Podcast Title: The BossBabe Podcast

Episode: 460: Growing Up With a Wildly Successful Mom (+ Becoming One Yourself) With Kate Northrup
Host: Natalie Ellis
Guest: Kate Northrup
Release Date: April 24, 2025

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage

In this heartfelt episode, Natalie Ellis welcomes Kate Northrup, a best-selling author, speaker, and entrepreneur. Kate is renowned for her transformative work in helping women redefine their relationships with money, time, and energy. As the founder of a company dedicated to teaching women how to achieve more by doing less, Kate brings a wealth of experience and insights to the conversation.

Key Points:

• Kate’s background growing up with a highly successful and visible mother.
• The impact of her mother, Dr. Christiane Northrup, a pioneer in women's health.
• Exploration of legacy, identity, and personal definitions of success.

2. Growing Up with a Successful Mother

Kate opens up about her unique upbringing, having a mother who was not only a successful OB-GYN but also a public figure, appearing on Oprah multiple times and authoring best-selling books. This environment exposed Kate to the personal development world from an early age, shaping her views on success and ambition.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:41] “She was on Oprah 10 times. I just wanted my mom to be like everyone else's mom, and she just wasn't.”

Insights:

• The pressure and expectations of growing up with a visible, successful parent.
• Stories illustrating the challenges, such as her parents swapping car seats at 3 AM, highlighting the demand for assistance despite both parents being doctors.
• Kate’s determination to create a different legacy by building a business that offers more personal freedom.

3. Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship

Natalie relates her own struggles with balancing a career and motherhood, prompting her to delve deeper into Kate’s experiences. Kate discusses her early motherhood challenges, including a traumatic birth and the immense stress of raising children while maintaining a business.

Key Points:

• Kate’s decision to pursue entrepreneurship for greater personal freedom.
• The emotional toll of her parents' divorce during her teenage years.
• The evolution of her relationship with her children and partner, emphasizing shared parenting responsibilities.

Notable Quotes:

• [07:04] “What I've come to is that my work makes me come alive.”
• [10:23] “What I've done, which I'm very proud of, was operating in full survival mode.”

Insights:

• The contrast between Kate’s childhood and her current parenting style, where she actively chooses to be present and engaged.
• The importance of a supportive partner in achieving a balanced family life.
• Overcoming the guilt associated with being a working mother.

4. Transition to a Freedom-Based Business

Kate shares the pivotal moment when, despite going through the worst year of her life during early motherhood, she realized she had been making twice as much money by working incredibly minimal hours. This revelation led her to develop the Freedom-Based Business™ model, which emphasizes working smarter, not harder.

Key Points:

• The realization of productivity without overexertion.
• Developing strategies to replicate that high-efficiency period.
• Operationalizing her business to align with the principles of doing less while achieving more.

Notable Quotes:

• [22:54] “A year after Penelope was born, we sat with our accountant and we realized we had made twice as much money that year.”
• [23:17] “We really don't learn a lot when things are so good.”

Insights:

• The significance of crisis and survival mode in sparking innovation and efficiency.
• How challenging times can uncover hidden strengths and effective business practices.
• The shift from conventional business practices to a more sustainable, less demanding model.

5. Business Principles and Cyclical Awareness

Kate introduces her philosophy of aligning business operations with the natural cycles of the menstrual cycle, emphasizing the balance between masculine (visible, action-oriented) and feminine (intuitive, reflective) energies. This approach fosters a more holistic and sustainable business model.

Key Points:

• The four phases of the menstrual cycle and their corresponding energies.
• Integrating cyclical awareness into business planning and execution.
• Creating a business rhythm that respects and utilizes natural energy fluctuations.

Notable Quotes:

• [29:13] “There were these four unique phases and they were all equally valuable and necessary for creation.”
• [33:27] “It's just like a giant overlay of permission to do what I feel like doing.”

Insights:

• Understanding and leveraging the cyclical nature of energy can enhance productivity and well-being.
• Moving away from a rigid, always-on business model to one that allows for natural ebbs and flows.
• The importance of setting boundaries and focusing on what truly matters.

6. Shifting Perspectives on Busyness and Self-Worth

The conversation delves into the societal conditioning that equates busyness with value. Kate and Natalie discuss the importance of recognizing and breaking free from this pattern to cultivate a healthier relationship with work and oneself.

Key Points:

• Society’s programming to associate constant activity with worthiness.
• The role of passive media consumption in reinforcing these beliefs.
• Strategies to overcome the misconception that busyness equals productivity.

Notable Quotes:

• [37:17] “We are being hypnotized by the media we're consuming.”
• [38:05] “We are in a passive theta brain state, which means we are basically being hypnotized.”

Insights:

• The pervasive influence of media in shaping our perceptions of success and productivity.
• The necessity of active self-awareness and intentional consumption of media.
• Embracing downtime and leisure as essential components of a fulfilling life and business.

7. Motherhood Lessons Translating to Business Success

Kate draws parallels between her experiences as a mother and her approach to business. She emphasizes surrender, trust, and the importance of being present, illustrating how these motherhood lessons have been instrumental in shaping her business philosophy.

Key Points:

• The transformative impact of motherhood on personal and professional life.
• Learning to let go of control and embracing uncertainty.
• The significance of being attuned to intuitive insights in business decisions.

Notable Quotes:

• [41:25] “Instead of making a list, my body just did that.”
• [42:58] “Could we apply that to our businesses and finances? Could we apply that to visibility?”

Insights:

• Motherhood fosters resilience, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of intuitive decision-making.
• The benefits of applying the principles of surrender and trust from parenting to entrepreneurship.
• Creating a business environment that mirrors the supportive and nurturing aspects of motherhood.

8. Embracing Authenticity in Roles and Relationships

Both Kate and Natalie discuss the importance of authenticity in fulfilling multiple roles—be it as a mother, entrepreneur, or partner. They highlight the value of aligning actions with core values and resisting societal pressures to conform to unrealistic standards.

Key Points:

• Defining personal values and using them as a foundation for all roles.
• The balance between professional ambitions and personal well-being.
• Encouraging children to feel safe and supported while allowing freedom of expression.

Notable Quotes:

• [49:49] “We have to build it around who we are, not who other people are.”
• [50:47] “Do not try and implement it yourself.”

Insights:

• Authentic living leads to greater satisfaction and effectiveness in all areas of life.
• The importance of modeling healthy behaviors and boundaries for children.
• Building supportive environments that reflect genuine self-expression and values.

9. Conclusion: Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with reflections on the journey of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship. Kate emphasizes the legacy of strong, successful women who paved the way and encourages listeners to embrace their unique paths without succumbing to societal pressures.

Key Points:

• Gratitude towards pioneering women who have influenced current generations.
• Assurance to listeners facing similar struggles that they are capable and supported.
• Encouragement to redefine success on personal terms and prioritize well-being.

Notable Quotes:

• [51:11] “Your kids will be fine. That's what I want to say.”
• [51:42] “It was fun to talk about motherhood.”

Final Insights:

• Embracing personal authenticity and cyclical rhythms can lead to both personal and professional fulfillment.
• The importance of community and support systems in navigating the challenges of motherhood and entrepreneurship.
• A call to action for women to define their own success and live a life aligned with their values and well-being.

Additional Resources:

• Kate Northrup’s Platforms:

  • Instagram: @katennorthrup
  • Website: katenorthrup.com
  • Podcast: Plenty – focusing on abundance in various aspects of life.

• Natalie Ellis’s Offer:

  • A free 7 Figure CEO Operating System available by leaving a review on the podcast.
  • Access the gift by visiting bossbabe.com/review.

This episode offers a profound exploration of the intersections between motherhood, personal development, and entrepreneurship. Kate Northrup’s candid sharing of her experiences provides invaluable lessons for women striving to build successful businesses while nurturing fulfilling personal lives. Natalie Ellis masterfully guides the conversation, ensuring that listeners gain actionable insights and feel supported in their own journeys toward a Freedom-Based Business™ and a lifestyle they love.