009: Becoming a Mother in Canada, Unexpected Pregnancy, Postnatal Depression, and Transitioning into a More Authentic Version of Yourself in Matrescence

Emily joins me from Canada to share her deeply honest journey through an unexpected path into motherhood. Together, we explore matrescence through multiple lenses—from the cultural and societal expectations placed on mothers to the deeply personal pressure so many women carry to become the elusive "good mother." With remarkable vulnerability, Emily reflects on how motherhood challenged the identity she had carefully presented to the world, and how the transition through matrescence ultimately led her to discover a version of herself that felt genuinely authentic for the first time. Our conversation also turns to the future. Emily shares the changes she hopes to see in the way society prepares, supports, and validates new parents, believing that a better understanding of matrescence has the power to transform the experience of motherhood for future generations. Although we discuss differences between pregnancy and postpartum care in Canada and Australia, one truth remains universal: no matter where a woman lives, becoming a mother is a profound psychological, emotional, and social transition. Matrescence knows no borders, yet too often women are expected to navigate this transformation without the understanding, language, or support they deserve. This conversation is a powerful reminder that while every mother's story is unique, the experience of becoming a mother is something that connects women across the world.