Angela Garbes, author of 'Like a Mother' and 'Essential Labor', dives into the joys and challenges of middle age. She candidly discusses the need for better conversations about menopause, quirky facts like the sex lives of menopausal orcas, and Carl Jung's idea that aging can teach us to be more selfish. Angela advocates for a rebranding of the 'crone' stage, highlighting wisdom in aging, social acceptance, and the transformative journey of motherhood alongside personal growth. Her insights are both profound and uplifting.
01:08:14
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Unseen Menopause Transition
Middle age involves a long, often unseen menopausal transition starting in the 40s with many symptoms.
Society lacks dialogue and imagination about this stage, leaving people confused and unsupported.
insights INSIGHT
Freedom in Middle Age
Middle age can bring freedom from societal expectations and external validation.
Angela Garbes embraces measuring life by personal values, not others' approval.
insights INSIGHT
Jung's Midlife Self-Reflection
Carl Jung believed midlife demands self-focus and reflection as a necessary phase.
Revisiting our childhood selves helps heal trauma and redefine identity in middle age.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In 'Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change', Angela Garbes explores the role of mothering in American society, highlighting its potential for social change despite being devalued. The book combines personal narrative with historical analysis to advocate for caregiving as essential work that can foster a more compassionate and equitable community. Garbes emphasizes the importance of recognizing caregiving as a social responsibility rather than a private duty.
A separation
A separation
Katie Kitamura
Katie Kitamura's "A Separation" is a suspenseful and atmospheric novel that follows a woman who travels to Greece to investigate the disappearance of her estranged husband. The narrative unfolds through the protagonist's perspective, as she navigates a foreign land and confronts the complexities of her past relationships. The novel explores themes of identity, memory, and the search for truth. Kitamura's elegant prose and her ability to create a sense of suspense make "A Separation" a compelling read. The novel's exploration of the human condition and the search for meaning resonates with readers.
Jung on Aging
Jung on Aging
Carl Jung
Audition
Everything an Actor Needs to Know to Get the Part
Michael Shurtleff
This book, written by Michael Shurtleff, provides comprehensive advice on auditioning techniques. Drawing from his extensive experience in casting over 200 Broadway shows and various film and television productions, Shurtleff offers practical guidance for actors. The book includes his famous '12 Guideposts' for monologue and scene work, such as 'Relationships – how to create them onstage' and 'Conflict – what are you fighting for?' It covers every aspect of auditioning, from basic acting techniques to handling distractions and risks, and is applicable not only to actors but also to other areas of life where 'auditions' occur[2][5][6].
All Fours
Miranda July
Miranda July's "All Fours" is a poignant and unconventional novel that explores themes of aging, mortality, and the complexities of human connection. The narrative unfolds through the experiences of an unnamed narrator grappling with her changing body and relationships. July's writing style is characterized by its intimate and often humorous approach to profound subjects. The book delves into the challenges of intergenerational friendships and the societal obsession with youth. Ultimately, "All Fours" offers a reflective and empathetic portrayal of the human experience.
“You're going to spend, if you're lucky, a quarter or a third of your life ‘in menopause.’ And we need dialogue about it. We need to talk about it.”
Angela Garbes returns to explore the pains and delights of middle age. Angela schools us on the sex lives of menopausal orcas, why Carl Jung wants us all to become more selfish as we age, and her pitch for a rebrand of the “crone” stage.
If you love the work we do on Mother Of It All, please consider becoming a paid subscriber, which you can do at motherofitall.substack.com. Paid subscribers get access to everything behind the paywall, like subscriber-only episodes, book reviews and more. If you subscribe at the founding member level, we’ll send you one of our awesome tote bags. If you can’t become a paid subscriber, that’s OK! It’s always free and helpful to follow, share, rate and review our show here and everywhere else you listen to podcasts you love. Thank you!
* Visit our Bookshop storefront to find all the books we’ve mentioned here and in previous episodes. When you shop there, we get a small affiliate fee (yay, thank you!).
* Visit motherofitall.com to send us ideas for a future episode or learn more about the show.
* Follow the podcast on Instagram (@themotherofitall) or Bluesky (@motherofitallpod.bsky.social)
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit motherofitall.substack.com/subscribe
The Mother Of It All 
