logo
episode-header-image
Feb 26
42m 10s

Ruthie Ackerman on Ambition, Fertility &...

MOTHERLY
About this episode
In this conversation, award-winning journalist and author of The Mother Code and Ignite Writers Collective founder, Ruthie Ackerman, discusses her long, ambivalent journey to motherhood—including confronting cultural narratives that pit motherhood against creative ambition and navigating egg freezing and failed IVF. She also shares her thoughts on the financial and ethical realities of the fertility industry, models of “outlaw” or “revolutionary” mothering, and how motherhood ultimately reshaped her values around time, work, and joy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Feb 19
No Limits: Elise Hu on How Motherhood Unlocks Creativity & Growth
Liz sits down with journalist, author, and podcast host Elise Hu to explore how stepping into motherhood can deepen your creativity, build unexpected resilience, and help you discover a stronger sense of self. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 
36m 48s
Feb 12
Seeing What We Don’t: Kiana Glanton on Raising a Daughter and Leading a Team with Vision Loss
When Kiana Glanton lost her vision to an autoimmune disease, she was also becoming a mother. In this episode, she talks to Liz about what it is really like to raise a child while navigating blindness — from the practical (adaptive technology, community support) to the profound (t ... Show More
34m 17s
Feb 5
Caroline Jones on Creativity, Family, Partnership, and "All the Things"
Singer-songwriter and Zac Brown Band member Caroline Jones joins the show to talk music, motherhood, and creativity. With her new album Good Omen out February 2026, Caroline shares how she balances career and family, the importance of creativity and empathy, and the inspiration b ... Show More
36m 18s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Sunday Pick: How to set boundaries and find peace (w/ Nedra Glover Tawwab) | How to Be a Better Human
Telling other people what you want – or need – can be a really difficult thing to do! Nedra Glover Tawwab is a therapist and New York Times bestselling author who helps people create healthy boundaries with themselves and others, both at work and in personal relationships. In thi ... Show More
35 m
Jun 2025
Letting go of the need to do it all, by Meredith Goldstein
<p>Meredith Goldstein writes the wildly popular Love Letters column in the Boston Globe, but for much of her life, she’s viewed romantic relationships as a trap. Meredith grows up seeing the limitations of her mom’s insular life, and knows she wants more for herself. It’s only wh ... Show More
37m 18s
Sep 2024
The single most important parenting strategy | Becky Kennedy
Everyone loses their temper from time to time — but the stakes are dizzyingly high when the focus of your fury is your own child. This week we're revisiting a talk by clinical psychologist and renowned parenting whisperer Becky Kennedy. Not only does she have practical advice to ... Show More
32m 46s
Oct 2024
Is Your Family's Disapproval Getting in the Way of Love?
Navigating Family Disapproval in Relationships: Real Love ScenarioIn this episode of Real Love Scenario, Dre and Rhonda discuss a listener’s challenging situation about family disapproval in her relationship. After surviving domestic violence and a previous traumatic relationship ... Show More
44m 58s
Feb 2023
#242 - The Overstimulated Parent's Guide to Parenting with Larissa Geleris, MS, OTR/L from @steadyparents
Larissa Geleris, MS, OTR/L, is a licensed occupational therapist specializing in identifying and treating sensory processing dysfunction. She is passionate about supporting parents who are experiencing overstimulation, overwhelm, and dysregulation. She has written multiple course ... Show More
1 h
Sep 2025
761 Raising Confident, Connected Kids with Alyssa Campbell
<p dir="ltr">Parenting isn't just about managing your child's emotions—it starts with regulating your own. In this conversation, Alyssa Blask Campbell shares how unresolved childhood wounds affect the way we parent, and why emotional regulation is the foundation for healthier fam ... Show More
38 m
Jun 2024
2 Be Better Podcast - Navigating Co-Parenting Boundaries
This episode delves into the complex dynamics of co-parenting and blending families after divorce. A woman shares her struggles as she navigates a relationship with her boyfriend of 4 years, who co-parents his daughter with his ex-wife. Despite their strong bond, unresolved tensi ... Show More
1h 15m
Jun 2024
#380: Take Accountability For Your Relationships: How to Do The Work with Sabrina Zohar
In this episode, I welcome dating coach Sabrina Zohar to discuss all things dating and relationship. Sabrina explains how anxious and avoidant personalities often find themselves in codependent relationships and explores the challenges social media influences bring to modern dati ... Show More
1h 4m
Nov 2024
Lori Gottlieb: 7 Answers to Dating Questions You’re Afraid to Ask & How to Break Free from Relationship Timelines
Have you ever felt stuck in a negative relationship cycle? Have you ever struggled with setting boundaries in your relationships? Today, Jay welcomes back a community favorite, the renowned psychotherapist, bestselling author, and podcast host Lori Gottlieb, for an insightful cha ... Show More
1h 23m