Matrescence

What if becoming a mother wasn’t just a life event — but a radical transformation of self?This week on The Shadows We Cast, Jenn sits down with Jessie Harrold — doula, coach, author, and founder of Imaginalia — to explore the complex and rarely named process of matrescence. Like adolescence, matrescence is a profound identity shift that touches every layer of our being: emotional, physical, spiritual, and cultural. And yet… we’re barely talking about it.Together, they unpack:·       What matrescence actually is — and why we all need language for it·       Why radical change often begins with grief·       How to “mythologize” your story rather than pathologize your pain·       What Jessie calls the “gooey middle” — the messy, necessary in-between of identity transformation·       Why small practices, like Jessie’s “Five Things” check-in, can become lifelines through transitionThis episode touches on the thresholds we all cross: motherhood, menopause, grief, healing, and the quiet reckoning of asking, Who am I now? Whether you’re navigating change yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and the reminder: you’re not broken. You’re becoming.Learn more about Jessie and her work at www.jessieharrold.com, and follow her on Instagram @jessie.es.harrold.Host/Producer/Writer/Director: Jenn St JohnEditor: Andrew SchillerWebsite: www.jennstjohn.caFollow along:Instagram: @jenn_stjohnLinkedIn: Jenn St JohnIf this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who might need to hear it too.Subscribe, leave a review, or just send a little love—your support helps these conversations reach the people who need them most.