The Becoming Podcast | Season 3; Episode 8 | The Becoming Podcast - Season 3; Episode 7: Stepha Lafond on the systemic influences on matrescence, revillaging, and how to live in your season of motherhood

I am so delighted to introduce you to Stepha Lafond on this month's episode of The Becoming Podcast. Stepha is a life coach and mentor dedicated to helping moms navigate the space between who they are and who they are becoming. You can imagine why I just had to have Stepha on the show, right? Stepha started her practice out of a desire to put moms at the center of the conversation, with an emphasis shifting the narrative on modern motherhood to one that allows space for mamas to grow, heal and take care of themselves at all stages of their journey. Her work on Matrescence- the transition into motherhood- invites her clients and spectators alike, to explore and hold space for this common but rarely discussed phase of development, whilst taking a critical look at the unjust systems and power structures impacting motherhood and creating necessary shifts towards liberation. Stepha and I had a totally delightful, high-energy conversation, full of laughs even as we tackled some really difficult issues facing mothers today. Stepha began by sharing her experience of the transition to motherhood, which was marked by the support of her grandmother for her first child, and then the loss of her grandmother right before her second child was born. She shares how experiencing that kind of deep support in the early days of her matrescence made her want to offer the same to other mothers, and catalyzed her to start her coaching practice. From there, we talk about "the things no one talks about" when it comes to becoming a mother, and some of the systemic, cultural and political influences on mothers – especially BIPOC mothers - today. Our conversation moves into the prevalence of birth trauma, and how challenging it can be to traverse identity shift while also navigating a healing journey. Stepha shares how mothers can "embrace the slower pace" and live in your season as a mother. Finally, we talk about taking radical responsibility and advocating for your needs, and how we are all both members of the village we mothers so desperately need, and recipients of its care.