Episode 07 · 00:29:54 · 2026-03-09

Finding a Moment to Breathe

A moment to breathe should not have to be earned. When there is little room for rest, it makes sense that your nervous system looks for a pause wherever it can find one. Curiosity can tell us more than shame does.

About this conversation

There is a difference between finding a breath and being told you should be better at coping. This episode stays with that difference, especially for parents whose responsibilities do not pause when they need one.

The publisher's description

Coping isn’t a moral issue—it’s your nervous system trying to find relief in a life that asks you to carry a lot. In this episode of The Load We Carry, Emily Mori explores how shame and cultural expectations distort the way mothers evaluate their coping strategies, especially when raising neurodivergent children with limited support. Through a trauma-informed, nervous-system lens, she invites listeners to move from self-criticism to curiosity and begin building more compassionate, sustainable ways of caring for themselves.

A question to keep

There is no right answer to find here. Just notice what the conversation brings up for you.

What gives you a genuine pause, and what only asks you to keep going?

Listen to the complete conversation

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Continue with the essay

How to Talk About Cannabis Without Making It a Character Test

You can want relief and have questions about how you are finding it. Both belong in the conversation.

Looking for a next step? Explore Emily's resources or contact Emily.