Mothers*Story Circle Berlin 

A Safe Space for Mothers*to Share and Connect in Berlin

Talking about our challenges as a mother* is not easy and often frowned upon.

Not all motherhood* moments are surrounded by this beautiful glow as is portrayed in typical motherhood* imagery.

Come and exchange with a group of moms* just like you around the complex web of physical, emotional and psychological changes motherhood* brings to our lives. As a visual artist, I will be using my current work "Good Enough" to open up and facilitate the conversation. "Good Enough" consists of interviews and photographs about immigrant mothers* in Germany suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorder - PMADs.

Sessions could include a brief presentation of what matrescence and PMADs are about, a discussion and group sharing experiences using the photographs to illustrate the challenges we are facing as mothers*.

Several themes may be discussed, depending on your current needs, such as: Multiple Conflicting Identities as FLINTA*- mother*- partner - stay-at-home - worker, Relationships & Sharing the Load, Body Changes: the physicality of being a mother*, Motherhood*: a full spectrum of emotions, Intrusive Thoughts, Coping Mechanisms, Mom*'s Guilt, Mom*'s Competition, Expectations and Pressures, Self-Care...

I am very much looking forward to welcoming you as a peer at:

Einhorn Familienzentrum - Fredersdorfer Str. 10, 10243 Berlin.

Please note: This group will be conducted in English and is open to anyone who considers themselves a mother* or primary caretaker of all age children regardless of gender identity or family structure who would like to share their stories and experiences in a safe space.

About our facilitator

The group is facilitated by immigrant mother*, Johanna Lennon.

Her role is to facilitate the conversation and ensure the safety of the group.

Johanna is a French interdisciplinary visual storyteller and artist working with photographs, interview recordings, vernacular objects, and ceramic sculptures. Born in Marseille with Greek and Italian roots, she now lives in Berlin with her family. She has been a long-term member of Afloat almost since its beginning.

With a background in commercial narrative work and project management for luxury brands—and experience living in Shanghai, London, and Paris—she brings a unique perspective to her approach to visual language. Her work explores the intersections of intimacy, psychological, emotional, and bodily transformation, and the universality of human experience. Through image, voice, and material, she creates bridges across cultures, classes, and identities, fostering connection and dialogue that celebrate our shared humanity.

Her most recent work delves into the complexity and transformations of immigrant individuals with FLINTA* identities, particularly in the context of motherhood*. She creates narrative portraits, collects everyday objects, and records audio memories to amplify often unheard voices. In her ceramic practice, she shapes organic Mother*-Goddess forms that symbolise birth, metamorphosis, and the passage of time.

Her projects aim to dismantle stereotypes and empower marginalised communities through open exchange and genuine representation.

Johanna uses her photographs and interviews as conversation starters to create a safe space of reciprocity for mothers* to share and help them navigate their often unspoken challenges. She is convinced of how her work can help mothers* experiencing PMADs to recognise that they are not alone and encourage those who, for now, remain in the shadows, to open up. Her goal is also to educate the population at large as well as facilitate a broader and more accurate dialogue around the image of motherhood* and womanhood*.

Contact: For questions, please email Johanna at afloatberlin(at)gmail.com.

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Disclaimer: Please note that this group is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment by a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. We are a peer to peer support group and a hub to connect you with health care professionals and other service providers around pregnancy and motherhood*. We do not handle psychiatric emergencies.

Here’s how it works

We meet in-person every fourth Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in Einhorn Familienzentrum - Fredersdorfer Str. 10, 10243 Berlin

You will receive an email with the next session details as we are getting close to its date.

• Every fourth Thursday of the month, the circle starts at 7.30pm and finishes at 9pm.

• The group language is English.

• This group is facilitated by Johanna Lennon. Read more about her here.

• A donation in the amount of 8€ is suggested for those who are able to contribute financially. Afloat requires donations to cover the costs of running our groups so your help is crucial to keep us going. Thank you so much for your help. Please remember that your donation is tax-deductible in Germany and offers financial benefits. The group is open and welcomes everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

Afloat e.V is relying on your donations to survive and continue its mission. Thank you very much in advance for your help and enabling us to support international pregnant and new mothers* across Germany through the ups and downs of motherhood*.

Join us and make lasting connections!

IMPORTANT! Please fill out the form below to indicate your interest in the group. Your will then receive an email with information about completing the registration process.