Rewrite the Mother Code with Dr. Gertrude Lyons

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 strengthDon'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 InstagramSubscribe to her Youtube channelFollow 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”

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:(06:05) Amy's journey from speech pathologist to focusing on family capacity (13:03) Dismantling the harmful scripts and invisible labor placed on mothers (16:42) Creating a "life raft": The birth of Aviva as a household team member (27:12) How the Aviva app works to automatically manage family scheduling (36:02) Normalizing the need to offload tasks and ask for help (45:18) Modeling achievement and setting an example for her children (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:Learn more about AvivaConnect with Amy 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”

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”

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”

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”