Experience Motherhood

Liz Emmerich, MA, LPCC, RPT
  • 5.0 (61)
  • 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. 22H AGO

    99. Things That Are Actually Making My Life Easier as a Mom Right Now

    Motherhood doesn't always need more ideas — sometimes it needs a little permission to do less. In today's episode, I'm sharing the things that are genuinely making my life feel lighter right now. Not a perfect system, not an aesthetic routine, just a handful of real shifts that are helping me show up more like the mom I actually want to be. In this episode, we cover: Why trying to "get ahead" of your life is quietly draining you — and what to do insteadThe permission slip to lower the bar in the areas that don't actually matterWhy doing too much for your kids might be working against both of youThe small connection ritual that's been making a real difference with my boysWhat I do when the day starts to spiral — and how to interrupt it before it takes overThe tiny boundary that's giving me more breathing room than I expectedHow I simplified dinner for three boys and what that actually freed upIf you've been feeling like you're running on empty and waiting for things to slow down — this episode is for you. It doesn't have to be complicated to make a difference. MENTIONS IN THIS EPISODE: 📎 Grab the freebie mentioned in this episode — The 5-Minute Connection Menu — 10 simple ways to connect with your kids today: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/5-minute-connection-menu I'd love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message :) 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.

    19 min

  2. APR 21

    98. Raising Kids with Big Feelings: ADHD, Mom Guilt, and How to Support Your Child Without Losing Yourself with Dr. Michelle Casarella

    Motherhood is hard enough on its own — but when your child is struggling with ADHD, emotional regulation, or behavioral challenges, it can start to quietly chip away at how you see yourself as a mom. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Dr. Michelle Casarella, a licensed psychologist who specializes in supporting moms raising children with ADHD. As both a clinician and a mom who has lived this experience herself, Michelle brings a rare mix of professional insight and real-life understanding to a conversation that so many of us need to have. In this episode, we cover: Why motherhood feels so much heavier when your child is struggling — and why that doesn't mean you're failingThe guilt moms carry when their child has ADHD or big feelings, and how to start releasing itWhat it's really like to raise a child whose brain works differently (and why the standard advice often falls short)How to support your child's emotional regulation without losing yourself in the processWhy high-achieving, capable moms are especially vulnerable to burnout in this seasonThe shift from chaos and conflict to calmer, more connected parentingPractical, evidence-based strategies Michelle uses in her therapy groups for moms of ADHD kidsIf you've ever found yourself wondering why does this feel so hard or am I doing something wrong — this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. You are not alone, and you don't have to figure this out by yourself. Connect with Dr. Michelle Casarella:  Instagram: @dr.michelle.casarella 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: 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.

    45 min

  3. APR 14

    97. Finding Yourself Again in the Middle of Motherhood (Part 3)

    Can I ask you something kind of real? When was the last time someone asked how you were doing - not as a mom, not as a partner, not as whoever needs something from you - and you actually had an answer that wasn't "tired" or "good, just busy"? Because I've been sitting with that one lately. And honestly? It took me a minute. This is the finale of our mini-series, and I really wanted to end here - on this idea of what happens when you quietly disappear in the middle of motherhood. Not in a dramatic way. Not a breakdown or a big identity crisis. Just that slow, subtle thing where you look up one day and realize you've been ordering the practical thing for so long you forgot what you actually wanted. Or a friend asks what you do for fun and you automatically list your kids' activities. Or you're alone in Target for 20 whole minutes and you genuinely have no idea what you would even buy for yourself. That's what we're talking about today. I'm calling it functional disappearance - you're still here, lunches are packed, emotional support fully online - but somewhere underneath all of that, there's a version of you that's just been on hold. The good news? She hasn't gone nearly as far as you think. In This Episode: What "functional disappearance" really is — and why it happens so quietlyThe moment in Target that made me realize how much I'd drifted from myselfThe stages of mom "me time" (stage one: announcing you need alone time — rookie mistake)Why you don't need a whole day off to start coming back to yourselfSmall, real moments that help you remember who you are underneath the schedules and the mental loadThe "both/and" of motherhood — you can love this and still miss the person you were beforeA gentle question to carry with you this week 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: https://experiencemotherhood.myflodesk.com/a-place-to-go-deeper Missed the mini-series? Start with Episode 95 (glimmers) and Episode 96 (the mental load) 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

  4. APR 7

    96. The Running List That Never Turns Off | A Week in My Life, Emotionally (Part 2)

    You know that feeling when your brain has approximately 100 tabs open — and at least 17 of them are frozen, 12 are playing music you can't find, and one is reminding you that the field trip form still isn't signed? Yeah. That's motherhood lately. In part two of the A Week in My Life, Emotionally mini series, I'm getting into the running list — the one that never actually turns off. The one that follows you from the bathroom sink to the dinner table to the moment you're about to fall asleep and your brain suddenly goes, hey, did you change the laundry? If you've ever carried something nobody else can see, this episode is going to make you feel a lot less alone — and maybe even laugh a little. In This Episode: The "100 tabs open" feeling and why it resonates so deeply with momsThe laundry you remembered three times and still didn't doWhy forgetting the snacks isn't proof you're failing — it's proof you're carrying too muchThe midnight spiral that goes from groceries to mom guilt in secondsBeing interrupted 47 times while trying to do one single thingWhy the running list is actually evidence of how much you love your peopleA reframe that might make you a little more gentle with yourself 📲 What's your most ridiculous running list moment this week? DM me on Instagram 📧 On my email list? Hit reply — I genuinely want to hear it   Busy Mom Guide: 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.

    12 min

  5. MAR 31

    95. Glimmers: The Small Moments That Keep Me Going as a Mom (Part 1)

    What if the good parts of motherhood aren't waiting for you on the other side of a calmer season — but are already showing up, right in the middle of the chaos? In this first episode of the A Week in My Life, Emotionally mini series, I'm not talking schedules or logistics. I'm talking about what my week actually felt like — the emotional experience of being a mom to three kids (ages 7, 9, and 12) while running a therapy practice. And what kept showing up? Glimmers. Small, ordinary moments I almost missed completely. None of it is flashy. None of it would stop your scroll. But these glimmers? They're what keep me grounded — and I think they might be what keeps you going too. If you've been waiting for motherhood to feel calm before you let yourself enjoy it, this episode is for you. In This Episode: What "glimmers" are and why they matter so much for overwhelmed momsThe joke book moment that stopped me in my tracksHow a chaotic sibling argument turned into an unexpected glimmerWhy ordinary morning conversations with your kids are worth protectingCelebrating tiny wins — even just getting out the doorHow to start noticing glimmers even when you're in full survival modeWhat's one glimmer from your week? Send me a DM on instagram or an email and let me know! 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

  6. MAR 24

    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

  7. 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: @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.

    38 min

  8. 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
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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
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Experience Motherhood
  • Show Website
    Experience Motherhood

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