Free Black Motherhood

It's overwhelming to exist in this time, when the line between access and disparity feels both so thin and so wide. But we’re all asking the same question: Can we craft something for us NOW that doesn’t have compounding harm for the folks who will be here THEN? And who will carry the weight of that inconvenience and harm?This conversation with my girl, Stephanie Ghoston Paul (@stephanieghostonpaul on IG), feels like a step forward in those explorations. She is the founder of Cultivated Sense, a platform dedicated to practicing what it means to be a Living Ancestor is beyond brilliant. She is a living, breathing wise woman who is preparing us to do the work NOW so we’re mindful about the inheritance we will leave behindChapters00:00 The Excitement of Capturing Conversations04:11 The Journey of a Living Ancestor07:19 Understanding Multi-Hyphenates and Identity09:57 The Role of Motherhood in Shaping Legacy13:21 The Importance of Remembering Our Past16:08 Legacy and Inheritance: A Living Ancestor's Perspective19:03 The Balance of Acceptance and Accountability22:10 The Power of Freedom, Wholeness, and Enoughness37:42 The Journey of Motherhood and Affirmations40:57 Living Ancestors and Intergenerational Wisdom43:47 Reparenting and the Role of Affirmations47:17 The Complex Dynamics of Grandparenting52:40 Redefining Family Roles and Relationships57:56 Therapy, Healing, and Generational Patterns01:02:50 Navigating Mother-Daughter Relationships01:08:21 Dreaming into the Future and Documenting ExistenceLearn more about Stephanie:WATCH. HER. TED. TALKhttps://stephanieghoston.com/Follow her IG: @Cultivated SenseExplore her PatreonCheck out her LinkedInListen to her Podcast: Take Nothing When I Die

What is a Living Ancestor, and how do they show up in our world? Listen in, as Stephanie tells us about her Living Ancestor framework, liberated mothering, and so much more.

This episode dives deep into the intersection of mental health, motherhood, and Black identity. Featuring licensed clinical social worker Tisheila Justice, we explore how external environments, internal trauma, and societal stereotypes shape Black mothers’ experiences and the importance of shifting from policies of control to practices of connection.In this episode:Tisheila Justice shares the 'iceberg of control' and how it manifests in Black motherhoodThe role of external systemic pressures versus internal belief systems in shaping behaviorsPractical strategies for shifting from me-focused to we-focused family dynamicsThe impact of intergenerational trauma and how it manifests in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxietyThe importance of attunement and emotional connection in parenting and partner supportThe significance of community, support systems, and the redefinition of Free Black MotherhoodResourcesWhat is EMDR Therapy?What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?Her InstagramHer WebsiteTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Tisheila Justice and her journey02:07 - How a psychology class shifted her career path to social work04:49 - The systemic disarray she perceives in mental health and social justice07:57 - Tools and modalities used in helping moms adapt to external stressors09:23 - How trauma and birth experiences influence postpartum mental health10:50 - Supporting fathers and couples through emotional focused therapy13:46 - The iceberg of control and how underlying fears shape behaviors16:43 - The social invisibility of Black pain in healthcare settings18:46 - Brittany Cooper’s concept of culture of dissemblance as resilience26:40 - The societal expectations placed on Black mothers and the illusion of control32:59 - Motherhood as a system of institutional control and resistance36:09 - Merging the 'me' and 'we' family concepts for healthier relationships43:33 - Addressing insecure attachment styles and their impact on support networks54:24 - Recognizing OCD and intrusive thoughts in postpartum women63:54 - The influence of past trauma and its manifestation in obsessive thoughts66:27 - How childhood fears translate into adult anxieties and compulsions70:40 - The idea that traumatic triggers are often the starting point for OCD74:39 - The cycle of mental health cycles and the need for compassionate awareness78:36 - What free Black motherhood means: joy, connection, and authenticityResources & Links:Connect with Tisheila Justice:Additional notes:This conversation underscores the importance of understanding the layered and systemic challenges Black mothers face, emphasizing a shift from control to connection. It invites a re-examination of cultural narratives and encourages healing through attunement, community, and trauma acknowledgment.

The upcoming Free Black Motherhood episode: In this insightful interview, licensed clinical social worker Tashiela Justice shares her journey into therapy, her approach to supporting moms, and the deep exploration of trauma, control, and mental health in Black motherhood. Discover practical tools, mental models, and the importance of authentic connection in nurturing healthy families.Key topics: Trauma and generational cycles in Black familiesTools and modalities for supporting moms (EMDR, EFT)The iceberg model of control and emotional regulation

In this episode, Ambreia and Gloria Joy Sherrod, a licensed clinical counselor and ADHD coach, explore the unique challenges, experiences, and strengths of Black mothers with ADHD. We discussed how childhood experiences—and, in some cases, missed signs —have impacted how they show up for themselves and their children today. This episode is a must-listen for those seeking to understand and celebrate neurodivergent lives without shame.

Stay tuned for the upcoming episode featuring Gloria Joy Sherrod, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Author, Documentary Producer, Content Creator, Mental Health Advocate, and ADHD Coach.

In this episode, Ambreia, Founder of Free Black Motherhood, delves into the multifaceted experiences of Black motherhood, exploring the societal scrutiny surrounding sexual practices and their impact on perceptions of motherhood with Sexologist Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons, author of 'Good Sex'. The two discuss the challenges Black women face in embracing their identity as sexual and human beings before, during, and after motherhood. The conversation also covers how to educate children about sex in developmentally appropriate ways, while navigating the complexities of healing for sexual shame. Join us as we unpack these layers and reflect on the diverse perspectives of parenting.

During this quick check-in, I reflect on the overwhelm of the world and get curious about what we need to feel cared for. LMK what you think of this shorter check-in format in the comments or in my dm's!! (FreeBlackmotherhood)

On this episode, Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez, an award-winning writer, speaker and advocate and Paula Sampson Lawrence a Certified Parent Coach and Youth Mentor chat freedom, motherhood, and everything in between. About Ambreia Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez is a Black woman who tries to process the world through writing. Sometimes, these efforts are birthed as reported journalistic-style pieces. Other times, they manifest as essays where she tries to use her personal experiences as a window into larger societal trends. She found her writing voice in the aftermath of birth trauma. It compelled her to share her story and create Freeblackmotherhood - a way of mothering that asks Black mothers to prioritize self-love and authentic expression in all things while asking them to imagine a world where Black women are free to feel Her mediums change, but her passion for health, especially reproductive matters, remains the same. Read her work in The New York Times, The Washington Posts, The Guardian and a host of other publications. You can connect with Ambreia on Instagram and on her website www.freeblackmotherhood.com About Paula  Paula Sampson Lawrence is a Certified Parent Coach and Youth Mentor. She is deeply dedicated to guiding parents through the rollercoaster journey of raising children while also helping youth, especially young girls, foster resilience and self-confidence. You can connect with Paula on Instagram and Facebook & book a free 30-minute Parent Coaching call.

I am excited and honored to share this chat with Chichi Agorom, author of The Enneagram for Black Liberation. Get your notebook ready because this is FULL of gems!