"I felt like I could breathe again.”
Some stories live inside us for years before we’re ready to tell them.
That’s where Rose Couse’s story begins. When she joined The Mothertelling Academy, she thought she was signing up for a writing program - ten weeks to learn how to shape her experiences into story. But what she discovered was something deeper.
Because the story Rose carried wasn’t just hers. It belonged to her family too.
Rose Couse: Mothertelling Academy Member & Speaker
Years ago, Rose lost her husband, leaving her to raise two boys on her own. For a long time, she tucked that experience away - not out of avoidance, but because she just didn’t have the words. As she said in our conversation, “There was no way to tell this story and keep it general. My boys had to be part of it. And that felt important.”
That’s the quiet truth so many of us live with: We all have stories we’re not quite ready to tell.
Turning Memory Into Meaning
Each week in The Mothertelling Academy, Rose wrote pieces of her story. Some were raw, some hesitant and some unexpectedly beautiful. Together, we worked on what it means to find voice - to move from what happened to what it meant.
That shift is where healing begins.
Rose described the writing process as one of unfolding. She started by focusing on what she remembered most vividly: the small details of everyday life, the ways her boys showed strength even when she couldn’t, and the moments that defined the years after loss.
It wasn’t about polishing or perfecting the story. It was about making space for truth.
By the time she reached the end of the ten weeks, she had something powerful - not just a script, but a testimony.
And when she stood on stage to share it, with her sons in the audience, she said, “I felt like I could finally breathe again.”
The Power of Being Witnessed
There’s something sacred that happens when we tell our stories out loud.
You can feel it in the room: the collective inhale, the laughter that rises, the quiet moments when everyone seems to be holding their breath together, the nods around the room that reassure you other people have been there.
That’s what makes Mothertelling more than an event. It’s a reminder that storytelling is connection.
Rose’s story wasn’t only about loss. It was about the unexpected beauty that grew in its shadow - resilience, gratitude, courage, and love that doesn’t fade.
As she spoke, you could see heads nodding, eyes glistening. Every woman in the audience recognized a piece of herself in Rose’s words. Because even if our stories look different, the emotions underneath - grief, hope, growth, anxiety, joy - those are universal.
That’s the gift of storytelling.
When one woman speaks her truth, she gives everyone else permission to do the same.
From Surviving to Sharing
After the event, I asked Rose what had changed for her.
She said, “I didn’t realize how much I was still holding until I spoke it. Now I see that my story isn’t something to hide - it’s something to share.”
There’s a power that comes from naming what we’ve lived through.
For Rose, telling her story wasn’t just about reliving loss - it was about reclaiming her strength, her joy and her identity beyond that chapter. It was a way of showing her sons (and herself) that healing is possible, even after heartbreak.
That’s the heart of The Mothertelling Academy: it’s not just about writing stories, but about becoming through them.
The Stories We Tell Shape the Lives We Lead
So many women come into storytelling spaces thinking they need to sound polished, professional, profound. But what the world really needs is honesty.
Your story doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.
When we tell our stories, whether in a journal, in conversation, to a friend, or on a stage, we stop hiding from them. We turn pain into purpose and memory into meaning.
That’s what Rose modeled so beautifully. She didn’t rush her story. She waited until she was ready. When that moment came, she let herself be seen.
And in doing so, she helped others see themselves too.
Why Storytelling Still Matters
In a world that often values speed, efficiency, and a quick dopamine hit, slowing down to reflect is a pretty radical act.
But storytelling connects us to our humanity. From the fireside tales of our ancestors to the stories we share today, it’s been how mankind has learned, grown, and passed wisdom through the ages. It bridges generations, preserves truth and turns isolation into community. In a world that rushes forward, we can’t let a genuine story get lost. Every one matters.
If you’ve ever felt the nudge to tell your story but didn’t know where to start, take this as a sign: you don’t have to do it alone.
If you’ve ever felt the nudge to tell your story but didn’t know where to start, take this as a sign:
YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE
That’s what we created The Mothertelling Academy for - a safe space to explore your story and find your words. Then when the time comes and you’re ready, you can share them.
✨ You can learn more about the Academy here or listen to Rose’s full story on the Own Your Story Podcast.
Because every time one woman tells her story, it opens the door for another to do the same.
