The 7 Stages of The Mother’s Hero’s Journey

Sz 2 Ep 1 | What if motherhood isn't just about raising children, but a profound journey of self-discovery and transformation?

Elle is back with another season and starts us out with this soul-stirring episode, she dives deep into the concept of the "mother's hero's journey," inspired by Lisa Marchiano's groundbreaking work. She unravels the seven stages of this journey, from the initial call to adventure to the triumphant return—each step a potential for growth, challenge, and rebirth.

The 7 Stages Elle discusses:

1. Departure from ordinary world

2. The call to adventure

3. The descent

4. Meeting the shadow

5. Receiving help and inner wisdom

6. Integration and transformation

7. Return and Contribution

This episode goes beyond theory. Elle shares deeply personal stories from her own journey through motherhood—the disorientation, the growth, the unexpected beauty. From sleepless nights that unravel the ego to moments of reckoning with fear and identity, her reflections offer something every mother will recognize.

If you've ever wondered whether the everyday trials of motherhood hold deeper meaning, this conversation is for you. What if the hero’s journey isn’t out there—but right here, in your own kitchen, carpool, and quiet breakdowns?

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Comment below: What stage of the mother's hero's journey resonates most with you right now?

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the mother's hero's journey

06:00 - Breaking down the seven stages

12:00 - Ego death and motherhood

18:00 - Shadow work and integration

24:00 - Finding wisdom in unexpected places

30:00 - The alchemy of transformation

36:00 - Returning with gifts: How mothers change the world

42:00 - Elle's personal childbirth story

Show Links:

"Motherhood: Finding and Facing Yourself" by Lisa Marchiano - https://lisamarchiano.com/books/

Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey - https://www.amazon.com/Heros-Journey-Joseph-Campbell-Collected/dp/1608681890/ref=asc_df_1608681890?m...

Down The Well Links:

Elle's Substack - ⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@ellerowley⁠⁠⁠

Elle's Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ellerowle

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Listen to Down The Well:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lUJfguVjtso0sPEg2wR6t?si=votEkMgqRiq8b_aEKht1gg

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-the-well/id1797861644

Amazon: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0p4aFo3SlBSNWNpUzhiNkt

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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.

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