Motherhood is often framed as either blissful or broken - but most mothers live in the in-between. In this episode, I’m joined by psychotherapist and author Dr. Margo Lowy to explore maternal ambivalence and the conflicting emotions many mothers feel but rarely name. We talk about why feelings like resentment, grief, and overwhelm can coexist with deep love, how unrealistic expectations fuel guilt and burnout, and why these “darker” emotions are a normal part of real-world parenting.

• Connect with Margo:
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Dr. Margo Lowy is a psychotherapist and researcher specializing in motherhood and women’s reproductive health. She holds a PhD and Research Masters from the University of New South Wales, Sydney with a focus on maternal ambivalence and infertility. Her newest book, Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood (Post Hill Press, 2025), examines the complex emotions that accompany motherhood. She is also the author of The Maternal Experience: Encounters with Ambivalence and Love (Routledge, 2020), which grew out of her doctoral research, and a contributor to Psychology Today. Through her writing and clinical work, she aims to disrupt the silence surrounding the unspoken realities of motherhood.

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Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less.

Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.

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• Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.

• If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep you stuck, I’d love to help you achieve your goals! We’ll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away. For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.

What makes someone a great communicator—and can anyone learn this skill? In this insightful episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg joins the conversation to discuss his latest book, *Supercommunicators*, where he breaks down the science of effective communication. Charles challenges the idea that great communicators are simply born that way, revealing instead that communication is a learnable skill rooted in understanding human connection. Drawing from his research and experiences writing for The New Yorker, The New York Times, the discussion explores the power of storytelling, the psychology behind meaningful conversations, and the habits that set exceptional communicators apart. Whether you’re looking to improve personal relationships or become a stronger leader, this episode offers valuable takeaways from one of the world’s leading experts on communication.

• Book: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
• Slate Interview
• Connect with Charles:
• Book: Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection
• Website
• Substack
• Instagram

Charles Duhigg is a reporter for The New Yorker and the author of The Power of Habit, Smarter Faster Better, and Supercommunicators (released in 2024). He previously worked at The New York Times, where he won a Pulitzer Prize for his series on Apple, The iEconomy. His reporting has covered the 2008 financial crisis, corporate exploitation of the elderly, and the Iraq War, earning him multiple journalism awards. Originally from New Mexico, he studied history at Yale and earned an MBA from Harvard. He now lives in Santa Cruz, CA, with his wife and two children and once had a brief, harrowing stint as a bike messenger.

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less.