Ashley’s Literal Day One: A Friendship That Has Lasted a Lifetime

The Mama's Den podcast is still on tour and guess who is with us!!  Ashley’s literal day one, Nalo Wise, of course. This week in the Den, we are running back our conversation with Nalo after she held us down for the first ever Mama's Den live show. Born just days apart and best friends since infancy, Ashley and Nalo have grown up side by side through every stage of life. From childhood memories and teenage growing pains to marriage, motherhood, their bond has endured because of honesty, forgiveness, and a deep commitment to choosing each other again and again. Nothing is off limits in this conversation—including the season when Nalo’s husband wasn’t exactly Ashley’s biggest fan. Together, the Mamas explore what it really takes to maintain decades-long friendships as women and mothers, and why the friendships that know us best can become some of the most important relationships in our lives. If you’ve ever wondered how some friendships survive changing seasons, shifting priorities, and the demands of motherhood, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that the right friends grow with you. There are three more stops on The Mama’s Den tour aka MOM'S NIGHT OUT! Get your tickets.  📍 Chicago - May 18 📍 Pittsburgh - May 19 📍 Philadelphia - May 23 Visit this site for tickets to all dates: https://linktr.ee/themamasdenpodcast Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is one of those conversations every parent needs to hear...so we had to RUN IT BACK. Certified sex educator, intimacy expert, and bestselling author Shan Boodram joins the Mamas for an honest, hilarious, and deeply informative conversation about how to talk to our children about their bodies, boundaries, consent, crushes, and sex—without fear or shame. From toddlers touching themselves to teenagers navigating their first relationships, Shan walks us through what healthy sexual development actually looks like at every age and explains why giving kids the correct language for their body parts can be one of the most powerful ways to protect them. The Mamas also get personal, sharing their own experiences with purity culture, parenting teenagers, and the very real tension between wanting to keep our children safe while preparing them for healthy, loving relationships. Whether you’re raising toddlers, tweens, or teens, this episode is packed with practical guidance, unforgettable laughs, and the kind of information many of us wish our own parents had. Trust us: save this episode, send it to your partner, and share it with every parent you know. ____ The Mama’s Den is on tour throughout May and there are THREE cities left! 📍 Chicago - May 18 📍 Pittsburgh - May 19 📍 Philadelphia - May 23 Visit this site for tickets to all dates: https://linktr.ee/themamasdenpodcast Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mother’s Day is coming… but what do moms actually want? In this episode, the Mamas get real about the gap between expectation and reality—from breakfast-in-bed moments that still come with responsibility, to the truth that sometimes the best gift is space, rest, and not being needed for a few hours.   We talk about: Why “a day off” doesn’t always feel like a day off Navigating Mother’s Day with partners, kids… and your own mama The guilt (and necessity) of choosing yourself Teaching our kids to care for us the way we care for them And the bigger conversation: setting boundaries, standing in your truth, and loving yourself more   Of course, it wouldn’t be The Mama’s Den without a little chaos, a lot of laughs, and some unfiltered moments along the way.   If you’ve ever felt like Mother’s Day didn’t quite hit the way you hoped… this one is for you.   And don’t forget—we’re outside all May for our Mom’s Night Out Tour. Come celebrate motherhood with us in real life!   📍 Nashville - May 4 📍 St. Louis - May 6 📍 Chicago - May 18 📍 Pittsburgh - May 19 📍 Philadelphia - May 23   Visit this site for tickets to all tour dates: https://linktr.ee/themamasdenpodcast Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Right after our very first live show, we sat down and told the truth about what it actually took to make it happen — the pressure, the fear, the behind-the-scenes chaos… and the moments we weren’t sure we could pull it off at all. We went back and tightened this episode because the message still hits. It’s scary. It’s hard. And it’s exactly what moms do. The Mama’s Den is on tour starting one week from today, May 4th. 📍 Nashville - May 4 📍 St. Louis - May 6 📍 Chicago - May 18 📍 Pittsburgh - May 19 📍 Philadelphia - May 23 The Mamas are GOING ON TOUR ALL OF MAY!! Want to see them?? Visit this site for tickets to all dates: https://linktr.ee/themamasdenpodcast Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When our guest was born, her mom’s labor was candles, olive oil, and vibes… Unfortunately, we didn’t have the same experience. In this episode of The Mama’s Den, we’re getting real about childbirth — because between us, we’ve experienced a little bit of everything. The beautiful births. The “this is not what I planned” moments. The amazing providers… and the ones who had us like, wait, is this normal?! And if you’ve ever walked away from a birth experience feeling confused, dismissed, rushed, or just trying to make sense of what happened — you are not alone. We’re joined by Certified Nurse Midwife Jyesha Wren, who breaks down what midwives actually do (spoiler: they don’t just pop in at the end), how they differ from OBs and doulas, and why so many women — especially Black women — deserve more supportive, informed, and respectful care. In true Mama’s Den fashion, we’re sharing: • Our real childbirth stories — the highs, the surprises, and the “nobody told me THIS” moments • The myth vs. reality of birth (because it’s not just crystals and calm breathing, okay?) • What midwives actually do — and why that level of care can change everything • The difference between midwives, OBs, and doulas • Why so many women leave birth feeling unheard — and what should be different • What to expect from your care team (and what you have every right to ask for) • How culturally aligned, community-centered care models are improving outcomes As Jyesha explains, midwifery is rooted in supporting birth as a natural process — while also knowing when to bring in medical care — creating a more balanced, human-centered experience.   This episode will have you laughing, nodding, side-eyeing your past experiences 👀… and maybe even rethinking what’s possible. Because yes — healthy outcomes matter. But so does how you’re treated while you’re getting there. ... The Mamas are GOING ON TOUR ALL OF MAY!!! Want to see them?? Visit this site for all show dates: https://linktr.ee/themamasdenpodcast Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Black mamas deserve support — not just during birth, but before, during, and long after. It's Black Maternal Health Week and, in this powerful episode of The Mama’s Den, we’re joined by doula leaders Khefri Riley and Dr. Sayida Peprah-Wilson to talk about what it really means to be supported in your birth journey — emotionally, physically, and mentally. From breaking down what doulas actually do to unpacking the realities of giving birth on Medi-Cal, this conversation is both eye-opening and empowering. Because here’s the truth: a beautiful, supported birth experience should not be a luxury — and in California, it doesn’t have to be. We talk about: • What doulas do and why they matter for better birth outcomes • Why culturally aligned care is essential, not optional • Postpartum support, mental health, and why care doesn’t stop after birth • The Medi-Cal doula benefit — and how it’s changing access for Black families • The Medi-Cal Doula Hub and how to find support in your community • How advocacy and community are transforming maternal health in California As Khefri shares, “You can be autonomous in your experience… and you don’t have to think you can’t have that because you don’t have money.”   Whether you’re expecting, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand your options — this episode is a reminder that you have choices, you deserve care, and support may already be available to you. If you’re enrolled in Medi-Cal in California, doula services are now covered — and could make a meaningful difference in your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. Because motherhood was never meant to be done alone. The Mamas are GOING ON TOUR ALL OF MAY!!! Want to see them?? Visit this site for all show dates: https://linktr.ee/themamasdenpodcast And be a part of The Mama's Den community. Share your email address here: https://tinyurl.com/MamasDen Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This conversation? It’s deeper than surgery. This week on The Mama’s Den, we’re talking about the mental warfare of body image—the quiet, constant battle so many women face in their own minds. Melanie and Codie open up about their decision to get tummy tucks—not from a place of vanity alone, but from a place of healing, functionality, identity, and finally choosing themselves. Because for some women, this isn’t just about how you look…It’s about how you live. From abdominal separation and physical discomfort to the emotional weight of “snapback” culture, comparison, and shame—this episode unpacks what it really means to feel disconnected from your body… and what it takes to reclaim it. The Mamas get honest about: • The mental warfare of not feeling at home in your body • The difference between repair, vanity, and personal choice • Why transparency matters—but also why every woman gets to choose her story • Letting go of shame, judgment, and the pressure to “earn” your body And maybe most importantly: Why suffering in silence shouldn’t be the standard for women. Whether you would never consider surgery, have thought about it privately, or are navigating your own body journey—this conversation creates space for honesty, freedom, and grace. Because at the end of the day: you deserve to feel good in your body—whatever that looks like for you.   The Mamas are GOING ON TOUR ALL OF MAY!!! Want to see them?? Visit this site for all show dates: https://linktr.ee/themamasdenpodcast And be a part of The Mama's Den community. Share your email address here: https://tinyurl.com/MamasDen Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Mama’s Den, the Mamas are joined by Mickey Guyton—Grammy-nominated country star, trailblazer, and one of the most powerful voices changing the face of country music. From her breakout anthem “Black Like Me” to becoming the first Black woman to host the Academy of Country Music Awards and delivering a stunning National Anthem performance at the Super Bowl, Mickey has built a career full of historic moments. But in this conversation, we are talking about burnout. She brings us behind the headlines—and into real life. This conversation is for the country music fans, the Black women holding it down in spaces that weren’t built for us, and the mamas trying to do everything—and still find time for themselves. The Mamas and Mickey get into: • What it really took to break into (and stay in) country music • The emotional weight of speaking out about racism while pregnant • The terrifying moment she almost lost her son—and how it changed everything • Redefining success, ambition, and what a “home run” looks like now • Burnout, boundaries, and learning to choose yourself too As always, it’s giving sisterhood, honesty, laughter, and those “whew, I needed this” moments. Because sometimes the biggest shift isn’t in your career—it’s in your heart.  Follow our girl Candace Mycale Guyton aka Mickey Guyton on social media at MickeyGuyton on all platforms. The Mamas are GOING ON TOUR ALL OF MAY!!! Want to see them?? Visit this site for all show dates: https://linktr.ee/themamasdenpodcast And be a part of The Mama's Den community. Share your email address here: https://tinyurl.com/MamasDen Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week in The Mama’s Den, we’re getting honest about relationships—and why social media often gets it wrong. From judging couples online to loving a version of someone instead of their full self, the Mamas unpack the real, nuanced reasons relationships work… and why they don’t. Because not everything you see online tells the full story—and sometimes, neither does love alone. If you’ve ever looked up and thought, “Wait… who have you become?”—this one is for you. The Mamas are building our community and ways to keep in touch with you. Share your email address here: https://tinyurl.com/MamasDen Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The last year or so have been hard for a lot of us - SO if you’ve ever felt like you were stuck in the hard part of your story, we are running it back to when Tabitha Brown dropped into The Mama's Den to remind us all—it’s okay to put yourself first! Tab's journey is a masterclass in faith, being present, and trusting that your moment is coming—even when it feels impossible. Tab got real about the tough seasons in her marriage and how she and Chance got through them. She also shares how losing her mother shaped her and how she went from struggling in LA to retiring her husband and building an empire. Get your tissues and your journal because all the mamas left inspired after this conversation. The Mamas are building our community and ways to keep in touch with you. Share your email address here: https://tinyurl.com/MamasDen Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.