Episodes

  • 220: Living Authentically: Finding Growth in Media and Motherhood with Sonni Abatta

    220: Living Authentically: Finding Growth in Media and Motherhood with Sonni Abatta
    Mar 30 2026

    In this episode, I speak with Sonni Abatta, an award-winning and Emmy-nominated journalist, about the complexities of redefining personal narratives and navigating the modern media landscape. As a dedicated media professional and mother of three, Sonni opens up about her transition from spending 15 years in traditional media to creating a digital platform that informs women without the overwhelm.

    Sonni shares insights into how her highly expressive Italian-American upbringing shaped her emotional intelligence and deep communication skills. Our conversation explores the process of connecting with the inner child, recognizing how early coping mechanisms can transform into powerful adult strengths like discernment and self-soothing.

    We delve into actionable practices for living authentically, from intentionally consuming news across the ideological spectrum to holding opposing viewpoints without feeling attacked. Sonni emphasizes the importance of not parenting from your own trauma and raising children with the capacity to set boundaries, inspiring others to honor generational strength while rewriting the Mother Code.

    You'll also hear about:

    (03:50) The journey from traditional media to digital spaces

    (08:20) The profound impact of inner child work and family dynamics

    (14:59) Building emotional intelligence and the ability to self-soothe

    (24:16) Navigating charged global topics with nuance and multiple perspectives

    (31:29) Avoiding the trap of parenting from your own childhood trauma

    (39:46) Blending news and lifestyle with a 25% serious, 75% fun approach

    (41:22) Sonni's reflections on rewriting the Mother Code through generational strength

    Don't miss Sonni's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between personal truth and conscious media consumption!

    Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

    Learn more about Sonni Abatta:

    • Learn more about Sonni
    • Follow Sonni on Instagram
    • Subscribe to her Youtube channel

    Follow Dr. Gertrude:

    • Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website
    • Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
    • Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s Substack
    • Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
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    52 mins
  • 219: From Mental Load to Meaningful Connection: Amy Briggs' Journey

    219: From Mental Load to Meaningful Connection: Amy Briggs' Journey
    Mar 23 2026

    In this episode, I speak with Amy Briggs, a licensed speech and language pathologist and the visionary founder of Aviva, about the profound weight of the "mental load" and how we can reclaim our capacity for joy in parenthood. As a mother of two daughters, Amy shares her journey from clinical practice in public schools to creating a revolutionary tool designed to take the burden of family scheduling off parents' plates.

    Amy shares insights into how the invisible labor of parenting often clouds the most important part of the journey: the connection we build with our children. Our conversation explores the systemic "codes" and scripts that leave parents feeling like they are never doing enough, and how we can begin to prioritize "being" and presence over the endless cycle of "doing".

    We delve into actionable perspectives on reclaiming parental intuition, from recognizing the distracting influence of social media to creating scalable solutions for household labor. Amy emphasizes the importance of viewing technology as a true "team member", allowing parents to focus on the "big enchilada" of parenthood rather than the clutter of management.

    You'll also hear about:

    1. (06:05) Amy's journey from speech pathologist to focusing on family capacity
    2. (13:03) Dismantling the harmful scripts and invisible labor placed on mothers
    3. (16:42) Creating a "life raft": The birth of Aviva as a household team member
    4. (27:12) How the Aviva app works to automatically manage family scheduling
    5. (36:02) Normalizing the need to offload tasks and ask for help
    6. (45:18) Modeling achievement and setting an example for her children
    7. (50:42) What it means to rewrite the Mother Code and align with intuition

    Don't miss Amy's inspiring perspective on finding alignment between efficiency and heart!

    Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

    Learn more about Amy Briggs:

    1. Learn more about Aviva
    2. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn

    Follow Dr. Gertrude:

    1. Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website
    2. Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
    3. Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s Substack
    4. Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
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    57 mins
  • 218: Motherhood, Medicine, and Making Meaning with Dr. Rebecca Thompson

    218: Motherhood, Medicine, and Making Meaning with Dr. Rebecca Thompson
    Mar 16 2026
    In this deeply thoughtful and expansive conversation, Dr. Gertrude is joined by Rebecca Thompson, MD—family physician, writer, and author of Held Together, a shared memoir exploring motherhood, medicine, and what she calls “imperfect love.”Rebecca’s path to this work began long before the book—rooted in a lifelong relationship with storytelling, and later shaped by her experiences both as a physician and as a patient navigating pregnancy loss and medical complexity. What emerged is a powerful body of work that weaves together her story with the voices of 21 other women, offering a rare and intimate look at how we make sense of our lives through story.Together, Gertrude and Rebecca explore the intersection of motherhood and medicine, the role of community in times of crisis, and how we begin to redefine what it means to mother—far beyond biology or expectation.This conversation is an invitation to slow down, to listen more deeply, and to consider how we choose to make meaning of our lives—even, and especially, when things don’t go as planned.In this episode, you’ll hear:(01:00) Rebecca’s lifelong connection to storytelling—and how writing became her way of making sense of the world(03:40) The moment everything shifted: becoming a patient while training as a physician(06:30) The deep need for community during crisis—and why we don’t have to share the same story to feel less alone(10:00) Redefining support: how community looks different for every woman and every experience(14:00) Growth through challenge—and how our hardest experiences shape who we become(16:30) Inside Held Together: how Rebecca co-created 21 deeply personal stories over a decade(20:00) Why this is not an anthology, but a truly collaborative and interwoven narrative(24:00) “Extraordinary moments in ordinary lives”—and the power of listening to everyday stories(28:00) Expanding the definition of motherhood beyond biology, and making space for grief and choice(36:00) Finding meaning in the ordinary—and why awe is something we can practice(39:00) Fear, discomfort, and curiosity: what scuba diving reveals about how we move through life(42:00) Where to find Rebecca and how she’s bringing narrative medicine into healthcare spaces(45:00) What it means to “rewrite the mother code”: choosing what meaning we make from our livesRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Connect with Rebecca Thompson:Get her book Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love.Visit Rebecca's Website Follow Dr. Gertrude: Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s WebsiteFollow Dr. Gertrude on InstagramStay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s SubstackOrder Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
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    55 mins
  • 217: Magnetic Presence: Turning Pressure into Power with Lynn Smith

    217: Magnetic Presence: Turning Pressure into Power with Lynn Smith
    Mar 9 2026
    In this high-energy and empowering episode, I am joined by Lynn Smith, a nationally recognized media and communication expert, former news anchor for NBC, CNN, and MSNBC, and the creator of the Authority Collective. Lynn shares her journey from the intense, fast-paced world of national news to founding her own business dedicated to helping high-level leaders and entrepreneurs own their voices and amplify their impact.We dive into the "Media Mindset" and how the skills used in the newsroom, clarity, confidence, and concise communication, are the same skills needed to lead a family or a business. Lynn opens up about her own "pivot" moment, the challenges of balancing a high-profile career with motherhood, and how she transitioned from being the face of the news to the architect of her own life.Our conversation also touches on the importance of teaching these communication and confidence skills to the next generation. Lynn shares practical frameworks for parents to help their children navigate a world of constant influence and how to "unwind" dysfunctional wiring to give our children more space and potential.You'll also hear about:(02:22) Lynn’s transition from national news anchor to media consultant and the "aha" moment that sparked the Authority Collective.(08:15) The reality of the newsroom: Lessons learned from the front lines of NBC and CNN about resilience and presence.(14:40) Defining the "Media Mindset": How to communicate with authority in every room you enter, from the boardroom to the living room.(21:10) The "Pivot" Framework: Lynn’s strategy for navigating major life and career changes without losing your North Star.(28:55) Motherhood in the spotlight: Navigating the unique pressures of raising children while maintaining a public-facing career.(35:20) Confidence as a skill: Why we need to stop waiting to "feel" confident and start practicing the behaviors that create it.(42:45) Teaching influence to the next generation: How to support children in recognizing and navigating the "wiring" of social influence.(51:15) Lynn’s definition of Rewriting the Mother Code: Moving from dysfunctional legacy patterns to intentional, empowered leadership.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Connect with Lynn Smith:Visit Lynn's website: lynnsmithtv.comFollow Lynn on Instagram: @lynnsmithtvFollow Dr. Gertrude: Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s WebsiteFollow Dr. Gertrude on InstagramStay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s SubstackOrder Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
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    58 mins
  • 216: The Feral Heart of Grief: Reclaiming Motherhood with Kristin Mundy

    216: The Feral Heart of Grief: Reclaiming Motherhood with Kristin Mundy
    Mar 2 2026
    In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Kristin Mundy, a birth, postpartum, and bereavement doula, and the founder of The Doula Life. Kristin’s journey is one of profound resilience, having navigated the heart-wrenching loss of multiple pregnancies, including her daughter Vienna and son William, before welcoming her Earthside daughter, Senna.We explore how Kristin’s identity was shaped as the only girl among four brothers, where she first discovered her "mother’s helper" energy. This early calling eventually led her to become a doula, a word that literally translates to "mother’s helper", long before she faced her own path through baby loss.Kristin shares the painful reality of being a mother in "limbo", feeling the transformation of motherhood while society fails to recognize that identity without a child on Earth. We discuss her mission to help women remember they are more than their loss stories and the essential work of "mothering oneself" through unimaginable grief. This conversation is a testament to the fact that healing and motherhood can, and do, coexist.You'll also hear about:(02:22) Kristin’s "winding road" from a large family in Niagara to her current life near Toronto.(08:15) Facing the "lightning strike" of repeated late-term losses and the struggle to be seen as a mother by the world.(14:40) Defining the "Mother Code": How Kristin had to expand her definition of motherhood beyond raising an Earthside baby.(21:10) The transition from serving all mothers to specializing in bereavement and pregnancy after loss.(28:55) Reclaiming intuition and rebuilding trust in one's body after it feels like it has "failed".(35:20) The concept of "mothering the sky" - how to continue parenting and loving babies that are no longer here.(42:45) Navigating the "flames" of trying to conceive again and the unique anxiety of pregnancy after loss.(51:15) Kristin’s definition of Rewriting the Mother Code: Giving yourself permission to act out motherhood in your own perfect, unique way.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Connect with Kristin MundyVisit The Doula Life WebsiteListen to the Rainbow Connection podcastFollow Kristin on InstagramFollow Dr. Gertrude: Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s WebsiteFollow Dr. Gertrude on InstagramStay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s SubstackOrder Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 215: The Rainforest Blueprint: Biodiversity, Belonging, and Ancient Wisdom with Summer Koester

    215: The Rainforest Blueprint: Biodiversity, Belonging, and Ancient Wisdom with Summer Koester
    Feb 23 2026
    In this powerful and vulnerable episode, I am joined by Summer Koeste, an award-winning writer, artist, cultural anthropologist, 20-year Alaskan educator, and mother. Summer describes herself as a "nonconformist" who has lived many lives, navigating everything from life-threatening health challenges to living abroad in the high mountains of Argentina and the dancehall reggae world of Jamaica.We explore Summer’s unique perspective on deprogramming the cultural scripts that no longer serve us, a theme she explores deeply in her newsletter, The Feral Stack. She shares how her background in anthropology and her experiences outside of white American culture have given her a "tourist gaze" on our society's values and behaviors, allowing her to question why we adhere to systems that don't help us thrive.Summer also introduces us to the concept of being an "artivist", combining art and activism, which she embraced through songwriting to process her deep "justice sensitivity". From the separation of families at the border to the challenges of mothering a neurodivergent child in an underfunded education system, Summer’s work is a testament to the power of using one’s creative voice to demand collective liberation.You'll also hear about:(02:22) Summer’s "many lives" and how facing a fear of death through asthma and writing shaped her perspective.(08:15) Her upbringing in 1980s Juneau, Alaska, where worth was defined by physical capability.(14:40) Discovering "coded" gender expectations while living as an exchange student in Northern Argentina.(21:10) How Summer used a more masculine persona to find freedom of movement in conservative spaces.(28:55) Her time studying Latin American and Caribbean cultures and becoming immersed in the dancehall reggae world of Jamaica.(35:20) The "Pura Arepa" business in Costa Rica and her experience navigating a dangerous, psychologically abusive relationship.(42:45) Rebuilding a life in Alaska and researching why American culture repeats behaviors that don't lead to happiness.(51:15) Defining the "Artivist": Using songwriting and performance to advocate for justice and collective liberation.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!Connect with Summer Koester:Learn more on her WebsiteFollow her on InstagramSubscribe to her SubstackConnect with her on LinkedInFollow Dr. Gertrude: Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s WebsiteFollow Dr. Gertrude on InstagramStay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s SubstackOrder Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
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    58 mins
  • 214: Healing Through Style: Chellie Carlson on the Transformative Power of Wardrobe

    214: Healing Through Style: Chellie Carlson on the Transformative Power of Wardrobe
    Feb 20 2026

    In this enlightening episode, I am joined by the talented Chellie Carlson, a premier stylist who has turned the art of dressing into a modality for deep healing and self-discovery. Chellie shares her remarkable journey, from growing up on a farm in Missouri to founding her own styling business at the age of 40, just two weeks before the world changed in 2020.

    We explore why the act of getting dressed is about so much more than just looking "pretty." Chellie discusses her background in the lingerie industry, where she spent 20 years learning how to create safety for women in their most vulnerable moments. This experience laid the foundation for her unique approach to styling, which she views as a form of "body love" and a way to help women outwardly express their most authentic selves.

    I also share my own personal experience working with Chellie, including the "style trauma" I carried from my past and how her process helped me navigate those old filters to step into a new, empowered identity. Whether you think you need a stylist or not, this conversation will change the way you look at your closet and your reflection.

    You'll also hear about:

    1. (02:22) Chellie's upbringing on a Missouri farm and how her mother's love for fabrics and sewing influenced her path.
    2. (08:15) The transition from a 20-year corporate career in the lingerie industry to founding her own styling business at age 40.
    3. (14:40) Lessons from the fitting room: Learning to create a "container of safety" for women to confront body shame.
    4. (21:10) Why personal styling is a transformational modality rather than a superficial or "materialistic" pursuit.
    5. (28:55) Dr. Gertrude shares her personal "style trauma" and how working with a stylist helped heal old filters of identity.
    6. (35:20) Using Human Design and Gene Keys as tools to help clients align their internal essence with their external wardrobe.
    7. (42:45) The concept of "Dressing for the woman you are becoming" vs. the woman you used to be.
    8. (51:15) The generational shift: How Dr. Gertrude's daughter utilized Chellie's services to navigate her own career transition.

    Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

    Connect with Chellie Carlson

    1. Follow Chellie on Instagram
    2. Learn more about Chellie on her Website

    Follow Dr. Gertrude:

    1. Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website
    2. Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
    3. Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s Substack
    4. Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
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    56 mins
  • 213: Courting the Wisdom of Dreams: A Conversation with Toko-pa Turner

    213: Courting the Wisdom of Dreams: A Conversation with Toko-pa Turner
    Feb 16 2026

    In this deeply mystical and grounding episode, I welcome Canadian author and dream worker Toko-pa Turner. Toko-pa shares the journey behind her award-winning books, Belonging and The Dreaming Way, exploring how our personal search for belonging is often a reflection of a collective epidemic of alienation. We discuss how belonging isn't just an external place to find, but a skill and set of competencies we weave from the inside out.

    We delve into the profound world of dream work, moving beyond simple interpretation to viewing dreams as "nature naturing through us." Toko-pa explains the Jungian approach to dreams, asking where a wound is taking us rather than just what caused it, and shares her own touching story of how her dreams "parented" her during a difficult youth.

    Our conversation also touches on the impact of technology on our ability to dream, the importance of "idle moments" for creativity, and a vulnerable share about my own dream regarding my father's passing. Toko-pa closes with a powerful perspective on the "Death Mother" archetype and the necessary work of "remothering" ourselves when healthy models were absent.

    You'll also hear about:

    1. (04:19) The origin of Belonging: How a personal search for connection revealed a collective wound of alienation.
    2. (13:44) The difference between Freud and Jung: Freud asks "what happened to you?" while Jung asks "where is this trying to take you?".
    3. (15:53) How dreams can "parent" us: Toko-pa's experience of finding guidance from within when she left home at a young age.
    4. (20:29) Reframing dreams: Viewing dreams not just as neurological processes, but as nature expressing itself through us.
    5. (29:27) Dr. Gertrude's vivid dream about her father after his passing and Toko-pa's validation of visitation dreams.
    6. (36:37) The "echo chambers" of social media and how technology exacerbates our sense of alienation.
    7. (51:17) The necessity of "idle moments": Why pauses and boredom are essential precursors to creativity and wisdom.
    8. (57:13) The "Death Mother" archetype and the lifetime work of "remothering" oneself from the foundations up.

    Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

    Learn more about Toko-pa Turner

    1. Visit Toko-pa's Website
    2. Follow Toko-pa on Instagram

    Follow Dr. Gertrude:

    1. Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s Website
    2. Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
    3. Stay in the loop and sign up to Dr. Gertrude’s Substack
    4. Order Dr. Gertrude’s new book “Rewrite the Mother Code”
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    1 hr and 5 mins