RedCircle VERIFY_TOKEN_78667257-47b8-4100-9767-fb7d63b0e1ad -- Rendered At Sun, 03 May 2026 13:35:33 +0000 The Silent Side of Motherhood https://redcircle.com/shows/the-silent-side-of-motherhood en-US All rights reserved. Amy Gencarelli Far too often, negative feelings surrounding motherhood get swept away, appear socially unacceptable to discuss, or have to be sandwiched between positive caveats of "well I wouldn't change anything for the world". However, research has shown that not everyone feels this way and this may be inhibiting more genuine discussions surrounding all of the emotions and feelings that come with being a mom. In fact, research shows that up 14% of parents regret having children. Not discussing important data such as this skews the picture of what motherhood looks like and may actually be hurting those who reach motherhood and it is not what the media presents or society portrays, leading to more negative feelings than expected at times. Particularly when ideas of being "selfish" if you do not have kids or having the idea fed to children from a young age that having kids was just "what you do", creates a rhetoric of guilt. The goal of this podcast was to allow women to speak on motherhood with no caveats and address some of the issues they are facing now which may help others to feel connected and begin to change the narrative of what motherhood "should" look like. Episode Content: Episode 1: Discussions with a 2.5 week postpartum mom Episode 2: Discussions with a woman considering motherhood Episode 3: Discussions with a mother of adult children Episode 4: Discussions with a mother of a 10-month-old Episode 5: Discussion with a woman who decided to remain childless Information from articles that were referenced within the podcast: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/08/why-parents-regret-children/619931/ https://www.scarymommy.com/regret-having-children https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2022/01/maggie-gyllenhaal-lost-daughter/621165/ https://czasopisma.uni.lodz.pl/qualit/article/view/7193/6831 78667257-47b8-4100-9767-fb7d63b0e1ad Far too often, negative feelings surrounding motherhood get swept away, appear socially unacceptable to discuss, or have to be sandwiched between positive caveats of "well I wouldn't change anything for the world". However, research has shown that not everyone feels this way and this may be inhibiting more genuine discussions surrounding all of the emotions and feelings that come with being a mom. 


In fact, research shows that up 14% of parents regret having children. Not discussing important data such as this skews the picture of what motherhood looks like and may actually be hurting those who reach motherhood and it is not what the media presents or society portrays, leading to more negative feelings than expected at times. Particularly when ideas of being "selfish" if you do not have kids or having the idea fed to children from a young age that having kids was just "what you do", creates a rhetoric of guilt.


The goal of this podcast was to allow women to speak on motherhood with no caveats and address some of the issues they are facing now which may help others to feel connected and begin to change the narrative of what motherhood "should" look like. 


Episode Content: 

Episode 1: Discussions with a 2.5 week postpartum mom

Episode 2: Discussions with a woman considering motherhood

Episode 3: Discussions with a mother of adult children 

Episode 4: Discussions with a mother of a 10-month-old 

Episode 5: Discussion with a woman who decided to remain childless 


Information from articles that were referenced within the podcast: 

https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/08/why-parents-regret-children/619931/ 


https://www.scarymommy.com/regret-having-children 


https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2022/01/maggie-gyllenhaal-lost-daughter/621165/ 


https://czasopisma.uni.lodz.pl/qualit/article/view/7193/6831

]]> episodic no Amy Gencarelli amy_gencarelli@my.uri.edu no full Final Episode: Childless by Choice and No Regrets Final Episode: Childless by Choice and No Regrets Amy Gencarelli Conversations with an individual who decided to be childfree by choice. The stigma surrounding this and a perspective on "the other side" of life with no children. Activities and relationships that are satisfying and fulfilling without the identify of being a mother. A quoted response to not having children:

"I have never regretted it for one minute"

]]> <p>Conversations with an individual who decided to be childfree by choice. The stigma surrounding this and a perspective on &#34;the other side&#34; of life with no children. Activities and relationships that are satisfying and fulfilling without the identify of being a mother. A quoted response to not having children:</p><p>&#34;I have never regretted it for one minute&#34;</p> 949768fd-3f09-46b3-a02f-da5da932ee62 https://redcircle.com/shows/78667257-47b8-4100-9767-fb7d63b0e1ad/episodes/db4159da-ead9-48a0-bcd0-20633dff221a Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:59:06 +0000 2295 no full Episode 4: Being a Full-Time Mom and Employee Episode 4: Being a Full-Time Mom and Employee Amy Gencarelli Discussions include difficulties surrounding new motherhood and its interaction with working within a high level position in a company and her faith-based community.

]]> <p>Discussions include difficulties surrounding new motherhood and its interaction with working within a high level position in a company and her faith-based community.</p> 1dda0e51-95c5-4338-8473-135a1eb540f5 https://redcircle.com/shows/78667257-47b8-4100-9767-fb7d63b0e1ad/episodes/c565429d-f2ed-4da1-9698-4c654e07f12d Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:51:00 +0000 2134 no full Episode 3: Shifting Identities Later in Motherhood Episode 3: Shifting Identities Later in Motherhood Amy Gencarelli This episode looks at what it is like once children have grown and how one's identity may shift. Discussion ranges from what the postpartum period was like to current values, activities, and relationships with children.

]]> <p>This episode looks at what it is like once children have grown and how one&#39;s identity may shift. Discussion ranges from what the postpartum period was like to current values, activities, and relationships with children.</p> 84370474-8a06-496b-b2d3-feb579dfd6dc https://redcircle.com/shows/78667257-47b8-4100-9767-fb7d63b0e1ad/episodes/8e5d6f02-7b34-4cd8-a940-4434917ed5c0 Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:40:44 +0000 1238 no full Episode 2: Considering Motherhood and the Biological Clock Episode 2: Considering Motherhood and the Biological Clock Amy Gencarelli Discussions with a female in her 30s struggling with the decision to have a child with media influence and shifting values playing into decision making.

]]> <p>Discussions with a female in her 30s struggling with the decision to have a child with media influence and shifting values playing into decision making.</p> 9d758af0-873c-45fd-8698-2a8c03ec6d9a https://redcircle.com/shows/78667257-47b8-4100-9767-fb7d63b0e1ad/episodes/586962a7-6ab7-4bc4-93b2-5ecd9e7fdb02 Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:29:24 +0000 1171 no full Episode 1: 2.5 Weeks Postpartum Episode 1: 2.5 Weeks Postpartum Amy Gencarelli A discussion of the growths and challenges a full-time working, partnered, and new mother

]]> <p>A discussion of the growths and challenges a full-time working, partnered, and new mother</p> e1802b6a-64a6-4212-b68e-5d57e437c15b https://redcircle.com/shows/78667257-47b8-4100-9767-fb7d63b0e1ad/episodes/aba17dc0-8b01-4fc2-a594-bb5e9757e4f9 Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:17:19 +0000 1326 no