Episodes

  • 109. What Play Therapy Can Teach us About Ourselves and Our Children, with Dr Sam Casey

    109. What Play Therapy Can Teach us About Ourselves and Our Children, with Dr Sam Casey
    Jun 26 2024
    In this episode I speak with Dr Sam Casey, an integrative child therapist who specialises in play therapy, trauma informed practice and maternal mental health. Sam shares her journey into play therapy, which started from an interaction when she was working at a childcare centre, and saw her through to gaining a PhD. You’ll come away with interesting insights and strategies from this episode, regardless of whether you’re a parent who has never heard of play therapist before, or whether you’re a registered play therapist yourself. We talk about the ‘play prescription’ model that Sam has developed that can be used by both parents and professionals to bring the power of play into their lives, relationships and work, to facilitate healing and growth. You’ll hear me share some reflections from my own mothering for us to explore as examples of the power of play in both connecting with our children, that goes beyond the ‘shoulds’ of intensive mothering that are so culturally pervasive. Connect with Dr Sam Casey further at https://www.drsamcasey.com/ follow her @drsamcasey on Instagram, and check out her upcoming free webinar here - https://www.drsamcasey.com/registration-page
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    56 mins
  • 108. Harnessing Neuroplasticity to Transform Our Mothering, with Dr. Jennifer Hacker Pearson

    108. Harnessing Neuroplasticity to Transform Our Mothering, with Dr. Jennifer Hacker Pearson
    May 15 2024
    In this episode, we speak to the PhD-qualified Neuroscientist, psychotherapist, meditation teacher, maternal mental wellbeing consultant, international speaker, author, and host of the podcast ‘Mama, Unleashed!’, Dr Jennifer Hacker Pearson. Within this conversation we delve into the fascinating world of neuroplasticity, the maternal brain, and how all of this information can be relevant in practical ways to our daily lives as mothers. Dr Jen explains how our brains continuously adapt and change in response to both internal and external stimuli. We explore the concept of self-directed neuroplasticity, and how we can begin to reshape our neural pathways. In this episode you’ll hear personal insights and stories that are shared to help explore the practical application of tools shared to help us as mothers in reshaping our experience of mothering and what it means to be a mother, to help us reclaim and push back against the normative ‘shoulds’ and structures of motherhood. Purchase the mini-course ‘Harness Your Motherhood Brain to thrive: A science-informed introduction to matrescence and the brain’ by Dr Jennifer Hacker Pearson and Dr Jodi Pawluski here - https://matrescencebrain.drjen.com.au and for 10% off, use the discount code SOPHIE - exclusive to The Good Enough Mother podcast listeners. Website - www.DrJen.com.au Email - jen@DrJen.com.au Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drjenhackerpearson/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/dr-jennifer-hacker-pearson-phd-60293452
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    39 mins
  • 107. Liberation from Patriarchal Motherhood? Reflections On Power, Agency & Motherhood Studies 2024

    107. Liberation from Patriarchal Motherhood? Reflections On Power, Agency & Motherhood Studies 2024
    Apr 14 2024
    *The Motherhood Studies Certification 2024 is open for enrolment until April 19th* What possibilities exist beyond patriarchal motherhood? How can sociological understandings of motherhood liberate our individual experience and contribute to broader social change? These are the sorts of questions I'll reflect on in this episode, considering the transformative potential of motherhood, liberated from patriarchal norms. I mention an upcoming article examining the outcomes of participants who completed the Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification in the context of matricentric feminism. I talk about some of the differences between 'empowered mothering' and feminist mothering, and share the term that I use to guide me in my mothering, business, and other aspects of 'self'. I share one benefit I've received from engaging in Motherhood Studies work that I've been hesitant to talk about, talk about maternal ambivalence and mothering as an art and a practice. I finish by sharing some of my favourite quotes on motherhood, liberated. If you're interested in diving further into this work for both yourself and your current career or future work aspirations, join us in The Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification, enrolment for this live round is open until April 19th, 2024 - https://drsophiebrock.com/motherhoodstudies/ Here is the other link mentioned in the episode: https://drsophiebrock.com/thefishtankofmotherhood
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    57 mins
  • 106. Understanding Ourselves & Our Children as Mapmakers: Parenting for Humans with Dr Emma Svanberg

    106. Understanding Ourselves & Our Children as Mapmakers: Parenting for Humans with Dr Emma Svanberg
    Mar 31 2024
    In this episode I speak with Dr. Emma Svanberg, an award-winning clinical psychologist and author of the recently released, "Parenting For Humans." Dr. Emma is the founder of The Psychology Co-operative and co-founder of Make Birth Better CIC. She also facilitates a vibrant parenting community on Facebook called The Village – A Parenting Community For Humans. I ask Dr Emma about the key themes from her book, exploring the beautiful analogy she uses of understanding children as ‘mapmakers’ whose maps are shaped by their temperaments, environments, context, and how we as parents can guide and connect with our children - through understanding our own stories. We talk about the role of play in connection with our children, as well as boundaries in the context of technology. Dr Emma reflects on the pressures parents face today in an information-rich and distracted society, and how we can try to navigate these contexts drawing on a sense of agency and power, and calling in opportunities for presence both for ourselves and our children. You’ll hear us reflect on the role of disappointment and the ruptures that inevitably occur between us and our children, and reflect on ‘good enough’ and Winnicott’s work as part of our parenting practice in fostering connection and growth. Website - https://dremmasvanberg.com/ Email - emma@dremmasvanberg.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mumologist Buy Emma’s Book: https://ebury.lnk.to/ParentingForHumans Show notes page: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast106
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    54 mins
  • 105. When Community Sparks Creativity: 'The Mum Who Found Her Sparkle' with Jessie & Mary

    105. When Community Sparks Creativity: 'The Mum Who Found Her Sparkle' with Jessie & Mary
    Mar 22 2024
    In this episode, you’ll hear from Jessie Ann Elliot and Mary Sotiropoulos who share their personal journeys through early motherhood and postpartum in building community, finding their power, and collaborating together to birth a book into the world. Jessie and Mary met through a mother-membership I facilitated called Liberated Motherhood. They share their experience of connecting with the work of the sociology of motherhood early on in their mothering journeys, and the passion they each developed in making the world a better place for mothers. Together, they started a kickstarter, and raised over $8,000 to create the children’s book, "The Mom Who Found Her Sparkle”, a testament to their shared experiences encapsulating a mother’s quest to rediscover purpose, identity, and joy. The inclusion of prompts and activities within the book encourages families to engage in meaningful discussions about what brings them joy and makes them feel alive. In this episode, we explore embodiment, presence, connection, and creativity. Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/themumwhofoundhersparkle https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-mum-who-found-her-sparkle-jessie-ann-elliott/book/9780646886831.html https://www.amazon.com.au/Mum-Who-Found-Her-Sparkle/dp/0646886835/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=30Z8QMJPRS7VS&keywords=the+mum+who+found+her+sparkle&qid=1700598921&sprefix=the+mum+who+found+her+sparkl%252Caps%252C227&sr=8-3 Show notes: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast105
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    46 mins
  • A little update from Sophie

    A little update from Sophie
    Mar 21 2024
    I share a brief life update of what's been present for me over the last few months, talk about transitions, honouring the stage we're in, taking our time, and orient to what will come this year for The Good Enough Mother podcast. This is the free training I mention in the episode: https://drsophiebrock.com/patriarchalmotherhood Here is a link to join the waitlist for The Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification for 2024 - https://drsophiebrock.com/motherhoodstudies/
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    7 mins
  • 104. The Science of Baby Brain: Social & Biological Influences on Mothers with Dr Sarah McKay

    104. The Science of Baby Brain: Social & Biological Influences on Mothers with Dr Sarah McKay
    Nov 7 2023
    In this episode I speak with neuroscientist Dr. Sarah McKay about her latest book: Baby Brain - The surprising neuroscience of how pregnancy and motherhood sculpt our brains and change our minds (for the better). This conversation aims to debunk some of the myths about ‘baby brain’ that exist in our culture, and we discuss the discrepancies between what the research says about the maternal brain and our memory, with what mothers say about their memory and experience of ‘baby brain’. We talk about societal expectations and patriarchal influences on motherhood alongside the cognitive changes that occur for women when they become mothers, and this intersection between the ‘social’ and the ‘physiological’. The episode explores how pregnancy primes the brain for motherhood, the impact of thoughts on biological processes, the significance of brain-to-brain synchrony in mother-child interactions, and how motherhood contributes to resilience in the maternal brain. You’ll learn about the fascinating phenomenon of foetal cell transfer and its potential benefits for women who have experienced miscarriage. Dr. Sarah simplifies complex brain science and sheds light on the profound connection between baby brain, pregnancy, and motherhood. See more on the show notes page here: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast104
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    58 mins
  • 103. How to Dismantle Patriarchal Motherhood? 8 Reflections

    103. How to Dismantle Patriarchal Motherhood? 8 Reflections
    Oct 17 2023
    The Motherhood Studies Certification 2024 is currently open for early enrolment, and in the context of launching next year's round of the course, I'm reflecting on some of the ways I think we can start to dismantle patriarchal motherhood that focuses on systems rather than individuals. I share some thoughts and reflections on what some structural and social changes could look like, ranging from areas including postpartum care, maternal mental health, economic policy, sex-based role stereotypes, and more. I also speak to the complexities of advocating for societal system change and the importance of remaining open minded, curious, humble, and keeping in mind historical, and cultural contexts. I refer to previous podcast episodes 98 (with Alecia Staines) and 34 (with Dr Oscar Serrallach). The next round of The Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification program begins on April 29, 2024, and early enrolment is open until October 24th. Head here for more information https://drsophiebrock.com/motherhoodstudies/ or email me at info@drsophiebrock.com if you have any questions. See the Instagram post referred to here and feel free to comment with any further ideas or suggestions you have about promoting social change: https://www.instagram.com/drsophiebrock/
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    35 mins