7- From Supermum Addiction to Softening & Slowing Down with Layla O'Mara

    07/07/2025

    7- From Supermum Addiction to Softening & Slowing Down with Layla O'Mara

    We live in a culture that celebrates and almost idolises mothers who appear to do it all and have it all together. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle - we do more and more and are praised for doing so, so we continue to do more and more because that praise and recognition feels good.  But this is often an appearance and frequently masks burnout and exhaustion.   In episode 7, Layla O’Mara shares her experience of being Supermum and the effect it had on her. Listen as Layla shares  The starkly contrasting experiences of the postpartum periods of her first two children in Germany with her third in IrelandHow searching for answers about postpartum care led her to training as a doula and the healing that came from thatHow diving deeper into learning and understanding about motherhood concepts and matrescence was a game changer for her to understanding her own mothering experiences and how the societal expectations contributed to her own burnout and overwhelm. We end the conversation with Layla describing how she is letting go of all of the baggage that she picked up along the way on the expectations of motherhood and how she is now softening and slowing down.  I hope this episode highlights the damaging conditioning around modern motherhood which makes us strive to do more and be more at the expense of our well-being. Being aware of it is the first step in healing from it and rejecting those parts that do not serve you. Find Layla online: Layla is a Motherhood and Matrescence guide and also works as a 5 Element acupuncturist from her home in Wicklow, Ireland. Find her below: Instagram:  @nuanuaonline Facebook: @nuanua Website: www.nuanuaonline.com Resources The Heroin's Journey by Maureen Murdoch MOTHERS’ HOOD Work with me www.mothershood.co.uk If this episode resonated and you're back at work after maternity leave wondering who the h*ll you are now — I work with women like you 1:1 to cut through the noise and get you to where you want to be, without overwhelm and burnout. My three-month 1:1 coaching programme, Sexy Motherfu*ker, is bespoke to you — because your path back isn't going to look like anyone else's and cookie-cutter doesn't cut it here. Not sure if it's for you? Start with a no-obligation Clarity Call. I'll walk you through exactly how working together gets you results —no hard sell. Book your Clarity Call Come and find me here: Instagram: @mothers.hood Facebook: @mothershoodtribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

    41 min
  5. 6 - The Friction of Modern Motherhood to A Feminist Awakening with Rachelle Glendon

    06/30/2025

    6 - The Friction of Modern Motherhood to A Feminist Awakening with Rachelle Glendon

    The return to work for most mothers, who chose to or have to, is not smooth sailing. We have birthed and nurtured a new life and our lives have radically changed. Then we enter back into a world that does not recognise or value our mothering roles and the additional energy and time this requires.  This week’s guest, Rachelle Glendon, experienced this ‘friction point’ after the birth of her second child.  Listen as we discuss: The resentment and overwhelm Rachelle felt when she wasn’t able to fulfil her calling for ‘something more’ and how this manifested in frustration with her husband and internally with herself Rachelle’s exploration into what was going on leading to her recognising how modern patriarchal motherhood affects both men and women and how this dynamic was playing out in her marriage.How this feminist awakening changed her relationship with her husband and how she showed up as a mother.She also discusses how her way of living slow is counter-cultural and what this brings up but how it enables her to show up and enjoy life as a mother, wife, friend and for herself.  We end on the story of her recent big solo trip which was a huge step for her and how it benefitted both her and her whole family. I hope this episode highlights the pressures of modern motherhood and how we are set up to fail in a culture that does not value the role of mothers. We often look internally for our shortcomings but please know it’s not you who isn’t enough or who doesn’t do enough – we were never meant to mother alone and the modern idealisation of motherhood is unachievable and unrealistic.   Find Rachelle online: Rachelle is a slow living coach for busy Mums. Find her below and join her community to embrace a slow living lifestyle and get clear on the essentials to create an intentional, fulfilled life. Instagram:  @ howtoliveslow Facebook: @howtoliveslow Website: www.howtoliveslow.com Podcast: www.howtoliveslow.com/podcast MOTHERS’ HOOD Work with me www.mothershood.co.uk If this episode resonated and you're back at work after maternity leave wondering who the h*ll you are now — I work with women like you 1:1 to cut through the noise and get you to where you want to be, without overwhelm and burnout. My three-month 1:1 coaching programme, Sexy Motherfu*ker, is bespoke to you — because your path back isn't going to look like anyone else's and cookie-cutter doesn't cut it here. Not sure if it's for you? Start with a no-obligation Clarity Call. I'll walk you through exactly how working together gets you results —no hard sell. Book your Clarity Call Come and find me here: Instagram: @mothers.hood Facebook: @mothershoodtribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

    52 min
  6. 4 - High Risk Pregnancy + Losing a Village to Reclaiming Power with Kylie Blascetta

    06/01/2025

    4 - High Risk Pregnancy + Losing a Village to Reclaiming Power with Kylie Blascetta

    *Content/trigger warning – references to suicidal ideation and potential miscarriage* Pregnancy is often a complex time of joy and celebration mixed in with worry, anxiety, uncertainty, physical pain, nausea, sickness, exhaustion, and everything in between. But for some women, there is little enjoyment because of the risk that their baby might not survive the pregnancy or for long after the birth. This was the reality for our guest, Kylie Blascetta. Kylie shares: Discovering early on that her baby might not survive the pregnancy due to a lack of amniotic fluid and the high risk of her pregnancy ending in miscarriage or death soon after birthThe impact of this and further difficulties throughout her pregnancy that led to a loss of her support village and the impact this had on her mental healthHow a pivotal moment when she was in the depths of post-natal anxiety and depression was the catalyst to her choosing a different way, setting her on a path of recovery and reclaiming her powerWe also discuss the lack of care she received for her own needs and mental health as the mother and how the cone of silence and shame which surrounded her pregnancy exacerbated an already incredibly vulnerable period in her life. MOTHERS’ HOOD Work with me www.mothershood.co.uk If this episode resonated and you're back at work after maternity leave wondering who the h*ll you are now — I work with women like you 1:1 to cut through the noise and get you to where you want to be, without overwhelm and burnout. My three-month 1:1 coaching programme, Sexy Motherfu*ker, is bespoke to you — because your path back isn't going to look like anyone else's and cookie-cutter doesn't cut it here. Not sure if it's for you? Start with a no-obligation Clarity Call. I'll walk you through exactly how working together gets you results —no hard sell. Book your Clarity Call Come and find me here: Instagram: @mothers.hood Facebook: @mothershoodtribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

    1h 19m
  7. 3 - Finding Answers in Matrescence + Simple Steps with Gladys Kangau

    06/01/2025

    3 - Finding Answers in Matrescence + Simple Steps with Gladys Kangau

    Becoming a mother is a huge transition and one that is rarely celebrated, supported, and honoured in the ways that mothers need. This leaves mothers disoriented, lost, and exhausted. Gladys Kangau experienced all of this after the birth of her first child. She was told she had post-partum depression but believed it was something else.  This started her on a journey of searching for her truth and led her to find matrescence which helped her to make sense of her mothering journey.  We discuss: The cultural expectations of a ‘good mother’ in KenyaHow finding matrescence healed her mothering experienceThe small and simple steps that helped Gladys let go of the expectations and led her to being an activist in her communityFind Glayds online: Instagram:     @motherhood_unscripted @mama_kazaliwa MOTHERS’ HOOD Work with me www.mothershood.co.uk If this episode resonated and you're back at work after maternity leave wondering who the h*ll you are now — I work with women like you 1:1 to cut through the noise and get you to where you want to be, without overwhelm and burnout. My three-month 1:1 coaching programme, Sexy Motherfu*ker, is bespoke to you — because your path back isn't going to look like anyone else's and cookie-cutter doesn't cut it here. Not sure if it's for you? Start with a no-obligation Clarity Call. I'll walk you through exactly how working together gets you results —no hard sell. Book your Clarity Call Come and find me here: Instagram: @mothers.hood Facebook: @mothershoodtribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

    52 min
  8. 2 - Being Your Own Hero - Thriving After Domestic Abuse with Lucy Wylde

    06/01/2025

    2 - Being Your Own Hero - Thriving After Domestic Abuse with Lucy Wylde

    *Trigger Warning Domestic Violence* Entering motherhood and looking after a newborn baby can be  challenging enough without adding what Lucy Wylde had to deal with. In this episode, Lucy  bravely shares her experience with domestic violence in the form of coercive control. She discusses this abuse by her partner which appeared shortly after her daughter was born and the journey to leaving her partner several years later. Lucy is a beautifully empathic soul and you will hear how deeply she feels and expresses her emotions. You will learn:  ·        How the abuse manifested and the signs that something was seriously wrong.  ·        How Lucy became her own hero and the moment she realised she needed to leave the relationship.  ·        What thriving as a solo mother looks like for her now.  Below are some links to where you can access help if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence.    Find Lucy Wylde online: Website:  https://www.thebirthrecoverycoach.com Instagram:  @thebirthrecoverycoach Facebook The Birth Recovery Coach - Private Group   Other Resources   Below are some of the UK based resources set up to help those experiencing domestic violence or abuse. Domestic violence is the systematic pattern of behaviour on the part of the abuser designed to control his partner.  The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. Anyone forced to alter their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner’s reaction is being abused. It can begin at any stage of the relationship. Domestic violence is rarely a one-off. Incidents generally become more frequent and severe over time.  Domestic Violence UK - a not-for-profit organisation set up to provide information, support and raise awareness on the issues of domestic and emotional abuse.  Refuge – The freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline. The Helpline can help you find a refuge vacancy for you and your children; call for more information. They can also support you to find other specialist services in your community, which can provide support whether or not you have left your partner.  0808 2000 247  MOTHERS’ HOOD Work with me www.mothershood.co.uk If this episode resonated and you're back at work after maternity leave wondering who the h*ll you are now — I work with women like you 1:1 to cut through the noise and get you to where you want to be, without overwhelm and burnout. My three-month 1:1 coaching programme, Sexy Motherfu*ker, is bespoke to you — because your path back isn't going to look like anyone else's and cookie-cutter doesn't cut it here. Not sure if it's for you? Start with a no-obligation Clarity Call. I'll walk you through exactly how working together gets you results —no hard sell. Book your Clarity Call Come and find me here: Instagram: @mothers.hood Facebook: @mothershoodtribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

    51 min
  9. 1 - From Rage & Anger to a Calm & Centred Motherhood with Alison Ryan

    06/01/2025

    1 - From Rage & Anger to a Calm & Centred Motherhood with Alison Ryan

    The very first episode of the Mothers’ Hood Podcast explores the taboo topic of rage and anger in motherhood with Alison Ryan.  Alison shares her experience of the overwhelming rage she felt after having her second daughter. This is a topic that is rarely discussed or acknowledged and is shrouded in so much shame and guilt.  We discuss: How the rage and anger manifested and the self-judgment she had in feeling this wayAlison’s breaking point, resulting in smashing plates in the sink, and how this was a key moment for her to recognise that she was not okThe steps she took to start feeling calmer and to reset how she feels about motherhood and herselfAlison provides some great tangible examples of the ways she takes care of her own needs today.Breaking the silence on this normal, human emotion, is the first step in helping mothers know that they are not failing motherhood or a bad mother for feeling this way. MOTHERS’ HOOD Work with me www.mothershood.co.uk If this episode resonated and you're back at work after maternity leave wondering who the h*ll you are now — I work with women like you 1:1 to cut through the noise and get you to where you want to be, without overwhelm and burnout. My three-month 1:1 coaching programme, Sexy Motherfu*ker, is bespoke to you — because your path back isn't going to look like anyone else's and cookie-cutter doesn't cut it here. Not sure if it's for you? Start with a no-obligation Clarity Call. I'll walk you through exactly how working together gets you results —no hard sell. Book your Clarity Call Come and find me here: Instagram: @mothers.hood Facebook: @mothershoodtribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

    40 min
  10. Trailer Episode

    05/28/2025

    Trailer Episode

    Tune in to raw and honest conversations about motherhood, identity, and the messy beauty of it all. These are the stories we should have heard growing up, as we navigated pregnancy and motherhood - the real, unfiltered truths of the journey. Yet, we live in a world where mothers often find themselves isolated, navigating the ups and downs of parenting alone. Without hearing others' stories, we lack the reference to make sense of our own experiences and the language to express what we're feeling. This leaves many mothers feeling disconnected, lost and questioning if something is wrong with them. This is the good, the bad, and the ugly of motherhood. This is motherhood in all its complexity. No highlight reels. No experts or gurus – just real women, sharing real stories. We're in this together. MOTHERS’ HOOD Work with me www.mothershood.co.uk If this episode resonated and you're back at work after maternity leave wondering who the h*ll you are now — I work with women like you 1:1 to cut through the noise and get you to where you want to be, without overwhelm and burnout. My three-month 1:1 coaching programme, Sexy Motherfu*ker, is bespoke to you — because your path back isn't going to look like anyone else's and cookie-cutter doesn't cut it here. Not sure if it's for you? Start with a no-obligation Clarity Call. I'll walk you through exactly how working together gets you results —no hard sell. Book your Clarity Call Come and find me here: Instagram: @mothers.hood Facebook: @mothershoodtribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-murrell-03966132/

    6 min

About

We should be mothering amongst the stories of motherhood - its complexities, joys and challenges - and we should have been supported and mentored through it, with the knowledge being passed down from generation to generation. But today we mother largely in isolation, away from our families, friends and communities; it was never meant to be this way.  Without all of this we lack the reference to make sense of our own experiences and the language to express how we are feeling. It leaves mothers feeling disconnected, lost and believing there is something wrong with them.  The Mothers’ Hood Podcast lifts the lid and tells the real, raw and honest stories of motherhood. It celebrates mothers thriving in motherhood and challenges the damaging modern narrative of the perfect mother and intensive mothering.