#142 Giving Motherhood a Microphone: How Listen to Your Mother Became a Movement Featuring Ann Imig

If you’ve ever felt creatively stuck or invisible after becoming a mom, this conversation will speak to you. Nearly 15 years ago, a single storytelling show about motherhood sparked a nationwide movement—and it’s still going strong.

Here, we explore how Listen to Your Mother grew from one stage to 70, how the blogging boom birthed a wave of creative expression, and how vulnerability can turn into community power. We also dive into what happens after the kids grow up—when ambition, burnout, and joy collide in midlife.

Ann Imig is an award-winning founder and speaker with numerous national media and stage appearances. An MSW and certified coach (PQCC), Ann helps burned-out moms regain their mojo, crush their goals, and fuel their joy at home and work. In 2010 she created the storytelling series (and then book) titled LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER. Almost 15 years later, LTYM continues Giving Motherhood A Microphone on stages across North America (70 cities and counting). 

In this episode:

• The surprising origin of Listen to Your Mother and how it grew to 70 cities [3:41]

• Why storytelling (and vulnerability) creates powerful community [7:05]

• How the blogging era fueled a generation of creative women [10:07]

• Moving from burnout to brain science: Ann’s shift to coaching midlife women [19:11]

• Ambition, motherhood, and redefining success in midlife [23:38]

• The impact of positive intelligence and rewiring your brain for joy [31:46]

 

Connect with Ann

Schedule a free breakthrough session with Ann at listenlifecoaching.com.

Episodes on Freelance Writing Direct Mentioned

Wendi Aarons

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freelance-writing-direct-with-estelle-conversations/id1647429472?i=1000591556294

Nina Badzin

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freelance-writing-direct-with-estelle-conversations/id1647429472?i=1000698989926

Amy Wilson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCCmKnX0BRM

Listen to Your Mother YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/ltymshow

Estelle’s Listen to Your Mother Reading of “And She Danced” on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmV4abTKy8Q

Buy Ann’s book Listen To Your Mother on Estelle’s Bookshop

https://bookshop.org/p/books/listen-to-your-mother-what-she-said-then-what-we-re-saying-now-ann-imig/11302088?aid=98827&ean=9780399169854&listref=authors-who-have-appeared-on-freelance-writing-direct

If you haven’t yet—watch my TEDx Talk:

How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond

In this bold, funny, and widely shared talk, I blend personal storytelling with the real-world writing strategies I’ve developed as a longtime magazine editor, NYU professor, and writing coach. It all starts with a chaotic moment involving Thomas the Tank Engine—and builds into a powerful message about how to stand out in a crowded, noisy world, no matter the medium.

📺 Watch, comment, and share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpcWmjpzSIQ

About Estelle:
Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, author of Writing That Gets Noticed (named a “Best Book for Writers” by Poets & Writers), and host of Freelance Writing Direct—2025 Podcast of the Year (Education), American Writing Awards. A Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest and adjunct instructor at NYU, she’s written for over 150 outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, PBS/Next Avenue, The Independent, and AARP: The Magazine, and has served