Podcasts · The Kids or Childfree Podcast

121. Katie Appel on the Fear of Losing Your Identity in Motherhood

· 59 min · S121 E9

Episode 121. Katie Appel on the Fear of Losing Your Identity in Motherhood

0:00 59:08

In this episode, Keltie is speaking with former fencesitter and long-time podcast listener, Katie Appel, about her journey through the fears and realities of becoming a mom. Hear them discuss:

• Katie's personal deliberations about parenthood — and what finally solidified her decision to become a mother • How Katie embraced pregnancy on her terms — and why she rejected the idea of assuming a "pregnant person's persona" • Why Katie's biggest fear was that she'd lose her identity in motherhood, and how she has confronted and navigated this • The role that flexibility and calm has played in the early days of raising her daughter • Why her friendships and community have been an essential part of her journey through new motherhood

(1:18) Meet Katie and her Kids or Childfree decision; (9:35) Identity and motherhood; (14:53) Katie's path to pregnancy at 38; (33:10) Embracing parenthood despite anxiety; (41:27) Maintaining individual identity as a mom; (49:51) Advice for anxious moms

About Katie: Katie Appel has spent the past 15 years working to help organizations, communities, and teams create meaningful social change around the world. Her projects have taken her on travels to Latin America, Africa, and Asia, with a particular focus on education, youth development, and strengthening locally led organizations. Katie most recently spent nearly a decade living and working in Guatemala, where she led projects with various non-profits, managing diverse international teams. She is fluent in Spanish, and has always been drawn to work that brings together people with different perspectives and experiences to solve complex problems. A year ago, Katie returned to her hometown just outside Washington, D.C., where she now lives with her husband and their 10-month-old daughter. Her life now looks quite different from her years living overseas, and she is navigating the joys and challenges of having a family while continuing to pursue meaningful, globally-focused work. Katie holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and a master's degree in International Development Studies from George Washington University. Outside of work, she loves salsa dancing, cheering on the Washington Nationals baseball team, going on walks with friends, and finding time for travel adventures with her family of three. As mentioned in the episode: Find Katie on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/katie-appel Sign up for our brand-new program that starts on November 9th, Decision, Made MORE HELP FOR YOUR KIDS OR CHILDFREE DECISION:

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