Lieke Boot is the head of student welfare at the University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Lieke and I met a few years ago at the daycare our kids attended. After getting to know each other we met many times in the park, for long walks and long talks. A while ago I asked her if she wanted to speak on SALT and Lieke's answer was an immediate yes. However, it took two years until we set up the actual recording and when speaking with Lieke I realized why. Because now was the right time to speak.  This episode is about many things, it is raw and extremely honest. It addresses post-partum depression, intergenerational trauma, and the different forms of love. Lieke shares with us her journey of becoming a mama through sperm donation, and what single motherhood means to her. Against this background, we contest the notion that the romantic heterosexual couple is the highest form of love and that a woman’s life will be fulfilled if she gets married to a man and has children with him.  In doing so, we encounter unexpected openings, the meaning of boat journeys and unravel the impact of memories. Enjoy it wonderful people.  Host: Stella Saliari  At Salt the Podcast my guests and I contest and deconstruct narratives, and passionately recreate with the aim to change systems and perceptions. We want to elevate a generation that is feminist, antiracist and empathetic. Our conversations flow into each other and leave room for the unexpected. Salt is love, community, solidarity, a collective, healing, creating. It is intersectional, full of stories, movement and change. It insists, evolves and transforms. It is a commitment. #memories #chemist #burnout #thenetherlands #amsterdam #mothers #postpartum #mentalhealth #spermdonor #selflove #singlemother #saltthepodcast #forgiveness #love #boats #journeys #depression #eatingdisorder #untoldstories #emiliaroig #lessonsinchemistry #healyourlife  Follow Salt @salt_thepodcast  Subscribe to Salt The Podcast on Soundwise