EP 64: Different Doesn't Mean Less

Grief has a way of shaping the promises we make… and the people we become.In this episode, I share a deeply personal story about a promise I made when I lost my dad, and how that promise stayed with me for years, long after the sharp edges of grief had softened.I talk about motherhood, identity, and the quiet, uncomfortable questions we sometimes have to ask ourselves. Questions about what we really want, and why.And somewhere in the middle of loss, love, and letting go… came a baby I didn’t dare to ask for.This is a story about grief that changes shape, about healing that doesn’t look the way we expect, and about the way motherhood can rebuild us in the most unexpected ways.If you’ve ever carried grief into motherhood, or had to let go of something that once felt important, this one is for you.I’d love to hear your story. Send me a DM on Instagram or TikTok @mamatalespodcast, or share anonymously through the link in the show notes.Website: ⁠mamatalespodcast.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠@mamatalespodcast⁠ & ⁠@sallymugure⁠ Newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]: ⁠Mama Tales - Behind The Mic⁠ YouTube: ⁠Mama Tales Podcast⁠ Email: [email protected] Share your story! ⁠Fill this out⁠Got a topic you would like covered in this podcast, ⁠let me know⁠Consider donating to this podcast. MPESA Till no 8579738

What Janet thought were intense period pains, turned out to be a life threatening pregnancy. Janet, a mum of three found out that she was pregnant and that the pregnancy needed to be removed all in one moment. This was unexpected since she thought that having an IUD meant she wouldn't get pregnant.Her's is a story of pain and insufficient research into the reproductive health of womenWebsite: ⁠mamatalespodcast.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠@mamatalespodcast⁠ & ⁠@sallymugure⁠ TikTok: @mamatalespodcastNewsletter [SUBSCRIBE]: ⁠Mama Tales - Behind The Mic⁠ YouTube: ⁠Mama Tales Podcast⁠ Email: [email protected] Share your story! ⁠Fill this out⁠Got a topic you would like covered in this podcast, ⁠let me know⁠Music in this episode by Blue Dot SessionsConsider donating to this podcast- MPESA Till No: 8579738

In this episode, I sit down with Linda Gakuru, a neurodivergent parent raising neurodivergent children, to explore the challenges and triumphs of navigating parenting and neurodiversity in Africa. Linda shares her journey of accepting her diagnosis, how it helped her understand herself and her children, and why early diagnosis is so critical. We also dive into the misconceptions surrounding neurodivergence in African cultures, including the harmful belief that it stems from indiscipline. Linda’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of advocacy, understanding, and creating a supportive environment for neurodivergent individuals. Pod's links  Website: ⁠mamatalespodcast.com⁠  Instagram: ⁠@mamatalespodcast⁠ & ⁠@sallymugure⁠  Newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]: ⁠Mama Tales - Behind The Mic⁠  YouTube: ⁠Mama Tales Podcast⁠  Email: [email protected]  Share your story! ⁠Fill this out⁠ Got a topic you would like covered in this podcast, ⁠let me know Consider donating to this podcast. MPESA Till no 8579738

In this debut episode of Raising Tiny Humans, a new mini-series from Mama Tales, we explore the growing controversy surrounding the recent polio vaccine campaign in Kenya. With reports of adverse reactions and increasing mistrust in government initiatives, many parents are questioning the safety and necessity of vaccinations. I share my personal experiences as a mother navigating vaccine decisions, reflect on Kenya’s history of polio eradication efforts, and unpack the layers of mistrust that have shaped public perceptions of government-led health campaigns. This episode isn’t just about vaccines—it’s about the deeper challenges of parenting in a society grappling with fear, misinformation, and systemic distrust. Pod's links  Website: ⁠mamatalespodcast.com⁠  Instagram: ⁠@mamatalespodcast⁠ & ⁠@sallymugure⁠  Newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]: ⁠Mama Tales - Behind The Mic⁠  YouTube: ⁠Mama Tales Podcast⁠  Email: [email protected]  Share your story! ⁠Fill this out⁠ Got a topic you would like covered in this podcast, ⁠let me know⁠

After a much-needed break, Mama Tales is back! Plus with a new series —Raising Tiny Humans. Get ready for relatable stories, practical tips, and a community-driven journey through the ups and downs of parenthood. Plus, I’m calling on you to share your stories, questions, and episode ideas. New episodes drop every other week.  Pod's links  Website: ⁠mamatalespodcast.com⁠  Instagram: ⁠@mamatalespodcast⁠ & ⁠@sallymugure⁠  Newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]: ⁠Mama Tales - Behind The Mic⁠  YouTube: ⁠Mama Tales Podcast⁠  Email: [email protected]  Share your story! ⁠Fill this out⁠ Got a topic you would like covered in this podcast, ⁠let me know⁠ Consider donating to this podcast. MPESA Till no 8579738

Would you give up when everyone else around you thinks that you should - yet you did everything right? Here's a conversation I had with two amazing women in their late thirties and early forties on what it's like trying to become mothers at an age where society thinks they missed their chance. Pod's links  Website: ⁠mamatalespodcast.com⁠  Instagram: ⁠@mamatalespodcast⁠ & ⁠@sallymugure⁠  Newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]: ⁠Mama Tales - Behind The Mic⁠  YouTube: ⁠Mama Tales Podcast⁠  Email: [email protected]  Share your story! ⁠Fill this out⁠ Got a topic you would like covered in this podcast, ⁠let me know⁠ Consider donating to this podcast. MPESA Till no 8579738

It's no lie that quality maternal care in Kenya can be very expensive to get in Kenya, so it was interesting to hear just how much we need to from a Kenyan who started her motherhood journey in Sweden Pod's links  Website: ⁠mamatalespodcast.com⁠  Instagram: ⁠@mamatalespodcast⁠ & ⁠@sallymugure⁠  Newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]: ⁠Mama Tales - Behind The Mic⁠  YouTube: ⁠Mama Tales Podcast⁠  Email: [email protected] Share your story! ⁠Fill this out⁠ Got a topic you would like covered in this podcast, ⁠let me know⁠ Consider donating to this podcast. MPESA Till no 8579738

Guess what! Someone actually thought I was an expert on Motherhood - who would be crazy enough to think that! Well, Akumu and Clair, the brilliant minds behind the Yes Girls podcast called me up to their studio to try prep Claire as she was on her journey to first time parenting - it was a blast! Check out their podcast on Spotify, Apple or Afripods Pod's links  Website: ⁠mamatalespodcast.com⁠  Instagram: ⁠@mamatalespodcast⁠ & ⁠@sallymugure⁠  Newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]: ⁠Mama Tales - Behind The Mic⁠  YouTube: ⁠Mama Tales Podcast⁠  Email: [email protected]  Share your story! ⁠Fill this out⁠ Got a topic you would like covered in this podcast, ⁠let me know⁠ Consider donating to this podcast. MPESA Till no 8579738

To wrap up our celebration of Autism Awareness Month, I share a conversation I had with Becca, a mum of two navigating life with a son on the spectrum. She shares her unique journey with us on Instagram and through this work, she supports more families dealing with the diagnosis. Check out her work: Mumsnest Kenya Pod's links  Website: ⁠mamatalespodcast.com⁠  Instagram: ⁠@mamatalespodcast⁠ & ⁠@sallymugure⁠  Newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]: ⁠Mama Tales - Behind The Mic⁠  YouTube: ⁠Mama Tales Podcast⁠  Email: [email protected] Share your story! ⁠Fill this out⁠ Got a topic you would like covered in this podcast, ⁠let me know⁠ Consider donating to this podcast. MPESA Till no 8579738

This is the second part of Edna's story. For context, make sure you listen to episode 62 before this one You can Edna on Instagram at mothersvoiceke or on YouTube as Chef Myra Pod's links  Website: ⁠mamatalespodcast.com⁠  Instagram: ⁠@mamatalespodcast⁠ & ⁠@sallymugure⁠  Newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]: ⁠Mama Tales - Behind The Mic⁠  YouTube: ⁠Mama Tales Podcast⁠  Email: [email protected]  Share your story! ⁠Fill this out⁠ Got a topic you would like covered in this podcast, ⁠let me know⁠ Share your highlight of the week with us: Share here Consider donating to this podcast. MPESA Till no 8579738