EFR 893: The Motherhood Myth - Why Modern Moms Feel Like They're Failing (and what to do about it) with Vanessa Bennett

This episode is brought to you by Audible , Caldera Lab and FLYKITT. In this episode of Ever Forward Radio , psychotherapist and author Vanessa Bennett returns to discuss her groundbreaking new book The Motherhood Myth . She pulls back the curtain on the cultural systems shaping how women experience motherhood, intimacy, rage, and identity—and why so many moms feel like they're failing even when they're doing everything "right." Vanessa shares how Western models of parenting, isolation within the nuclear family, and myths rooted in patriarchy contribute to burnout, disconnection, and shame. She also offers a new vision for communal care, initiation rituals, and reclaiming motherhood as a transformative journey instead of a burden. Follow Vanessa @vanessabennett Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- In this episode we discuss... 00:00 – The Motherhood Struggle 00:30 – The Nuclear Family Myth 03:27 – Motherhood as Transformation 04:42 – Lessons from Past Generations 09:07 – The Concept of the Child Mother 11:28 – Motherhood as Initiation 18:24 – WEIRD Parenting Models 22:38 – Sleep Training, Co-Sleeping & Intuition 26:38 – Communal Parenting vs. Burnout 30:23 – Capitalism, Patriarchy & Motherhood 32:52 – The Martyr Myth 36:31 – Interracial Parenting & Breaking Cycles 37:52 – Rage, Shame & Transformation 42:17 – Motherhood, Rage, and Relationship Expectations 56:19 – Ownership in Relationships & The Codependent Society 01:02:09 – Therapy as a Modern Rite of Passage & Closing Reflections ----- Episode resources: Free 30-day trial of Audible 20% off Caldera Lab men's skincare with code EVERFORWARD 15% off FLYKITT with code CHASE and never get jet lag again Watch and subscribe on YouTube Get Vanessa's book The Motherhood Myth Learn more at VanessaBennett.com