Episodios

  • How Mocha Moms Helped One Caribbean Mom Build Her U.S. Village

    How Mocha Moms Helped One Caribbean Mom Build Her U.S. Village
    Jul 17 2025
    In this episode of Healing After Birth, we speak with Nadia Mondesier, New York State Coordinator for Mocha Moms, about her powerful journey from solo immigrant to community leader. Four years into motherhood—and still feeling isolated in a new town—Nadia’s search for support ended when she discovered the Westchester chapter of Mocha Moms. What began as a quest for connection became a calling to serve. Nadia opens up about the trauma of nearly losing her newborn at just 17 days old, how that experience shaped her parenting, and why trusting her maternal instincts became her greatest strength. From building chosen family to advocating for moms across the state, Nadia reminds us that healing begins with community—and that no mother should have to navigate it all alone.
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    1 h y 5 m
  • Birth, Burnout, and the Power of Natural Healing: How Dr. LaJoyce Brookshire Navigated Late-Stage Motherhood

    Birth, Burnout, and the Power of Natural Healing: How Dr. LaJoyce Brookshire Navigated Late-Stage Motherhood
    Jul 10 2025
    Before she became “The Good Doctor,” Dr. LaJoyce Brookshire helped shape pop culture behind the scenes—repping icons like Whitney Houston, TLC, and Diddy at the height of hip hop and R&B’s golden era. But after a fibroid diagnosis, a late-stage pregnancy, a C-section, and the raw realities of postpartum recovery, she made a pivotal decision to embrace her passion for holistic health full-time. In this powerful episode, Dr. Brookshire shares how she used natural medicine, fierce discipline, and spiritual grounding to not just survive pregnancy and birth—but thrive afterward. From C-sections and postpartum recovery to career pivots and kitchen cleanouts, she reveals what it really takes to heal your body—and your life—on your own terms.
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    1 h y 9 m
  • From Survival to Support: Fixing Maternal Mental Health One Mom at a Time

    From Survival to Support: Fixing Maternal Mental Health One Mom at a Time
    Jul 3 2025
    In this deeply personal and powerful episode of Healing After Birth, hosts Marcia Cole and Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo dig into the recently released 2025 Maternal Mental Health State Report Card and ask: why is mediocrity the standard in a country with so many resources? Joined by the remarkable founders of the Black Girls Mental Health Collective—Dr. Jaih Craddock, Breea Wainwright, and Dr. Chyna Hill—this episode explores the invisible wounds of the postpartum experience: from maternal rage and sleep deprivation to the generational trauma of being forced to “do it all” alone. Through their own raw stories and expertise, these women dismantle myths, explain the science behind somatic mental health symptoms, and share how culturally attuned care is saving lives. Whether you’re a mom, a policymaker, or part of someone’s village, this is a must-listen conversation about reclaiming agency, rebuilding systems, and reminding moms: you don’t have to do this alone.
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    1 h y 7 m
  • The Audacity of a Fruit Bowl: Joy, Microaggressions, and Meghan Sussex

    The Audacity of a Fruit Bowl: Joy, Microaggressions, and Meghan Sussex
    Jun 19 2025
    Why did Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, making a fruit bowl become a media scandal? In this episode of Healing After Birth, Marcia and Nana unpack the odd outrage over Meghan’s new Netflix series—and what it reveals about society’s discomfort with women choosing peace and pleasure. The conversation also takes on toxic positivity in motherhood, the politics of grief, and how Black women are constantly told who they’re allowed to be. This episode is a layered, liberating reminder that choosing presence, beauty, and purpose—especially after birth—is not a privilege. It’s a birthright.
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    36 m
  • Meyer Krah on the Birth That Changed Everything — and Why He Started Here 4 the Dads Podcast and Community

    Meyer Krah on the Birth That Changed Everything — and Why He Started Here 4 the Dads Podcast and Community
    Jun 12 2025
    In this heart-opening episode of Healing After Birth, we sit down with Meyer Krah — Navy veteran, father of five, and host of Here 4 the Dads — to talk about the birth experience that changed his entire perspective on fatherhood, partnership, and marriage. Although he was already a father, it wasn’t until his fourth child was born that Meyer chose to witness the moment up close. What he saw in that delivery room shifted everything. From a deeper appreciation of his wife to a renewed sense of purpose, that experience became the catalyst for launching Here 4 the Dads — a platform dedicated to helping fathers show up more fully, intentionally, and informed during pregnancy, in the delivery roo, and after birth. Meyer opens up about: Why he didn’t attend the births of his first three children How culture and military life shaped (and limited) his early fatherhood experience The power of nesting parties over baby showers The unseen mental load carried by moms — and how dads can step up Why supporting fathers is essential to building stronger families Whether you’re a dad, a mom, or building your village from scratch, this conversation is a reminder that healing after birth isn’t just for mothers — it’s for families.
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    56 m
  • This Week's Hot Topics: What's in a Name Meghan Sussex, Positivity in Motherhood, Accountability in Politics, Finding the Joy in Everyday Life

    This Week's Hot Topics: What's in a Name Meghan Sussex, Positivity in Motherhood, Accountability in Politics, Finding the Joy in Everyday Life
    Jun 10 2025
    In this Hot Topics episode of Healing After Birth, hosts Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo and Marcia Cole delve into the public's reaction to Meghan Markle's new Netflix show, discussing the societal backlash against her portrayal of a 'soft life' and the microaggressions she faces. They also explore the concept of toxic positivity in motherhood, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging negative emotions and the impact of societal expectations on women's experiences. In this conversation, Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo and Marcia Cole explore the importance of emotional awareness and expression, particularly in the context of mental health challenges faced in today's society. They discuss the need for individuals to feel their emotions fully and the impact of societal pressures on emotional expression. The conversation also delves into the concept of mental siege, highlighting the challenges of maintaining positivity amidst chaos. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of accountability in politics and community engagement, urging listeners to actively participate in holding elected officials accountable for their actions. The discussion concludes with a light-hearted note on finding joy in everyday life, despite the surrounding challenges.
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    37 m
  • Rhapsodi Pierre-Jacques on How Motherhood Transforms Relationships with Your Partner, Family, and Yourself

    Rhapsodi Pierre-Jacques on How Motherhood Transforms Relationships with Your Partner, Family, and Yourself
    Mar 27 2025
    In this episode of Healing After Birth, organizational coach and new mom Rhapsodi Pierre-Jacques shares her raw and real postpartum journey, highlighting the unexpected challenges of early motherhood. She discusses how her well-structured birth plan didn’t go as expected and how her need for control was tested throughout the process. As a high-achieving professional, Rhapsodi talks about returning to work just weeks after giving birth and the emotional toll of balancing career, motherhood, and personal well-being. She dives deep into postpartum surprises, including the changes in her relationship with her husband, the challenges of setting boundaries with family, and the unspoken struggles of the fourth trimester. With humor and honesty, she reflects on how her expectations around sleep training, breastfeeding, and partner dynamics evolved, and how she is still finding balance nine months into motherhood. She leaves listeners with key takeaways about planning for the Fourth Trimester, adjusting to a new identity, and embracing the messy, beautiful reality of motherhood. Find Rhapsodi on LinkedIn and at introsense.co for coaching and career development insights.
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    58 m
  • Boundaries, Battles, and Breaking Through: Danya Gillard's Healing Journey

    Boundaries, Battles, and Breaking Through: Danya Gillard's Healing Journey
    Mar 13 2025
    In this deeply moving episode of Healing After Birth, hosts Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo and Marcia Cole sit down with Danya Gilliard to unpack the complexities of motherhood, healing, and resilience. From navigating pregnancy as a single mother to enduring an emotionally taxing custody battle, Danya shares her raw and powerful story of perseverance. She opens up about the boundaries she set (and the ones that were crossed), the physical and emotional toll of childbirth, and the spiritual and mental strength she cultivated to reclaim her life. Together, they explore cultural norms around postpartum boundaries, the impact of unconscious bias in maternal healthcare, and the unexpected ways healing unfolds—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Whether you're a new mom, a seasoned parent, or someone seeking inspiration through life's challenges, this conversation is a testament to the power of faith, self-preservation, and the unyielding love of a mother. Tune in for an honest, heartfelt discussion on what it really takes to heal after birth.
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    1 h y 3 m