The Motherly Podcast

[ENCORE EPISODE] Jennifer Wallace on breaking the chains of toxic achievement culture

The Motherly Podcast

Show Notes

Two years ago, Liz sat down with award-winning journalist and author Jennifer Wallace to talk about her book Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—and What We Can Do About It. The book takes a hard look at the rise of toxic achievement culture—how it’s shaping the lives of both parents and children—and why the blame doesn’t lie with families, but with the broader social and economic pressures surrounding us.

The episode struck a chord when it first aired, and today, with parents navigating new anxieties around AI, a shifting workforce, and historic inequality, the conversation feels more urgent than ever. In this encore episode, Jennifer shares practical ways parents can push back against achievement culture and reclaim what really matters at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from The Motherly Podcast

Oct 15, 2026

Victorious star Daniella Monet always planned to have six kids. Then her first was born, and motherhood felt bigger, darker, and lonelier than she ever imagined. Daniella opens up to host Liz Tenety about postpartum anxiety, an emergency C-section after planning an unmedicated birth, the unexpected challenges of breastfeeding, and a second pregnancy just six months after her first, in the middle of a pandemic.

Oct 1, 2026

Endless patience? Throw it out the window. Big Little Feelings co-founder Deena Margolin joins host Liz Tenety to explain why 91 percent of moms feel guilty, even though they're doing the most. She shares where that guilt comes from, how to hold a boundary while your toddler melts down at the park, and why taking time for yourself makes you a better mom. And she's going out with a girlfriend this weekend without an ounce of guilt, at least for now.

Sep 17, 2026

The author and illustrator Loryn Brantz grew up thinking she’d be like Walt Disney, bringing joy to billions of children around the world. Instead, she’s given kids and parents laughter, and lots of it. The author and illustrator of several bestselling books, including Feminist Baby and Poems of Parenting, Loryn is constantly inspired by the relatable antics of her own two young kids. In this week’s episode of The Motherly Podcast, she talks to Motherly cofounder Liz Tenety about her latest book “I am a Spicy Nugget” and how she found inner peace amidst the chaos. Plus, she shares how her experience with OCD shapes her parenting style.

Sep 3, 2026

Laura Clery had been married to her best friend for a decade when his mental health deteriorated and he relapsed back into addiction, forcing her to separate for her kids' safety — all while the fallout played out publicly online. This week on The Motherly Podcast, the comedian and author talks with Motherly Co-founder Liz Tenety about the frightening night she finally called the police, rebuilding her finances and identity as a solo parent, and finding joy with her neurodivergent son. She opens up about the guilt of staying and the guilt of leaving, and how she found humor in the hardest chapter of her life.

Aug 27, 2026

Tara Clark, the founder of the parenting podcast Modern Mom Probs, chats with host Paige Connell as they head to brunch in the Jeep® Grand Cherokee L. Together, they reflect on their ever-evolving roles as mothers while unpacking the perks of having older kids, why it’s important to find time for Pilates and pickleball, and how the family car can serve as a safe space for meaningful conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See all episodes →