Episode
E59: Why Change Feels So Hard (and Necessary): Jessie Harold on Matrescence and the Evolution of Motherhood
- Podcast
- Mighty As A Mother
- Published
- Sep 11, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 2319
- Processing state
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Summary
If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought, "Who even am I anymore?" — this one's for you. In today's episode, we're joined by author, coach, doula, and researcher Jessie Harold , who's spent nearly two decades walking alongside women through one of the most profound identity shifts of their lives: becoming a mother. We dive deep into matrescence — the emotional, psychological, and spiritual transformation of motherhood — and why understanding it might just be the permission slip you've been waiting for. Whether you're still in the baby trenches or facing new transitions (hello, kindergarten drop-off or career reinvention), this episode will give you the language, validation, and tools to hold both the grief and the growth. You'll hear: Why motherhood is a rite of passage — and how it mirrors adolescence The truth about "losing yourself" (hint: you're not broken, you're becoming) What to do when you're stuck in the "in-between" — that sacred pause where identity hasn't caught up with reality How to use grief as a guide through transformation Why modern motherhood feels lonelier and more demanding — and how systems (not just individuals) are to blame The power of tiny, safe-to-fail experiments when you're reimagining your life Whether you're navigating the early days of postpartum or in the thick of a new season, Jessie's wisdom is a balm and a compass. "We fear losing ourselves in motherhood. But sometimes, that's exactly what we need in order to truly thrive." Links + Resources: Jessie Harold's website: jessieharold.com Book: Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage The MotherShift and The Becoming podcast The Birth of a Mother – NYT Article Jessie on Instagram: @jessie.es.haro For more honest, empowering conversations around motherhood, identity,…