I have listened to a number of Sophie's podcasts and find them to provide an excellent overview of complex dynamics that often arise for women in this early twenty-first century in the social and cultural context of care. Thank you Sophie.

What is maternal ambivalence and how can embracing ambivalence help us as Mothers?

I share what maternal ambivalence is and isn’t, whether it is something we can ‘escape’ in motherhood, and how ambivalence is connected to ‘Mum guilt’ and our sense of identity.

Ambivalence can be a way for us to shift and change our relationship to and experience of maternal guilt. In this episode I offer some suggestions for how you might ignite your own curiosity in exploring ambivalence further.

I explain the connections between ambivalence and the perfect mother myth, and why the version of Motherhood that is put on a pedestal in our society robs us of the opportunity to embrace ambivalence. This then shapes our capacity to feel the full potential of joy and depth of experience that may be available to us.

This episode invites you to reflect on your own experiences of Mum guilt, of where you’re being expected or asked to ‘choose’ in Motherhood, of how you construct your sense of identity and think about your 'self', and how you may be able to open yourself to the possibility of embracing ambivalence as a Mother.

55. Maternal Ambivalence

I've created a free resource for mother-supporting professionals and those working in motherhood-support to learn what patriarchal motherhood is, and why understanding the social structure of motherhood is critical for mother-supporting professionals.

Discover 10 ways that patriarchal motherhood can show up in your clients, through a training offered via an exclusive private podcast and an accompanying PDF companion. 

My hope is that this resource will empower you with enhanced awareness and sensitivity in seeking to provide more effective and holistic support to mothers navigating the challenges posed by patriarchal norms and expectations.

Head here to register for free access: https://drsophiebrock.com/patriarchalmotherhood

Invitation into Free Training - Private Podcast Episode

In this episode, we dive into the concept of the "good enough mother" from the perspective of Dr Tanya Cotler, who is a Clinical Psychologist, author, and speaker specializing in reproductive mental health, infant mental health, and parent-child attachment. Tanya has studied the work of Winnicott (who is the creator of the concept of ‘the good enough mother’) extensively and offers a unique lens and insight having expertise in BOTH child and adult psychology. 

We dive into unpacking what ‘good enough’ actually means, the process of attunement mismatches and rupture-repair cycles in a child’s development, and how intentional and unconscious repair contribute to building trust, resilience, and frustration tolerance in children. We centre the mother in our conversation to shift a child-focused lens, and I ask Tanya about her experience with what it’s like to work with both adults and children in the context of reflecting on these theories. 

Tanya shares insights from her nearly 20 years of clinical and research experience, and she offers us a key takeaway we can put into practice as good enough mothers, for the benefit of both our children and ourselves. 

Episode show notes: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast100

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcotler/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tanya.cotler
Website: https://drtanyacotler.com/

100. What is the Essence of 'Good Enough'? Bridging Child and Adult Psychology with Dr Tanya Cotler

This conversation is with Tracy Gillett, passionate advocate of natural parenting and creator of the award-winning blog and community Raised Good. Tracy was a veterinarian for many years before starting Raised Good and we talk about how this orientation led her into diving into the science of parenting and finding ways to make it accessible for parents. 

We talk about countercultural parenting practices, parenting through connection, and the sometimes complex relationship we can have to parenting in a way that feels aligned and authentic while ‘breaking the rules’ to live in our values. We both talk candidly about our own experiences of mothering and how information and making parenting decisions is filtered through the lens of our own lived experiences, interests, cultural context, and the individual needs and personality of our child. 

I ask Tracy about the journey she’s been on in building her business and community, and if she has any advice for ways to nurture creativity and sustain energy and focus in the creation of a project and moving towards a vision as she’s done in this space for almost a decade. 

Be sure to grab your FREE ticket to Raised Good Online Parenting Summit 2023, beginning September 21st here: bit.ly/3ZD3Ti1

You can also download a free guide to Five Natural Parenting Secrets That Make Kids Want To Cooperate (No Time Outs, Punishments or Threats Required) here: https://raisedgood.com/naturalparentingsecrets 

More information on safe infant sleep:

https://raisedgood.com/sids-safe-sleep-babies-risk/
https://llli.org/the-safe-sleep-seven/ 

Connect with Tracy:
Instagram: @raisedgood

101. Breaking the Rules, Living in Our Values: A Conversation with Tracy Gillett of Raised Good

In this episode I am joined by Zoe Blaskey, founder of Motherkind and host of The Motherkind Podcast. Zoe is a transformational coach and a mother of two who knows firsthand the complexities of modern motherhood. Her journey into motherhood inspired her to create the Motherkind movement and podcast, where she shares wisdom from world-leading experts on topics ranging from self-care and mental health to career, nutrition, and parenting.

Zoe and I dive deep into the intricacies of motherhood. Zoe shares her personal journey and the challenges she faced as a new mother, including feelings of guilt, anxiety, and the ever-present sense of not feeling 'good enough.' We explore how the journey for parenting knowledge can sometimes lead to self-critique and the complexities that arise when we’re told to just ‘listen to our inner voice’. Zoe's insights shed light on the empowering, yet sometimes overwhelming, abundance of information available to mothers. We talk about how to come to a place where you can feel empowered and equipped, without feeling overwhelmed. 

Listen in to hear insights from Zoe's journey in creating a world-leading podcast and platform on Motherhood, and how to bring more compassion into your daily lived experience as a mother. 

Connect with Zoe Blaskey:
Instagram: @zoeblaskey
Website: www.motherkind.co
Email: zoe@motherkind.co

Podcast show notes: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast102

102. Using Compassion To Navigate Challenges In Motherhood With Zoe Blaskey

The Motherhood Studies Certification 2024 is currently open for early enrolment, and in the context of launching next year's round of the course, I'm reflecting on some of the ways I think we can start to dismantle patriarchal motherhood that focuses on systems rather than individuals. I share some thoughts and reflections on what some structural and social changes could look like, ranging from areas including postpartum care, maternal mental health, economic policy, sex-based role stereotypes, and more. I also speak to the complexities of advocating for societal system change and the importance of remaining open minded, curious, humble, and keeping in mind historical, and cultural contexts. I refer to previous podcast episodes 98 (with Alecia Staines) and 34 (with Dr Oscar Serrallach). The next round of The Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification program begins on April 29, 2024, and early enrolment is open until October 24th. Head here for more information https://drsophiebrock.com/motherhoodstudies/ or email me at info@drsophiebrock.com if you have any questions. See the Instagram post referred to here and feel free to comment with any further ideas or suggestions you have about promoting social change: https://www.instagram.com/drsophiebrock/

103. How to Dismantle Patriarchal Motherhood? 8 Reflections

In this episode I speak with neuroscientist Dr. Sarah McKay about her latest book: Baby Brain - The surprising neuroscience of how pregnancy and motherhood sculpt our brains and change our minds (for the better). This conversation aims to debunk some of the myths about ‘baby brain’ that exist in our culture, and we discuss the discrepancies between what the research says about the maternal brain and our memory, with what mothers say about their memory and experience of ‘baby brain’. We talk about societal expectations and patriarchal influences on motherhood alongside the cognitive changes that occur for women when they become mothers, and this intersection between the ‘social’ and the ‘physiological’. The episode explores how pregnancy primes the brain for motherhood, the impact of thoughts on biological processes, the significance of brain-to-brain synchrony in mother-child interactions, and how motherhood contributes to resilience in the maternal brain. You’ll learn about the fascinating phenomenon of foetal cell transfer and its potential benefits for women who have experienced miscarriage. Dr. Sarah simplifies complex brain science and sheds light on the profound connection between baby brain, pregnancy, and motherhood.

See more on the show notes page here: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast104

104. The Science of Baby Brain: Social & Biological Influences on Mothers with Dr Sarah McKay

In this episode, you’ll hear from Jessie Ann Elliot and Mary Sotiropoulos who share their personal journeys through early motherhood and postpartum in building community, finding their power, and collaborating together to birth a book into the world. Jessie and Mary met through a mother-membership I facilitated called Liberated Motherhood. They share their experience of connecting with the work of the sociology of motherhood early on in their mothering journeys, and the passion they each developed in making the world a better place for mothers. Together, they started a kickstarter, and raised over $8,000 to create the children’s book, "The Mom Who Found Her Sparkle”, a testament to their shared experiences encapsulating a mother’s quest to rediscover purpose, identity, and joy. The inclusion of prompts and activities within the book encourages families to engage in meaningful discussions about what brings them joy and makes them feel alive. In this episode, we explore embodiment, presence, connection, and creativity. 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/themumwhofoundhersparkle

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-mum-who-found-her-sparkle-jessie-ann-elliott/book/9780646886831.html

https://www.amazon.com.au/Mum-Who-Found-Her-Sparkle/dp/0646886835/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=30Z8QMJPRS7VS&keywords=the+mum+who+found+her+sparkle&qid=1700598921&sprefix=the+mum+who+found+her+sparkl%252Caps%252C227&sr=8-3

Show notes: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast105

105. When Community Sparks Creativity: 'The Mum Who Found Her Sparkle' with Jessie & Mary

In this episode I speak with Dr. Emma Svanberg, an award-winning clinical psychologist and author of the recently released, "Parenting For Humans." Dr. Emma is the founder of The Psychology Co-operative and co-founder of Make Birth Better CIC. She also facilitates a vibrant parenting community on Facebook called The Village – A Parenting Community For Humans. I ask Dr Emma about the key themes from her book, exploring the beautiful analogy she uses of understanding children as ‘mapmakers’ whose maps are shaped by their temperaments, environments, context, and how we as parents can guide and connect with our children - through understanding our own stories. We talk about the role of play in connection with our children, as well as boundaries in the context of technology. Dr Emma reflects on the pressures parents face today in an information-rich and distracted society, and how we can try to navigate these contexts drawing on a sense of agency and power, and calling in opportunities for presence both for ourselves and our children. You’ll hear us reflect on the role of disappointment and the ruptures that inevitably occur between us and our children, and reflect on ‘good enough’ and Winnicott’s work as part of our parenting practice in fostering connection and growth. 

Website - https://dremmasvanberg.com/
Email - emma@dremmasvanberg.com 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mumologist
Buy Emma’s Book: https://ebury.lnk.to/ParentingForHumans
Show notes page: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast106

106. Understanding Ourselves & Our Children as Mapmakers: Parenting for Humans with Dr Emma Svanberg

I share a brief life update of what's been present for me over the last few months, talk about transitions, honouring the stage we're in, taking our time, and orient to what will come this year for The Good Enough Mother podcast.

This is the free training I mention in the episode: https://drsophiebrock.com/patriarchalmotherhood

Here is a link to join the waitlist for The Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification for 2024 - https://drsophiebrock.com/motherhoodstudies/

A little update from Sophie

*The Motherhood Studies Certification 2024 is open for enrolment until April 19th* 

What possibilities exist beyond patriarchal motherhood? How can sociological understandings of motherhood liberate our individual experience and contribute to broader social change? These are the sorts of questions I'll reflect on in this episode, considering the transformative potential of motherhood, liberated from patriarchal norms. I mention an upcoming article examining the outcomes of participants who completed the Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification in the context of matricentric feminism. I talk about some of the differences between 'empowered mothering' and feminist mothering, and share the term that I use to guide me in my mothering, business, and other aspects of 'self'. I share one benefit I've received from engaging in Motherhood Studies work that I've been hesitant to talk about, talk about maternal ambivalence and mothering as an art and a practice. I finish by sharing some of my favourite quotes on motherhood, liberated. 

If you're interested in diving further into this work for both yourself and your current career or future work aspirations, join us in The Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification, enrolment for this live round is open until April 19th, 2024 - https://drsophiebrock.com/motherhoodstudies/ Here is the other link mentioned in the episode: https://drsophiebrock.com/thefishtankofmotherhood

107. Liberation from Patriarchal Motherhood? Reflections On Power, Agency & Motherhood Studies 2024

The role of being a Mother offers us the potential for incredible expansion, growth, and power, while also being one of – if not THE – most challenging, undervalued, and taken for granted roles in the world. Motherhood Studies Sociologist, researcher, and single Mother, Dr Sophie Brock hosts The Good Enough Mother (TGEM) podcast with an aim to change how Motherhood is culturally defined and individually experienced. TGEM draws its name from a theorist and pediatrician Winnicott, who highlighted the ways ‘good enough’ parenting is actually what is best for our children – not perfectionism. The podcast centres the Mother as the starting point for conversations with experts and change-makers who are passionate about seeing social, cultural, and institutional change to better support Mothers and therefore our families, and communities.

55. Maternal Ambivalence

The Good Enough Mother

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