This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear the full conversation, visit keelysemler.substack.com.

Our guest today is Mary Gonzalez, an herbalist, mother, doula, and the heart behind Sweet Mountaintop, a beautiful outdoor nature preschool nestled on her family’s farm. The entire program takes place outside, deeply rooted in the rhythms of the land and the changing seasons.

Mary lives in such harmony with nature… It is truly felt in the way she mothers, gardens, and supports others. She’s a gentle, wise presence and an incredible resource for new and growing families. We explore the magic of play and creativity in early childhood, the deep nourishment that’s needed in the early parenthood, and what it means to truly care for others with intention and integrity.

Photo by Kate Bowen

2:25 The internal shifts of becoming a mother7:40 Resourcing your support system to best support you and the healing power of nature12:27 Sweet Mountaintop Nature Preschool18:43 How parents can discover their child’s learning and respect their boundaries25:32 Body autonomy and teaching it to children31:20 Technology and childrearing34:43 Outdoor play and integrating nature into daily life37:19 Herbs and nourishing the whole body, mind, and spirit45:07 Avoiding Google & social media52:07 Intimacy with your partner after birth & letting go of “doing it all”1:05:25 Self love and self care

The final 15-30 minutes are available in our extended episode exclusively to Behind Closed Doors, where we enter a slower, softer room; one where guests speak with vulnerability, honesty, and courage about the unseen layers of their lives: fertility, loss, longing, intimacy, identity, and everything in between. These extended interviews and bonus episodes are held with tenderness, and shared only with paid subscribers. If you value candid insights and thoughtful conversations that often go unspoken, subscribe at keelysemler.substack.com and join us in exploring the deeper dialogue.

Connect with Mary:

Sweet Mountaintop Preschool

Postpartum Doula Care & Herbal Support

A paid subscription helps support the show and covers essential costs, including my editor, family expenses, and podcast operations. Your support through a paid subscription helps us continue providing valuable resources to families. If you can’t subscribe, there are still other ways to support—leaving a review, subscribing to the Motherlands Substack, following us on YouTube, or sharing the podcast with others makes a significant difference. As a full-time doula, educator, and mentor, your support in any form helps me continue this meaningful work. Thank you for being part of this community; your presence means everything.

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When Nature Meets Nurture

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