Impossible Standards in Motherhood: Letting Go of the Good Mother Myth | Lisa Marchiano

Listen to this episode from Down The Well on Spotify. Episode 17: We have the pleasure of hearing from Lisa Marchiano for the second time on the Down The Well Podcast, a Jungian analyst and author of "Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself." Lisa and Elle peel back the layers of the "Good Mother" myth and dive deep into the transformative power of shadow work in motherhood. Are you ready to confront the shadow side of mothering? To embrace the parts of yourself you've been told to hide? Lisa reveals how the "good mother myth" sets impossible standards, leaving us feeling inadequate and disconnected from our true selves. But here's the kicker—what if those "negative" aspects we try to suppress are actually the key to our growth?Elle and Lisa explore: • The liberating truth about the "Good Mother" myth [1:27] • Why your anger might be your greatest teacher [19:44] • The golden nuggets hidden in your shadow [41:52] • How to parent from wholeness, not perfection [30:51] Prepare to be challenged, inspired, and ultimately freed by this raw and honest exploration of motherhood's deepest truths. 🔔 Subscribe for more soul-stirring conversations that light the path to authentic motherhood. 💬 Comment below: What part of yourself are you ready to reclaim in your mothering journey? Timestamps: 0:00 Intro: The good mother myth 5:34 How the good mom image affects women 8:28 Disempowering effects of perfect parenting ideals 14:11 Letting go of the good mother myth 21:15 Working with difficult emotions in motherhood 28:43 Understanding and integrating your shadow 37:38 Identifying shadow qualities in yourself 44:33 Practical steps for shadow work 49:22 Reintegrating positive aspects of younger self 54:12 Advice for different stages of motherhood Show Links: • "Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself" by Lisa Marchiano • Lisa's website: https://lisamarchiano.com/ Down The Well Links: • YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN6YKPAhI1Rstsc4dT2N86w • Elle's Substack: https://substack.com/@ellerowley • Elle's Instagram: instagram.com/ellerowley About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices