Down The Well

• Why Moms Feel Bad About Feeling Bad (And How to Stop)

  Sz 2 Ep 9 | What if the hardest part of motherhood isn't the emotion itself—but what we do to ourselves after we feel it? In this solo episode, Elle unpacks one of the most invisible sources of suffering in motherhood: the pattern of feeling bad about feeling bad. She reveals how we take a natural human emotion—frustration, sadness, overwhelm—and then bury ourselves under layers of guilt, shame, and judgment. This isn't about toxic positivity or pretending hard emotions don't exist. It's about learning to recognize when we're digging ourselves deeper into the well... and how to stop. Elle shares personal stories from her early motherhood, a powerful moment teaching emotional skills to young girls, and a real coaching example that shows how one woman's "mess in every area" was actually just one emotion hiding under a mountain of self-judgment. You'll walk away with a simple three-step practice to drop the unnecessary suffering and befriend the emotions that actually hold the key to your growth. Timestamps: 01:34 - Feeling bad about feeling bad 04:37 - Primary vs. secondary emotions 06:39 - Something is wrong with me 07:40 - The three-step practice 10:43 - Case study: Coaching a friend 12:45 - Befriending your emotions Down The Well Links: 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

  --------  

  14:19

  --------

  14:19
• Why Moms Miss Their Own Joy—and How to Get It Back

  Sz 2 Ep 8 | Elle invites us to pause... to breathe... to stay for the exhale. As the leaves turn and the holidays begin, she explores a deceptively simple yet profound concept: truly experiencing the moments we create. It's not about doing more—it's about being more present in what we're already doing. Elle shares her journey from frantic holiday-maker to intentional memory-creator, offering a mini masterclass in emotional presence. She challenges us: Are we confusing participation with presence? Are we unconsciously fleeing from joy? From yoga mats to dinner tables, Elle provides practical wisdom for savoring life's exhales. It's time to linger, to ask one more question, to offer our full gaze. This isn't just about slowing down—it's about showing up fully for the life we're living. 🍂 Ready to transform your fall from frantic to fulfilling? Listen now. Timestamps: 00:00 - Fall reflections and the nurturer's season 04:06 - The "stay for the exhale" revelation 09:44 - Embracing the matriarch's wisdom 12:17 - The surprising challenge of tolerating joy 17:22 - Practical ways to linger in life's moments 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

  --------  

  21:26

  --------

  21:26
• Replenish Your Well: Waking Up to The Need for Authentic Friendships in Motherhood | Andrea Faulkner Williams

  Sz 2 Ep 8 | Elle sits down with her longtime friend and fellow entrepreneur, Andrea Faulkner Williams, to share real and heartfelt reflections on nurturing friendship through the busyness of motherhood. Ever felt like you're drowning in the demands of life? You're not alone. Elle and Andrea share raw, honest truths about: • The tender challenges that shape motherhood • Keeping friendships strong when life feels busy • Championing each other's dreams • Turning comparison into inspiration Take a moment to laugh and cry along with Elle and Andrea as they show you the positive difference friendship can make in motherhood. 🔔 Subscribe for more soul-nourishing conversations that remind you: You're not alone in this beautiful mess of motherhood and life. 💬 Comment below: In what was is friendship a lifeline for you?  Timestamps: 0:00 Intro: First in-person podcast with Andrea 5:40 Motherhood: The most challenging job ever 11:16 Friendship challenges in adulthood and mothering 19:56 Non-comparative support in friendships 25:43 Handling emotional mismatch in friendships 31:25 How to be a good friend 37:05 Creating a joy list for happiness 42:38 Championing each other's callings and dreams 49:26 Rapid-fire questions about their friendship 55:54 Dealing with insecurities and teen gossip 59:19 Closing thoughts and appreciation Show Links:Andrea's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreafaulknerwilliams/?hl=en Tubby Todd: https://tubbytodd.com/?brand_general&tw_source=google&tw_adid=764490404375&tw_campaign=22807709662&t... Solly Baby: ⁠https://sollybaby.com/collections/wraps?wickedsource=google&wickedid=CjwKCAjwu9fHBhAWEiwAzGRC_7SVVjW... "Present over Perfect" by Shauna Niequist "What in the World?" by Leanne Morgan Down The Well Links: YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN6Y... 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? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley explores the mother's hero's journey—a path different from what you've read in books. It's a descent into the soul, where transformation is inevitable. Let's ensure it's for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  --------  

  1:00:05

  --------

  1:00:05
• Impossible Standards in Motherhood: Letting Go of the Good Mother Myth | Lisa Marchiano

  Sz 2 Ep 6 | 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

  --------  

  58:53

  --------

  58:53
• What Nobody Tells You About the Maiden to Mother Transition

  Sz 2 Ep 5 | What if the transition to motherhood isn't just about diapers and sleepless nights... but a profound archetypal shift that reshapes your entire being? In this soul-stirring episode, Elle dives deep into the often overlooked journey from maiden to mother. She peels back the layers of societal pressure, personal resistance, and the bittersweet beauty of this transformation. Are you clinging to your "maiden" self even as you navigate motherhood? You're not alone. This isn't just about having kids—it's about saying yes to a fuller, vaster version of yourself. Ready to step into your power? 🔔 Subscribe for more soul-nourishing conversations on motherhood, identity, and becoming. 💬 Comment below: What's been the hardest part of your maiden-to-mother transition? Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 00:40 - Understanding the archetypes 02:43 - Why we resist the mother 09:20 - Three lies holding us back 16:27 - The gifts of motherhood 20:32 - Missed your maiden years? 23:35 - Integrating maiden and mother Show Links: Oura Ring: https://ouraring.com/product/rings Down The Well Links: Elle's Substack - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@ellerowley⁠⁠⁠⁠ Elle's Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ellerowle⁠y Listen to Down The Well: Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6lUJfguVjtso0sPEg2wR6t?si=votEkMgqRiq8b_aEKht1gg⁠ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-the-well/id1797861644 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Down-The-Well 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. SEO Keywords: transformational motherhood, maiden archetype, mother archetype, matriarch archetype, women's developmental phases, releasing maidenhood, embracing motherhood, cultural expectations, societal pressures, aging and beauty, body acceptance, self-discovery, personal growth, life transitions, motherhood challenges, work-life balance, self-care for mothers, identity shifts, parenting journey, female empowerment, archetypal psychology, women's spirituality, intergenerational wisdom, life stages, personal transformation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  --------  

  26:42

  --------

  26:42

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About Down The Well

Down The Well: Podcasts in Family