In this episode, Laura interviews Julie Phillips, an award-winning author, biographer and book critic who wrote the influential book - Baby on the Fire Escape, where she explores the complex relationship between creativity and motherhood through the lives of some of the most important women artists of the 20th century..

Together, they unpick the challenges and stereotypes of motherhood and creativity, highlighting the conflict between societal expectations and personal desires. Julie advocates for the importance of maintaining individuality as a parent, shares her personal experiences with journaling, and emphasises the need for structural support for mothers, including paid parental leave and affordable childcare.

Your host is writer, artist and midwife, Laura Godfrey-Isaacs.

To find out more, head to https://www.maternaljournal.org/.

In this episode, Laura interviews Katherine May, the bestselling author and podcaster of books such as Wintering and The Electricity of Every Living Thing.

Katherine discusses the struggles she faced during her pregnancy, including depression and feeling out of place. She shares her insights as an autistic mother and the importance of finding one's own path in parenting. In addition we talk about her approach to writing, highlighting the importance of a supportive environment and open discussion.

Your host is writer, artist and midwife, Laura Godfrey-Isaacs.

To find out more, head to https://www.maternaljournal.org/.

In this episode, Laura speaks with memoirist and bestselling author, Cathy Rentzenbrink, writer of The Last Act of Love and Write it All Down.

Together, they consider the power of writing for mental health, advocating for a focus on process over content. Cathy elaborates on how writing has helped her understand and manage traumatic experiences in her life, and stresses the importance of authenticity in journal writing, contrasting it with the partial truths often portrayed on social media.

Your host is writer, artist and midwife, Laura Godfrey-Isaacs.

To find out more, head to https://www.maternaljournal.org/.