05 - Jacqueline Kelly on Matrescence - The Rite of Passage We Forgot to Name

Jacqueline Kelly is a psychotherapist, matrescence practitioner, and founder of Our Brave Hearts, a community she built after becoming a mother herself and finding that the conversations she needed simply weren't happening. In this episode we talk about what it costs women to become mothers, why that cost goes unspoken, and who benefits from keeping it that way. We get into matrescence; the profound identity shift of becoming a mother that has no mainstream name, the mask of motherhood, mum guilt as a social construct, and what happens when you dare to climb down from the pedestal.  We also talk about Jacqueline's decision to speak publicly about Palestine in October 2023, what it cost her in followers, speaking opportunities and professional relationships, and why she did it anyway. Mentioned in this episode Our Brave Hearts: Wise Words for Mothers by Jacqueline Kelly, illustrated by Rosie Lovelock Matrescence by Lucy Jones Dr. Alexandra Sacks -- A New Way to Think About the Transition to Motherhood (TED Talk, 2018) Dr. Aurelie Athan, Teachers College, Columbia University -- researcher who expanded the concept of matrescence Dana Raphael -- anthropologist who coined the term matrescence Francesca Albanese -- UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Swords for Palestine -- weekly vigils at Swords Castle, North Dublin Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) Cunt by Inga Muscio Find Jacqueline ourbravehearts.ie | @our_bravehearts If you've enjoyed this episode, why not support the show? Find us over at patreon.com/wigsonthegreenpod Or follow us on Instagram & TikTok