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In this deeply insightful episode of the Motherhood Mentor Podcast, Becca sits down with author and mental health expert David Bedrick to explore the complex emotions of shame, guilt, boundaries, and dealing with your inner critic. Drawing on his extensive experience, David offers a compassionate approach to understanding these emotions and experiences—not as flaws to fix, but as meaningful messages and medicine that guide us toward healing.

David introduces the concept of the "Unshaming Way"—a paradigm shift that encourages us to embrace imperfections and release the self-criticism that often keeps us stuck. Together, they explore how shame isn’t just an emotion but an internalized witness that distorts our reality, creating barriers to self-acceptance and healing. David and Becca discuss some of the highlights of David's new book “The Unshaming Way”

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Healing Shame and Guilt: How to break free from the cycle of mom guilt and self-blame, embracing a compassionate relationship with yourself.
2. Perfectionism and Its Roots: How generational trauma and societal expectations fuel perfectionism in mothers, and how to release the pressure to be “perfect.”
3. Managing Parental Anger: How anger in motherhood isn’t a sign of failure but a signal of unmet needs—and how to express it in healthy ways.
4. Generational Healing: How to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and create a new legacy of self-acceptance, authentic connection, and empowerment.

David emphasizes the importance of boundaries and self-compassion in healing, teaching us how to recognize the root of our anger and use it as a tool for reclaiming our voice and space. He shares powerful insights on how authentic relationships—not perfection—are the key to healing past wounds and cultivating resilience as a mother.

If you’ve ever struggled with the weight of perfectionism, the guilt of yelling at your kids, or the feeling that you're not enough, or the exhausting constant inner critic- this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to discover how to release shame, embrace your humanity, and step into a more empowered, compassionate version of yourself.

Meet David:
David Bedrick, JD, Dipl. PW, is a teacher, counselor, and attorney. He grew up in family marked by violence. While his father’s brutality was physical and verbal, his mother’s denial and gaslighting had its own covert power. This formative context introduced David early to the etiology of shame and instilled an urge to unshame.

Professionally, he was on the faculty for the University of Phoenix and the Process Work Institute in the U.S. and Poland and is the founder of the Santa Fe Institute for Shame-based Studies where he trains therapists, coaches and healers and offers workshops.

David writes for Psychology Today and is the author of three books: Talking Back to Dr. Phil: Alternatives to Mainstream Psychology and Revisioning Activism: Bringing Depth, Dialogue, and Diversity to Individual and Social Change. His new book is You Can’t Judge a Body by Its Cover: 17 Women’s Stories of Hunger, Body Shame and Redemption. His recent book, The Unshaming Way, published in November of 2024 by North Atlantic books.

Find David:
Website
Instagram

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In this empowering episode of the Motherhood Mentor Podcast, Becca dives into the phrase “ If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no” and how that is often not true for her. When is “no” a boundary- and when is it a self imposed limiting belief, or even a safety response from avoiding discomfort or activation? Join me as I share a transformative journey from fear to freedom, exploring how imposter syndrome and self-doubt hold us back in motherhood, business, and personal growth.

Becca shares her personal story of overcoming people-pleasing tendencies, navigating visibility fears, and learning to trust herself as she steps into new opportunities. Through engaging narratives, including a metaphor about her fear of heights and starting her podcast, Becca shows how fear can often disguise itself as a barrier to growth, when in fact it’s an invitation to step into something greater.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. How to recognize and dismantle imposter syndrome in your life.
2. The power of self-trust and how to build it in motherhood and beyond.
3. Why embracing life’s "gray areas" and mundane tasks can lead to deep personal growth.
4. The importance of setting boundaries and understanding your capacity, both in motherhood and in daily life.
5. How to move beyond the “hell yes or hell no” mentality and make empowered decisions that serve your personal values.

Join Becca as she explores the nuances of fear, consent, and decision-making, offering insights and practical tools for mothers and women seeking to grow with intention and authenticity.

Ready to trust yourself more and embrace the messy, beautiful journey of personal growth? Tune in now and let’s navigate these transformative steps together!

Chapter Markers:

Embracing Fear and Trusting Self

00:11:10

Understanding Consent and Capacity Levels

00:22:40

Navigating Life's Gray Areas

00:30:50

Empowering Moms Through Podcast Support

Join us next time as we continue to explore the multifaceted journey of motherhood.

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In this episode of the Motherhood Mentor Podcast, we explore how perfectionism can shift from being a paralyzing pressure to a powerful permission for growth. In this solo episode with Becca, a somatic healing practitioner and holistic life coach, we dive into the complex ways perfectionism shows up in both motherhood, relationships, and entrepreneurship—often as fear masked by high standards and a consistent awareness in the gap. The gap between our ideals and desires- and the reality. We discuss how perfectionism can become a tool for personal growth rather than a barrier. We’ll look at different types of perfectionists—intense, procrastinator, messy—and how they impact our creativity, relationships, and self-worth.

Becca shares practical tips and real-life experiences to help you reframe perfectionism. You’ll learn how to embrace imperfection, release unrealistic expectations, and create a more fulfilling life with both ambition and compassion. And most of all, finally feel good enough with where you are- present with what is messy and magic.

If you're ready to stop letting perfectionism hold you back and start giving yourself permission to grow in your messy, beautiful human experience—this episode is for you!

Resources and Recommendations from this episode:

Liz Gilbert : Big Magic

Anne Lamott

Types of Perfectionism from The Perfectionists Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler

Find More here.

Chapter Markers

• 0:02- Navigating Perfectionism
• 3:34- Battling Perfectionism in Everyday Life
• 10:56- Embracing and Balancing Perfectionism
• 27:31- Navigating Unrealistic Expectations of Motherhood
• 32:53- Understanding and Embracing Perfectionism Types
• 44:51- Trusting and Healing Perfectionism

Join us next time as we continue to explore the multifaceted journey of motherhood.

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This episode is a really special one for me as I have my OG mentor and business coach Ash Mcdonald as my guest. Ashley has such a special place in my life and business.

In this conversation we dive into what success look and feel like when you're highly ambitious, a mother, and an entrepreneur/business owner? In this conversation, Ash, a therapist-turned-business mentor, shares her own transformational story of navigating ambition, burnout, and redefining what success truly means—both in her career and personal life.

Together, we unpack how ambition, business growth, and motherhood intersect—and how to navigate them without falling into the trap of burnout, especially when you are a high functioning woman who can hold a lot.

We discuss and share about:

1. How her definition of success has evolved over the years, especially after becoming a mother
2. The pressures of being a highly ambitious woman and how to manage them without sacrificing your well-being
3. The role of ambition in shaping our careers—and how to handle it when it feels like too much
4. Her decision to step and scale back from a successful business to prioritize personal fulfillment
5. Selling and dropping all the external definitions of success and finding what serves her and her family in this season
6. Practical advice on how to redefine your success criteria to align with your values, desires, and well-being
7. 
   

If you're a mom or a business owner looking to balance a thriving career without losing yourself in the process, this episode is a must-listen. Ash’s insights will empower you to make intentional choices that support both your business and personal life, without compromising your peace or staying in cycles of burnout.

Meet Ash McDonald: Ash is a walking contradiction: working less than 15 hours a week, running a multi-6-figure business, homeschooling her kids, and traveling the world.

But, it didn't start that way.

After years of hustling herself into burnout, she realized the true cost of my success—her well-being. She rebuilt her business from the inside out, prioritizing emotional healing, nervous system regulation, and sustainable success. Today, she help high-achieving women like you do the same—without sacrificing your peace.

You can find her here:

Ash's Podcast
Instagram
Website
Becoming Her Free Guide

Chapter Markers:

• 0:02- Evolution of Success as an Entrepreneur
• 11:45- Redefining Success and Burnout Recovery
• 21:59- Defining Success Through Personal Criteria
• 33:09- Reevaluating Identity and Success Definition
• 44:21- Embracing Personal Growth and Authenticity
• 55:37- Navigating Ever-Changing Personal Definitions of Success

Join us next time as we continue to explore the multifaceted journey of motherhood.

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In this deeply moving episode of the Motherhood Mentor Podcast, Sarah St. John takes us on a raw and transformative journey through her personal experiences with grief, healing, and self-discovery. From childhood loss and physical and somatic manifestations of grief, to the profound challenges of losing her brothers and navigating a miscarriage during the onset of COVID-19, Sarah shares how these life-altering moments reshaped her worldview and how she moves through life and grief.

We talk about how we as a culture approach and move through grief and how to bring more humanity to our grieving seasons and grief anniversaries. We talk about ambiguous grief that often comes in motherhood including burnout and postpartum challenges.

The conversation challenges societal expectations of perpetual success and emphasizes the beauty of embracing life’s natural cycles — the highs and the lows, the moments of clarity and uncertainty.

At the end of the episode, listeners are invited to reflect on their own “aha” moments from the conversation and take actionable steps toward embracing their own personal transformation.

About Sarah-
Sarah St. John is a somatic coach, author, and host of the MotherGrief podcast. She’s been teaching and mentoring women using body-based healing since 2010. Sarah specializes in working with empathic & highly sensitive women who have experienced grief, trauma, & loss. She is a mom of two little girls and leading a movement to support mothers in healing their nervous systems. Sarah is trained in yoga, breathwork, meditation, somatics, hypnosis, EFT, and NLP.

Find Sarah Here:
Mother Grief Podcast
Grief Books For Motherhood
Mama Nervous System Reset

Resources shared in episode:
Wild edge of sorrow by Francis Weller


Chapter Markers:

• 0:02- Exploring Grief Journeys and Healing
• 11:16- Embracing Grief Through Healing Journeys
• 16:48- Transforming Grief Into Inspiration and Growth
• 22:59 -Navigating the Aliveness Within Grief
• 28:58- Navigating Life's Ups and Downs
• 34:30 -The Nature of Grief and Resilience
• 46:33 -The Power of Expressing Grief
• 1:02:06- Exploring Cultural Grief Rituals and Traditions
• 1:09:49- Empowering Actions for Inspired Living

Join us next time as we continue to explore the multifaceted journey of motherhood.

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Rediscovering identity and self amidst the chaos of motherhood is no small feat. Join me and out guest Amanda Clark as she shares her struggle with self-abandonment due to early life trauma and her journey towards reclaiming her dreams and ambitions.

We also dive deep into the intricacies of motherhood and self-awareness, exploring the societal conditioning that often leads women to suppress their desires for people pleasing, creating resentment and burnout in relationships. This episode invites you to reexamine the concept of "toxic femininity" and the courage it takes to communicate authentic needs and emotions. By addressing complex feelings like grief and vulnerability, we challenge traditional expectations of what it means to be a "good" woman or mother, emphasizing the necessity of embracing these emotions for genuine self-fulfillment.

Finally, we explore the transformative power of emotional healing and the normalcy of grief in the face of change. Amanda and I discuss how societal norms can stifle authentic emotional expression and the importance of resetting our nervous systems to trust our instincts. By balancing self-care with societal expectations, we uncover the profound power in nurturing our well-being. This episode is a heartfelt reminder of the beauty in embracing our full humanity and the strength found in honoring our emotional needs.

About Amanda:
Amanda is a Life Coach who teaches moms how to stop 'shoulding' all over themselves, become the authority of their lives + create one they're excited to wake up to from the inside out through breathwork and boundaries. She loves teaching you how to find that inner peace and regulate your nervous system so that you become the mom you want to be.

Where to find Amanda:
Website
Instagram

Chapter Markers:

• 0:02- Rediscovering Self in Motherhood Journey
• 13:30- Unveiling the Complexities of Motherhood
• 17:23- Navigating Grief and Loss Transformations
• 22:17- Embracing the Full Human Experience
• 31:11- Empowering Women Through Emotional Healing

Join us next time as we continue to explore the multifaceted journey of motherhood.

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How do I set boundaries with my toddler/kid/teen?
Let's explores the delicate balance of nurturing your child while setting firm, healthy boundaries. With personal insights and practical advice, Becca encourages you to trust your instincts, honor your values, and make parenting choices that align with your unique journey.

We’ll also tackle the evolving dynamics of family life through toddlerhood, age six, and adolescence, and explore how to manage codependency and maintain healthy boundaries. Adopting a leadership mindset as your child grows is essential, as is respecting their independence while honoring your own needs.

Becca offers a candid conversation on the impact of shame in parenting, distinguishing it from guilt, and emphasizes the power of community support. Parenting challenges, even when you’re aligned with your values, are inevitable—but they’re opportunities for growth, not signs of failure. Tune in for actionable insights to help you cultivate self-awareness, build strong boundaries, and engage with your community for meaningful transformation in your parenting journey.

Chapters:
00:00:02

Navigating Toddler Boundaries as a Mother

00:11:11

Shifting Parenting Roles and Boundaries

00:19:15

Empowering Parenthood Through Self-Reflection

00:27:04

Navigating Parenting Challenges With Grace

Join us next time as we continue to explore the multifaceted journey of motherhood.

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In this episode we explore the emotional rollercoaster that is motherhood—where gratitude often collides with guilt, leaving many women feeling isolated and disconnected. We ask a critical question: Can gratitude be a mask for deeper struggles? Are we using gratitude as the rug we sweep our humanity under?

Becca unpacks how gratitude, when genuinely felt, is a full-body experience that enriches our lives. She challenges the common narrative that gratitude should diminish our desires, proposing instead that it can fuel personal growth and fulfillment. Through the metaphor of food, she illustrates how understanding our "hunger"—both literal and emotional—empowers us to make choices that nourish our well-being.

This episode explores the tension between guilt and happiness, especially for those raised in environments where positive emotions were stifled. Becca delves into how embracing both our highs and lows creates space for authentic joy and personal growth.

Key takeaways:

1. Gratitude isn’t just a mental acknowledgment—it's a full-body experience that can lead to deeper fulfillment.
2. Guilt vs shame for hunger, desire, and ambition
3. Self-awareness is crucial for nourishing both our physical and emotional needs without guilt.
4. It's possible to be deeply satisfied while still hungry for more—both in motherhood and life.

Tune in to learn how to embrace both satisfaction and hunger, navigating the complexities of motherhood with authenticity and empowerment.

Chapters:

• 0:02- Gratitude and Overcoming Guilt
• 10:59- Embracing Hunger and Gratitude
• 20:49- Gratitude and Fulfillment in Hunger

Join us next time as we continue to explore the multifaceted journey of motherhood.

Thank you for tuning in to The Motherhood Mentor. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review us.

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