Welcome back, Grieving Mamas Club listeners! After an extended summer break (we're sorry!), we're back and ready to share what's been going on in our lives. From the challenges of working from home while also being full-time moms to tackling our own anxieties when left to manage everything on our own, we've got a lot to talk about. Also, don't miss out on Cara's little secret on the best pumpkin spice drink at Starbucks - it's a game-changer! Happy Fall! The summer mom struggle is real, but remember, when times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama!And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for an inspiring episode featuring Kristen Johnson, a remarkable guest whose story defies simple description. As a widow, a two-time cancer survivor, and a mother to two miracle children, Kristen has endured profound grief and loss. She recounts the heart-wrenching experience of losing her husband shortly after their wedding, while he was serving in active duty. And if that wasn't enough, she also battled recurrent and low-outcome cancer diagnosis while still grieving. Despite these immense challenges, Kristen's spirit shines through. Her vibrant personality and zest for life are a testament to the resilience required to continue living after enduring such immense loss. Connect with Kristen Johnson on Instagram (@theresilientwidow) When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama!And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Losing a parent is never easy, but the grief journey can be even more complicated when both parents pass away. The latest podcast episode features a deeply moving conversation with Cat McMillan, who shares her personal story of losing both her parents within a four-year span.When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama!And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Grieving Mamas Club podcast, Cara and Rashida welcome Dr. Megan Sauer Rosenow to discuss her experience of losing her husband, Nick, at the age of 30, just months after they welcomed their first child. Megan, who was an OBGYN resident at the time, recounts how she discovered Nick had passed away in his sleep after coming home from a night shift at work. She shares her grief journey and the struggles she faced while raising her young son without her husband. Megan also discuss the challenges of navigating friendships while grieving, and how grief can accelerate the development of deep connections. This episode offers a raw and emotional conversation about loss, but also emphasizes the importance of finding joy amidst the pain.And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Receiving a diagnosis for your child can be one of the most difficult experiences a parent can go through. It can feel like your world has been turned upside down, leaving you feeling lost and overwhelmed. As a mom, the experience can be even more challenging, as we often carry a lot of the weight and responsibility of caring for our children. In this week's episode, we welcome our first guest of the season, Caitlin Ladd, who will help us explore the journey of grieving a child's diagnosis through the eyes of a mom.You can find Caitlin Ladd on IG @CaitlinParkerLadd or read her blog posts at https://stlouis.momcollective.com/author/caitlinladd/ When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama!And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Motherhood is a journey that is filled with joy, challenges, ups and downs, the best of times, and the worst of times. It requires copious amounts of constant learning, growth, and adaptation to the ever-changing needs of our children. As mothers, we are often called to do it all, balancing our roles as caregivers, nurturers, and providers, all while managing jobs, households, and sports schedules. Though "mindfulness" has become a bit of a buzzword in recent years, in essence, it really just means the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something. Mindfulness in motherhood can help moms become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, and better understand how those feelings are affecting their behavior and interactions with their children. In this episode, Cara and Rashida discuss how they use tools such as meditation and affirmations to help them stay grounded in these chaotic years of toddlerhood. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama!And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you’ve lost a person young, there will eventually come a time when you’ve been alive longer without them than with. There’s a time when for one fleeting moment, the grief scale rests at an equilibrium. The before and the after form two perfect halves weighing the same weight in time. We’ve come up with a term for that: Grief Equilibrium. In this episode, Rashida talks about that moment for her. In September 2020 she’s gone 15 years without her mom. A year for every year she had her. From now on the scales will continue to tip in the opposite direction, giving her more life without her mom than with. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama!And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is toxic positivity and how does it intersect with grief? Toxic positivity is the idea that one must maintain a positive mindset and avoid negative emotions at all costs. If you’ve been a listener of the show, then you know this isn’t how Cara and Rashida roll. In this episode the grief duo discuss the ways toxic positivity has shown up in their grief journeys and the effects it’s had on them. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama!And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your fave griefy mamas are back! After a long (er than anticipated) break, Cara and Rashida are back for season two of the Grieving Mamas Club Podcast. This season will dive into a variety of topics from infertility to toxic positivity, all aimed to help you feel your feels and normalize grief in all its paths. This first episode is meant to ease you back into the tangent-filled musings of Cara and Rashida as they catch you up on what they've been up to. From life with two kids, sleep consultants, and the general exhaustion that comes with the holidays. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama! On to Season 2 we go!And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sorry, this one is a little late! Life was lifing. In this episode, we're celebrate one whole year of The Grieving Mamas Club podcast. One whole year of building this community of badass women who are navigating this journey of motherhood right alongside their grief journey. Cara and Rashida take a look back on 30 episodes of TGMC and discuss what's to come. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama! On to Season 2 we go! And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TGMC is keepin' it light this week! In this More Than Grief episode, Cara and Rashida cover the things they said they'd never do as parents before they were parents (cute right), and how those things have changed since becoming moms. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama! And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Cara and Rashida have a genuinely amazing chat with Michele Benyo of Good Grief Parenting. Michele Benyo is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®, early childhood educator and parent coach, and the founder of Good Grief Parenting. After her 6-year-old son died of cancer, her 3-year-old daughter said, “Mommy, half of me is gone.” This heartbreaking statement defined Michele’s life purpose. Her mission is twofold: to help parents through the unimaginable challenges of parenting while grieving the death of a child, and to equip parents to meet the unique needs of a child who has lost a sibling in the early childhood years. The desire of Michele’s heart is to see families live forward after loss toward a future bright with possibilities and even joy.You can learn more about Michele by visiting her site at  www.goodgriefparenting.com or by following her on Instagram and Facebook. You can also join her FB group Parents Raising Young SiblingsFREE RESOURCES:The Good Grief Guide: www.goodgriefparenting.com/gggCaregiver Letter: www.goodgriefparenting.com/caregiver-letterTALK WITH MICHELE:https://calendly.com/ggparenting/talk-with-michele Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rashida talks about the loss of her best friend, Alex who died by suicide shortly after Rashida lost her mom. She covers compound grief and how that has shaped who she is today. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama! And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In true Cara and Rashida form, this episode has tangents. So many in fact that we had pivot and rename the episode. In this episode, Rashida discusses a visit to the ER that left her feeling extremely griefy and full of deja vu from losing her mom to a heart attack 16 years ago. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama! And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas ClubYou can now also support the show here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TGMCpodcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Cara and Rashida welcome the first guest of 2022 and she doesn't disappoint. Guest, Meredith Shelly shares her experience as a little sister who lost her brother to suicide in their 20's and how that loss and grief has shown up now that she's a mom with a beautiful baby girl. Not only did she lose her brother, a month after his death she was diagnosed with a rare cancer. Her story is beautifully raw and she shares so many wonderful insights for those on this type of grief journey. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama!And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas Club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second part of this two-parter, Cara and Rashida dive deeper into their grief triggers and how they cope with them. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama! And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Cara and Rashida are back on their long-winded BS so the intro is heavy with tangents and rants, but eventually, they discuss the heavy anxiety they each feel about dying. While one would think experiencing grief may make you less afraid of dying but that doesn't seem to be the case for Cara and Rashida. This is a two-parter where they also discuss grief triggers and how to cope with them. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you've got this mama!And also don't forget to join our Facebook Community, The Grieving Mamas Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The official definition of anticipatory grief refers to a feeling of grief occurring before an impending loss. Typically, the impending loss is the death of someone close due to illness. But as those who have experienced it know, it's not just one singular feeling. It's a mess of confusing, tangled feelings that can come up before a loved one is even gone. In this week's episode, Cara dives into how she experienced anticipatory grief after her mom's cancer diagnosis. In true Cara fashion, she holds nothing back. When times get tough, just remember, you're a badass b and you've got this mama!And for the times you don't have it, there's always our Facebook Community.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's #MoreThanGrief episode topic was borrowed from The Mom Hour, a podcast about all stages of motherhood. A few years back they did an episode called "The Life-Changing Magic of Opting Out." It is about how as a mom, there are things you have to give yourself permission to NOT do, simply to survive. Grab your glass of wine and listen to Cara and Rashida tick through the things they've simply just decided to not give real estate to in their minds. When times get tough, just remember, you're a badass b and you've got this mama....Also, don't forget to leave us a review...and join our Facebook Community!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest edition of the DSM-5, sometimes known as “psychiatry’s bible,” includes a controversial new diagnosis: prolonged grief disorder. In this episode, Cara and Rashida tackle a recent New York Times article that details this diagnosis. There are pros (few) and there are cons (lots) and per usual Cara and Rashida have a lot of thoughts on tangents on this topic. Show Note LinksMaintenance Phase: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/maintenance-phase/id1535408667New York Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/18/health/prolonged-grief-disorder.htmlRemember when times get tough, you're a badass B and you've got this mama!Also, don't forget to leave us a rating, pretty please! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.