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What happens when the path to motherhood looks nothing like the one you imagined? And how do you find purpose in a journey you never would have chosen for yourself? In this episode of Her Village, Jacqueline sits down with Stephanie Jones, founder of the Michigan Fertility Alliance, to talk about infertility, pregnancy complications, surrogacy, and the unexpected ways our most difficult experiences can change the direction of our lives. After experiencing two life-threatening ectopic pregnancies, Stephanie faced the heartbreaking reality that she could no longer safely carry another pregnancy. Determined to grow her family, she turned to gestational surrogacy, only to discover that Michigan's restrictive surrogacy laws created another obstacle on her path to motherhood. What began as a deeply personal journey eventually became a much larger mission. Stephanie founded the Michigan Fertility Alliance and helped advocate for the Michigan Family Protection Act, which changed the landscape of surrogacy and family building in Michigan. Together, Jacqueline and Stephanie explore the grief that comes with letting go of the motherhood experience you imagined, the emotional complexities of surrogacy, and what it means to turn an unexpected life experience into something that helps other families. In this episode, we explore: Navigating infertility, pregnancy complications, and the loss of the ability to carry a pregnancy.The emotional journey of pursuing gestational surrogacy.Finding support and community when your path to motherhood looks different.How Stephanie's personal experience inspired her to become an advocate for other families.The relationship between motherhood, identity, and finding purpose beyond the roles we originally imagined for ourselves.Whether you're navigating infertility, exploring alternative paths to parenthood, or simply finding yourself in a season of life you never expected, this conversation is a reminder that your story is still unfolding. Connect with Stephanie Jones: Michigan Fertility Alliance: https://www.mifertilityalliance.com State Strong: https://www.statestrong.org/ Instagram: @stephanie.jones___ Connect with Her Village: Instagram: @hervillagehq Website: https://joinhervillage.co Her Village is an in-person community helping women feel more connected to themselves, each other, and their local community. Our founding chapter is launching in Naperville, Illinois, where we're creating opportunities for women to build meaningful friendships, explore new experiences, and find their people in every season of life. Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

When did everything become about the kids? The school schedules. The activities. The appointments. The therapies. The meals. The birthday parties. The endless mental checklist of who needs what, where, and when. In this solo episode, Jacqueline shares a realization she's been having lately: she doesn't want a life away from her kids—she wants a life that includes her, too. After years of building a family, staying home with her children, and naturally structuring so much of life around motherhood, creating Her Village has unexpectedly made Jacqueline look at her own life differently. What started as a way to help women find connection has also reminded her how important it is to have places, people, interests, and experiences that belong to us. This isn't about reinventing yourself, finding some huge new purpose, or adding another thing to your to-do list. It's about remembering that you're still a person outside of everything you do for everyone else—and maybe putting something on the calendar simply because you want to be there. In this episode, Jacqueline talks about identity outside motherhood, mom guilt, adult friendship, making room for fun and hobbies, and why having a full life of your own doesn't take anything away from being a devoted mom. Because maybe the question isn't, “Who was I before I became a mom?” Maybe it's: “Who am I becoming alongside motherhood?” 🎧 Listen in, then take a look at your calendar and ask yourself: Where am I on here? Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

How much of who we are is truly ours—and how much has been shaped by the expectations, beliefs, and stories we’ve inherited? In this episode of Her Village, Jacqueline sits down with Dr. Nicole Wordlaw, clinical psychologist, author, and longtime Buddhist meditation practitioner, to explore what it means to reconnect with our own inner knowing. Nicole’s book, Waking Up Alone: Navigating the Narrow Passage Through Master-Slave Narratives, combines memoir with an exploration of identity, power, relationships, and the conditioning that can shape how we understand ourselves and our place in the world. Together, Jacqueline and Nicole discuss the ways women can become accustomed to looking outside themselves for reassurance and validation, how motherhood can challenge our sense of identity, and what it looks like to begin rebuilding self-trust. They also explore Nicole’s concept of the “inner teacher,” the difference between belonging and changing ourselves in order to belong, and why finding our way back to ourselves doesn’t mean we have to do it without community. In this conversation, we explore: The personal journey behind Waking Up AloneHow inherited stories and expectations influence our identitiesPeople-pleasing, perfectionism, and the pressure to do life “right”Motherhood, identity, and continuing to grow as an individualWhat it means to find and follow your inner teacherRebuilding self-trust when you feel disconnected from your own voiceThe role of community in becoming more fully ourselvesWhether you’re navigating motherhood, a life transition, or simply wondering what you actually want beneath all the noise, this conversation is an invitation to get curious about the stories you’ve been living by—and remember that you’re allowed to keep becoming. Connect with Dr. Nicole Wordlaw: Website: https://www.nicolewordlaw.com/ Book: Waking Up Alone: Navigating the Narrow Passage Through Master-Slave Narratives Connect with Her Village: Instagram: @hervillagehq Explore the podcast and community: joinhervillage.co If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend who might need the reminder that she’s allowed to trust herself and keep becoming, too. Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

Remember when making friends was just… built into life? You met on the playground. Sat next to each other in class. Played on the same team. Lived down the hall in college. Or, in Jacqueline’s case, essentially paid for your friends by joining a sorority. 😂 Then adulthood happens—and suddenly, no one is assigning you friends anymore. In this solo episode, Jacqueline explores why adult friendship feels so different, especially in motherhood. It’s not necessarily that we’ve forgotten how to make friends. It’s that the structure that once made friendship happen naturally—proximity, repetition, and shared experiences—has disappeared. She talks about friendships changing as our lives change, the difference between mom friends and friendships that feel like they’re truly yours, why one great conversation usually isn’t enough to build a real connection, and why sometimes we have to be willing to go first. Jacqueline also shares how this realization has shaped Her Village and the upcoming Her Village membership: creating consistent opportunities for women to get out of the house, explore Naperville, see the same faces again, and give new friendships somewhere to actually grow. Because maybe we don't need to magically find a new best friend. Maybe we just need a place to keep showing up. In this episode: • Why making friends felt easier when we were younger • How adult life removes the built-in structure for friendship • Why proximity + repetition + shared experiences matter • The difference between having friends and still craving more connection • Making friends through motherhood—and wanting relationships that are yours, too • Why somebody eventually has to send the “When are you free?” text • What Jacqueline is really building with Her Village • Why consistency is at the heart of the upcoming membership • Giving friendship somewhere to grow If someone came to mind while you were listening, send her this episode—and maybe send the second text, too: “When are you free?” Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

Motherhood has a way of rewriting the plans we were so sure we had figured out. For Susanna Peace Lovell, that meant becoming a mother to her daughter, Arizona, who is neurodivergent and has autism, ADHD, anxiety, and significant allergies. For Jacqueline, it meant infertility, loss, a 24-week premature birth, a four-month NICU stay, and eventually learning that her oldest son has autism and ADHD, and her younger son also has ADHD and sensory processing disorder. In this deeply personal conversation, Jacqueline and Susanna talk about what happens when motherhood looks nothing like the version you imagined—and how you learn to find yourself within it. They open up about receiving a child's diagnosis, the instinct to immediately jump into "fix it" mode, the fear of what the world will think of your child, and the invisible mental load of raising a child with additional needs. They also talk about something caregivers don't hear nearly enough: you are allowed to have needs, joy, interests, dreams, and an identity outside of caring for everyone else. Susanna shares the importance of compassion—for our children, for other mothers, and especially for ourselves—and why finding people who simply get it can change everything. In this episode: When motherhood doesn't look the way you imaginedProcessing an autism or ADHD diagnosisThe invisible work of parenting a neurodivergent childWhy gratitude and overwhelm can exist at the same timeLetting go of the pressure to "fix" everythingWhat other people don't understand about raising a child with additional needsBuilding a village when you can't do it aloneRediscovering joy and identity outside of caregivingWhat Susanna would tell a mom who just received her child's diagnosisWhy your child is still the exact same child they were before the labelSusanna also shares her work with We Are Brave Together, a community supporting the mental health and wellness of caregiving moms, and the anthology Suddenly Brave Together, featuring letters from experienced caregiving mothers to moms who are just beginning this journey. If you've ever wondered where you went while taking care of everyone else—or you're navigating a motherhood story you never saw coming—this conversation is for you. Connect with Susanna: SusannaPeaceLovell.com Instagram: @mamapeace Learn more about We Are Brave Together: WeAreBraveTogether.org Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

A Her Village Solo Episode 🎙️ The backpacks are packed, the school supplies are labeled, and the kids are settling back into their routines. But once we’ve gotten everyone else where they need to be… what about us? In this solo episode, I’m talking about the back-to-school season as more than just a reset for our kids. It can be a reset for us, too. Not in a reinvent your entire life now that the kids are in school kind of way. But as an opportunity to check in with ourselves and ask: What do I want this next season to feel like? We’re talking about the routines we want to come back to, the things we may be ready to let go of, the parts of ourselves that have gotten pushed aside, and how to make a little more room for what fills us up. Because motherhood has a way of dividing life into seasons—and sometimes a new season is exactly the invitation we need to reconnect with ourselves. In this episode: Why back-to-school can feel like a fresh start for moms, tooThe difference between adding more to our plates and making intentional changesTaking inventory of what worked (and what didn’t) this summerReconnecting with the parts of ourselves that exist outside of motherhoodThinking about how we actually want this next season to feelStarting small instead of trying to overhaul everything at onceAnd if connection is one of the things you’re craving in this season, that’s exactly why I’m building Her Village—a place for women to connect with themselves, each other, and their local community, both through these conversations and in real life. 🎧 Hit play, take a walk, pour another cup of coffee, and spend a little time thinking about what you want from this next season. I’ll be right here when you come back to hit play. Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

What happens after you've survived something that could have defined the rest of your life? Today's guest, Cindy Benezra, is a USA Today bestselling author, speaker, trauma recovery advocate, and author of Under the Orange Blossoms. Cindy is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her father. But this conversation isn't about the details of what happened to Cindy. It's about what came next. Cindy and I talk about what healing actually looks like in everyday life, learning to trust yourself again, breaking generational cycles, reclaiming your voice, and shifting the question from "What happened to me?" to "What's next?" We also talk about Cindy's beautiful concept of "Freckles of Light"—the small, ordinary moments of hope and goodness that remind us healing doesn't always happen through one massive breakthrough. Sometimes it happens quietly, little by little. In this episode, we talk about: Moving from a past-defined identity toward what's nextWhat it means to become your own healerCindy's "Freckles of Light" and finding hope in ordinary momentsBreaking intergenerational cyclesReclaiming your voice and learning to trust yourselfThe role of storytelling and vulnerability in healingWhy community and connection matterFinding hope when you're still carrying something from your pastWhether you've experienced trauma yourself or you're simply carrying something from your past that has shaped who you are today, this conversation is a reminder that what happened to you can be part of your story without getting to write the rest of it. Connect with Cindy: Learn more about Cindy, Under the Orange Blossoms, and her work at CindyTalks. Connect with Her Village offline: If you're local to the Naperville area, Her Village is about getting out from behind the screens and building real-life connection, too. Join us for upcoming coffee dates, nights out, book gatherings, and other opportunities to meet women in your local community. Find details and upcoming gatherings by following along on Instagram or signing up for our email list. And if this episode made you think of someone in your own village, send it her way. Sometimes being part of someone's village is as simple as saying, "I heard this, and I thought of you." Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

As summer winds down and back-to-school season approaches, it's easy to look back and wonder... Did I do enough? Did we make enough memories? Did my kids have the summer they deserved? Did I somehow miss the mark? If you've been carrying those thoughts, this episode is for you. In today's solo episode, Jacqueline shares an honest reflection on the pressure moms often put on themselves during the summer—from trying to create magical memories to balancing work, childcare, businesses, and everything in between. Whether you're a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, or somewhere in the middle, this conversation is a reminder that your worth isn't measured by Pinterest-worthy adventures or perfectly planned summers. Your kids don't need a perfect summer. They need you. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why moms feel so much pressure to "win" summerThe comparison trap of social mediaWhy working moms and stay-at-home moms are both carrying invisible loadsHow to redefine what a "successful" summer really looks likeWhy back-to-school can be a fresh start for moms, tooHow creating community for yourself is just as important as creating memories for your kidsIf this conversation encouraged you, I'd love for you to share it with another woman who may need to hear these words today. ✨ Learn more about Her Village or join our email community at joinhervillage.co 📍 Local to the Naperville area? We'd love to have you at an upcoming Her Village gathering! If you're enjoying the Her Village Podcast, leaving a rating and review is one of the best ways to help more women discover these conversations. Thank you for being here. I'm so grateful you're part of this village. Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

Some stories entertain us. Others help shape who we become. This week on the Her Village Podcast, I'm joined by Emmy Award-winning creator, author, and storyteller Angela Santomero, whose work has helped generations of children learn, grow, and navigate the world with curiosity and confidence. Known for creating Blue's Clues and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Angela shares the thoughtful research, educational philosophy, and heart behind the stories she's spent her career bringing to life. We explore why imagination isn't just play—it's a powerful tool for helping children build resilience, process emotions, solve problems, and develop empathy. We also dive into her newest YouTube series, Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things, and discuss how storytelling can encourage kids to embrace creativity, face uncertainty, and see challenges as opportunities for growth. Whether you're raising young children, missing the days of singing along with Blue's Clues, or simply interested in the lasting impact stories can have on our lives, this conversation is full of thoughtful insights and practical takeaways. In this episode, we discuss:  Angela's journey creating Blue's Clues The lessons behind Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Why imagination plays such an important role in childhood  The research that guides Angela's storytelling  Helping children build confidence and emotional resilience  Encouraging curiosity, kindness, and creativity  Angela's newest project, Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things What parents can take away from the stories their children love If this episode resonates with you, I'd love for you to share it with another parent, grandparent, educator, or anyone who believes in the power of raising kind humans. And if you're looking for connection in your own season of life, I'd love to welcome you into Her Village—a community where women come together to build meaningful friendships, support one another, and remember they don't have to do life alone. Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

When I started Her Village, I thought I was creating a place where women could make new friends. What I didn't expect was what those first few months would teach me—not just about friendship, but about belonging. In this solo episode, I'm sharing some of the biggest lessons I've learned while building this community from the ground up. From women nervously walking into events alone to conversations that linger long after the official end time, I've realized that what so many of us are searching for isn't simply more friends—it's a place where we can show up as ourselves and feel genuinely connected. If you've ever wondered why making friends as an adult feels so different, or if you've found yourself craving deeper connection in this season of life, this episode is for you. In this episode, I share: Why I realized women aren't just looking for more friends—they're looking for belonging.What surprised me most after hosting Her Village events.The biggest misconception about adult friendship.Why meaningful connection takes intention in this stage of life.Small, brave steps you can take to begin building your own village.Whether you're navigating motherhood, a new city, a career change, or simply a season where life feels a little lonely or disconnected, I hope this conversation reminds you that you're not the only one looking for your people. And maybe… your village starts with one conversation, one invitation, or one courageous "yes." 🌻 Connect with Her Village If you're local to the Chicago suburbs and looking for meaningful connection with other women, I'd love to welcome you to an upcoming Her Village gathering. Learn more at joinhervillage.co Follow along on Instagram: @hervillagehq Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

When we're kids, friendship just... happens. We're surrounded by classmates, teammates, roommates, and neighbors. But somewhere between careers, motherhood, relationships, and the never-ending to-do list, making meaningful friendships can start to feel surprisingly difficult. In this episode, I'm joined by licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and founder of Bluebird Counseling Services, Alexandria Gohla, to unpack why connection feels so much harder in adulthood—and why so many women find themselves longing for something deeper than another group chat. Alex shares insights from her work with women, the inspiration behind her upcoming book, More Than the Group Chat, and the importance of vulnerability, intentionality, and creating spaces where women feel safe to truly belong. Together, we explore:  Why adult friendships require more intention than they did growing up  What's really keeping women from forming deeper connections  The difference between being surrounded by people and feeling genuinely known  How vulnerability strengthens relationships  Practical ways to begin building meaningful friendships—even if you're starting from scratch  Why online communities can be a starting point, but in-person connection still matters If you've ever caught yourself thinking, "I wish I had people like that," this conversation is for you. Connect with Alex: Blue Bird Counseling ServicesMore Than the Group ChatConnect with Her Village: If you're longing for deeper connection and you're local to the Chicago suburbs, I'd love to meet you at an upcoming Her Village event! 🌻 Learn more: joinhervillage.co 📸 Instagram: @hervillagehq Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

She Left Her Career to Raise Her Kids. Then She Started Again. What happens when the life you've built no longer fits the woman you're becoming? This week on the Her Village Podcast, Jacqueline sits down with Dr. Vandana Arcot to talk about identity, ambition, motherhood, and the courage it takes to reinvent yourself. After a successful global health career spanning more than a decade and work across 13+ countries, Dr. Arcot made the decision to step away from her professional life to focus on raising her children. Years later, she found herself navigating the vulnerable process of returning—not to who she used to be, but to a new version of herself. Together, Jacqueline and Dr. Arcot explore: • The emotional realities of stepping away from a career to focus on family • Losing—and rediscovering—your sense of identity • The guilt and fear that can come with wanting something more • How motherhood reshaped Dr. Arcot's definition of success and leadership • The pressure women feel to choose between caregiving and ambition • Why reinvention isn't about becoming someone new—it's about reclaiming the parts of yourself that were waiting to be rediscovered • The permission to evolve through different seasons of life Dr. Arcot is the founder of Komselj, a strategy firm advancing women's and children's health and empowerment worldwide, and VUND, a home décor and fragrance company that supports women-led beekeeping initiatives. Her work has helped raise millions for global health causes while empowering women and communities around the world. If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to dream again, pivot careers, pursue a passion, or redefine what success means to you, this conversation is for you. Because every season changes us—and sometimes beginning again is exactly what we're meant to do. Connect with Dr. Vandana Arcot: Website: https://www.komselj.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvandanaarcot/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drvandanarcot Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

Reinvention is often portrayed as a dramatic before-and-after moment—a bold leap, a fresh start, a perfectly curated transformation. But what if it doesn't look like that at all? In this solo episode, Jacqueline shares what she's learning about reinvention while living it in real time. From infertility and loss to motherhood, podcasting, and building Her Village, she reflects on the many versions of herself she's loved, outgrown, and carried with her along the way. Together, we'll explore: • Why reinvention can feel a lot like grief—even when it's chosen • The pressure women feel to justify change • What happens when people don't understand your evolution • The courage it takes to keep going in the messy middle • How to recognize when restlessness may actually be an invitation If you've been questioning what's next, missing parts of who you used to be, or wondering if you're allowed to want something different, this conversation is for you. You don't have to have all the answers before you take the next step. Maybe you're not lost. Maybe you're becoming. P.S. This conversation is the first in a series of episodes exploring what it means to evolve through motherhood, identity shifts, and the changing seasons of womanhood. I can't wait for you to hear what's coming next. Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

Something unexpected happened at the first Her Village gatherings. Women walked in nervous… and walked out feeling lighter, more connected, and reminded that they’re not alone. In this solo episode, I’m sharing reflections from our very first gatherings and why I believe women are craving real, in-person community more than ever before. We talk about: the loneliness of modern motherhoodwhy making friends as an adult feels so hardthe power of getting women in the same roomwhat I observed during our first Her Village meetupsmotherhood, identity, and connectionwhy I believe we all need a village againThis episode is less about events — and more about what happens when women finally feel safe enough to exhale. If you’ve been craving deeper connection, this conversation is for you. Connect with Her Village: Instagram: @hervillagehq Join the email list: joinhervillage.co Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________

If you’ve been here for a while, you know this podcast has always been rooted in real conversations. From the very beginning, Motherhood Intended was a space for the stories behind the highlight reel—centered around infertility, family building, and the journey to motherhood. But life evolves… and so do we. In this trailer episode, I’m sharing why this podcast is shifting, what this new season looks like, and what you can expect moving forward. Welcome to Her Village—a space for real women, real stories, and honest conversations about the things we don’t always say out loud. Whether you’re navigating motherhood, identity, relationships, growth, or everything in between… you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out on your own. I’m so glad you’re here. Follow along for weekly conversations and new episodes as they’re released. Connect with me: Instagram: @hervillagehq Join the email list: joinhervillage.co Support the show __________________________________________________________________________________ Her Village is more than a podcast—it’s a space for real connection, honest conversations, and meaningful friendships in the places we live. If you want to go deeper and stay connected beyond the podcast, you can join us here: joinhervillage.co 💛 __________________________________________________________________________________