Chez NENEN Episode 4 - Living Out Legacy: How Much Good Can Happen When Family Steps into the Postpartum Journey with You? (w/ Elizabeth “Liz” Johnson)
What You’ll Hear
00:05:00 - Liz as a CPA… Coaching her clients to millionaire status
00:10:00 - Parental support… Liz talks about guiding her children to be ready for life
00:15:00 - Train up a child… Working alongside your children
00:20:00 - Raising kids of a different generation… How do you raise kids for a world from the one that you experienced as a child?
00:25:00 - Rest and Reset… Vacationing as legacy: teaching your children to enjoy time together
00:30:00 - Overworking Yourself… Liz shares about the moment she knew she had to slow down
00:35:00 - Selfish or Self-care… Taking time for you in order to be better for others
00:40:00 - Supportive family… How much more can you do when the “village” steps in?
00:45:00 - Scares during pregnancy… How uncertainties about your unborn can cause postpartum stresses
00:50:00 - Mother AND Mother-in-Law for the win… When Liz’s mother-in-law dropped everything to step in and support alongside her mom
00:55:00 - “More is Caught Than What Is Taught”… Liz shares about the joy she feels, watching her children grow and forge their paths
In this episode of Chez NENEN, Liz and I explore the often-unspoken realities of postpartum life, the challenges of balancing motherhood and ambition, and the profound journey of building a lasting legacy.
Liz - a wife, a mother of four, and a successful financial and tax advisor - shares her personal struggles with postpartum depression after her youngest, and the pivotal moment when she realized the importance of self-care. She recounts how her mother-in-law's unwavering support became her lifeline, allowing her to not only recover after giving birth but also to launch her own business.
Our conversation delves into the unique ways by which Liz has integrated her children into her entrepreneurial journey, teaching them invaluable lessons about hard work, finances, and the power of family. As living proof of the saying “More is caught than what is taught,” Liz's children are actively building on the legacy she's created. The episode highlights the importance of intentional parenting, prioritizing family time, and the deep, multi-generational bonds that provide strength and support. Liz emphasizes that true legacy isn't just about financial inheritance, but about the memories, life lessons, and the ability to "pass the torch" of wisdom and good hard work to the next generation.
This episode is a powerful testament to the resilience of mothers, the transformative impact of support systems, and the enduring power of family.
Key themes and insights from this conversation include:
BMotherhood and Postpartum: Liz speaks on the challenges and realities of postpartum, including postpartum depression, the guilt mothers often feel, and the importance of self-care.
Work-Life Balance and Entrepreneurship: Elizabeth's journey highlights the struggles and triumphs of building a successful business while raising a family, emphasizing the need to set boundaries and prioritize personal well-being.
Intentional Parenting and Mentorship: Elizabeth's approach to involving her children in her work and teaching them life skills demonstrates a proactive and intentional style of parenting that fosters independence and ambition.
Resilience and Adaptability: We share stories of overcoming adversity, from unexpected pregnancies and health scares to navigating the complexities of work and family life.
Self-Care is Not Selfish: Elizabeth's personal health crisis served as a powerful wake-up call, illustrating that prioritizing one's own well-being is essential for being present and effective for family and work.
Legacy is Lived, Not Just Left: The most profound legacy is built through daily interactions, shared experiences, and the values instilled in children, rather than solely through material possessions.
The Power of Multigenerational Support: The critical role that family members play (particularly mothers and mothers-in-law) in providing emotional, practical, and entrepreneurial support is a recurring theme. Strong family bonds and the active involvement of grandparents provide an invaluable safety net and enrich the lives of both parents and children.
Entrepreneurship as a Path to Flexibility: For Elizabeth, building her own business offered the freedom and control she desired to integrate her family life with her professional aspirations, avoiding the constraints of traditional employment.
Learning by Doing: Involving children in the family business, even in small ways, provides practical education and fosters an understanding of hard work and financial responsibility.
Up Next: IN TWO WEEKS (on October 15th) we’ll be observing Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day with Dr. Jess Daigle. Dr. Jess is a NICU Hospitalist with a big heart; and she’ll be sharing about discovering her purpose as a child, suffering loss alongside her husband as new parents, how they’re now raising two beautiful children, and about loving new parents well as they navigate the first days, weeks, and months of their babies’ lives in the NICU. (Airs October 15, 2025)
