65|Sophie Beer- Children's Author & illustrator, fertility, Prenatal anxiety, CBT, miscarriage, medical trauma, acoustic nueroma tumour, juggling motherhood, working, creativity and burn out

Sophie Beer, Brisbane-based author and illustrator, has built an award-winning career creating joyful, bright, children's books, but her path to success has been anything but straightforward. In this heartfelt conversation, Sophie shares the determination that helped her pursue her creative dreams, refusing to take "no" for an answer, even when life presented unexpected challenges. From studying law before finding her true calling, to navigating fertility struggles, miscarriage, prenatal anxiety, and the shock of discovering she carries a cancer gene, Sophie opens up about the experiences that have shaped her both personally and professionally. After a tumour diagnosis made her realise how deeply she wanted to become a mother, Sophie embarked on a complex journey through pregnancy, birth, and parenthood. She speaks candidly about fertility and birth trauma, the healing experience of her second birth, the importance of midwifery-led continuity of care, and how CBT and talk therapy supported her mental health along the way. We also explore the realities of balancing motherhood with a thriving creative career, the pressures of the never-ending juggle, and the lessons Sophie has learned about burnout, ambition and her passions for music, creativity and delivering joyful children's books. This is an honest, inspiring conversation about resilience, advocacy, motherhood, and finding the courage to create a life that feels true to yourself. Love Patty  xx