#312: The Seven Deadly Sins Holding Moms Back—And How to Overcome Them with Elise Loehnen

Moms are constantly told to “do it all,” but at what cost? In this thought-provoking episode, bestselling author and cultural critic Elise Loehnen unpacks the deeply ingrained patterns that lead moms to suppress their own needs in favor of meeting everyone else’s. Drawing from her book On Our Best Behavior, Elise reveals how the seven deadly sins—like sloth, gluttony, and pride—have been weaponized against women, shaping how we parent, work, and care for ourselves. We explore the hidden guilt behind resting, why moms feel pressure to “earn” their self-care, and how to break free from societal expectations that leave us exhausted and disconnected from our true selves. Elise also shares eye-opening insights on motherhood, identity, and the power of curiosity in reshaping our lives. If you’ve ever felt torn between what you “should” do and what you need, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how to reclaim your time, energy, and joy—without guilt. Tune in now to start your journey toward balance and freedom! Topics Covered In This Episode: Why moms ignore self-care The hidden guilt behind rest Body image and body confidence Breaking free from mom burnout How societal norms shape motherhood Reclaiming time, energy, and joy Show Notes: Follow @eliseloehnen on Instagram Tweet Elise @eloehnen Check out Elise’s on Linkedin Visit Elise’s website Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell’s Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child’s number one health advocate! Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD’s online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood. Listen to today’s episode on our website Elise Loehnen is a writer, editor, and podcast host who lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Rob, and their two sons, Max and Sam. She is the host of Pulling the Thread, a podcast focused on pulling apart the stories we tell about who we are—and then putting those threads back together. Ultimately Elise is a seeker and synthesizer, braiding together wisdom traditions, cultural history, and a deep knowledge of healing modalities to unlock new ways to contextualize who we are and why we’re here. She’s also the author of the instant New York Times bestseller On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good (Dial Press/PRH). The book weaves together history, memoir, and cultural criticism to explore the ways patriarchy lands in the bodies of women and embeds itself in our consciousness—and what we then police in ourselves and in each other. Regardless of our religious provenance, the self-denial implicit in each of the Seven Deadly Sins—Sloth, Envy, Pride, Gluttony, Greed, Lust, Anger—reads like a checklist of what it means to be a “good” woman. With awareness, we can begin to recognize these patterns of self-restriction, break the story, and move ourselves and each other toward freedom and balance. Elise is a frequent contributor to Oprah, and has written for The New York Times, Elle Decor, Stylist, and more. This Episode’s Sponsors  Enjoy the health benefits of PaleoValley’s products such as their supplements, superfood bars and meat sticks.  Receive 15% off your purchase by using code DOCTORMOM at checkout or head to paleovalley.com/doctormom  Discover for yourself why Needed is trusted by women’s health practitioners and mamas alike to support optimal pregnancy outcomes. Try their 4 Part Complete Nutrition plan which includes a Prenatal Multi, Omega-3, Collagen Protein, and Pre/Probiotic. To get started, head to thisisneeded.com, and use code DOCTORMOM100 for $100 off your first 3 months of Needed’s Complete Plan! Active Skin Repair is a must-have for everyone to keep themselves and their families healthy and clean.  Keep a bottle in the car to spray your face after removing your mask, a bottle in your medicine cabinet to replace your toxic first aid products, and one in your outdoor pack for whatever life throws at you.  Use code DOCTORMOM to receive 20% off your order + free shipping (with $35 minimum purchase). Visit BLDGActive.com to order. INTRODUCE YOURSELF to Steph and Dr. Elana on Instagram. They can’t wait to meet you! @stephgreunke @drelanaroumell Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only.  All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.