Motherhood Unstressed Liz Carlile

Heidi Reimer's journey into motherhood sparked the inspiration for her latest work, "The Mother Act," a poignant exploration of the intricate dance between maternal devotion and personal fulfillment.
As a stay-at-home mother juggling the demands of caring for a baby and a toddler while her actor husband traveled for work, Heidi found herself at a crossroads. In a moment of quiet desperation, she contemplated the unthinkable: walking away from it all. Yet, instead of succumbing to her fleeting thoughts, Heidi channeled her emotions into a feverish burst of creativity, weaving her experiences into a literary tapestry that captures the essence of modern motherhood.
"The Mother Act" delves deep into the trials, triumphs, and sacrifices of motherhood, offering a bold perspective on the thin line between self-prioritization and self-centeredness. Through the lens of a mother and daughter duo, Heidi explores themes of identity, ambition, and the profound impact of our choices on those we love.
Tune in as we dissect the greater themes within "The Mother Act," from its feminist undertones to its exploration of the complexities of womanhood. Join us as we unravel the layers of this compelling narrative, exploring how Heidi's personal journey informed her storytelling and the universal truths it unveils about the human experience. Whether you're a parent grappling with the challenges of balancing family and personal aspirations or simply a lover of thought-provoking literature, this conversation promises to enlighten and inspire.
Connect with Heidi
Web: https://www.heidireimer.com
Instagram @heidi.c.reimer
Get the Book: The Mother Act
Connect with Liz
Web: https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com
Instagram @motherhoodunstressed
About Heidi
Heidi Reimer is a novelist and writing coach. Her debut novel,  The Mother Act, is coming from Penguin Random House in April 2024. Her writing interrogates the lives of women, usually those bent on breaking free of what they’re given to create what they yearn for. Her front row seat to The Mother Act’s theatrical world began two decades ago when she met and married an actor, and her immersion in motherhood began when she adopted a toddler and discovered she was pregnant on the same day. She has published in  Chatelaine,  The New Quarterly,  Literary Mama, and the anthologies  The M Word: Conversations About Motherhood  and  Body & Soul: Stories for Skeptics and Seekers. About the Book

Set against the sparkling backdrop of the theater world, this propulsive debut follows the complicated relationship between an actress who refuses to abandon her career and the daughter she chooses to abandon instead. Sadie Jones, a larger-than-life actress and controversial feminist, never wanted to be a mother. No one feels this more deeply than Jude, the daughter Sadie left behind. While Jude spent her childhood touring with her father’s Shakespearian theater company, desperate for validation from the mother she barely knew, Sadie catapulted to fame on the wings of The Mother Act—a scathing one-woman show depicting her maternal rage.
Two decades later, Jude is a talented actress in her own right, and her fraught relationship with Sadie has come to a head—bitterly and publicly. On a December evening in New York City, at the packed premiere of Sadie’s latest play, the two come face-to-face and the intertwined stories of their lives unravel. With years of love, resentment, and misunderstanding laid bare, the questions loom: What are the costs of being a devoted mother and a devoted artist, and who gets to decide if the collateral damage is justified?
Compelling, insightful, and cleverly conveyed as a play in six acts, The Mother Act is equal parts stylish page-turner and provocative exploration of womanhood.
Coming April 30, 2024 from Dutton and Random House Canada. Pre-Order here: https://www.heidireimer.com/preorder 

Indulge in a tranquil journey to inner peace with this soothing guided meditation, designed to guide you to a state of profound relaxation and harmony. Immerse yourself in the gentle frequencies of alpha waves, known for their calming effects on the mind and body. Whether you're seeking stress relief, mental clarity, or simply a moment of tranquility, this meditation offers a rejuvenating escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Join us and embark on a transformative voyage to inner harmony.
Connect with Liz
Instagram @motherhoodunstressed
Youtube Motherhood Unstressed
https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com 

Stephen Johnston is a father, radiologist, nonprofit founder, and Ironman athlete, who faced his son Luke's life-altering diagnosis with resilience and determination.
At just seven years old, Luke was diagnosed with a rare disease: retinitis pigmentosa and Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS). With no medical intervention available for BBS-related retinitis pigmentosa, Luke faced the prospect of slowly losing his vision, eventually leading to blindness in his teenage years.
Undeterred by the daunting prognosis, Stephen embarked on a mission to save his son's sight. Connecting with a UK-based researcher on the cusp of human clinical trials for a potential treatment, Stephen founded A Race Against Blindness to raise $1 million for sight-saving research.
Through his relentless efforts, Stephen has raised over six figures, garnering attention from major media outlets like GoodMorningAmerica.com and various TV news stations. His story is not just about fundraising; it's about finding purpose in adversity and redefining resilience as a parent.
In this episode, Stephen shares invaluable insights on parenting through tough situations, setting a strong example for your children, and navigating co-parenting post-divorce, especially when faced with unexpected challenges like a serious medical condition.
In this episode we discuss:
Finding Your Purpose Amidst Adversity and Channeling Change: Stephen discusses discovering his passion amidst his son's diagnosis and the complex emotions that accompany finding purpose in difficult situations.
Making a Safe Space for Your Children Through Effective Co-Parenting Post-Divorce: Stephen offers practical tips on co-parenting through adversity, drawing from his experience of re-evaluating priorities and fostering family unity post-diagnosis.
Setting a Strong Example: Modeling a Balance of Strength and Vulnerability for Your Children: Stephen shares how he redefined resilience and vulnerability to become a better parent, inspiring listeners to shift their mindset and embrace challenges.
Parenting a Child Through Tough News: Stephen reflects on communicating difficult diagnoses to children, offering coping strategies and parenting tools to support children through challenging times.
Tune in to gain valuable insights from Stephen's journey and learn how to navigate parenthood with resilience and grace.
Connect with Stephen
Web: https://araceagainstblindness.org
Instagram: dad.vs.blindness and a.race.against.blindness
Youtube: A.Race.Against.Blindness
Connect with Liz
Instagram @motherhoodunstressed
Youtube Motherhood Unstressed
https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com 
 

My guest today is none other than Lauren Fleshman, a former elite distance runner turned dedicated coach and author. Lauren's latest book, "Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man’s World," has been making waves since its release in paperback, shedding light on the unique struggles faced by female athletes and advocating for change in how we support and train them.
In this episode, we'll dive deep into Lauren's journey as a runner, her experiences as a major figure in women's running for Nike, and her insights on female physiology and disordered eating and her inspiring vision for a more inclusive and empowering future in sports.
So, whether you're a parent, a coach, or simply passionate about creating a better world for young female athletes, Lauren's perspective is as insightful as it is inspiring. 
Connect with Lauren
Web: https://www.laurenfleshman.com 
Instagram: LaurenFleshman
Get the Book: Good For a Gir: A Woman Running in a Man's World 
Connect with Liz
Instagram @motherhoodunstressed
Youtube Motherhood Unstressed
https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com 
Resources Mentioned:
NEDA - https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Stanford Female Athlete Science and Translation Research Program
IG @stanfordfastr  
Web: https://fastr.stanford.edu
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
"Take Back the Game" by Linda Flanagan
About the Book
“Good for a Girl is simultaneously a moving memoir and a call to action in how we think about—and train—girls and women in elite sports. It’s a must-read—for anyone who loves running, for anyone who has a daughter, and for anyone who cares about creating a better future for young women.” 
—Emily Oster, author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm

Join me as I sit down with the legendary Lyn Slater, better known as the Accidental Icon. With over 750 thousand followers on Instagram and accolades from top brands and media outlets, Lyn's journey from social work professor to fashion influencer extraordinaire is nothing short of inspiring.
In our conversation, we delve into Lyn's new memoir, "HOW TO BE OLD: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon." We explore her transformative decade, where she defied expectations, battled ageism and influencer culture, and ultimately chose to walk away from it all at the peak of her career.
Part personal style memoir, part social commentary, and part creative manifesto, "HOW TO BE OLD" offers invaluable insights into reinvention and embracing change and challenges conventional standards of aging, advocating instead for inclusivity and empowerment.
Tune in to discover how Lyn Slater's rebellious journey will inspire you to redefine what's possible in your own life. 
Connect with Lyn 
Web: www.accidentalicon.com  
Instagram: @iconaccidental 
Get the Book: How to Be Old: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon
Connect with Liz
Instagram @motherhoodunstressed
Youtube Motherhood Unstressed
https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com 
About the Book

HOW TO BE OLD shows readers that while you can’t control everything, what you can control is the way you think about your age and the creative ways you respond to the changes in your mind and body as they happen. 
Rather than trying to meet standards of youth and beauty as a measure of successful aging,
Slater promotes a more inclusive and empowering standard to judge our older selves by.
A true icon and trendsetter in more ways than one, Slater will inspire readers to reimagine
what’s possible with the tales of her bold, fashionable, and rebellious journey in HOW TO BE
OLD.

In this episode, join me as I sit down with Kelly Armatage, a globally recognised Therapist and expert in the field of psychological trauma and behavioural transformation. Through her personal odyssey, Kelly has evolved into a beacon of healing, offering profound insights into navigating life's challenges.
At the heart of our conversation lies Kelly's groundbreaking A.S.K. Technique—a fusion of somatic and cognitive tools meticulously crafted to dismantle limiting beliefs and behavioral patterns. But our exploration doesn't stop there. We delve into the intricate dynamics of 'mother and father wounds,' dissecting their profound impacts on our behaviors and relationships.
This isn't your run-of-the-mill self-help spiel. It's a candid, no-nonsense discussion rooted in real experiences and tangible solutions. Tune in for an illuminating journey towards personal growth and healing.
Connect with Kelly
Web: https://kellyarmatage.com
Instagram @kellyarmatage
Facebook @kellyarmatage
TikTok @kellyarmatagetherapist
Connect with Liz
Instagram @motherhoodunstressed
Youtube Motherhood Unstressed
https://www.motherhoodunstressed.com 
Episode Summary
Kelly's Journey to Therapy: Overcoming Trauma and Helping Others     Kelly, a trained counsellor, coach, and cognitive behavioral therapist, shared her journey of overcoming trauma and pursuing a career in therapy. She revealed that her own struggles with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and toxic relationships led her to study the mind and human behavior. She also shared that she created an accredited therapy technique called A.S.K., which she trains other therapists on. Liz asked about Kelly's motivations and experiences during her studies. Kelly explained that she had a keen interest in understanding patterns and behaviors, leading her to read over a thousand self-help books and work with top therapists, healers, and coaches. She found satisfaction in helping others and had a natural empathy for people's struggles.           Healing, Self-Love, and Personal Growth Discussion     Liz and Kelly discussed the journey of healing, self-love, and personal growth. Kelly emphasized that this journey is lifelong and requires a cleansing of the mind, heart, spirit, and soul. She also touched on the various reasons people seek therapy, including addiction, codependency, toxic relationships, and patterns in relationships or careers. Kelly shared that she has helped people with a wide range of issues due to their content being widely shared.            Parental Wounds: Impacts and Healing     The discussion focused on the concept of 'mother and father wounds', describing them as the emotional impacts experienced in childhood due to lack of nurturing or harsh treatment from parents. Kelly explained that these wounds, which can vary in severity and may also involve modelling negative behaviors from parents, can shape an individual's later life experiences and relationships. Liz expressed concern about the difficulty of addressing such subconscious issues, and Kelly offered that awareness and self-reflection could be beneficial first steps.           Healing Mother and Father Wounds: Transformative Change     Kelly explained that 'mother and father wounds', which are unresolved emotional issues from childhood. Kelly highlighted how these wounds often manifest in one's current relationships, causing patterns of codependency or constant attempts to fix others. Liz expressed amazement at the magnitude of this work, and acknowledged its potential for transformative change. Kelly shared stories of clients whose lives improved after addressing these issues, and emphasized that it's often not until one reaches a point of pain that they are motivated to make changes.           Transforming Trauma: A Path to Personal Growth     The discussion revolved around the role of pain and suffering in individuals' lives. Kelly asserted that traum