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

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, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2912118332450154" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Grieving Mamas Club</a>

24. Anxiety Around Dying & Coping with Triggers (Part 2)

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

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, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2912118332450154" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Grieving Mamas Club</a>

23. Anxiety Around Dying & Coping With Triggers (Part 1)

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. 

The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticipatory_grief" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">official definition</a> 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 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2912118332450154" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Community.</a>

22. WTF is Anticipatory Grief?

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! 

This week's #MoreThanGrief episode topic was borrowed from <a href="https://themomhour.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Mom Hour</a>, a podcast about all stages of motherhood. A few years back they did an episode called "<a href="https://themomhour.com/161/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Life-Changing Magic of Opting Out.</a>" 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 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2912118332450154" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook Community</a>!

21. More Than Grief: Giving Our Selves Permission to Not

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!

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 <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/18/health/prolonged-grief-disorder.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New York Times </a>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 Links Maintenance Phase: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/maintenance-phase/id1535408667" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/maintenance-phase/id1535408667</a> New York Times Article: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/18/health/prolonged-grief-disorder.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/18/health/prolonged-grief-disorder.html</a> Remember 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!

20. Can You Put a Timeline on Grief? 

Cara and Rashida took to the very scientific method of an IG poll to ask listeners what topics they wanted to hear from us and given the timing mother's day rose up as an immediate tackle. Cara is coming up on her third Mother's Day without her mom while Rashida has had quite a few more. Cara talks about what it was like to lose a mom so close to Mother's Day and Rashida discusses how the day has changed for her over the years since losing her mom and becoming a mom herself. As always there are laughs and tangents mixed in so buckle up. While to circumstances suck, we're still glad you're here. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass B and you got this mama! 

Cara and Rashida took to the very scientific method of an IG poll to ask listeners what topics they wanted to hear from us and given the timing mother's day rose up as an immediate tackle. Cara is coming up on her third Mother's Day without her mom while Rashida has had quite a few more. Cara talks about what it was like to lose a mom so close to Mother's Day and Rashida discusses how the day has changed for her over the years since losing her mom and becoming a mom herself.  As always there are laughs and tangents mixed in so buckle up. While to circumstances suck, we're still glad you're here.  When times get tough, just remember you're a badass B and you got this mama!

19. Mother's Day as a Motherlesss Mom

After a decent amount of tangents (no one is surprised), Cara and Rashida talk about what it means to welcome a new baby during a grief journey. Welcoming a new baby is a time of joy (and exhaustion) but when that joy is mixed with the sadness of missing the person you lost, it can get a little complicated. For Cara, this has meant having one baby that will remember her mom and one who has never met her. For Rashida, this has meant entering motherhood years removed from the loss of her mom and grieving never having seen her as a grandma. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass B and you got this mama! 

After a decent amount of tangents (no one is surprised), Cara and Rashida talk about what it means to welcome a new baby during a grief journey. Welcoming a new baby is a time of joy (and exhaustion) but when that joy is mixed with the sadness of missing the person you lost, it can get a little complicated. For Cara, this has meant having one baby that will remember her mom and one who has never met her. For Rashida, this has meant entering motherhood years removed from the loss of her mom and grieving never having seen her as a grandma.  When times get tough, just remember you're a badass B and you got this mama!

18. Welcoming a Baby During a Grief Journey

In this episode Cara and Rashida rattle on a bit more, as they do! We continue to discuss Cara and Baby Brooks plus hit on Rashida's new job position and her brush with Covid. Along the way, we digress to nail art, the audacity of second children and blue Powerade. We'll be returning to our more in-depth grief chats in our next episode, but we hope you enjoy these catch-up eps. :) When times get hard, just remember you're a badass b and you got this mama! 

In this episode Cara and Rashida rattle on a bit more, as they do! We continue to discuss Cara and Baby Brooks plus hit on Rashida's new job position and her brush with Covid. Along the way, we digress to nail art, the audacity of second children and blue Powerade. We'll be returning to our more in-depth grief chats in our next episode, but we hope you enjoy these catch-up eps. :)  When times get hard, just remember you're a badass b and you got this mama!

Welcome Back Cara!! (Part 2)

Rashida and Cara take 45 minutes to catch up on all things Baby Brooks and a new phase of Cara's grief journey as she welcomes her son and becomes a mama of two!

Rashida and Cara take 45 minutes to catch up on all things Baby Brooks and a new phase of Cara's grief journey as she welcomes her son and becomes a mama of two!

16. Welcome Back Cara!! (Part 1)

One more prerecorded ep before we're back shooting the shit as we do. In this episode, we talk about going from one kid to two and how the transition for some of us (some of us is Rashida) was rough! While going from zero to one kid was definitely a lifestyle change for Rashida, one to two knocked her on her ass. How was the transition for you? Let us know on our IG post. When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you got this, mama! 

One more prerecorded ep before we're back shooting the shit as we do. In this episode, we talk about going from one kid to two and how the transition for some of us (some of us is Rashida) was rough! While going from zero to one kid was definitely a lifestyle change for Rashida, one to two knocked her on her ass.  How was the transition for you? Let us know on our IG post.  When times get tough, just remember you're a badass b and you got this, mama!

15. More Than Grief: Going From One to Two Kids

A space for any mom who is on the wild ride of motherhood while navigating a grief journey. This ain’t your average grief podcast. As motherless moms, Cara and Rashida tackle tough conversations about grief and how it shows up in motherhood with grace and understanding, but also humor. Yes. Humor. Because grief isn’t always sad. There is joy and celebration on grief journeys too. Join The Grieving Mamas Club every other Wednesday as we feel our feels and encourage you to feel yours too.

We're back (ish) from a longgg winter break. We prerecorded two More Than Grief episodes right before Cara gave birth to baby boy. SPOILER ALERT - Baby boy is here and mama and baby are out here crushin it in deez streets!In the first of our two prerecorded episodes, we talk through postpartum - the good, the bad, and the really ugly. We talk about the highs of being done with pregnancy and the lows of PPA and PPD. Starting with this episode we're going to an every other Wednesday cadence of episodes so we'll see ya in two weeks.When times get tough, just remember you're a bad ass b and you got this mama!  

We're back (ish) from a longgg winter break. We prerecorded two More Than Grief episodes right before Cara gave birth to baby boy. SPOILER ALERT - Baby boy is here and mama and baby are out here crushin it in deez streets! In the first of our two prerecorded episodes, we talk through postpartum - the good, the bad, and the really ugly. We talk about the highs of being done with pregnancy and the lows of PPA and PPD.  Starting with this episode we're going to an every other Wednesday cadence of episodes so we'll see ya in two weeks. When times get tough, just remember you're a bad ass b and you got this mama!

14. More Than Grief: The Stuff They Forget to Tell You About Postpartum

In the last episode before the holiday season, Cara and Rashida cover just that...grieving during the holidays. The first few holidays seasons without your loved one are really hard and while Rashida explains they do get better, there's still anxiety. Heading into every holiday season Rashida explains how she feels a sense of doom that often keeps her from feeling the joy of the season. Why is it that those on a grief journey find it so hard to let joy in after their trauma?  Brené Brown's Dare to Lead answers this question in the most easy-to-understand way. Feeling joy makes us feel vulnerable and on a grief journey, feeling vulnerable is the last thing we want to feel. When times get tough, remember you're a badass B and you got this, mama! 

In the last episode before the holiday season, Cara and Rashida cover just that...grieving during the holidays. The first few holidays seasons without your loved one are really hard and while Rashida explains they do get better, there's still anxiety. Heading into every holiday season Rashida explains how she feels a sense of doom that often keeps her from feeling the joy of the season. Why is it that those on a grief journey find it so hard to let joy in after their trauma?  <a href="https://brenebrown.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brené Brown's</a> <a href="https://brenebrown.com/book/dare-to-lead/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dare to Lead</a> answers this question in the most easy-to-understand way. Feeling joy makes us feel vulnerable and on a grief journey, feeling vulnerable is the last thing we want to feel.  When times get tough, remember you're a badass B and you got this, mama!

13. Grieving for the Holidays

This episode is one of our favorites! Cara and Rashida meet their new grief bestie, Janet Gwilliam-Wright. Janet is a career coach, a depression survivor, and oh yeah a fellow motherless mama. Having lost her mom over 20 years ago, Janet is no stranger to the grief process. Through years of work on herself (and the patience of her wonderful, amazing wife, Meg), Janet has overcome all obstacles put in her path since that fateful day she graduated from high school and lost her mom within the very same hour. Her story is honest and it's one of the things we loved most about it. She doesn't sugarcoat herself or her mom. We joked that she has seemingly worked through all her trauma to where she no has a great relationship with her dead mom. There's respect and admiration, but there's also a realness in the way she is able to look back on her mom as a flawed human.She is also the founder of The Motherlove Project, a place where moms can share their stories of losing their moms through written word.  Make Janet your new bestie too by following her on Instagram @Janetgwilliamwright and @motherloveproject. 

This episode is one of our favorites! Cara and Rashida meet their new grief bestie, Janet Gwilliam-Wright. Janet is a career coach, a depression survivor, and oh yeah a fellow motherless mama. Having lost her mom over 20 years ago, Janet is no stranger to the grief process. Through years of work on herself (and the patience of her wonderful, amazing wife, Meg), Janet has overcome all obstacles put in her path since that fateful day she graduated from high school and lost her mom within the very same hour. Her story is honest and it's one of the things we loved most about it. She doesn't sugarcoat herself or her mom. We joked that she has seemingly worked through all her trauma to where she no has a great relationship with her dead mom. There's respect and admiration, but there's also a realness in the way she is able to look back on her mom as a flawed human. She is also the founder of <a href="https://www.motherloveproject.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Motherlove Project</a>, a place where moms can share their stories of losing their moms through written word.  Make Janet your new bestie too by following her on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/janetgwilliamwright/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@Janetgwilliamwright</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/motherloveproject/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@motherloveproject</a>.

12. Losing a Parent but Finding Yourself with Janet Gwilliam-Wright

In this episode, Rashida &amp; Cara sit down with Diana Waldman, a TGMC community member, who experienced first hand how Alzheimer's stole her beloved Grandma. She also digs into a whole lot more loss that she experienced within the same timeframe and how she keeps the memory of her loved ones alive with her children today. When times get tough just remember, you're a bad ass B and you got this, mama!

In this episode, Rashida &amp; Cara sit down with Diana Waldman, a TGMC community member, who experienced first hand how Alzheimer's stole her beloved Grandma. She also digs into a whole lot more loss that she experienced within the same timeframe and how she keeps the memory of her loved ones alive with her children today.  When times get tough just remember, you're a bad ass B and you got this, mama!

11. Grieving an Alzheimer's Loss with Diana Waldman 

This one's for our homies who need some guidance on what to say and what not to say to someone who's grieving. And if you know us by now, you already know that we have opinions and WE GOT YOUR BACK SIS! When times get tough, just remember, you're a bad ass B and you got this mama!

This one's for our homies who need some guidance on what to say and what not to say to someone who's grieving. And if you know us by now, you already know that we have opinions and WE GOT YOUR BACK SIS!  When times get tough, just remember, you're a bad ass B and you got this mama!

10. What to Say and What NOT to Say to a Grieving Person

This week we dive into a lighter side of grief but still a grief journey nonetheless - mourning the loss of our pre-baby selves. The year is 2015 and Cara and Rashida are living their best pre-kids lives. The drinks went down easy, the hangovers were nonexistent, and gravity had not yet gained control of our boobs. Fast forward six years and we're three (soon to be four) kids between us and things are quite different. Believe it or not, this episode takes a positive turn and doesn't end the way you think it does. When times get tough, just remember: you’re a badass B and you got this mama! 

This week we dive into a lighter side of grief but still a grief journey nonetheless - mourning the loss of our pre-baby selves. The year is 2015 and Cara and Rashida are living their best pre-kids lives. The drinks went down easy, the hangovers were nonexistent, and gravity had not yet gained control of our boobs. Fast forward six years and we're three (soon to be four) kids between us and things are quite different.  Believe it or not, this episode takes a positive turn and doesn't end the way you think it does.  When times get tough, just remember: you’re a badass B and you got this mama!

9. Grieving the Loss of Our Pre-Baby-Selves

Whether you’re new to your grief journey or have been on one for a while, you may not have known that there are stages of grief. Like 5, maybe 7…some say 12. Whatever the case, grief sure isn’t linear. In today’s episode, Rashida &amp; Cara talk about all of them and how identifying the emotions helped with coping. The Five Stages of Grief: https://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/#:~:text=The%20five%20stages%2C%20denial%2C%20anger,some%20linear%20timeline%20in%20grief.The Seven Stages of Grief: https://www.recover-from-grief.com/7-stages-of-grief.htmlWhen times get tough, just remember: you’re a badass B and you got this mama! 

Whether you’re new to your grief journey or have been on one for a while, you may not have known that there are stages of grief. Like 5, maybe 7…some say 12. Whatever the case, grief sure isn’t linear. In today’s episode, Rashida &amp; Cara talk about all of them and how identifying the emotions helped with coping. The Five Stages of Grief: <a href="https://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/#:~:text=The%20five%20stages%2C%20denial%2C%20anger,some%20linear%20timeline%20in%20grief." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/#:~:text=The%20five%20stages%2C%20denial%2C%20anger,some%20linear%20timeline%20in%20grief.</a> The Seven Stages of Grief: <a href="https://www.recover-from-grief.com/7-stages-of-grief.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.recover-from-grief.com/7-stages-of-grief.html</a> When times get tough, just remember: you’re a badass B and you got this mama!

8. The 5 (Maybe 7) Stages of Grief

**Trigger Warning**October is Pregnancy &amp; Infant Loss Awareness Month so we wanted to make sure to cover this type of grief before closing out the month. Cara recounts miscarrying her sweet angel baby before her current pregnancy with baby boy. Miscarriage is a grief that can lead women to feel isolated and alone in their pain when the reality couldn't be more the opposite. 1 in 4 women will experience a miscarriage. That means if not you, then definitely someone you know likely knows this pain. Through this episode, we hope to add to the conversation to normalize speaking about miscarriage. You did nothing wrong mama and you're certainly not alone! 

**Trigger Warning** October is Pregnancy &amp; Infant Loss Awareness Month so we wanted to make sure to cover this type of grief before closing out the month. Cara recounts miscarrying her sweet angel baby before her current pregnancy with baby boy. Miscarriage is a grief that can lead women to feel isolated and alone in their pain when the reality couldn't be more the opposite. 1 in 4 women will experience a miscarriage. That means if not you, then definitely someone you know likely knows this pain. Through this episode, we hope to add to the conversation to normalize speaking about miscarriage. You did nothing wrong mama and you're certainly not alone!

7. The Heartache of Grieving a Miscarriage 

Elizabeth Lombardo

In today’s episode, we chat with our friend Elizabeth (aka Ebeth) who lost her Dad in May 2019 &amp; talk about how she &amp; her family have honored her Dad throughout the years and how that’s changed. Check out EBeth’s Mama’s cute home goods &amp; decor store, Murphy &amp; Co, located in Decatur, IL! You can also follow them on Insta @MurphyCoDecaturWhen times get tough, just remember: you’re a bad ass B and you got this mama! 

In today’s episode, we chat with our friend Elizabeth (aka Ebeth) who lost her Dad in May 2019 &amp; talk about how she &amp; her family have honored her Dad throughout the years and how that’s changed.  Check out EBeth’s Mama’s cute home goods &amp; decor store, Murphy &amp; Co, located in Decatur, IL! You can also follow them on Insta @MurphyCoDecatur When times get tough, just remember: you’re a bad ass B and you got this mama!

6. Marking Death Anniversaries with Elizabeth Lombardo

It's #SpookySzn and we're here for it. Well 1/2 of us, anyway. In this episode, we dig into why Rashida hates Halloween. Also, was Rashida's bday on 10/7 so get over to Insta and wish her a belated #HBD! 

It's #SpookySzn and we're here for it. Well 1/2 of us, anyway. In this episode, we dig into why Rashida hates Halloween. Also, was Rashida's bday on 10/7 so get over to Insta and wish her a belated #HBD!

5. More than Grief: Halloween - Love it or Hate it?

The Grieving Mamas Club

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