S1E3 - Beauty in Community: Redefining Success, Overcoming Discrimination, and Finding Support (w/ Lauren Turner)
What You’ll Hear
00:05:00 - Lauren’s Bio… Meet Lauren Turner
00:10:00 - Family Dynamic… Lauren describes the normal “rhythms" of life in the Turner home
00:15:00 - Definition of Success (before children)… Lauren shares what she wanted her life to look like
00:20:00 - Uncertainty in Starting a Family… Embracing the organic nature of life as a wife and mother
00:25:00 - “All about the Journey. Not the destination”… Cop-out cliche or real life?
00:30:00 - Pregnancy Discrimination… Lauren details some disappointing realities of life as a talented professional, navigating biases and discrimination
00:35:00 - Motherhood: A Superpower… Overemphasis on limitations and underemphasis on the strength that comes with motherhood
00:40:00 - Is Having Children Expensive?… Lauren gives her take on this hot topic
00:45:00 - Advice for Would-Be Parents… The importance of having a supportive community
00:50:00 - Generosity… Lauren is forever changed by the love of a friend who demonstrates what caring for moms is really about
00:55:00 - If Music Be the Food of Love… Lauren, accompanied on piano by her husband, Zach, sings a piece from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
Join Lauren Turner and me for an honest conversation about the unexpected journey of balancing motherhood and a career in the arts. Lauren, a mother of seven and accomplished musician, shares deeply personal insights on navigating the professional world while raising a large family. This conversation offers a powerful testament to the strength and resilience found in motherhood, challenging societal norms, and the invaluable role of faith and community.
Key themes and insights from this conversation include:
Balancing Motherhood and Career: Lauren candidly discusses the challenges and rewards of being a mother of seven while pursuing a career in the arts. She also highlights the societal tendency to overemphasize the limitations of motherhood on career while underemphasizing the strength it provides.
Embracing Uncertainty: Lauren shares how her life plans for marriage and career shifted dramatically after meeting her husband and having children. She emphasizes that uncertainty, rather than being inherently negative, can lead to a more organic and exciting life, and how she’s found it to be true that "it's not about the destination, but about the journey."
Pregnancy and Parental Discrimination in the Arts: Lauren recounts specific, frustrating instances where her status as a mother (with "a large gap in your resume" or having "children and a husband") directly impacted how she was perceived and evaluated in the professional opera world. She emphasizes the importance of being judged based on talent and merit.
The Power of Community and Support Systems: Both Lauren and I stress the critical role of a supportive community, particularly a faith-based one, in navigating the demands of family and career. Lauren mentions friends who have become family and who continue to provide invaluable practical and emotional support.
"Pro-Life" Beyond Birth: "We can't just be pro-life before babies are born.” Lauren’s interaction with a good friend gives significant insight into a broader understanding of support for families.
Integrating Children into Work/Passions: Lauren and her husband, Zachary, are intentional about including their children in their work and musical passions, seeing it as part of a familial mission and a way to foster co-creation, especially in artistic fields. Lauren also acknowledges and emphasizes the need for healthy personal and work separation.
Redefining Success and Fulfillment: Lauren indicates that her current career, while not as glamorous or filled with accolades as her initial aspirations, is "so much better in so many ways" because it offers a healthier balance with her family and allows her to exercise her creativity in different ways.
The Indescribable Love of Motherhood: Lauren beautifully describes the unique, innocent, and deep love she feels for her children, particularly highlighted by a morning snuggle with her youngest daughter, Victoria.
Financial Considerations in Raising Children: Our conversation touches on the societal perception of the high cost of raising children, with Lauren offering a perspective that financial abundance isn't the sole determinant of family happiness and that investing emotionally, spiritually, and formatively are more valuable.
The Importance of Boundaries (for Parents): Lauren and I discuss the need for personal time and space for effective parenting and work.
Lauren’s Music: Hear a clip of Lauren singing “If Music Be the Food of Love” from the opening of William Shakespreare’s Twelfth Night. Lauren’s voice is accompanied by her husband, Zachary Turner, on piano.
Up Next: NEXT month, Certified Public Accountant and Nenen Steering Committee Member, Elizabeth Liz Johnson sits in the guest seat! I first met Liz 30 years ago in 1995 when we were both in middle school and now her youngest of four is in high school. As the kids say these days, “I’m crashing out!” (My kids are gonna hate that.) Liz and I will talk about what happens when life, health, and unforeseen circumstances (like a worldwide pandemic) interrupt your flow. Liz’s family is a reminder that “More is caught than what is taught.” Whether your mothering journey is just beginning or you’ve been at it for a decade or two, Liz has got some gems for you. (Airs October 1, 2025)
