Stop Trying to Be the Strong Mom: Grief, Joy and The Power of Vulnerability

Stop Trying to Be the Strong Mom: Grief, Joy and The Power of Vulnerability

Author: Anna Seewald March 10, 2026 Duration: 49:45

Rebecca Thompson, family physician, on redefining strength in motherhood and why vulnerability matters more than being the "strong mom." An honest conversation about the difference between pity and compassion, the tension between privacy and oversharing, and the emotional truth that grief and joy can coexist. This episode explores what it means to be witnessed in your story—and how holding the long view can sustain us through the messy, beautiful work of parenting.

Get her book: Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love – Navigating Grief and Joy Through Women's Diverse Journeys to Parenthood, Family, and Community 

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Podcast Production by Aminur. 


Anna Seewald hosts Authentic Parenting, a space for those who believe that raising children is deeply intertwined with growing themselves. This podcast moves beyond quick tips and strategies to explore the inner work required to parent with intention. Conversations here are grounded in a trauma-informed perspective, offering a compassionate lens through which to examine family patterns and reactions. The core idea is that by consciously addressing our own histories and connecting with our authentic selves, we can interrupt cycles of generational stress. What you’ll hear in each episode are thoughtful discussions and practical insights aimed at transforming daily challenges into opportunities for connection. The goal isn’t perfection, but fostering a family life with more calm, understanding, and genuine joy. It’s about creating an environment where children can thrive without carrying burdens forward. Tuning into this podcast feels like a supportive dialogue, reminding you that the journey of parenting is also a profound path of personal discovery. It’s for anyone ready to embrace the motto of raising their children while growing themselves.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Authentic Parenting
Podcast Episodes
Ten Minutes, Ten Years Ago: A Conversation With My 10-Year-Old [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:39
This episode is such a sweet throwback. We recorded this short, 10-minute conversation with my daughter seven years ago when she was turning 10—and honestly, I had completely forgotten about it. The title says "Two Produ…
10-Year Celebration: Parenting, Podcasting & the Green Stroller Moment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:13
Revisiting the 200th Episode of Authentic Parenting. Longtime listener Lauren Thomas interviews Anna about parenting, podcasting, and the unforgettable "green stroller" moment—an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the sho…
10 Years of Podcasting: Revisiting Our 100th Milestone Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:53
What did it really mean to reach 100 episodes in the early days of podcasting? As part of our 10-year podcast anniversary, we're revisiting the 100th episode—a major podcast milestone at a time when most shows didn't las…
Ten Years, Many Lessons: A Personal Message to Begin 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:37
As the podcast marks its 10-year anniversary, I'm sharing a personal message about the lessons, growth, and moments that shaped this journey. I'll also let you know what's coming up in January as we begin a new year toge…