The Science of Motherhood Explained

Living on Autopilot? How to Find More Joy in Motherhood

IF YOU'VE EVER LOOKED AROUND AT YOUR LIFE AND THOUGHT, "HOW DID I GET HERE?"—THIS CONVERSATION IS FOR YOU. Not because your life is bad. Not because you've failed. But because somewhere between work, motherhood, responsibilities, and caring for everyone else, it's easy to lose touch with yourself. In this episode, development coach Charlotte Kovacs shares why so many women find themselves living on autopilot—and how small moments of intentionality can help us reconnect with what brings us joy, energy, and fulfillment. This conversation isn't about overhauling your life or adding another thing to your to-do list. It's about quieting the noise, questioning the "shoulds," and creating space to become more intentional about how you spend your time, energy, and attention. What We Cover: • Why so many mothers feel like they're living on autopilot • The hidden "shoulds" that shape our decisions and steal our joy • How to trust yourself in a world full of parenting advice and expectations • Why balance isn't about doing everything equally • The difference between obligation and genuine alignment • How to identify what truly gives you energy • A simple practice for checking in with yourself throughout different seasons of life • Why joy doesn't have to be big to be meaningful • The role of creativity, nature, and reflection in a fulfilling life • How to stop following someone else's rules and start choosing intentionally About the Guest: Charlotte Kovacs is a development coach who helps people grow into the person they are truly meant to be. Blending life and career coaching, she works with clients to uncover limiting beliefs, reconnect with their values, and create lives that feel more aligned, purposeful, and fulfilling. She is the founder of Kovacs Coaching and creator of the Eyes on the Stars, Feet on the Ground coaching program. Links + Resources: * Connect with Charlotte on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-kovacs/] * Subscribe to Charlotte's Newsletter [https://kovacscoaching.com/] * Follow ThatMom: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thatmom_thepodcast/] * Join the ThatMom Community: EMAIL [https://thatmom.kit.com/intentionalmom] * Learn more: That Mom Website [https://riverside.com/www.thatmompodcast.com] Maria's Style Picks: One thing helping me simplify life as a working mom? Renting instead of buying. This episode's outfit is from Rent the Runway. Try it here with 50% off [https://www.renttherunway.com/shares/348658e8c64b418606e46da3bad0d763a38ededa-payPerSwap-publicLink-1780441571100?utm_source=web&utm_medium=referral_share&utm_campaign=rtr_referral_program] And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, happiness, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.

Money Isn't Scary: What Every Mom Needs to Know

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, intimidated, or even ashamed when it comes to money, this conversation will help you see financial confidence in a completely different way. In this episode, financial planner and podcast host Megan Dwyer shares why money feels so emotional for so many women—and how understanding your finances can become a powerful tool for reducing anxiety, increasing confidence, and creating a more intentional life. This conversation isn't about spreadsheets or perfection. It's about understanding the beliefs, emotions, and cultural messages that shape our relationship with money—and learning how to make financial decisions from a place of confidence rather than fear. WHAT WE COVER: * Why so many successful women still feel anxious about money * The hidden beliefs about money we inherit from childhood * How motherhood changes our relationship with financial control * Why women often avoid financial conversations * The connection between self-worth, shame, and spending * Practical first steps for understanding your finances * How to align spending with your values and goals * Why financial confidence is about awareness—not perfection * The role of self-compassion in building a healthier relationship with money ABOUT THE GUEST: Megan Dwyer is a Certified Financial Planner with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate financial decisions with greater confidence and clarity. She is the host of the podcast Money Isn't Scary, where she explores the emotional side of money and helps women build healthier relationships with their finances. LINKS + RESOURCES: * Listen to Money Isn't Scary [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/money-isnt-scary-money-mindset-money-anxiety-intentional/id1542792192] * Connect with Megan on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/moneyisntscary/] * Follow ThatMom: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thatmom_thepodcast/] * Join the ThatMom Community: EMAIL [https://thatmom.kit.com/intentionalmom] * Learn more: That Mom Website [www.thatmompodcast.com] If this episode resonated, share it with a woman who has ever felt overwhelmed, intimidated, or alone in her financial journey. And if you're enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions about motherhood, identity, ambition, emotional well-being, and building a life that feels aligned with what matters most.

Building a More Peaceful Motherhood Through Small Daily Rituals

If motherhood has started to feel more like survival than joy, this conversation offers a gentler, more sustainable way forward. In this episode, holistic health expert Derenda Jeffrey shares thoughtful insights on emotional well-being, perfectionism, nervous system health, gratitude, and the small daily practices that help mothers feel more grounded, energized, and emotionally supported. This conversation isn’t about becoming a “better” mom. It’s about learning how to care for yourself with more grace inside the very real demands of modern motherhood. WHAT WE COVER: * Why emotional health impacts physical health more than we realize * The connection between perfectionism, stress, and exhaustion * How comparison culture affects mothers emotionally * The science and psychology behind gratitude practices * Flexible morning routines for busy moms with limited time * Small, sacred moments that help create a more meaningful life ABOUT THE GUEST: Derenda Jeffrey is a holistic health expert and wellness coach with nearly four decades of experience helping people improve their well-being through nutrition, emotional awareness, energy work, lifestyle shifts, and intentional living. Her work focuses on helping women create healthier, more grounded lives from the inside out. LINKS + RESOURCES: * Connect with Derenda Jeffrey Online [https://www.intentionalliving.me/] * Follow ThatMom: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thatmom_thepodcast/] * Join the ThatMom Community: EMAIL [https://thatmom.kit.com/intentionalmom] * Learn more: That Mom Website [https://www.thatmompodcast.com/] If this episode resonated, share it with a mother who’s feeling overwhelmed, emotionally stretched thin, or stuck trying to do everything perfectly. And if you’re enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions on motherhood, emotional well-being, identity, ambition, and building a life that feels good to live.

How High-Achieving Moms Can Create a Life They Actually Enjoy

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly managing everyone else’s needs while slowly losing connection to yourself, this conversation will help you rethink what it actually means to build a sustainable life. In this episode, leadership and burnout coach Laurel Boivin shares practical insights on capacity, emotional regulation, perfectionism, and why so many high-achieving women end up stuck in cycles of overwhelm. This conversation isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about learning how to create more ease, intention, and energy within the life you already have. What We Cover: * Why “capacity” matters more than productivity * The hidden energy drains keeping moms overwhelmed * How perfectionism increases emotional exhaustion * The connection between nervous system regulation and motherhood * How to make decisions using your core values * Small shifts that create more ease in daily life * The difference between rest and true restoration * Why slowing down can actually make life feel more manageable About the Guest: Laurel Boivin is a leadership and burnout coach who helps women build sustainable lives through emotional regulation, nervous system awareness, intentional leadership, and practical systems that reduce overwhelm. Links + Resources: * Follow Laurel: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/laurel.boivin/]+ LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurelboivin/] * Listen to Laurel's Podcast or Book a Call [https://linktr.ee/Laurel.Boivin?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnH7-8KGtLKyDnuAv1z0Vep1UCRAvH7JzMEyGKi7RANPnvmzW9IULiERRQSKU_aem_FxpTgkHosqPvh9MnF6T5pA] * Follow ThatMom: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thatmom_thepodcast/] * Join the ThatMom Community: EMAIL [https://thatmom.kit.com/intentionalmom] * Learn more: That Mom Website [https://www.thatmompodcast.com/] If this episode resonated, share it with a mother who’s tired of living in constant survival mode. And if you’re enjoying these conversations, follow That Mom for more thoughtful discussions on motherhood, identity, ambition, and building a life you actually want to live.

The Science of Motherhood Explained

Becoming a mother changes far more than your schedule. It changes your brain, your nervous system, your identity, your relationships, and the way you move through the world. In this episode, I sit down with El Fort of Mindful Healing Mama [https://www.mindfullhealingmama.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] to talk about the invisible transition women go through when they become mothers. El introduces the concept of matrescence—the developmental transition into motherhood—and explains the science behind why motherhood can feel so emotionally, physically, and psychologically destabilizing. IIf you’ve ever felt… * disconnected from yourself after becoming a mom * overwhelmed by emotions you didn’t expect in motherhood * like you should have “bounced back” by now * unsure why motherhood feels so physically and emotionally intense * like your identity shifted and no one warned you ---------------------------------------- IN THIS CONVERSATION, WE EXPLORE: * what matrescence reveals about the transformation into motherhood * how pregnancy and postpartum reshape the brain and nervous system * why high-achieving women often experience identity disruption after birth * how stress and regulation patterns are transmitted between parent and child * the science behind why “bouncing back” is not biologically accurate * small, practical ways mothers can begin restoring regulation and grounding ABOUT THE GUEST: Elle Fort is a mindfulness educator, motherhood advocate, and nervous system practitioner who helps mothers regulate stress, reconnect with themselves, and break generational patterns through somatic healing and nervous system support. LINKS + RESOURCES: * Elle’s Website: Mindful Healing Mama [https://www.mindfullhealingmama.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Follow Elle: Instagram @mindfulhealingmama [https://www.instagram.com/mindfulhealingmama/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Follow ThatMom: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thatmom_thepodcast/] * Join the ThatMom Community: EMAIL [https://thatmom.kit.com/intentionalmom] * Learn more: That Mom Website [https://www.thatmompodcast.com/] If this episode validated you, share it with a mom who needs it too. And if you’re loving these conversations, follow the show so you never miss an episode of That Mom.