Podcast Summary: The Goal Digger Podcast

Episode 939: A Conversation With My Mom About Time, Motherhood, and What Gets Passed Down
Host: Jenna Kutcher
Date: December 15, 2025
Guests: Jenna’s Mom, Jenna’s Sister

Overview of the Episode

In this heartfelt episode, Jenna Kutcher invites her mom back onto the show—joining her sister as well—for an intimate, multi-generational conversation about motherhood, time, identity, and the wisdom that mothers pass down to their daughters. The trio reflects on legacy, generational shifts, the joys and challenges of raising children, and the ever-evolving roles of women. The episode is divided into three main themes: legacy/mothering, generational differences, and identity/seasons of life. With humor, candor, and vulnerability, they explore what gets passed down, what changes, and what remains timeless.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Legacy and Mothering

Motherhood’s Surprises & the Fleetingness of Time

• Both Jenna’s mom and sister discuss how quickly time passes as children grow, and the way grandparenthood brings this into sharper perspective ([04:35]-[06:27]).
  • “How fast it goes was what came to mind right away. That’s the cliché, but...when you look at your life like a pie...your perspective is so different.” – Jenna’s Mom ([04:35])
• They reflect on how as parents, you think times are permanent, but everything is actually so temporary—a realization that can be both comforting and bittersweet.

Individualized Mothering and Embracing Children’s Interests

• Jenna’s sister shares admiration for her mom’s ability to mother each child uniquely, creating space for curiosity and creativity.
  • “You had an endless capacity to mother each of us individually... That takes a lot of work.” – Jenna’s Sister ([06:30])
• Jenna’s mom explains her philosophy:
  • “I don't think we're meant to be in a box...if you can do anything to encourage and not stifle that...” ([08:54])
• Anecdotes like arranging a surgery shadowing experience or enabling various passions are highlighted as examples of nurturing curiosity.

Reflections on Imperfection and “Doing Your Best”

• Jenna’s mom isn’t a worrier, acknowledging she did the best she could even amid financial ups and downs. In retrospect, she wishes she could have saved more for college but recognizes that hardships also taught her children resilience ([10:13]-[13:54]).

2. Letting Go, Generational Differences & Technology

Knowing When to Hold On or Let Go

• The discussion covers “rites of passage” (e.g., starting school, staying home alone), emphasizing the importance of raising independent children.
  • “My job as a mom was to raise you to be an independent person...I wanted you to love yourself and be good individually.” – Jenna’s Mom ([16:59])

Generational Shifts: Technology, Social Media, and Human Connection

• Jenna’s mom observes that technology and the immediacy of life today worry her, particularly the loss of human connection, but also acknowledges its potential for good ([18:59]-[21:35]).
  • “I see so many people glued to their phones and young kids, too...we’re missing human connection.” – Jenna’s Mom ([18:59])
• Jenna and her sister reflect on being the first generation raising kids with full access to social media, and the complexity it brings.

Hopeful Trends

• A return to “roots”—chickens, gardening, slow living—gives Jenna’s mom hope.
  • “A lot of your generation is coming back to the basics and realizing the beauty in that...and I feel like that is...a trend.” – Jenna’s Mom ([21:51])
• She notes men’s increased participation in childrearing as a positive generational shift.

Pressures Faced by Women, Then and Now

• The conversation touches on the generational move from homemaking to juggling work, home, and processed-food convenience, setting the context for current cycles of returning to homegrown/cooked food ([23:34]-[24:30]).
• If Jenna’s mom were in her daughter’s shoes, she would avoid social media entirely due to her sensitive nature and aversion to criticism, admiring Jenna’s strength in managing public-facing work ([25:08]-[26:07]).

Motherly Worries Across Generations

• Gun violence and general safety are flagged as worries current mothers must face in a way previous generations did not ([30:20]-[31:29]).
• The breadth of career choices and entrepreneurship opportunities available to women now is contrasted with the limited options (secretary, nurse, teacher, homemaker) available before ([32:17]-[32:35]).

3. Seasons, Identity, and Lifelong Growth

Embracing Change Through Therapy & Self-Development

• Jenna’s mom—at her daughter’s suggestion—started therapy at 65, experiencing profound personal growth:
  • “At 65, 66, I started therapy for the first time in my life...just to dig into it and do the work, it’s like, whoa, it truly is work.” ([36:36]-[37:45])
• Both acknowledge the richness and shared language therapy has brought to their relationship, shattering stigmas about self-work at any age.

Letting Go of Responsibility

• Therapy helped Jenna’s mom see her “responsible child” role, and the power in stepping back to let others contribute. This relinquishing of control has led to healthier, more collaborative family dynamics ([42:59]).

Reframing Aging

• Jenna’s mom finds older age liberating, emphasizing “time luxury” and the freedom to fill her days with chosen activities, relationships, travel, and lifelong learning.
  • “There’s almost like a luxury and not having the time constraints of work...to not have all of those pressures...is almost like a vacation for yourself that’s kind of endless.” ([44:41])

Mother-Daughter Relationship in Adulthood

• Mother and daughter describe their relationship as increasingly reciprocal, built on respect, friendship, and mutual mentorship.
  • “Now...it’s truly friends...it’s a reciprocal friendship. I look up to you a lot.” – Jenna’s Mom ([50:51])
• The family’s value of “time as currency” carries through all generations, and the ability to be present together is cherished.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Fleetingness of Motherhood:
  “I know people always say, like, don't blink. They grow up. But I do think it goes fast.” – Jenna’s Mom ([04:54])
• On Nurturing Curiosity:
  “If you want to do something, let’s explore that...nothing seems that crazy. Try it on, see if it works.” – Jenna’s Sister ([08:54])
• On Mothering and Independence:
  “I always felt like my job as a mom was to raise you to be an independent person.” – Jenna’s Mom ([16:59])
• On Social Media’s Drawbacks:
  “I think you’ve changed lives...but I would have never...I don’t think I could stand all the negative stuff.” – Jenna’s Mom ([25:40])
• On Multi-Generational Change:
  “Women can do it all, but we need support. And that was something that you really didn’t have a lot of access to either.” – Jenna’s Sister ([29:20])
• Therapy and Growth at Any Age:
  “I started therapy for the first time in my life...digging deeper into myself. Why am I wired like I’m wired?” – Jenna’s Mom ([36:36])
  • “I love who you are, but I love who you’re becoming. You’re never done.” – Jenna’s Sister ([48:00])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:44] - Reunion with Jenna’s mom on the show; introduction to themes.
• [04:35] - Reflections on legacy and the passage of time in motherhood.
• [06:30] - Mothering each child individually and nurturing curiosity.
• [10:13] - Fears of getting things wrong as a parent (financial stress, college).
• [16:59] - On raising independent children and when to “let go.”
• [18:59] - Generational change: technology, social media, and human connection.
• [21:51] - Renewed focus on roots, slower living, and men’s involvement.
• [23:34] - The evolution of women’s roles from processed food/convenience to home cooking.
• [25:08] - The emotional toll of public criticism and social media.
• [30:20] - New worries facing mothers today (e.g., gun violence, safety).
• [32:17] - Career diversity and entrepreneurship for women.
• [36:36] - Therapy in later life and embracing change/growth.
• [42:59] - Letting go of the “responsible child” role.
• [44:41] - The joys of aging and “time luxury.”
• [50:51] - Adult mother-daughter relationship as deep friendship.

Tone and Language

The entire episode is warm, conversational, and deeply empathetic. There’s evident respect, affection, and gentle humor between the generations. The tone invites listeners to reflect on their own familial relationships, challenging traditional notions of motherhood and encouraging openness, curiosity, and lifelong growth.

Closing Reflections

Jenna closes by encouraging listeners to connect with the women who have shaped them, ask questions, and seek wisdom from those who’ve led in quiet but powerful ways:

“The most powerful leadership happens in the in between moments, that being a safe space is the greatest gift, and that asking the right question can change someone's life.” – Jenna Kutcher ([53:37])

Key Takeaways

• Parenting and legacy are shaped by both presence and imperfection—the beauty is in the effort and connection, not perfection.
• Each generation faces new pressures, but wisdom from previous generations can provide grounding and inspiration.
• Nurturing curiosity and supporting growth at any age creates lasting impact.
• Friendship between mothers and daughters evolves, deepens, and becomes richer with time—and remains one of life’s greatest friendships.

For more insights and resources from this episode, visit goaldiggerpodcast.com.