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Today’s guest is actress, singer, and mother Kristen Gutoskie, and we’re having an honest conversation about what motherhood really feels like once you’re in the thick of it. We explore how she’s learned to trust herself, stay creative and find her footing in parenthood.
Kristen opens up about the mental load; the invisible emotional work of keeping a family moving, the vulnerability of sharing her creative projects, and the ongoing challenge of being both a present mom and a whole person with dreams of her own. This episode is a reminder that you’re not alone, and that there’s real beauty in figuring things out as you grow into this new version of yourself.
Kristen Lee Gutoskie is a SAG nominated actor known for her roles in the Emmy winning show The Handmaid’s Tale, Chicago Fire, The Vampire Diaries, Narco’s Mexico, Containment, and Lethal Weapon. She is also a musician and has written and recorded music for projects she has starred in, including CW’s Containment and Hulu film The Dust Storm. Her first music single “Stardust” under her shortened name Lee Gutoskie was released earlier this year.
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3:00 The expectations of motherhood vs the realities
4:12 Gaining control of yourself and surrendering control of everything/everyone else
7:56 Trusting your intuition and instincts
9:28 Connecting parenthood to childhood
10:53 Honesty in creativity and what it means to be seen
14:56 Following joy and passion
17:45 Creative process, intention, and the vulnerability of sharing something you have created
21:11 Legacy and the remembering of art, family, and truth
23:15 What really matters in parenthood
25:18 Navigating comparison
28:15 Holding both being a mom and being your own person
Behind Closed Doors Extended Interview Includes:
31:44 The responsibility of the artist in socially relevant work
33:30 Media representation of intimacy, birth, and motherhood
36:14 Navigating technology, privacy, and family
40:13 The evolution of your connection with your partner
44:41 Sharing the mental load
47:24 Letting yourself flow in parenthood and creativity
Work with Keely
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Connect with Kristen Gutoskie:
Music
IMDB
Social: instagram: @kristenleegutoskie, tiktok: @leegutoskie
Recent film:
https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/i-was-octomom-the-natalie-suleman-story
Next film with Kristen to be released soon: https://takethemoneyandrunproduction.com/million/press/english/
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