Have you ever watched the Olympics and wondered what it takes to get on the podium? Sure, there are the physical demands, but what about the mental strength? You are competing in front of the world against the best in the world. No pressure. Right? We all know it is most likely the athlete who puts the most pressure on themselves. So, when does someone decide they will be an Olympian? For my next guest, Mari Holden, who started as a triathlete, the 1984 Olympics in LA marked a turning p...

 Since I was in my twenties, I've read the New York Times Sunday edition in a particular order: the style section is first, plus I read the modern love piece every time. I remember reading what Shamu taught me about marriage, and I remember reading, “Those aren't fighting words, dear.” It didn't take Laura Munson weeks or even months to write them either. It was less than an hour. Why? Because she had hit the vein of truth and it just poured out of her. Her dreams of publishing a novel ...

 Chance meetings can lead to the most incredible connections. While I was doing a ski clinic this winter, the instructor overheard a conversation I was having about publishing my book. Later that day, she approached me, “I heard you're an author! So is my mom, Jane Green, do you know her?” Of course, I know her. Jane Green is a national bestseller. Today, Jane joins me to share about her journey from journalist to novelist and offers her best tips to aspiring writers. She also gets transparen...

If you want to get to know your mother, have her on your podcast. I wrote a book about my mother's life and my own, and it was hard for her, naturally. But people ask me, what does your mom think about the book? For this Mother’s Day, I invited my mother on my podcast to share her voice with my listeners and readers. Just like phone conversations, a microphone has the power to deepen personal relationships. I've witnessed this countless times as I've developed friendships with peo...

As Mother's Day approaches, I find myself reflecting even more deeply on the women who shaped us—especially the woman who shaped me: my mother. Through hosting the About Your Mother podcast and writing my memoir, Both Sides of Then, I’ve learned that Mother's Day isn’t just about celebration—it’s also about reflection, curiosity, and connection. At the heart of my work is one simple but powerful belief: "If you want to truly know someone, ask them about their mother." After years of heartfelt...

Mothering is hard, but we don’t want to admit that there is pain in everyday mothering. Why is that? Confessing to the dark moments of mothering keeps us from living up to the high bar of perfection that we–and society–has asked of mothers. In this episode, I interview Dr. Margo Lowy, a psychotherapist and the author of Maternal Ambivalence, about why we need to embrace the light and dark moments of mothering. She shares how the complicated moments can fuel our love, help us practice self-co...

Is your relationship with money inherited? What if, when it came to your finances, you mothered yourself? In this episode of About Your Mother, personal finance expert Elizabeth Husserl shares the radical redefinition of wealth that we all need to hear. Elizabeth is the author of The Power of Enough, which she dedicated to her ancestors and the wisdom they instilled in her. Resources Mentioned Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Manfred Max-Neef The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Scarcity Brain ...

 What if you wrote something, something that was true and significant to you, and those words launched a media attack of shame and judgment that rendered you nearly silent - how would you feel? What would you do? Melissa Petro is a writer, a mom, and a wife. Her book, Shame on You, How to Be a Woman in the Age of Mortification, is a brilliant examination of how society, and people in general, mortify women that we don't understand. It happens every day. Taylor, JLo, Britney, to name a f...

 Is there hope in loss? Yes. Absolutely. My conversation with copywriter turned novelist JJ Elliot is an exploration of her experience losing her mom to suicide, then having that open doors to her helping others. Subconsciously, the loss of her mom led to her novel about a group of women who lose a friend by her own hand. Those friends take that loss to celebrate their own lives. JJ's goal in writing her book was to get people to laugh and cry at the same time, which is exactly what I did whe...

Mother being a ubiquitous term, I've wanted to take the direction of the podcast in a way to celebrate the mother we all share, Mother Nature. I cannot think of a better person to launch this exploration than with Kevin Grange. Kevin is one of those people that when he starts talking I can't stop asking questions or listening to his stories. A former paramedic in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Kevin has seen it all. He has been charged by grizzlies, rescued people gored by bison, and so much mo...

For nearly three years, I've been sharing stories of survival, hope, and love launched from the word mother, a ubiquitous term that is so deeply rooted in all of our becomings. This universal topic, the influence our mother's story has on our own life, has caught on with so many, and in many ways, this conversation has no limits. I truly believe if you want to get to know someone, ask them about their mother. Today, my own book is available! I put my heart and soul into. I bled at the keyboa...

Immersing ourselves in a culture is exhilarating and can change our view of the world. What happens when you are an American marrying into a Chinese family? What could go wrong? Good Chinese Wife is a memoir that explores Susan Blumberg-Kason's life integrating into a Chinese family and her thrilling search for agency. Connect with Susan susanbkason.com Good Chinese Wife Learn more about the podcast at byjennifergriffith.com/category/podcast

Life changing conversations can happen at any time in our lives—but what if you are 14 and your mother reveals a secret that upends your adolescence and sends you on a decades long journey to untangle from the world she brought you in, the world you were happy to be a part of? Adrienne Brodeur's best selling book, Wild Game, examines the price she paid to be her mother's confidant and helper in an epic affair with her husband's closest friend. The story doesn't end there. Connect with A...

The experiences of our ancestors are passed down through generations. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in our connection with our mothers. Our mothers carry us, and we carry them in some ways. For Agata Izabela Brewer, it was living with her alcoholic mother that inspired a desire to know how hunger and trauma several generations ago shaped her mother's attitude toward nurturing. In her memoir, The Hunger Book from Communist Poland, Agata brings us into the harsh reality of living with a m...

Christy Warren never imagined the unexpected twist her career would take. The weight of her experiences as a firefighter ultimately led to an unexpected battle with PTSD, but her resilience and honesty shed light on the often overlooked emotional toll that many frontline workers face. As she opens up about her journey, Christy's raw account brings to light the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support within the first responder community. Listen in as Christy's story sparks a greate...

In the blink of an eye, Charlotte Maya's life took an unexpected turn when she lost her husband by suicide, leaving her grappling with a series of emotions. From empathy to rage to overwhelming guilt, she found herself navigating uncharted territory in the wake of tragedy. Maya's story is one of resilience and hope, highlighting how being honest with our experience can help others heal. Amidst the darkness, a guiding light emerged, offering a poignant realization that shifted the course of he...

Do you long for the freedom of a sober lifestyle in a world that constantly celebrates alcohol? Laura McKowen joins us in this conversation to share her own experience and journey to sobriety. By unraveling the complexities of societal pressures, Laura will guide you towards a life of clarity, strength, and sobriety. Get ready to discover the solution that will empower you to thrive in a society that may not fully understand the beauty of living alcohol-free. Connect with Laura www.lauramcko...

On this Mother's Day, I want to celebrate not only my guests, but also the lessons I've learned from having my show for almost two years. In my dozens of interviews with guests and casual conversations with people, I have learned that our mothers are the beginning of our identity, who we are is inherently linked to the woman who carried us directly and indirectly. The decisions they made in their lives shape our early existence, which determines who we become. If we're lucky, our mother...

Keshia Adeniyi-Dorsey is a family defender, educator, and activist who brings her experience with the foster care system into the heart of her work as a family defense attorney. Keshia tirelessly advocates for parents who risk losing their children to the system. Past episodes in our What Happened Then series highlighted a time in history— at risk of returning— where primarily white single women were forced to relinquish their children. Often, we fail to realize similar systems are still in p...

Making it as a writer isn’t an easy task, but Linda Sivertsen has found the secret sauce. Known as the best writing coach, agent connector, and Book Mama, Linda has authored and co-authored eleven books, including two New York Times best sellers. Today, she joins us to share her journey to writing, what makes a good writer, and how she found herself sharing the stories of so many New York Times Best Selling Authors! Plus, did you know that About Your Mother was born while I attended Linda’s w...