logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
24m 38s

Maternal Instinct & Other Stories We've ...

DR. BECKY KENNEDY
About this episode

What if the idea of maternal instinct isn’t an inherent truth—but a cultural narrative that sets parents, especially mothers, up for self-doubt and isolation? In this episode, Dr. Becky invites us into a space of curiosity, questioning where our thoughts about parenting "naturally" come from, and why we might expect ourselves to figure it all out alone. Together with a close friend, she unpacks the quiet pressures baked into motherhood and challenges the comforting-yet-limiting binary of maternal instinct. What might parenting look like if we gave ourselves permission to learn, struggle, and seek support—just like we do in every other role?

In honor of Mother’s Day, save 25% on any Good Inside Membership - our biggest sale of the year! You deserve real support, expert guidance, and a community that gets it. https://bit.ly/4kpFEgr

Get the Good Inside App by Dr. Becky: https://bit.ly/4fSxbzk

Follow Dr. Becky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbeckyatgoodinside

Sign up for our weekly email, Good Insider: https://www.goodinside.com/newsletter

For a full transcript of the episode, go to goodinside.com/podcast.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Midi. ****Two things are true: There are great things that come with age and there are some not-so-great things. If you’re a woman in mid-life, you know what I’m talking about: insomnia, brain fog, mood changes, sleep disruptions. It feels hard because it is hard, and you deserve resources and support through this phase of life. That's where Midi Health comes in. Midi Health clinicians are specialized perimenopause and menopause experts. They get it. They're not going to tell you it's "all in your head." They’re not going to dismiss your concerns or struggles. Instead, they offer real solutions: safe, effective, FDA-approved medications when needed, plus guidance on supplements, lifestyle changes, and preventative healthcare. Midi is covered by most major insurances —plus, you can connect with their clinicians through convenient telehealth visits and 24/7 messaging. You deserve to feel great. Book your virtual visit today at JoinMidi.com.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Great Wolf Lodge. As a mom of three kids, I’m always on the lookout for family adventures that offer something for everyone (including myself!). That’s why Great Wolf Lodge is high on our list of future destinations! They offer a world of fun, all under one roof, including water slides, a lazy river, a massive wave pool, arcade games, mini golf and nightly dance parties! With 23 locations all across North America, and more on the way, chances are there’s a Great Wolf Lodge just a short drive away from you. You can save up to 40% off on any stay at Great Wolf Lodge from now through August 31st when you book at participating lodges. Just visit GreatWolf.com and enter the promo code “GoodInside” – when you book.

Up next
Oct 7
When Our Nervous Systems Hijack Our Parenting
If you’ve yelled at your kid, you’re not a bad parent. You’re a good parent with an overwhelmed nervous system. Today, Dr. Becky breaks down the science behind yelling, snapping, and shutting down. She explains why our bodies react before our brains can catch up - and how underst ... Show More
21m 18s
Sep 30
Can’t They Just Get Along?! Let’s Talk Siblings
Your kids are arguing again, and you’re exhausted: “Can’t you just get along?!” As a mom of three, Dr. Becky gets it. And in today’s episode, she shares a powerful reframe: Sibling rivalry isn’t a problem to fix - it’s an opportunity to build relationship skills for life. Here’s ... Show More
25m 23s
Sep 23
Jersey Shore’s Mike “The Situation” and Lauren Sorrentino on Sobriety and Parenthood
You might know Mike “The Situation” and Lauren Sorrentino from Jersey Shore. Today, they’re parents of three, navigating recovery and raising resilient kids. In this candid conversation with Dr. Becky, they share how sobriety shapes their parenting, how they plan to talk with the ... Show More
50m 36s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2022
012 - MOTHERHOOD MONDAY - How to Talk to Your Kids about Hard Things While Protecting Your Family’s Peace
It can feel really hard to explain to our kids what’s going on in the world these days. With what’s happened in Texas and other events in the news recently, we can find ourselves caught between wanting our children to be aware of what’s going on in the world around them, but at t ... Show More
25m 37s
May 2022
Trailer - The Motherhood Podcast
We are called to a life of fullness and abundance - no matter how wild this motherhood journey is! Join us weekly for live-workshop style episodes that are helping moms worldwide redefine motherhood. It's time to trade the exhaustion and overwhelm for peace and joy.  Join us ... Show More
4m 51s
Jan 2025
Episode 65- Parenting Strong-Willed Children: It's All In The Delivery With Special Guest Maysaa Fahour
Send us a textParenting is one of the most rewarding yet challenging journeys, and no one understands this better than Coach Maysaa—a mom of four, a former primary school teacher, and a certified Conscious Parent Coach. Trained under the renowned Dr. Shefali, Maysaa specializes i ... Show More
1h 8m
Feb 2024
2070: How to Get Comfortable with the Discomfort of Parenting by Krista O'Reilly-Davi-Digui with EricaLayne.co on Emotional Resilience
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2070:Krista O'Reilly-Davi-Digui, in her heartfelt exploration with EricaLayne.co, delves into the raw and transformative jou ... Show More
9m 33s
Jul 17
RMC 13 - From confused to clear AF - in and beyond motherhood
In this episode, I’m calling BS on the endless stream of motherhood advice that leaves so many of us feeling disconnected, second-guessing ourselves, and spiralling into comparison. From Instagram reels to parenting books to unsolicited playground commentary, the noise is loud—an ... Show More
10m 5s
Aug 27
From Toddler to Teen: Building Confidence, Resilience, and Emotional Strength with Lighthouse Parenting
How to raise kids who are confident, resilient, and emotionally strong without controlling their every move? Dr. Ken Ginsburg, pediatrician, adolescent medicine specialist, and author of Lighthouse Parenting, joins me to share how parents can be a stable guiding presence while st ... Show More
51m 34s
Sep 2021
Help Your Kid With Middle School - Judith Warner [308]
Why do so few of us look back at our middle school years with fond memories? Has this period of adolescence always been so difficult? What can we do to help our children positively navigate this time in their lives? In this episode, Hunter talks with Judith Warner, author of And ... Show More
1h 10m
Jun 2022
That Newborn Life
CW: Suicide, DepressionThis episode of The Mama's Den deals with postpartum depression and suicide. If these are triggers for you, we encourage you to go back and listen to one of your favorite episodes. If you are struggling with postpartum depression, there is help.  Call the P ... Show More
37m 14s
Sep 16
[Mindful Working Series #3] Being a Better Working Parent - Cara Tyrell
In this episode, Hunter Clarke-Fields and Cara Tyrrell explore the challenges of working parenthood, including: Using mindfulness and emotional awareness to stay grounded Parenting as leadership and shaping your child's identity Simple strategies for connecting with your child an ... Show More
50m 44s
Sep 2
Why Your Baby or Toddler’s Brain Needs THIS: The First Years Explained Ep 119
Send us a textYour child’s brain isn’t finished at birth — it’s built day by day, through you.Whether you have a baby or a toddler, this episode will help you understand the “why” behind sleep struggles, sensitivities, and attention challenges — and remind you that brains are bui ... Show More
24m 48s