Down The Well

Sz 2 Ep 14 | What if emotional overwhelm isn't coming from your life circumstances—but from the sentences running through your mind? In this intimate, practical conversation, Elle Rowley sits down with master coach Jody Moore to explore the roots of emotional suffering for mothers, especially in life's toughest seasons. Together, they bust the myth that overwhelm, anxiety, and guilt are caused by what’s happening outside of us, and instead reveal how our thoughts—and the judgments stacked on top of them—create our hardest moments. Jody Moore shares how practicing self-compassion, curiosity, and letting go of perfectionism transformed her experience as a mother, coach, and woman. She explains why striving to be a “good mom” can be counterproductive, and why embracing your “world’s okayest mom” moments might be exactly what you and your kids need. You'll hear real stories from Elle about navigating complicated grief, her early struggles with self-judgment, and how thought awareness opened the door to healing. Jody dives into practical concepts—from emotional adulthood and curiosity in hard conversations, to the power of raising your “minimum baseline” and owning your choice to stay connected, even when you want to quit. This episode is a compassionate guide to befriending your emotions, shedding unnecessary suffering, and building stronger relationships—starting with the one you have with yourself. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Emotions driven by self-compassion. 00:03:00 - Podcast helps mothers in grief. 00:07:00 - Overwhelm comes from our thoughts. 00:12:00 - Handling teen anxiety with validation. 00:16:00 - Bad days versus rough seasons. 00:21:00 - Celebrating "okayest mom" mindset. 00:27:00 - Set practical minimum baselines. 00:33:00 - Moments of connection over work. 00:40:00 - Embracing compassion and self-acceptance. 01:07:00 - Aspirations for matriarch phase. Episode Links: Jody's Website - https://jodymoore.com/ Down The Well Links: Elle's Substack - https://substack.com/@ellerowley Elle's Instagram - instagram.com/ellerowley Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee - https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop ----- About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sz 2 Ep 13 | What if the true power of motherhood isn’t just surviving the day-to-day—but embracing the descent, the grief, and the transformation that follows? In this solo episode, Elle Rowley invites you to journey down the well of motherhood’s deepest myths, drawing wisdom from three iconic divine mothers: Mary (the mother of Christ), Demeter (Greek goddess), and Isis (Egyptian goddess). Through story and reflection, Elle reframes the narrative that so often reduces motherhood to mere busyness and duty, showing how our real growth comes when we allow ourselves to descend into uncertainty, pain, and mystery. This is not an episode about sugarcoating the hard parts of mothering. It’s about recognizing the sacredness of our struggle—the cycles of descent and rising, grief and renewal. Elle highlights five powerful lessons for mothers everywhere: Lesson 1: The mother brings forth the bridge between worlds Lesson 2: The mother must descend Lesson 3: Descent awakens the fierce mother Lesson 4: Death, loss, and the rhythm of return Lesson 5: Through suffering, the mother reshapes the world. Share this episode with a mother who may need it, and join the movement to reclaim an empowering, truthful narrative of motherhood. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Descent Is Part Path 00:00:49 – Memorable Thanksgiving Recap 00:02:30 – Purpose: Mothers’ Transformation 00:04:31 – Mary’s Hero’s Journey 00:06:57 – Demeter: Mother’s Grief 00:10:55 – Isis: Restoration After Loss 00:13:47 – Five Lessons from Myths00:22:14 – Embracing Motherhood’s Seasons Down The Well Links: Elle's Substack – https://substack.com/@ellerowley Elle's Instagram – instagram.com/ellerowley Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee - https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Szn 2 Ep 12 | What happens when the life you imagined disappears—and you say yes to what’s next, one small step at a time? In this deeply moving Portrait of a Matriarch episode, Elle sits down with Yvonne Sinclair, founder of Naru in Guatemala, whose story is part adventure, part quiet revolution. Yvonne’s life began in London’s marketing world, where stability looked perfect from the outside. But when her family life didn’t unfold as planned, she found herself stepping into the unknown—first through solo travel in Egypt, and then, unexpectedly, in the rural mountains of Guatemala. What started as a six-month commitment to help coffee workers became over two decades of living amidst cloud forests, serving thousands of malnourished children, and building bridges between worlds. Yvonne and Elle unpack the inner and outer journeys: from crafting an “escape bottom drawer” to discovering true purpose through service, simplicity, and relentless pragmatism. They discuss finding “enough,” releasing self-judgment, and the freedom that comes with aging and letting go. This episode is about transformation—not by grand design, but by answering one ordinary yes after another. You’ll hear about the joys and heartbreaks of living and working in remote Guatemala, the realities of sustainable change, and the deep meaning that comes from steady, grounded leadership. Whether you’re in the midst of personal loss, stuck in the waiting, or longing for purpose in unexpected places, Yvonne’s story will both comfort and challenge you. Timestamps: 00:00:51 – Episode Introduction 00:04:14 – The Turning Point 00:07:23 – Arriving in Guatemala 00:11:21 – Yvonne's Hero’s Journey 00:18:23 – Why Guatemala? 00:21:34 – The Malnourished Children 00:28:50 – Life in Guatemala 00:50:59 – The Wisdom of Enough Episode Links: Naru Guatemala's Website: https://naruguatemala.org/ Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee - https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop Down The Well Links: Elle's Substack - https://substack.com/@ellerowley Elle's Instagram - instagram.com/ellerowley ----- About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own souls. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Szn 2 Ep 11 | What if the next era of womanhood is actually the most powerful, joyful, and creative of all? In this heartfelt conversation, host Elle Rowley sits down with master coach Bev Aron to reimagine what it means to become the matriarch—not a martyr, but a woman rooted in wisdom, joy, and unwavering self-trust. Together, they explore how motherhood can be a journey of deep healing, not just for ourselves, but across generations. Bev Aron shares how her work as a coach was born out of her own transformation through motherhood, and why awareness—being a gentle observer of our own emotions—is the key to unlocking lasting change. From moving through overwhelm as a mom, to finally letting go of guilt and old patterns, Bev offers tangible practices to connect with your body, process emotions, and rediscover your light. This isn’t about having it all together. It’s about uncovering the joy and boldness that’s been inside you all along, no matter what age or stage you’re in. You’ll hear real talk about breaking cycles of self-judgment, tending to your own joy, outgrowing the need for outside validation, and embracing the creative possibilities that midlife brings. Timestamps: 00:02:25 – Motherhood sparked Bev’s self-discovery journey 00:06:26 – “Awareness is the portal to transformation” 00:09:39 – Generational healing begins with nurturing ourselves 00:11:04 – Layered healing brings natural joy, lightness 00:16:07 – "No thought police" means total mental freedom 00:17:16 – Bev embraces role as family matriarch 00:26:01 – Transition from active parenting to flexible support 00:43:08 – "Too late" is the most common limiting belief No matter what chapter of life you're in, this episode is a loving invitation to become the matriarch of your own life—full of possibility, light, and self-compassion. Show Links: Bev Aron's Deep Dive Coach Institute: http://bevaron.com/ Bev's daughter's blog on parenting books: https://myparentingpearls.wordpress.com/?fbclid=PAdGRleAMttQZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpy7SZqFRmz5p7pwVgXGvUlemZ1rAnr87MK_uYYx_-YfkgnuR4P_2FhmwMpE8_aem_MVa-0829NZpurW6eVtJj8Q Down The Well Links: Elle's Substack - https://substack.com/@ellerowley Elle's Instagram - instagram.com/ellerowley Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee - https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop — About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sz 2 Ep 10 | What if the greatest act of heroism isn't conquering the world—but creating a home worth returning to? Elle explores the ancient art of homemaking as sacred work. Drawing from Homer's Odyssey, the Hero's Journey, and hospitality traditions spanning Greek xenia to Japanese omotenashi, she reveals how mothers and matriarchs don't just decorate spaces—they shape culture itself. Elle breaks down six powerful elements of creating refuge: rhythm, presence, peace, cultivation, welcome, and spirit. Through personal stories—from her grandparents' healing weekly routines to a friend's mother finding peace while caring for a non-verbal son—she shows how the work of tending a home ripples outward to repair the world.This isn't about Pinterest perfection. It's about meaning-making in a distracted world. Timestamps: 00:00 - Home as sacred act 02:33 - The Odyssey and xenia05:35 - Mother vs. Matriarch archetypes 10:41 - Element #1: Rhythm 13:45 - Element #2: Presence 16:19 - Element #3: Peace 20:22 - Element #4: Cultivation 23:25 - Element #5: Welcome 30:32 - Element #6: Spirit 34:09 - Closing thoughts Show links: Wall Street Journal / Wealthy Family Mission Statements / https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/wealthy-family-mission-statements-e08faabd?g[…]SW0O3ESdqHJbt2aaLeE01RCfIa0rUvSg7rl36cN69DHoBl2ARVmr2ySQQ%3D%3D Systematic Review: Routines and Child Development / https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jftr.12549?utm_source=chatgpt.com Down The Well Links: Check out Down The Well on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Down-The-Well Elle's Substack - https://substack.com/@ellerowley Elle's Instagram - instagram.com/ellerowley Support families in Guatemala by purchasing a 'World Peace Begins at Home' tee" https://www.the-humble-village.org/shop ----- About Down The Well: Motherhood should be full of joy and meaning. But it often isn't. Why is that? On Down the Well, Elle Rowley, talks through the mother's hero's journey, and why it's different from the one you might have learned in school or books. Unlike the traditional hero's journey, mothers have to descend into the depths of their own soul. No one comes out of motherhood the same, and with the right perspective and resources, we can make sure that transformation is for the better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices