Poetry That Makes Motherhood Beautiful with Jessica Urlichs

Summary

Totally Booked with Zibby

Episode: Poetry That Makes Motherhood Beautiful with Jessica Urlichs

Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Jessica Urlichs
Date: March 3, 2026

---

Episode Theme & Purpose

In this heartfelt episode, Zibby Owens sits down with New Zealand poet and author Jessica Urlichs to discuss Jessica’s new poetry collection, They Bloom Because of You: Poems on the Infinite Love, Growth and Magic of Motherhood. The conversation delves into the candid truths of motherhood—its anxieties, joys, and the essential need for mothers to feel seen. With readings from the book, discussions about the writing process (including taking creative risks and self-publishing), and plenty of emotional resonance, this episode is a moving exploration of what it means to love, nurture, and grow as a parent and as a creative.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jessica’s Journey into Motherhood Poetry

• Early Writing as Processing
  • Began writing poetry when her children were very young as a way to process postnatal anxiety.
  • Hesitated to share at first due to fear of judgment.
  • "It was this most resounding, like, same. Me too. Oh, my gosh, you get it? Like, it was incredible." (Jessica, 05:36)
• Building a Community
  • Sharing online resulted in unexpected community and support from other mothers.
  • Key Insight: Authentic vulnerability helps others feel seen.

2. From Private Writing to Publication

• Transition to Publishing
  • Wrote privately for years before self-publishing her first collection.
  • Did not initially consider traditional publishing; saw it as out of reach until her children’s book had success via a publisher. (08:18)
• Children’s Book Success Story
  • The Rainbow in My Heart was written to help her young autistic son articulate feelings.
  • After facing rejection, Jessica cold-called publishers—eventually leading to her partnership with Hachette.
  • "If I hadn't just, you know, gone out on a whim... the worst they can say is no. They said yes." (08:46)

3. Selections and Readings from “They Bloom Because of You”

• Poetry as Shared Experience
  • Zibby reads multiple poems aloud, sparking emotional responses from Jessica.
  • Poems touch on the full spectrum of motherhood—the overwhelming love, physical and emotional fatigue, and future anxieties.
• Memorable Readings & Reflection
  • "I'll Hold Your Hand" (10:20): Focuses on steadfast support through life’s highs and lows.
  • "Coffee Is Not Enough" (12:39): Injects humor into the exhausting day-to-day of parenting.
  • On why the poetry resonates:
    • “For each crack in the earth, a star shines above. For each heart that breaks, someone’s falling in love. And for every beginning, there will be someone you miss. You can hold my hand through it. I’m so glad you exist.” (Zibby reading Jessica’s poem, 10:44)
  • "More Than a Body" (13:58): Addresses body image and modeling self-acceptance to her daughter.
  • "You'll Always Be With Me" (15:11): Deeply emotional poem about a child’s fear of loss and the unbreakable mother-child bond.
    • Jessica discusses how poetry helps process and communicate these complex feelings.

4. The Power of Honest Motherhood Writing

• Feeling Less Alone
  • Both Jessica and Zibby reflect on how poetry brings mothers together by naming the unspeakable moments.
  • “If you can read your emotions through the lens of someone else... it’s that instant connection and feeling of being less alone.” (Jessica, 24:44)
• Global Universality of Motherhood
  • Despite cultural differences, the core experiences and emotions of parenthood are shared worldwide.
  • “Hopefully [the poems] will take all the divisiveness and just focus so much more on what binds us together as loving creatures.” (Zibby, 26:52)

5. Creativity, Writing Process, and Encouragement

• On Writing Habits
  • Jessica writes when inspiration strikes, not daily; rejects the notion that writers must write every day.
  • Encourages aspiring authors not to fear dormant creative periods: “If you’ve got something in you, it never leaves you.” (Jessica, 27:52)
• Supporting Each Other
  • Zibby offers encouragement to Jessica and listeners: parenting is messy, exhausting, and universal, but it does get easier with time.
  • “You’re helping the rest of us... no matter what age kids we have.” (Zibby, 30:31)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Starting Out:

  • "I just needed to process what I was going through at the time... I did suffer from postnatal anxiety... and I just found myself writing, and that writing kind of turned into poetry."
    — Jessica, 04:42

• On Sharing Vulnerably:

  • "There will be other mums out there who feel this way... and it was the most resounding, like, ‘same. Me too. Oh my gosh. You get it?’ Like, it was incredible."
    — Jessica, 05:32

• On Rejection and Persistence:

  • "Their feedback wasn’t actually that forthcoming. But I thought, it’s just one person’s opinion... Maybe someone out there will believe in me."
    — Jessica, 08:28

• On the Emotional Weight of Parenting:

  • "The hardest part of this whole thing is... all we want is to be there for them, we can’t. Or we might not. Isn’t that just the hardest thing to bear?"
    — Zibby, 16:51

• On Receiving Feedback:

  • "What also really helps me is having other people read my work and come back and say, ’this really helped me,’ or, ’wow, I really understand...’ We’re making these connections."
    — Jessica, 24:47

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:42] Jessica on starting to write poetry as a new mom with young children
• [08:14] Decision to self-publish and break into children’s books
• [10:20] Zibby reads “I’ll Hold Your Hand”
• [12:39] Zibby reads "Coffee Is Not Enough"
• [13:58] Discussion of “More Than a Body” and body image for daughters
• [15:11] Zibby reads “You’ll Always Be With Me”—discussion of grief and impermanence
• [19:20] Story of writing a poem for a dying mother’s young son
• [24:37] The importance of poetry for personal processing and building community
• [26:18] Announcement of a new children’s book (“You’ll Always Be My Baby”)
• [27:34] Writing habits and encouragement for aspiring writers
• [29:10] Conversation about changing challenges in motherhood as kids grow

---

Closing Reflection

This episode is a moving testament to how poetry can capture parenthood’s most subtle, sacred, and sorrowful notes. Through Jessica Urlichs’ words—and Zibby Owens’ thoughtful engagement—listeners are reminded that while the work of motherhood can be isolating, the sharing of its truths is unifying. Each poem is a window into the joys, fears, laughter, and aches that come with raising children, and Jessica’s gentle candor provides comfort, validation, and hope.

---

Episode Summary Compiled by Podcast GPT

Transcript

[Capital One Advertiser]

With no fees or minimums on checking accounts, it's no wonder the Capital One bank guy is so passionate about banking with Capital One. If he were here, he wouldn't just tell you about no fees or minimums. He'd also talk about how most Capital One cafes are open seven days a week to assist with your banking needs. Yep, even on weekends it's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capitalone.com bank capital1na member FDIC

[Zibby Owens]

this is an ad by BetterHelp.

[Capital One Advertiser]

Did I talk too much? Can I just let it go?

[Zibby Owens]

Take a breath. You're not alone. Let's talk about what's going on. Counseling helps you sort through the noise with qualified professionals and online therapy makes it convenient. See if it's for you. Visit betterhelp.com randompodcast for 10% off your first month of online therapy and let life feel better. Today's episode is sponsored by Nutrafol.

[Sponsor Voice]

Do you ever worry about your hair?

[Zibby Owens]

I was convinced that my hair had gotten a little bit thinner once I reached a certain age, which had me in a complete panic. So I started taking Nutrafol and it helped. Nutrafol is the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement and the number one hair growth supplement brand personally used by dermatologists. Nutrafol offers multiple formulas for men and women tailored to different life stages like postpartum or menopause and lifestyle factors. For all of you who abide by a plant based diet, I do not. Adding Nutrafol to your daily routine is easy. You just order online, no prescription needed. You get automated deliveries and free shipping to keep you on track. Plus, with a Nutrafol subscription, you can save 20% and get added perks to support your hair health journey. You just take four supplements a day and you'll be on your way. Let your hair be one less thing to worry about. See visibly thicker, stronger, faster Growing hair in three to six months with Nutrafol. And for a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping when you visit nutrafol.com and enter promo code ZIBBY. That's nutrafol.com spelled N u T R a F o L dot com, promo code ZIBBY. Go do it. Hi, this is Zibby Owens and you're listening to Totally Booked with Zibby, formerly Moms don't have Time to Read Books. In my daily show, I interview today's latest best selling buzziest or underrated authors and story creators whose work I think is worth your time. As a bookstore owner, publisher, author, and obviously podcaster, I get a comprehensive look at everything that's coming out and spend my time curating the best books so you don't have to stay in the know, get insider insights and connect with guests like I do every single day. For more information, go to zibbymedia.com and follow me on Instagram Ibbeowens Jessica Ehrlichs is the author of they Bloom because of youf Poems on the Infinite Love, Growth and Magic of Motherhood. Discovered Jessica Ehrlich several years ago when my husband Kyle gave me a poetry book of hers for, I think Mother's Day, maybe Hanukkah. Anyway, I loved it and asked her to come on my podcast. She said she had something new in the works and I should wait and interview her then. And so I did. And here is our interview. Jessica Erlix is a Sunday Times bestselling author and poet who lives in New Zealand with her husband and three children. She has written a variety of children's books to help babies and young children navigate their emotions in the early years. Jess's honest and heartfelt poetry about her family and motherhood continue to be a source of guidance for mothers and parents alike around the world to connect. Welcome Jessica. Thank you so much for coming on Totally Booked to discuss they Bloom because of poems on the Infinite love, growth and Magic of Motherhood. Congratulations.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Thank you. This book, I'm so proud of it.

[Zibby Owens]

You should be so proud of it. I'm glad to hear you say that. I feel like it just so touches every nerve. I'm a mother of four, you're a mother of three. I mean you, you just get all the things as a daughter, as a mother, as a friend, as a dog mom. I mean, I don't know, I just like was dog earing every page. And this is not your first collection either. Tell me a little bit about the impetus for this. And had you been writing because they go through all of the years of your kids lives, had you been writing all along?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Yeah, well, when my second born was six months old, my firstborn was. How old was he at the time? He would have been a year and a half. So they were a year apart and I just needed to process what I was going through at the time because having two a year apart is no easy feat. And I did suffer from postnatal anxiety at the time. I didn't realize what that was. And I was the first of my friends to have a baby. And so I just found myself writing, and that writing kind of turned into poetry. And my husband said, you know, you should be sharing this with people. There will be other mums out there who feel this way, and, you know, you might make some connections. And I was like, oh, that's very scary. A very scary thought to put my heart out there like this, you know, what if I'm judged? But it was this most resounding, like, same. Me too. Oh, my gosh, you get it? Like, it was incredible. And I guess organically, I just grew this audience of mums just wanting to feel seen and heard, and that's really how this whole thing started.

[Zibby Owens]

And how long ago was that?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

That would have been about six years ago now.

[Zibby Owens]

So your work is clearly hitting a nerve. I first heard about you because my husband got me your beautiful Chaos book for the holidays whenever it came out. And I remember almost crying reading that book and thinking, oh, my gosh, yes. And I've been a book person for a while, and for him to give me a book that resonated so well was, like, genius. So I've been a fan of yours ever since.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Thank you.

[Zibby Owens]

Before we talk more about this particular collection, so your husband suggested you share them. Did you post first? Did you write? Did you. Your collection first? You also write children's books. Like, when? What was the chronology? How did everything happen?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

I mean, I've always loved writing. I wrote as a child, wrote poems for my teachers, kept journals. It's. It wasn't something that kind of just happened, but it kind of laid dormant for a very long time. And I think, like, for most writers, when, yeah, you feel this need to process something, you want to make sense of it. Writing, even pen to paper, it's just so cathartic, and it really helps. So I started with the writing first, and then I guess I kind of tiptoed online to see other mother accounts in that space. And one thing I learned pretty quickly was my algorithm was feeding me mummy blogs quite a lot. And quite often it made me feel less than because I was like, oh, gosh, my home doesn't look like that and I'm still in my dressing gown. How do they have a full face of makeup? And, you know, so I was like, no, I need to be finding people who are in this postpartum phase that I'm at, ones that can admit things aren't perfect yet. We have days that we struggle. There are highs, there are lows. I need those people because I need to Feel like I'm not alone in this. When I made connections with a few other mums who were sharing really openly and honestly in that space, it kind of gave me that vulnerable permission, I guess, to do the same. And that's how it started. And I guess over time, it might have been a year of doing so. I had a collection big enough to self publish my first book.

[Zibby Owens]

Did you consider traditional publishing or you just knew that's what you wanted to do?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

I didn't even consider it, to be honest. I didn't even think it was a possibility for me at all.

[Zibby Owens]

And the same was the same happening along the way with the children's books.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

The children's books were a little bit different because when my first book was the Rainbow in My Heart, which I wrote for my son, who is on the spectrum, and it's about a range of emotions attaching those emotions to color. And I really wanted to write something for him that would help him express himself, I guess. You know, it's very hard to articulate how you're feeling at 2 years old. Sometimes it's hard as an adult. But I put this together and because I paired up with an illustrator who had already been published, she said, hey, why don't we put the feelers out there and see if anyone would actually like to publish it? And that's how that one came about. It actually didn't end up going through her publishers. They didn't want to take on the book. So I just started, I know you're not supposed to do this, but I just started cold calling. I thought, you know, what have I got to lose at the end of the day? Yes, I feel a little bit upset that they didn't want the book. Their feedback wasn't actually that forthcoming. But I thought, it's just one person's opinion. I've read this book to my son. I know that it's helped him. Maybe someone out there will believe in me. And that's when Hashet here in New Zealand came along and they were like, yeah, we love it and we'll take it. And if I hadn't just, you know, gone out on a whim and gone, I'm just going to give it a go. I'm just going to try and see what they say. Because again, the worst they can say is no. They said yes.

[Zibby Owens]

Amazing. I love stories like that. Well, this collection, they Bloom because of youf, which is coming out in March, is so beautiful. It's about all of the collective experiences that you go through as a mom. As you're wrestling with it in the moment, as you're contending with your mom and your friends, as I mentioned. And I was hoping just to read a couple short. I mean, they're all fairly short poems, if that's okay.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Yep. Yeah, I love that.

[Zibby Owens]

Okay, so this is. I'll hold you'd hand. There will always be days where the world feels tough. So let me remind you that you are enough. There will always be lows, There will always be highs. So hold my hand and together we'll fly. There will always be troubles, but tomorrow is new. So hold my hand and let me show you. There will always be darkness, but the sun will still rise. So hold my hand. Let your globe be your light. There will always be sadness, but there's love on the shore. Let it wash over you. Hold my hand a bit more. For each crack in the earth, a star shines above. For each heart that breaks, someone's falling in love. And for every beginning, there will be someone you miss. You can hold my hand through it. I'm so glad you exist. There's pain and there's beauty. There's joy and there's fear. And in each given moment, I'm so happy you're here. So when it seems heavy and. And it's harder to stand, you can lean on me instead. I'll hold your hand. Oh, so beautiful.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

I don't know why I feel emotional hearing you read it. Yeah. I don't know why I'm getting all teary because. Yeah, I certainly don't feel that way when I read it, but it was really lovely to hear you read that.

[Zibby Owens]

Oh, do you remember when you were writing it, what was happening that day? Or the. You know, maybe it's just going back to that place.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Yeah, for that one. I mean, so often my poems are, you know, about my children or the motherhood experience, but that just stemmed from a difficult day with my son. I can't exactly remember what happened. It might have been a day after school, but it's a lot of the time. I also think to the future, and I think about, you know, they say little people. I can't remember the saying. Is it like the smaller years and the small problems and then they get. You paraphrase that terribly. But, you know, sometimes I think to the teenage years and I think, oh, my goodness, you know, that the. Those problems are going to make these ones look easy. And I mean, not necessarily, but I know in my teen years there were times that I would have loved to hear those words. And. Yeah, I just think about that and I think about how no matter what happens with my kids, I want them to know that I will always hold their hand through it and I will always be their sounding board for them.

[Zibby Owens]

So nice you have some poems which are funny. Like this one. Just for some more comic relief, coffee is not enough. And you said, here's to the mums who feed to sleep, have forgotten to eat, pick things up with their feet. Here's to the mums who have a quick shave just of their ankles, no time in the day. Here's to the moms who quickly walk by their furry first baby whose tail wags to say hi. Here's to the moms who think they've done nothing. Being someone's constant is more than just something. Brain is scattered, mismatched like socks. On your worst day, you are still someone's rock. And here's to the moms who feel they may break with each little startle. And every night wake tired and tangled. This is no easy feat, but just a reminder, please have something to eat. I love that one too.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

I need that reminder quite a lot.

[Zibby Owens]

It's so hard to take care of ourselves. How are, how old are all your kids now?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Eight, seven and three. And I feel like so often I'm just rushing around trying to get things done, trying to take everything off my list that I'll be like, I need to go to the toilet. But that's not part of the plan right now. And then it's not till I'm at like breaking point of needing to go to the toilet. I'm like, oh gosh, this is so inconvenient. Playing with the food.

[Zibby Owens]

Oh my gosh. Okay, this one is interesting. It's about your daughter and body image. This is called More Than a Body. My daughter looks in the mirror, she moves side to side. She's seen me do the same, Surveying my pouch where she once grew. It's true it takes hard work to look a certain way. But self acceptance is the hardest work of all the long haul to rest in. I want to tell her that her body is the least interesting thing about her. The way she loves those caring hands. The way her heart shines more than her hair. You can make your body strong, but it won't move the mountains you'll be remembered for. And I want to tell her as she looks in the mirror that happiness isn't shaped like a silhouette. The edges never meet. It flows and it's free. It flows and it's free. Oh, I'm gonna give that to my daughter today. My younger daughter. Well, actually both of them. So great. Oh my gosh. Okay, if I read this, I'm probably gonna cry and I won't read any more, I promise. And I'll just ask you more questions or chit chat about actually maybe I can't do this. You'll always be with me. I feel like we'll both be crying. Do you think we can take it?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Possibly. Yeah.

[Zibby Owens]

Okay, I'll try. And then one more short one. I promise.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Okay.

[Zibby Owens]

You'll always be with me. My son lets out a little sob because he doesn't want me to die. It's come out of nowhere and everywhere as the day turns into night his lashes long eyes like jewels shining with his tears I wonder what I can possibly say to help calm his fears. I think of how hard today has been as we lay and I stroke his head. I can't count the saris on my hand so I count the stars instead. I tell him I'm not going anywhere. I tell him I love him too. I don't tell him the thought of us being apart rips my sky in two and somehow I am filled with guilt to be loved this close to the bone. He sees all of me imperfectly and still reaches for me like home. And yet here we are in this uncertain world more certain than ever before that without each other nothing makes sense like two feet without a floor that is the weight of a love so big the kind that aches within you mourn the versions been and gone miss moments you're still in. I want to tell him I'll always be here though I know this isn't true. I don't say you'll always walk with me but I won't always walk with you. I tell him he has my heart always even when it departs this place I tell him in every universe I will always see his face There's a version of us in every life and all the versions you'll be. Even when I'm at one with the wind, the shining stars and the sea I whisper in every life of mine you will always be with me. Oh, I'm so sad.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Yeah, it's got the misty eyes going, that's for sure.

[Zibby Owens]

I mean, that's like the hardest part of this whole thing is like if the world follows the natural order of things, even though all we want is to be there for them, we can't. Or we might not. And who knows? And isn't that just the hardest thing to bear?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Exactly. And you know, these are some of the big questions that are coming out now as well with his age. He asked me that when he was 7. Just that concept of the fact that I'm not going to be here one day and especially for, I mean even for me thinking about that with my mum just breaks me. But when you're a young child, you just don't know any different as well. And the thought of your safe place one day not being there is just harrowing. And to try and explain that is very difficult, hence the poetry. But I actually someone reached out to me would have been, maybe might have been three years ago now and unfortunately she had leukemia and she sent me this email and she said, look, I love your work, I have your book, I really, I don't have a lot of time left and I would really love to leave a poem behind for my 2 year old son so one day he can read it and just know how much I love him. And I read this email and obviously I was in tears, but I thought, oh, you know, I don't know if I can do this justice, you know, I don't know if what I can send to you is going to be good enough for your son. You know, like I was just so emotional and I said to her, look, if the right words come to me, I will absolutely send this to you. I just can't, you know, inspiration just has to strike. I can't just sit there and make myself right. Although I worded that differently and I said, I promise I will send you something if the words come. And then I think it might have been two months later, the words just came. I was thinking about what I would want my children to know. I was thinking about the poem. I would like to leave them. It wasn't this one. And I sent it to her, I emailed it back to her, Sorry, this is becoming a long story. And I never got a response and I thought, oh no. So I posted it on my social media to say this poem. I didn't give any names but I gave the backstory and then her friend reached out to me who followed me and said sadly she'd passed away, so she never got to read it, which is really sad. However, she sent the poem to her husband and her husband reached out to me and then I. And then when the poem got published in Beautiful Chaos, which was the book Before They Bloom, I sent him some signed copies to keep for his son as well. And so, I mean the whole thing was quite serendipitous in the way that it came back. You know, I managed to find the husband and get the words to her son eventually. Still gutted that she never got to read it. But that's probably the saddest poem I've ever read. Russian. Next to the one you just read.

[Zibby Owens]

Oh my gosh.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Promise they're not all sad. I promise they don't.

[Zibby Owens]

I know. I read the funny one about coffee.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

I read.

[Zibby Owens]

I read the coffee.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Yeah, there's a funny one in there.

[Zibby Owens]

Yeah, there's a funny one.

[Sponsor Voice]

Today's episode has been sponsored by Wayfair. Refresh your space and make your home better for you with Wayfair. From furniture and decor to organization solutions and outdoor essentials, Wayfair makes it easy to find exactly what fits your style and needs. I recently upgraded a space of my own by helping my mother redo her guest room after my kids wanted a little bit of a refresh from sort of a more outdated, oh gosh, she's going to hear this room into something a little more modern. So we went on Wayfair. We got new beds, side tables, carpet, lamps, the whole room and it looks absolutely amazing. It all arrived within a week and we are obsessed with any unique style that you have. Wayfair can help you bring your vision to life. It is so easy to use. The search and reviews and filters and visual tools all made it so easy for my mom and me to agree on what we should buy. And it all came so fast and in such great condition and we are absolutely thrilled. So you will be able to do the same from Wayfair and fit it into your home and lifestyle. Find furniture, decor and essentials that fit your unique style and budget. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. That's W-A-Y-F-A-I-R.com Wayfair Every style, every home. Today's episode has been sponsored by Quince. These days I am all about quality over quantity. So especially in my closet, if it's

[Zibby Owens]

not well made and versatile, I am

[Sponsor Voice]

just not wearing it and it's not worth it to me. That's why I love Quince. The fabrics feel elevated, the cuts are thoughtful and the pricing actually makes sense. Quince makes high quality wardrobe staples using premium fabrics like 100% European linen, 100% silk, and organic cotton poplin. Lightweight cotton cashmere sweater is perfect for the changing seasons and can't miss seasonal colors and prints for spring are amazing. They're versatile, well made pieces that make getting dressed simple. Quinn's clothing is consistently rated 4.5 to 5 stars by thousands of customers. I personally would rank them five stars. That's just me. Real people wearing these pieces every day are actually loving them and they work with safe, ethical factories and cut out the middleman. So it's just quality clothing. As I have told you all and post on Instagram, my winter coat is quince so I think about quince every single day. It is my go to and has gotten me through this dreary, terrible winter that we've all had and that I can't wait to be over right now. Go to quince.com zibby for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's a full year to wear it and love it. And you will now available in Canada too. Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to Q-U-I-N-C-E.com Zibby for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quins.com Zibby

[Capital One Advertiser]

with no fees or minimums on checking accounts, it's no wonder the Capital One bank guy is so passionate about banking. With Capital One. If he were here, he wouldn't just tell you about no fees or minimums. He'd also talk about how most Capital One cafes are open seven days a week to assist with your banking needs. Yep, even on weekends it's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capitalone.com bank capital1NA member FDIC.

[Zibby Owens]

Okay, this is short and sweet and ends the entire collection. Not just you are not just anything. Not just a woman or just a friend, a wife, a partner, or just a mother. You are a universe made up of waves that brought life, stars that hold dreams, landscapes of home, rocks that will crumble but will always remain the wind's gentle sway and strongest roar. You are someone's all, and all is not lost. You are a mother, but never just.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Yes.

[Zibby Owens]

It's like the rallying cry at the end. We're all like, you hear us? Here we go.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

That's a. Yeah, a nice encouraging one to finish it off.

[Zibby Owens]

How does it help you? Does it help you to like hear it again? Does it help you to write it in the day when the days are long and you're just wondering like, do you put the pen or laptop or whatever aside and take a sigh and feel just a little bit better?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Oh, immensely. Yeah. And I think we all have different ways of processing things. A lot of people like to talk it out or read you know, reading poetry or just reading in general can help people process, but for me, it's always been writing. I just find it's just the best way for me to communicate as well, which is interesting. I'll send a lot of poems to my husband. I'm like, this is what I was trying to tell you. And he's like, oh, that's nice, babe. I was trying to say. But, yeah, no, it really does help me. And I think what also really helps me is having other people read my work and come back and say, this really helped me, or, wow, I really understand. I've had this shared experience. And so it's kind of like this reflective thing. Like, I don't feel alone, they don't feel alone. It's. We're making these connections, and if you can. I just think if you can read your emotions through the lens of someone else, it's. Yeah, it's that instant connection and feeling of being less alone. And that's what I've tried to do with both of my collections is I just want mums to open up any page and feel like they're being held by those words.

[Zibby Owens]

And do your kids read these? Like, do you read them out loud?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Not so much my poems in these books, although I have printed out a couple of ones. May she always know and may he always know. Just poems for their bedrooms. But they're probably more into the children's books at this stage.

[Zibby Owens]

Yeah, of course. Oh, my gosh. And you have a new children's book coming out this month, right, in the uk?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Yes. It actually comes out tomorrow. You'll Always Be My Baby. It's actually a poem from Beautiful Chaos, which is the first one. And I had so many people ask if I could turn it into a children's book, and so I've adapted it to make it slightly longer. So I'm really excited about that.

[Zibby Owens]

Is that going to come out in the US as well?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Yes, it will, but the dates are kind of different, I think for the US it might be more like March, I think.

[Zibby Owens]

So you're gonna have a busy march,

[Jessica Ehrlich]

depending on the territory. Yeah. Yeah.

[Zibby Owens]

Isn't it crazy to think, like. I mean, it's. This is gonna sound stupid, I guess, but, like, it doesn't matter where on the globe we are. Like, it doesn't matter. All these books try to slice and dice parenting in different places and how, oh, it's different to be a mom in France, and it's different to be a mom here and blah, blah, blah. But at our core, it's all just about the love we have for the kids and what we can do. And it just. I feel like poetry collections like yours hopefully will take all the divisiveness and just focus so much more on what binds us together as, like, loving creatures. So I feel like it couldn't be coming at a better time.

[Capital One Advertiser]

Wow.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Thank you. It's a universal language. Absolutely.

[Zibby Owens]

What's the latest poem you've written? Did you write one today?

[Jessica Ehrlich]

No, I actually didn't write one today. I feel like my writing's become a bit more sparse lately. I've been so busy with the kids. I sort of thought when they. They're still on school holidays, actually, but I thought maybe when they had started school, I'd just have all this time. And strangely, it hasn't really worked out like that. I feel busier than ever. Like, there's just so much going on and then you've got your extra curricula. So for me, poetry is really as. And when inspiration strikes and there can be like a good chunk of time in between, that kind of freaks me out sometimes because I'm like, oh, no, has it gone? Is this thing that I do and love, has it gone? But for anyone listening that I guess is an aspiring author or writer or, you know, that I feel like if you've got something in you, it never leaves you. I think you're just waiting for the right thing to hit. For me, I can't write every day. I know there's advice out there that says write every day, even if you've got writer's block. I don't feel proud of anything unless it's something I really want to write about. So there is a bit of a waiting game in my process. And, yeah, so it has been a wee while since I've written something new.

[Zibby Owens]

That's okay. There's no pressure. You have enough coming out.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Yeah, exactly.

[Zibby Owens]

I also feel like I don't want

[Jessica Ehrlich]

to write about the same topics either. Like, I mean, if I've. If I've covered something and I feel like I've written enough about something really sad in one aspect of motherhood, I really want to go there again. I'm like, no, I've touched on that topic enough. I've unpacked, attacked that enough, what else are we going to be talking about? What else is this journey going to throw at me? And that's when I'll write about that.

[Zibby Owens]

Well, I have older kids than you. My twins are 18, and I have a 12 and 11 year old. And yes, Big kids, big problems. I know they say that and everything, but I think the hardest is when they're really little because you can talk to them like you would anybody. Their emotions might be slightly less rational than another grownup, but I find every age that they reach, in a way, it's getting more and more enjoyable. So I hope that that gives you a little bit of comfort, despite the messiest middle was right where you are. Like when they're not old enough to make their own playdates and you know all of that stuff. And I know you have an autistic sun as well, so it's not the same. But for the others, at least, I don't know, it does get easier. I guess I'm just trying to make you see the light. It does get easier.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

It really helps to hear that. Yeah. We're in a bit of a stage right now where my husband and I, we still feel like our conversations are so broken and the only time we really get anything done or really get to finish a sentence is after the kids are dead. So we're still very much in that phase. But we do have a three year old as well, and she's an absolute tornado in our lives. So. Yeah.

[Zibby Owens]

All right, well, hang in there. Keep writing. You're helping the rest of us no matter what age kids we have. And you're doing, you're doing an amazing job that you can be a published author and like best selling and doing all these things and managing everything on your plate. So I'm not trying to speak down to you, but I hope you know that what you're doing is certainly not just.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

All right, thank you very much and thank you so much for reading my poems. It was beautiful to hear you read them.

[Zibby Owens]

Oh, thank you. All right, thanks, Jessica. Take care. Bye Bye.

[Jessica Ehrlich]

Bye bye.

[Zibby Owens]

Thank you for listening to Totally Booked with Zibby, formerly Moms don't have time to read books. If you loved the show, tell a friend, leave a review on, Follow me on Instagram iippyowens and spread the word. Thanks so much. Oh, and buy the books.

[Capital One Advertiser]

With no fees or minimums on checking accounts. It's no wonder the Capital One bank guy is so passionate about banking with Capital One. If he were here, he wouldn't just tell you about no fees or minimums. He'd also talk about how most Capital One cafes are open to seven days a week to assist with your banking needs. Yep. Even on weekends, it's pretty much all he talks about. In a good way. What's in your wallet? Terms apply see capital1.com bank capital1 NA member FDIC

[Jessica Ehrlich]

acast powers the World's Best Podcasts Here's a show that we recommend if you've ever dreamed of quitting your job to take your side hustle full time, listen up. This is Nikayla Matthews Akome, host of side Hustle Pro, a podcast that helps you build and grow from passion project to profitable business. Every week you'll hear from guests just like you who wanted to start a business on the side. You can't run a side Hustle. You can't run a business. They share real tips and so I started connecting with all these people on LinkedIn and I saw Target supplier diversity was having office hours. Real advice.

[Zibby Owens]

Procrastination is the easiest form of resistance

[Jessica Ehrlich]

and the actual strategies they use to turn their side Hustle into their main hustle. Getting back in touch with your tangible cash and sitting down and learning to give your money a job like it changes something. Check out side Hustle Pro every week on your favorite podcast app and YouTube. Acast helps creators launch, grow and monetize their podcasts everywhere.

[Zibby Owens]

Acast. Com.