E59: Why Change Feels So Hard (and Necessary): Jessie Harold on Matrescence and the Evolution of Motherhood

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, and ambition, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother wherever you get your podcasts — and follow us on Instagram @mightyasamotherpodcast.