<p>What happens when motherhood cracks open the old “rules,” and moving abroad removes every last distraction?</p><p>In this episode of the House of Peregrine Podcast, Mickelle Weber sits down with Vanessa Bennett; therapist, author of <em>The Motherhood Myth</em>, and co-host of <em>Cheaper Than Therapy</em>—for a candid, elegant conversation on partnership, power, and the brave work of rewriting your life. Vanessa shares how losing their LA home to wildfires became the unexpected catalyst for a one-year move to Costa Rica: a reset to grieve, downshift, and decide what comes next from steadier ground.</p><p>Together, they explore how systems like patriarchy, capitalism, and colonialism operate as dominator models (someone “above,” someone “below”) and why the alternative isn’t matriarchy, but a partnership model built on sovereignty, care, and choice. They also unpack codependency vs interdependence, and why over-functioners often have to be the ones to put the rope down first.</p><p>In this episode:</p><ul><li><p>Motherhood as a paradigm shift for couples</p></li><li><p>Dominator systems vs partnership models</p></li><li><p>Codependency (“if you’re good, I’m good”) vs interdependence</p></li><li><p>Why some therapy can reinforce hierarchy and how to vet support</p></li><li><p>Moving abroad as a truth-teller (“Costa Rica divorce”)</p></li><li><p>Finding stability even when there is no plan</p></li></ul><p>Find Vanessa Bennett at<a href="https://www.vanessabennett.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.vanessabennett.com</a> and on Instagram @vanessa.s.bennett. Listen, follow, and subscribe to the House of Peregrine Podcast for more conversations designed to make expat life feel less lonely and far more intentional.https://www.houseofperegrine.com/podcast/ep-085</p><p>House of Peregrine is the network for International life, made by and for people living abroad.  </p><p>Get started with a FREE account today to unlock exclusive content, connections, and opportunities:</p><p><a href="http://houseofperegrine.com/auth/signup" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">houseofperegrine.com/auth/signup</a></p><p>Join a global circle of thinkers, creators, and doers. We host events, build products, publish guides, run a podcast, offer rewards and curated products — all within a vibrant ecosystem of experts and businesses to support your life abroad.</p><p>Subscribe: <a href="http://houseofperegrine.com/subscribe" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">houseofperegrine.com/subscribe</a></p><p>Join our WhatsApp Group: <a href="https://chat.whatsapp.com/JbiLJjKqpntGhzzeGap30N" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HOP Community</a></p><p>Explore Memberships: <a href="http://houseofperegrine.com/memberships" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">houseofperegrine.com/memberships</a></p><p>Install the App: <a href="http://houseofperegrine.com/install" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">houseofperegrine.com/install</a></p><p>Follow us for daily inspiration and updates:</p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/houseofperegrine/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@houseofperegrine</a>podcast</p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HouseofPeregrineofficial" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@HouseofPeregrineofficial</a></p><p>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/house-of-peregrine" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@company/house-of-peregrine</a></p><p><br />TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@houseofperegrine" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@houseofperegrine</a>podcast</p>