Motherkind

What happens when your career is built around fitness and, after having a baby, you realise you don't actually want to rush to get your old body or routine back? This week, Zoe is joined by fitness expert, entrepreneur and WeGLOW founder Steph Williams, just four-and-a-half months after becoming a mother, for an incredibly honest conversation about postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, exercise, body image and the enormous identity shift that happens when you have a baby. Steph shares the reality of breastfeeding and why stopping to return to work left her feeling unexpectedly emotional and guilty. She also opens up about the pressure she felt to “bounce back” after birth — particularly as someone whose career has been built around fitness, strength and her body. But motherhood changed her perspective. Instead of rushing back to the person she was before, Steph realised that exercise would always be there — these first months with her baby wouldn't be. We talk about how to return to exercise after having a baby without falling into an all-or-nothing mindset, why a 10-minute workout still counts, and what “listening to your body” actually means. Steph shares how she's learned to adapt movement depending on what her body needs rather than forcing herself through a rigid training plan. Steph also shares her experience of endometriosis, being dismissed before eventually receiving a diagnosis, and how that experience led her to learn more about women's hormones, menstrual cycles, nutrition and exercise. We explore how understanding your cycle can help you adjust the way you move and eat — and why women deserve far better education about their own bodies. This is a conversation about fitness, but it's really about something much bigger: letting go of who you thought you'd be after having a baby and learning to work with the woman and body you are now. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: How to approach exercise after having a baby without “bounce back” pressure Why 10 minutes of movement still counts when you're exhausted or short on time How Steph navigated breastfeeding guilt and returning to work How to move away from all-or-nothing thinking around fitness How your menstrual cycle can influence your energy, appetite and approach to exercise Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with Elizabeth Davies - The ultimate (realistic) guide to fitness in motherhood Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Key topics Postpartum exercise • Postpartum fitness • Exercise after having a baby • Postpartum recovery • Post-baby body • Bounce back culture • New motherhood • New mum • Matrescence • Breastfeeding • Breastfeeding guilt • C-section recovery • Returning to work after maternity leave • Working motherhood • Mum guilt • Motherhood identity • Women’s fitness • Women’s health • Hormones • Menstrual cycle • Cycle syncing • Exercise and your menstrual cycle • Endometriosis • Endometriosis symptoms • Pilates • Strength training for women • Postpartum workouts • Body image after pregnancy • Steph Williams • WeGLOW • Period Proof • Motherkind

What happens when you genuinely love your career and desperately want to be there for your children? In this week’s Moment, we explore one of the hardest tensions of working motherhood: the feeling that however much support you have, there are some parts of being a mother you simply don’t want to outsource. After taking on a huge new role with Steven Bartlett while six months pregnant with her third child, Amy Golding shares how motherhood completely changed the way she makes career decisions. Before having children, she thought combining work and family was largely a logistical challenge, something you could solve with enough childcare, money and careful planning. Then she became a mother and realised she'd forgotten something much harder to quantify: love. We talk about the invisible mental load, wanting to be the primary attachment figure, the complicated emotions that can come with childcare, and why loving your work doesn’t make it any easier to miss the school plays, appointments and everyday moments with your children. Because perhaps the tension between motherhood and ambition isn't an equation we're supposed to perfectly solve. 💡 In this Moment, you’ll learn: Why working motherhood can feel impossible to get right How motherhood can change the way you make career decisions Why childcare doesn't necessarily remove working mum guilt The emotional side of the mental load we rarely talk about How to navigate loving your career and wanting to be with your children Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, listen to the full episode: Steven Bartlett’s CEO: How I Make Career Decisions Around My Family Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor: Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Key topics: Working motherhood • Working mum guilt • Career after children • Motherhood and career • Mental load • Invisible labour • Childcare • Career decisions • Motherhood and ambition • Maternal guilt • Work-life balance • Working parents • Motherhood identity • Primary attachment • Career change • Women at work • Returning to work after maternity leave • Maternity leave • Ambitious mothers • Modern motherhood • Motherkind

Motherhood changes so much — including what success, ambition and a fulfilling career actually look like. This week, Zoe is joined by Frankie Bridge for a brilliantly honest conversation about working motherhood, career reinvention, confidence, mental health and letting go of the impossible standards we set ourselves as mothers. Frankie has been working since she was 12, from S Club Juniors and The Saturdays to television and now building her own business, Faves. But becoming a mother forced her to rethink what success actually meant. She shares why having her two boys made her braver and more ambitious, but also far more protective of her time. Now, before saying yes to work, she asks whether it brings her joy, makes financial sense or genuinely moves the needle — because leaving her children has to be for a good reason. We talk about reinventing your career after children and the fear that comes with starting something completely new. Frankie opens up about imposter syndrome as a founder and the important realisation that even the most successful people don't have everything figured out, they're learning as they go too. Frankie also speaks incredibly openly about depression, anxiety and maternal mental health. She was talking publicly about her mental health at a time when those conversations were far less common, and shares why mothers need permission to admit they're struggling without first having to reassure everyone that they love their children. We also explore something I think so many mothers will recognise: how easily the things that bring us joy disappear once we have children. Frankie shares why, after losing confidence in her singing following The Saturdays, she's started vocal training again — not for an audition or career goal, but simply because she loves it. This is such a warm and reassuring conversation about ambition after motherhood, mum guilt, mental health, career pivots and permitting yourself to want something for yourself too. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: How to redefine success after becoming a mother Why having children can make you braver and more ambitious How to navigate a career change when you don't have all the answers Why mothers need things that bring them joy outside parenting How to let go of guilt and impossible motherhood standards Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with Maria Hatzistefanis - The Rodial Founder on Burnout, Discipline and Why Hustle Culture Fails Mothers Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Key topics Working motherhood • Career after children • Mum guilt • Motherhood and ambition • Career change • Career reinvention • Working mum • Mental health • Maternal mental health • Depression • Anxiety • Motherhood identity • Confidence • Imposter syndrome • Starting a business • Female founders • Working parents • Work-life balance • Motherhood expectations • Parenting guilt • Self-care for mothers • Finding yourself after motherhood • Frankie Bridge • The Saturdays • Faves • Motherkind

What if the opportunities you’re waiting for aren’t passing you by because you lack experience, but because the right people don’t know what you’re capable of? In this powerful Moment, Zoe is joined by personal branding expert and entrepreneur Amelia Sordell to explore why women need to stop waiting to be picked and start making themselves visible. Amelia explains that your personal brand isn’t simply what you post on social media. It’s the impression you create through your values, behaviour, knowledge, experience and the way you show up in the world. You don’t need to become an influencer or add another overwhelming task to your life—but you do need to take control of your own story. They explore why so many talented women and mothers downplay their achievements, while people with far less experience confidently put themselves forward. Amelia also shares the “big red button” moments that changed her life, from leaving a secure job with two young children to closing the multimillion-pound agency she no longer wanted to run. Her message is simple but powerful: confidence doesn’t arrive before you act. Confidence is built by finding the courage to take a risk, discovering that you can handle it and then doing it again. 💡 In this Moment, you’ll learn: Why personal branding is about far more than posting on social media How greater visibility can create career and business opportunities Why women need to stop waiting for permission and choose themselves How taking action before you feel ready builds genuine confidence This Moment is for any mother who is questioning her value, considering a career change, building a business or waiting to feel confident enough to take her next step. Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen to the full episode with Amelia Sordell - It’s Never Too Late to Change Career — The Blueprint from the #1 Personal Brand Expert Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Keywords: Personal branding • Confidence • Motherhood • Female founders • Women in business • Career change • Starting a business • Career confidence • Women’s confidence • Visibility • Self-belief • Courage • Taking risks • Choosing yourself • Returning to work • Maternal identity • Entrepreneurship • Ambition • Working mothers • Personal development • Amelia Sordell

Feeling stuck in your career, relationship or life and have no idea what to do next? This episode is for you. Eight months ago, I felt completely stuck. Motherkind had slowed down, opportunities weren’t coming in, and I couldn’t work out what direction to take next. I was scared, confused and overthinking absolutely everything. Looking back, I can see that feeling stuck wasn’t the end. It was the beginning of a breakthrough. In this solo episode, I’m sharing the five things that helped me move from feeling lost and full of self-doubt to clearer, more confident and more fired up than I have in years. We’ll explore how to stop overthinking, change the thoughts keeping you stuck, take small actions when you can’t see the bigger picture, and use a simple future-self exercise to get clearer on what you actually want. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why feeling stuck can come before a breakthrough How to stop overthinking and quieten self-doubt Why focusing on problems can keep you stuck The tiny actions that can help you find clarity A future-self exercise to help you work out what you really want If you know something needs to change but can’t see what comes next, this episode will help you take that first step forward. Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Keywords: Feeling stuck • How to get unstuck • Feeling lost in life • Career change • Career after motherhood • Overthinking • Self-doubt • Confidence • Mindset • Finding your purpose • Finding yourself again • Motherhood identity • Matrescence • Starting over • Life transitions • Self-belief • Future self • Goal setting • Personal growth • Nervous system • Comfort zone • Fear of change • Career confidence • Working mothers • Ambition after motherhood

After 10 years of motherhood, I’m really glad I did some things in those first few weeks, and plenty I’d do completely differently. Nothing can quite prepare you for becoming a mother. Those early weeks can be full of love and joy while also feeling exhausting, overwhelming and completely identity-shifting. I certainly wasn’t prepared for the emotional whiplash of holding all of those feelings at once. In this special episode, created in partnership with Tesco Fred & Flo, I’m looking back at my first experience of new motherhood and sharing what I got right, what I learnt the hard way and what I wish I’d known before having a baby. We talk about setting boundaries with visitors (including my one rule that I still think was genius!), why new mothers need care rather than being expected to host, and the huge identity shift of matrescence that I knew absolutely nothing about when I had my first daughter. I also share how the mental load began creeping into my relationship almost without us noticing, and the practical change my husband, Guy, and I made to create a more equal division of parenting and household responsibilities. Plus, I share the newborn essentials I genuinely found useful, what I spent time and money on that I probably wouldn't again, and some very practical tips for making those sleep-deprived early weeks a little easier. Because when you're adjusting to life with a new baby, recovering from birth and trying to work out who you are now, the last thing you need is more pressure. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: What I wish I’d known about new motherhood and matrescence How to set boundaries with visitors after having a baby How to stop the mental load becoming yours by default The newborn essentials I actually used, and what I wouldn't bother with Why asking for and accepting help matters so much postpartum Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. This episode is created in partnership with Tesco Fred & Flo , whose newly refreshed range of everyday baby essentials is designed to make those early days a little easier. You can discover the range in Tesco stores and online, and Tesco Clubcard members can currently get 4 for 3 across the range. Exclusions apply. Clubcard event ends 7th September 2026. Clubcard or app required. Delivery charges may apply. Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’

What if the reason you don’t feel confident isn’t that you lack ability, but because you’ve stopped noticing the evidence of how capable you really are? In this powerful Moment, Zoe is joined by confidence expert and UPFRONT founder Lauren Currie to explore why so many mothers struggle to recognise their value—and the simple weekly practice that can help rebuild confidence and quieten your inner critic. Lauren explains why confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t have. It’s a skill that can be strengthened by gathering real evidence of your progress, achievements and abilities. This is known as the “progress principle”: recording the things you’ve done, learned and handled well so that self-doubt can’t simply dismiss them. They also explore why this matters beyond paid work. Motherhood develops valuable skills, but mothers rarely receive recognition or positive feedback for them. By actively noticing how you have grown, from handling a difficult moment more calmly to managing situations that once overwhelmed you, you can begin to change the story you tell yourself about who you are and what you’re capable of. Lauren also shares the simple ten-minute Friday ritual she uses to build confidence, recognise her progress and quieten the feeling that nothing she achieves is ever quite enough. 💡 What You'll Learn in This Moment Why mothers often struggle to recognise their own skills and value How the progress principle can help build confidence and self-esteem Why recording evidence of your achievements quietens your inner critic How to identify the skills you have developed through motherhood What to do if acknowledging your own strengths feels uncomfortable The simple weekly reflection practice that can make your progress impossible to dismiss Lauren’s three weekly reflection questions: What happened this week? What did I learn? What moves did I make towards my goals? This Moment is for any mother struggling with low confidence, self-doubt, imposter syndrome or returning to work after maternity leave—and anyone who needs a reminder that her skills, knowledge and experience have real value. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: Work Series: If you're feeling low in confidence, listen to this - with Lauren Currie Feeling like you’re carrying it all? Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes. Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply.

During August, the Motherkind team and I try to practise what we preach by slowing down, taking some time off and making the juggle just a little easier over the summer holidays. So, throughout the month, we're bringing you some of our most listened-to episodes of the year so far. What if becoming a mother didn't make you less ambitious, less capable or less valuable at work, but actually gave you skills that could make you better at your job? This week, we're revisiting one of our most listened-to Motherkind episodes of the year , and it's a conversation I think every working mother needs to hear. I'm joined by Vanessa Kingori, who became the first woman in British Vogue's history to become Publishing Director and found herself navigating pregnancy and new motherhood while leading one of the most powerful media brands in the world. Vanessa shares the extraordinary pressure she felt when she became pregnant in such a senior position, including being told that her pregnancy was exactly why businesses were reluctant to put women into these roles. Rather than hiding it, Vanessa did the opposite: she became deliberately visible and set out to make things easier for the women who would come after her. We talk about why working mothers so often feel they're failing at both work and home , even when they're actually performing brilliantly. Vanessa explains why motherhood can make women better at time management, decision-making, prioritisation and leadership — and why businesses that underestimate mothers are missing some of their greatest talent. We also get practical about the juggle: asking for help, having honest conversations with your partner about the division of labour, building your village and surrounding yourself with people who support the life you're trying to create. And Vanessa shares a powerful reminder for any mother questioning her career, ambition or identity: you don't have to choose one version of yourself. You can be ambitious and deeply present. A leader and a mother. Career-driven and family-focused. As Vanessa puts it, she's a better mother because she works — and a better business leader because she's a mother. This is a conversation about working motherhood, career confidence, ambition, mum guilt and redefining what success looks like after children . 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why motherhood can make you better at your job How to navigate career ambition after having children Why working mothers often feel they're failing when they're not How to ask for help and create a more equal division of labour How to build a career and motherhood around what matters to you Watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s solo - The Problem Isn’t You, It’s Career Advice that Ignores Motherhood Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply.

Have you ever felt like one person was supposed to carry the weight of your entire world — your happiness, your moments, your everything? In this Monday Moment, broadcaster and author Anna Whitehouse, also known as Mother Pukka, shares the piece of relationship advice that completely changed how she sees love, family, and what a happy ending really looks like. Anna opens up about the reality of divorce. Why it's one of the hardest things she's ever been through and shares the powerful reframe that helped her stop seeing herself as someone who "broke" her family. Together, Zoe and Anna explore what it really means to build a community around you, why putting everything on one person is quietly exhausting us all, and the simple one-minute practice that works better than any spa day. Whether you're in a relationship, navigating big changes, or just feeling the weight of trying to make one person your everything, there is so much wisdom in this moment. 💡 What You'll Learn in This Moment Why one person was never meant to be your everything The 96-year-old fisherman whose wisdom changed Anna's whole outlook on love The honest truth about divorce and why Anna refuses to call herself a "divorcee" How to stop waiting for the Disney ending and start rewriting your own happy ending The tiny one-minute practice Anna does between every part of her day What Anna would say to herself five years ago standing at the edge of an impossible decision Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: Anna Whitehouse on Divorce, Burnout and Rebuilding Feeling like you’re carrying it all? Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes. Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Jurassic Oceans Exhibition at The Natural History Museum. Kids go half price.

During August, the Motherkind team and I try to practise what we preach by slowing down, taking some time off and making the juggle just a little easier over the summer holidays. So, throughout the month, we're bringing you some of our most listened-to episodes of the year so far. Pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding can be some of the most physically demanding experiences a woman's body will ever go through. So why are mothers expected to simply carry on afterwards? This week, Zoe is joined by nutrition scientist and bestselling author Dr Federica Amati for an eye-opening conversation about what a mother's body actually needs through pregnancy, postpartum recovery and the first years of motherhood. Federica explains why the first 1,000 days aren't only important for our babies — they're a crucial window for maternal health too. Pregnancy draws heavily on our nutrient stores, birth has an enormous physiological impact on the body, and breastfeeding can require significantly more energy than pregnancy itself. Yet this is often the exact moment mothers have the least time, energy and support to properly nourish themselves. Together, Zoe and Federica explore what to eat before and during pregnancy, the truth about pregnancy cravings and morning sickness, and why fertility shouldn't be treated as solely a woman's responsibility. But it's their conversation about postpartum depletion and recovery that every mother needs to hear. Federica shares practical advice for nourishing yourself after birth, why asking for and accepting help matters, and why we desperately need to move away from the expectation that women should simply "bounce back". They also discuss pregnancy spacing, breastfeeding, maternal burnout, the mental load and what happens when postpartum recovery begins to overlap with perimenopause. Above all, this is a reminder that your body isn't supposed to return to the woman you were before children. Motherhood changes us — physically, hormonally and emotionally — and perhaps the goal isn't to fight that change, but to learn how to support the body we're in now. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode What to eat before, during and after pregnancy Why mothers can become so depleted after birth How to nourish your body during postpartum and breastfeeding The recommended recovery time between pregnancies Why we need to stop expecting mothers to "bounce back" Watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply.

What skills will our children really need to thrive in a world that's changing faster than ever? As parents, we spend so much time thinking about our children's future. And with AI and technology transforming the world they'll grow into, two skills feel more important than ever: confidence and resilience . In this special episode, created in partnership with Stagecoach Performing Arts, I'm joined by performance and drama play expert Sarah Chitty to explore how we can help our children develop the confidence to use their voice, handle nerves, take risks, make mistakes and keep going when something feels uncomfortable. We talk about why confidence isn't about being the loudest child in the room, but about building genuine self-esteem and learning to trust who you are. Sarah also explains why girls can become particularly self-conscious between the ages of 8 and 12, and what we can do as parents to give them safe spaces where they can take risks, express themselves and feel seen and heard. We also explore the surprising role that drama, play and performing arts can have in developing skills that extend far beyond the stage, from communication and teamwork to handling fear, presenting ideas, reading body language and having the courage to say yes to new opportunities. And Zoe shares her own experience of Stagecoach Performing Arts as a child and why she believes those early experiences helped give her the confidence to stand up in front of hundreds of people, pursue new opportunities and, eventually, start Motherkind. In this episode, you'll learn: How to build genuine confidence and self-esteem in your child Why girls' confidence can dip between 8 and 12 How to help children handle nerves, fear and failure Why play and creativity can build lifelong resilience Simple ways to encourage children to find their voice and take healthy risks Watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe. This episode is created in partnership with Stagecoach Performing Arts. For your 2-week trial from £25, visit https://www.stagecoach.co.uk/motherkind/ Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’

Have you ever felt like maternity "leave" was the wrong word for what you were actually doing? In this powerful Moment, broadcaster and author Emma Barnett shares the phrase that changed how she — and so many mothers listening — understood motherhood: maternity service. Emma explains how the reframe came to her during an intense week of solo parenting, and why swapping just one word completely shifted her relationship to those early, relentless months. Together, Zoe and Emma dig into the "death and rebirth" of matrescence, the strange creative clarity that can show up in the fog of new motherhood, and why so few honest portraits of this stage of life exist. If you've ever felt blindsided by who you became after having a baby, this conversation will leave you feeling far less alone — and hand you some new language for what you lived through. 💡 What You'll Learn in This Moment Why "maternity service" fits better than "maternity leave" How the reframe came to Emma mid-heatwave The unexpected creative clarity of new motherhood The "death and rebirth" of matrescence Why honest portraits of new motherhood are so rare Watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you liked this moment, listen to the full episode: Maternity Service, Not Leave: A New Perspective with Emma Barnett Feeling like you’re carrying it all? Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes. Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Jurassic Oceans Exhibition at The Natural History Museum. Kids go half price.

During August, the Motherkind team and I try to practise what we preach by slowing down, taking some time off and making the juggle just a little easier over the summer holidays. So, throughout the month, we're bringing you some of our most listened-to episodes of the year so far. If you’re the person who remembers the PE kits, books the appointments, sorts the childcare, knows when the suncream needs reapplying and automatically assumes you’re looking after the children unless you’ve specifically arranged otherwise — this episode is for you. This week’s episode is with author Lou Beckett for a brilliantly honest conversation about being the default parent and the invisible mental, emotional and physical load so many mothers carry. Lou describes default parenting as something bigger than the mental load. It’s not only thinking about everything that needs to happen; it’s doing it, managing it and carrying the underlying assumption that ultimately, you are responsible . And often, couples don't consciously choose these roles at all. They simply fall into them after having children and never stop to renegotiate them. We talk about what that does to your identity, your relationship and your time — including Lou's experience of stepping away from her career while her husband's career accelerated, and the gradual feeling that she had lost sight of who she was outside motherhood. Lou also shares what has actually helped them change the dynamic at home: having honest conversations about responsibility, creating space for both parents' needs and recognising that wanting time for yourself doesn't make you selfish. We also talk about the enormous standards mothers place on themselves, comparison, mum guilt and why sometimes “good enough” really is enough . This is a funny, validating and incredibly relatable conversation for any mother who has ever thought: Why does everything seem to fall to me? 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode How to recognise if you’re the default parent Why the mental load so often falls to mothers How to start sharing responsibility more equally Why motherhood can leave you feeling like you’ve lost yourself How to let go of guilt and make space for yourself again Watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Key Topics Default parent • Mental load • Invisible labour • Overwhelmed mothers • Mum guilt • Parental burnout • Sharing the load • Motherhood identity • Relationships after children • Maternal mental load • Asking for help • Self-care for mothers • Working motherhood • Losing yourself in motherhood • Parenting roles

If the summer holidays have left you feeling overstimulated, overwhelmed and like you haven't had five minutes to yourself, this Moment is for you. When the children are around more, routines disappear and the noise, demands and mental load feel relentless, it's incredibly easy for our nervous systems to tip into stress mode. You might find yourself snapping over something tiny, wanting to escape to another room, giving in because you can't handle one more request—or simply shutting down completely. In this Moment, Zoe explains what's actually happening in your nervous system when motherhood feels too much, and why these reactions aren't something to feel ashamed of. She shares simple techniques you can use in just a few minutes to move out of fight, flight, freeze or fawn, widen your window of tolerance and release some of the stress you've been carrying. You'll also discover why completing the stress cycle can be so important for preventing burnout, and how changing the way you speak to yourself can help you feel calmer and more regulated when family life gets intense. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Moment How to recognise your own stress response A simple breathing technique to calm your nervous system How to complete the stress cycle and release built-up tension Why your inner critic makes overwhelm feel even harder How five minutes a day can help you feel calmer and more regulated If this Moment resonates, you can listen to the full episode here: Can 5 minutes a day really change your motherhood? And if you want to put these ideas into practice, Zoe teaches them step-by-step inside Five Minute Motherkind —21 days of simple five-minute practices designed to help you feel calmer, happier and more like yourself again. Get the first 3 episodes of the 21-Day Motherkind Reset - completely free. Watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply.

During August, the Motherkind team and I try to practise what we preach by slowing down, taking some time off and making the juggle just a little easier over the summer holidays. So, throughout the month, we're bringing you some of our most listened-to episodes of the year so far. If you've ever wondered why you're eating well, exercising, and still struggling with brain fog, exhaustion, or stubborn belly fat, this episode is going to completely change how you think about your body. This week I'm joined by bestselling author and women's health expert Dr Mindy Pelz. We explore why so much health advice has been designed around male bodies, why chronic stress changes everything for women, and how understanding your hormones can help you feel calmer, think more clearly and work with your body rather than against it. We also dive into fasting for women, why it isn't one-size-fits-all, what every mother should know about stress and self-care, and Dr Mindy's fascinating perspective on why perimenopause isn't something to fear—but a powerful new chapter of leadership and confidence. Whether you're navigating early motherhood, feeling overwhelmed by brain fog, or starting to think about perimenopause, this conversation is packed with practical, hopeful insights. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why chronic stress makes belly fat harder to lose The surprising connection between fasting, brain fog and calm Why women need a different approach to fasting than men How to support your hormones through every stage of life Why menopause could be your most powerful chapter yet Watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Key Words Women's health • Hormones • Fasting for women • Intermittent fasting • Brain fog • Belly fat • Stress • Cortisol • Metabolism • Blood sugar • Perimenopause • Menopause • Hormone health • Female health • Weight training for women • Protein • Nervous system • Burnout • Self-care • Maternal wellbeing • Energy • Longevity • Healthy ageing • Midlife • Motherhood • Women's wellbeing • Confidence • Emotional health • Motherkind

Have you ever looked around at your life and wondered why it feels so hard just to keep up? In this powerful Moment, Dr Giselle Goodwin shares the personal turning point that changed the course of her life—and the research that followed. After reaching a breaking point on her 35th birthday while juggling two young children and two businesses, Giselle became convinced she simply wasn't coping. But years later, after completing a PhD in women, work and wellbeing, she discovered something that completely changed her perspective: It wasn't her that was failing. It was the impossible expectations placed on modern mothers. Together, Zoe and Giselle explore why so many women feel overwhelmed, burnt out and like they're constantly falling short, despite doing more than ever before. If you've ever wondered why motherhood feels so much harder than you expected, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, understood and far less alone. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Moment Why so many mothers feel like they're failing The three jobs modern women are expected to do The hidden pressures driving burnout and mum guilt Why motherhood isn't the problem—our expectations are The one message every overwhelmed mother needs to hear Watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this Moment, listen to the full episode: Women's happiness has been declining since the 1970s - this is why and what we need to do about it, with Giselle Goodwin Feeling like you’re carrying it all? Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes. Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Jurassic Oceans Exhibition at The Natural History Museum. Kids go half price.

During August, the Motherkind team and I try to practise what we preach by slowing down, taking some time off and making the juggle just a little easier over the summer holidays. So, throughout the month, we're bringing you some of our most listened-to episodes of the year so far. Can you be an ambitious mother without feeling guilty? Emma Grede believes you can, and that our children actually benefit when they see us fully expressed, fulfilled and living in alignment with our own values. Emma is one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs, co-founder of SKIMS, CEO of Good American, founding partner of Safely, investor on Shark Tank and author of Start With Yourself. But this conversation isn't really about business. It's about the invisible pressure mothers carry, the impossible standards we set ourselves, and how to build a life that feels true to you. Together, Zoe and Emma explore why so many mothers feel depleted, how to let go of guilt, and why success looks different in different seasons of life. Emma shares the parenting philosophy that has helped her build multiple global businesses while raising four children and why she believes children don't need a perfect mother; they need one who is fulfilled. They also discuss work-life balance, career ambition after children, asking for help, letting go of control, sharing the parenting load, and why learning to say no is one of the most powerful leadership skills a mother can develop. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why your children need a fulfilled mother, not a perfect one How to let go of mum guilt and make decisions with confidence Why success changes through different seasons of motherhood How to stop doing everything and start asking for help The boundaries that protect your time, energy and ambition Watch this episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with Feeling like you’re carrying it all? Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes. Zoe’s favourite Aspire episode with Emma Grede: “Don’t Let Anyone Control You With Money” with Reese Witherspoon Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Jurassic Oceans Exhibition at The Natural History Museum. Kids go half price.

Do you ever sit down to rest... only to feel like you should be doing something else? In this Moment, Zoe is joined by psychologist and author Dr Nicola Jane Hobbs to explore why so many mothers struggle to slow down. The answer isn't that you're lazy, bad at resting or doing motherhood wrong. It's that your nervous system has learnt that being busy feels safe. Together they explore why matrescence can feel like such a shock to our system, how years of rushing make stillness feel unfamiliar, and why learning to weave tiny moments of slowness into your day can help your nervous system feel calmer, safer and more regulated. Nicola also shares a beautiful redefinition of rest: it's not just lying down or getting more sleep. Rest is anything that helps your nervous system switch off its stress response. If you've ever struggled with mum guilt or burnout, or found it impossible to truly relax, this conversation will completely change the way you think about rest. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your nervous system can experience slowing down as a threat Why rest feels so uncomfortable after becoming a mum Tiny ways to teach your nervous system that slowness is safe A new definition of rest that actually feels achievable in motherhood Why resting benefits both you and your children Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this moment, you can listen to the full episode here: If you want to become an instantly relaxed mother, listen to this. Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat Sheet Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Jurassic Oceans Exhibition at The Natural History Museum. Kids go half price.

Do you already feel the pressure to make this summer magical? Maybe you're trying to juggle work, childcare, family holidays, the mental load and the constant feeling that you should be doing more. If so, this episode is for you. In this solo episode, Zoe shares the simple mindset shifts that can help you let go of mum guilt, stop chasing the perfect summer, and focus on what your children will actually remember. She explores why asking for help before you're overwhelmed is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, why feeling guilty doesn't necessarily mean you've done something wrong, and how lowering the pressure can help everyone enjoy the holidays so much more. If you're looking for practical advice to help you navigate the school holidays with more calm, connection and self-compassion, this episode is packed with simple reminders you'll come back to all summer long. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why feeling guilty doesn't mean you've done anything wrong How to let go of the pressure to create the "perfect" summer Why children remember how summer felt, not what you spent The importance of asking for help before you reach burnout Simple ways to reduce the mental load during the school holidays How to create more connection with your children this summer Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with with Rachael Twumasi-Corson, The Lie of Work-Life Balance (And What Actually Works) Feeling like you’re carrying it all? Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes. Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply. Jurassic Oceans Exhibition at The Natural History Museum. Kids go half price.

Have you ever shouted at your child and been instantly overwhelmed with guilt? If you've ever wondered, "Why did I react like that?" or worried that losing your temper means you're a bad mum, this Moment is for you. In this honest Moment episode, Zoe shares a parenting moment she's not proud of and the powerful insight that completely changed how she understands motherhood anger. She explains why snapping at our children is rarely about the moment itself, what the "drip, drip, drip effect" teaches us about stress and emotional overload, and why your nervous system, not your parenting, is often driving your reaction. You'll also discover simple, science-backed tools to regulate your nervous system throughout the day, understand what your anger might be trying to tell you, and replace guilt with greater self-compassion. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally reactive or stuck in a cycle of snapping at your children and then feeling guilty afterwards, I hope this conversation reminds you that you're not failing. You're human, and there is another way. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why snapping at your children is rarely about the moment itself The "drip, drip, drip effect" and how stress builds throughout the day How to regulate your nervous system before reaching breaking point Why anger is often a sign of unmet needs Practical ways to widen your "window of tolerance" How to repair after losing your temper without carrying shame Why anger can become a catalyst for healthier boundaries and positive change Watch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode? Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing. If you enjoyed this Moment, you can listen to the full episode: A New Way To Look at Your Anger Feeling like you’re carrying it all? Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes. Connect with Zoe: Follow Zoe on Instagram , LinkedIn and TikTok Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’ This Motherkind episode is sponsored by: Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind . Ts and Cs apply.