Ep.45 Mothershift and the Matrescence Transformation with Author, Coach and Doula, Jessie Harrold
Fri Jan 23 2026
"You will lose yourself in motherhood. And though that might seem terrifying to you now, let me say the next part, the part we all keep forgetting: you will find someone entirely new. I feel like I want to say that again. You will lose yourself in motherhood.And: You will find someone entirely new."
— Jessie Harrold, Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage
Becoming a mother is a major transformation in a woman's life. Matrescence is the word used to describe this transformation in its many forms - some are physical, spiritual, emotional, economic, they affect your body, your relationships, your values, your identity, your career.
Our guest today is coach, doula and author, Jessie Harrold. She has been supporting women through radical life transformations and other rites of passage for over 15 years. She is also the host of the Becoming podcast and the author of Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage. Mothershift is a Nautilus Gold Medal Book Awards Winner, has been featured in international media and Is being recognized as contributing to a pivotal development in our understanding of matrescence.
One review states that "Mother Shift offers a wise, inspiring and practical view of what it can look like. When women are supported and encouraged to experience motherhood as a doorway to becoming more deeply in touch with who they are and what is possible in their lives. It is a vision for an experience of motherhood that is understood as a rite of passage filled with power and potential."
Jesse has also created a three month Mother shift program of support dedicated to helping you embody your motherhood and embrace the process of matrescence.
Jessie is brilliant, experienced, compassionate and a blessing to us all. I am humbled to have her as a guest on Mom Chat. I will now recommend mothership as a handbook to every Mamistad mom - and to all moms!Some timestamps:
01:14 Understanding Matrescence
03:18 Jessie's Journey into Motherhood
05:18 The Concept of Matrescence
11:49 Challenges and Realities of Modern Motherhood
22:06 The Four Elements of Radical Transformation
29:46 The Importance of Community
Where to find Jessie:
Instagram: @jessie.es.harroldWebsite: https://www.jessieharrold.com/mothershift/Find the quiz: https://www.jessieharrold.com/quiz/Mothershift (the book): https://www.jessieharrold.com/mothershiftbook/
Jessie's linktree.Jessie referenced the book Momfluenced: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture by Sara Petersen https://sara-petersen.com/momfluenced/
Visit us at Mamistad.com for more info about Mamistad and to learn more about Mamistad groups! As always, if you're a new mom, even if it's not with Mamistad, please find your MAMA TRIBE.
Visit MOM CHAT WITH MAMISTAD for a full list of all episodes.
Thank you - YOU are appreciated! Take care of each other.
Mamistad,
Cynthia
~Women are incredible, Moms are limitless, and a Sisterhood of Moms is a force of nature.
Information on this podcast is for general information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical care, to diagnose medical conditions, or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition. We encourage anyone to seek help from a qualified medical professional where issues deem it necessary. No liability is assumed.
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"You will lose yourself in motherhood. And though that might seem terrifying to you now, let me say the next part, the part we all keep forgetting: you will find someone entirely new. I feel like I want to say that again. You will lose yourself in motherhood.And: You will find someone entirely new." — Jessie Harrold, Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage Becoming a mother is a major transformation in a woman's life. Matrescence is the word used to describe this transformation in its many forms - some are physical, spiritual, emotional, economic, they affect your body, your relationships, your values, your identity, your career. Our guest today is coach, doula and author, Jessie Harrold. She has been supporting women through radical life transformations and other rites of passage for over 15 years. She is also the host of the Becoming podcast and the author of Mothershift: Reclaiming Motherhood as a Rite of Passage. Mothershift is a Nautilus Gold Medal Book Awards Winner, has been featured in international media and Is being recognized as contributing to a pivotal development in our understanding of matrescence. One review states that "Mother Shift offers a wise, inspiring and practical view of what it can look like. When women are supported and encouraged to experience motherhood as a doorway to becoming more deeply in touch with who they are and what is possible in their lives. It is a vision for an experience of motherhood that is understood as a rite of passage filled with power and potential." Jesse has also created a three month Mother shift program of support dedicated to helping you embody your motherhood and embrace the process of matrescence. Jessie is brilliant, experienced, compassionate and a blessing to us all. I am humbled to have her as a guest on Mom Chat. I will now recommend mothership as a handbook to every Mamistad mom - and to all moms!Some timestamps: 01:14 Understanding Matrescence 03:18 Jessie's Journey into Motherhood 05:18 The Concept of Matrescence 11:49 Challenges and Realities of Modern Motherhood 22:06 The Four Elements of Radical Transformation 29:46 The Importance of Community Where to find Jessie: Instagram: @jessie.es.harroldWebsite: https://www.jessieharrold.com/mothershift/Find the quiz: https://www.jessieharrold.com/quiz/Mothershift (the book): https://www.jessieharrold.com/mothershiftbook/ Jessie's linktree.Jessie referenced the book Momfluenced: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture by Sara Petersen https://sara-petersen.com/momfluenced/ Visit us at Mamistad.com for more info about Mamistad and to learn more about Mamistad groups! As always, if you're a new mom, even if it's not with Mamistad, please find your MAMA TRIBE. Visit MOM CHAT WITH MAMISTAD for a full list of all episodes. Thank you - YOU are appreciated! Take care of each other. Mamistad, Cynthia ~Women are incredible, Moms are limitless, and a Sisterhood of Moms is a force of nature. Information on this podcast is for general information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical care, to diagnose medical conditions, or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition. We encourage anyone to seek help from a qualified medical professional where issues deem it necessary. No liability is assumed.