Addiction, Recovery, and Confronting the Good Mother Myth with Ann Batchelder

Author: Lisa Cooper Ellison
Published: Thu 30 May 2024
Episode Link: None

Author Ann Batchelder talks about her daughter’s struggle with addiction, their recovery journeys, the myths she had to confront, her struggle with perfectionism, and the writing tips she learned as she was writing her memoir, Craving Spring: A Mother's Quest, a Daughter's Depression, and the Greek Myth that Brought Them Together

Ann’s bio: Ann Batchelder writes about women’s wisdom and the pain and beauty of difficult transitions. She is the author of Craving Spring: A Mother’s Quest, a Daughter’s Depression, and the Greek Myth that Brought Them Together. Her work has been featured in multiple podcasts and publications, including in Insider Magazine, Newsweek, Hippocampus, The Linden Review, and The Rumpus.

Ann served as Editor of Fiberarts Magazine for ten years. She was guest curator for the Asheville Art Museum where she designed and developed several major contemporary exhibitions, Acting Director of the International Studies program at Lesley University, and Director of Special Events for the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Ann has an MSW and has been practicing mindfulness since 2004. She lives with her husband in Asheville, NC. www.annbatchelder.com

Resources Mentioned During This Episode:

The Hero’s Journey

The Heroine’s Journey

Episode Highlights

5:50 Being Addicted to Someone Else’s Recovery

9:00 Confronting the Good Mother Myth

11:15 What Truly Helping Someone Looks Like

13:27 The Power of Surprising the Reader

15:00 A Buddhist Bent on Recovery

21:00 Braiding in the Greek Myth

30:21 The Art of Inserting Backstory

39:00 Ann’s Writing Advice