My Sister Lucy’s Podcast

I cannot put into words how much this podcast saved me today. To hear you say exactly what I have been thinking and feeling as helped me make the push to finally make an appointment with a therapist. My amazing, sweet baby boy is 8 months old and I have been in the depths of what I’m assuming is PPD for several months. Feeling isolated, unworthy of connection and motherhood. I sobbed while listening on my drive to work and had to pull over. The glimmer of hope you provided me today has gotten me through. Thank you a million times over for the vulnerability you have shared.

Anton looks like Lucy! I always thought he looked like your husband (and he does) but that first photo! Totally Anton!

Thank you so much for sharing. I remember years ago you shared a bit about depression and I reached out to you. I hadn’t spoken to anyone else about it before. You were so helpful and kind. You took time to reply to me and I’ll never forgot it. I did find listening to the podcast hard as it’s all very familiar but it was so good. I admire you and Lucy. Thank you X

Thank you so much for sharing your story – both you and Lucy. I started to cry when I heard Lucy sob and tell how hard it was to watch you suffer.
My brother had a very severe depressionn when I started college. I tucked away all my fear, guilt, anger, sadness in tiny boxes and acted as uncomplicated strong child. Of course that did not work out on the long run, and I have started to talk it, but only now with your podcast I refound the package labelled sadness. It contains so many tears but also so much love for my brother. Thank you.

i’d love to hear more about your relationship with Lucy, i find twins so fascinating…do you really have a connection on another level compared to “normal” siblings?

Hi, I enjoyed the podcast so much! I also wanted to give you some (unsolicited) reassurance/personal info that may help you, or someone else who has had postpartum depressions. I had PPD with each of my children and I was gearing up mentally to have another related to menopause. Guess what? Absolutely have experienced the opposite. Yes, my menopause dovetailed with the empty nest, and I definitely had sadness related to this, but it was different from depression because I didn’t feel the hopelessness and thought distortion. So if you are anticipating a deep dive into that now familiar morass, consider that this may not be destined! I also have to say that I envy your relationship your sister, you are so blessed, I do not have this at all with mine.

Yet another reason I am so glad I found your blog so many years ago. It constantly has helped, guided, and supported me throughout my life for the past 10 years. This post was especially perfect. Big thanks to you and to Lucy! Oh, and I love your voices!

This was lovely. Thank you both so much xxx

I just heard the podcast.
As a doctor (oncologist) and also a patient who’s been affected by depression in the past, I thank you and Lucy for sharing your stories! It is so important to talk about mental health out loud and in the open!
One of the good things that come with the experience of depression (and there are good things afterwards), in my opinion, is that you’re able to recognize the signs in other people and start a conversation that may help them.
Thank you, for reminding me that it was hard, but not eternal and that it was a point in time, but not my whole life.
Lots of love,
Luciana

Listened to the podcast last week! What a treat to hear the two of you. I actually thought you came off more authoritative and very chatty which was lovely. Similar but different to how I picture you talking in my head through Cup of Jo? Haha. Looking forward to more episodes! :)

Wow i heard the episode and absolutely loved it, Lucy’s comments were really good. Your mental health story was so touching and I just appreciate a lot that you decided to share it, it was really brave.

Funny thing, I’ve been a follower for 10+ years but this was the first time I heard your voice and for some reason I had always imagined your voice differently so it was really funny at the beginning to hear your real voice and notice that I had made up a voice for you.

You and Lucy need your own podcast! This was great and I want to hear more! Thanks for sharing!

I was so excited to listen to this podcast episode that my husband followed up and asked me about it this afternoon. I had to confess I hadn’t listened yet… because I was so nervous. As such a long time CoJ reader I’ve never heard your voice, Joanna, and I was afraid something might change after listening. But, of course, I just came downstairs and got to tell my husband that it was perfect. I hope you are off having having a very full weekend.

I liked so much the happiness vs wholeness thought. On your podcast episode. I like to think of that in terms of marriage or partnership too? People often say “we’re very happy together” as if that is WHY they are coupled, or still together. But that feels, like you said, like a lot of pressure. And not realistic in a daily intense intimate coupledom. And, if I think about it, I’d rather have a rich full (whole) relationship, than a simply happy one.

What a wonderful sister collaboration episode! I have to say though, Joanna, I laughed out loud when you said you didn’t think of yourself as a mantra person. Perhaps because hanging in my house by my front door is an “Aim for Yes” print I had made from Etsy after reading your post about this simple but brilliant concept. It’s a daily reminder when I walk out my door with my 2 crazy sons that yes, we actually CAN take the long way to the playground on our walk and that eating dinner hanging upside down (exaggerate much?!) is not going to hurt anyone. I love this blog for its community, but also for your mantras :)

It’s so sweet hearing your voice Joanna! I didn’t think your voice would sound like that. :)

This podcast episode was so incredible. I’ve dealt with bad depression a few times, the worst of it being in fall of 2014 and then again at the end of 2017 through the start of 2020. It is terrible and having flickers of those feelings is really scary. I’m in a good place right now and am the happiest I’ve ever been, and it’s taken a lot of time and work and medication to get here. Thank you for your authenticity. Hearing about your relationship with Lucy also brought me joy :)

I loved this episode/conversation and enjoyed hearing your voice! And your relationship with your sister. :) What you shared about depression helped me a lot.

I listened to the podcast and immediately recognised your sister’s voice from hearing her on other interviews.
But when you spoke up, I thought ”’who’s this person?”.
It took me a minute.
Then i realised all these years I’ve been reading your words in my head and I think in my voice /(australian) accent.
Joanna, there’s a whole new side of you to get to know :)
BTW, love the podcast!

Hi Jo! I listen to your podcast this morning while doing my run. I am a long time reader like so beautiful women of this community. Thank you for speaking out about mental health. I suffer from depression and still sometime feels like my life is about to go back in that hole. Your words means so much to me. Xxx

What a beautiful conversation. Thank you for sharing.

I loved this podcast episode so much! I loved Lucy’s husband’s book and her voice is so kind on the podcast. I enjoyed hearing you both in conversation. Talking about depression is really hard, and – as someone with depression – it’s helpful to have more and more people talk about the nuances of depression. It’s different for all of us. My mom had depression but was never able to get quality treatment, so I’m working hard to break that generational cycle so I can be there for my own family. Sending hugs and thank you for sharing your story!

Your voice was so not a surprise……………it completely matches your face

Loved this so much. How lucky you and Lucy are to have each other, and for all of us readers to have you and your blog. Thank you for all you’ve shared.

I haven’t listened yet but just wanted to say THANK YOU for speaking out about depression. You posted about postpartum depression and I was in the early stages of healing from my own postpartum; reading your post that day helped me feel not alone — and helped me find my voice. The depression journey has had it’s ups and downs for me, and to know that it is for you too helps me, again, feel not alone. Thank you for your vulnerability and honesty.