Listen:
Listen to Your Mother gave me relevance again—and reconnected me to my creative voice at a time when I felt invisible in new motherhood. It introduced me to blogging, cracked open a path to storytelling, and, as I write in Writing That Gets Noticed, it truly changed my life.
If you’ve ever felt stuck or unseen after becoming a mom, this conversation will speak directly to you.
Nearly 15 years ago, what began as one live show about motherhood sparked a nationwide storytelling movement. We talk about how Listen to Your Mother grew from a single stage to 70 cities, how the blogging boom gave voice to so many of us, and how sharing our truths—especially the vulnerable ones—can create lasting community.
Now in her second act, creator Ann Imig is channeling her gifts into positive psychology coaching—and in this episode, she even offers me a spontaneous coaching moment that shows just how intuitive and insightful she truly is.
In This Episode
- The surprising origin of Listen to Your Mother and how it grew to 70 cities
- Why storytelling (and vulnerability) creates powerful community
- How the blogging era fueled a generation of creative women
- Moving from burnout to brain science: Ann’s shift to coaching midlife women
- Ambition, motherhood, and redefining success in midlife
- The impact of positive intelligence and rewiring your brain for joy
Watch on YouTube
About Ann Imig
Ann Imig is an award-winning founder and speaker with numerous national media and stage appearances. An MSW and certified coach (PQCC), Ann helps burned-out moms regain their mojo, crush their goals, and fuel their joy at home and work. In 2010 she created the storytelling series (and then book) titled LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER. Almost 15 years later, LTYM continues Giving Motherhood A Microphone on stages across North America (70 cities and counting).
Connect with Ann
Schedule a free breakthrough session with Ann here
Listen to Your Mother YouTube Channel
Episodes on Freelance Writing Direct Mentioned
#14 Humor Writing and Wearing Tunics with Wendi Aarons
#139 Focus on Friendship Featuring Nina Badzin
#133 Writing the Book You Need to Read with Amy Wilson
Estelle’s Listen to Your Mother Reading of “And She Danced” on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmV4abTKy8Q
Buy Ann’s book Listen To Your Mother on Estelle’s Bookshop
And if you haven’t yet—watch my TEDx Talk:
How to Get Noticed in Your Writing and Beyond
In this bold, funny, and widely shared talk, I blend personal storytelling with the real-world writing strategies I’ve developed as a longtime magazine editor, NYU professor, and writing coach. It all starts with a chaotic moment involving Thomas the Tank Engine—and builds into a powerful message about how to stand out in a crowded, noisy world, no matter the medium.
📺 Watch, comment, and share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpcWmjpzSIQ
About Estelle
Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, author of Writing That Gets Noticed (named a “Best Book for Writers” by Poets & Writers), and host of Freelance Writing Direct—2025 Podcast of the Year (Education), American Writing Awards. A Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest and adjunct instructor at NYU, she’s written for over 150 outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, WIRED, PBS/Next Avenue, The Independent, and AARP: The Magazine, and has served as editor-in-chief of five national magazines.
✨ Explore More:
📚 Writing That Gets Noticed – Buy the Book | Listen to the Audiobook
📬 Subscribe on Substack – Craft tips, pitch advice & exclusive podcast extras. Latest post Stop Counting Words. Start Shaping Your Story (plus a bonus for paid subscribers) and How to Get Published in Cosmopolitan or Seventeen
🎧 Freelance Writing Direct – Interviews, insights & behind-the-scenes publishing tips
Follow Estelle:
📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 🐦 Twitter | 🌐 BlueSky
Student Work
Congratulations to my student, Rebecca Postar Burrell, for reading her beautiful poem on “Where I’m From,” on Alyson Shelton’s Instagram Live. You can now watch it on YouTube.
Inspired to share your own story? Listen to my conversation with Alyson in Episode #125 of Freelance Writing Direct—and consider submitting!
Class
If you’re ready to write and get your work out into the world, I have two spots left in my October/November 6-week small group Zoom essay class. Email me at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com for more information. This will sell out soon.
