These Children are Challenging!

Kerry Washington is in the Den! The Emmy-winning actress, activist, and mom of three joins the Mamas to talk about her latest film, Shadow Force, and what it’s like to play a badass mom on-screen while navigating wife-and-mom life behind the scenes.Kerry gets real about everything from her parenting partnership with her husband, Nnamdi Asomugha, to the moment she learned her father isn’t her biological dad - and how that revelation reshaped her personal and professional journey. Kerry and the Mamas also dive into what it takes to build a support system (it's okay to ask for help!) and how love is the greatest thing we can give ourselves. ======We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at [email protected] sure you connect with our Mamas:Ashley - @watermeloneggrollsCodie - @codiecoFelicia - @felicialatourMelanie - @melaniefiona

School’s almost out and summer’s almost here! In this episode, the Mamas share their summer break plans for the months ahead. From sports camps and play dates, to family vacations and lazy days at home - the Mamas break down how they balance keeping the kids busy and letting them chill.======We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at [email protected] sure you connect with our Mamas:Ashley - @watermeloneggrollsCodie - @codiecoFelicia - @felicialatourMelanie - @melaniefiona

In this episode, we’re missing Felicia - one-fourth of our quartet. We miss you Fee! So Codie, Melanie, and Ashley get real about when they disagree with their husbands on parenting decisions - from routines and discipline to visions for their kids’ futures. The Mamas share the importance of self-awareness, how they compromise with their partners, and how sometimes, you just have to pick their battles...Don’t worry fellas, Ashley holds it down for the husbands’ point-of-view! This one’s a good convo for both sides!======We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at [email protected] sure you connect with our Mamas:Ashley - @watermeloneggrollsCodie - @codiecoFelicia - @felicialatourMelanie - @melaniefiona

The Mamas are joined by Blair Imani, creator of Smarter in Seconds, to talk about everything from working at Planned Parenthood to going viral in 2020 with her powerful, bite-sized videos. She also opens up about her experience with pregnancy loss and how she's currently trying to conceive (complete with a hot pregnancy tip from her auntie!).In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, Blair schools us on reproductive justice, and how to better support Black women and mothers for stronger maternal health outcomes. Get ready to take notes — Blair drops gems and resources you won’t want to miss!======We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at [email protected] sure you connect with our Mamas:Ashley - @watermeloneggrollsCodie - @codiecoFelicia - @felicialatourMelanie - @melaniefiona

The Mamas welcome Julian Saavedra, Assistant Principal and host of The Opportunity Gap podcast, to discuss learning differences in kids of color and how to support their unique needs. Julian highlights the importance of de-stigmatizing special education, having open conversations with your child about their school experience, and building relationships with administrators to advocate for your child’s success. With Julian’s guidance - and the work of Understood.org - underserved communities can take advantage of the tools available to help kids not only survive but thrive in school and help close the gap.Learn more: Understood.org is a nonprofit that provides free, expert-vetted resources for parents, kids, and individuals who learn and think differently. With their wide range of products, content, tools, and other resources, they’re shaping a world where everyone can reach their potential.======We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at [email protected] make sure you connect with the Mamas:Ashley - @watermeloneggrollsCodie - @codiecoFelicia - @felicialatourMelanie - @melaniefiona

We got a Doctor in the Den! Psychiatrist, researcher, and author Dr. Judith Joseph joins the Mamas for a powerful convo about high-functioning depression, grief, and the struggle to find joy in daily life. Dr. Judith keeps it real about her own experience with depression and explains the high-functioning challenges faced by high-achieving women, particularly Black women. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to have it all together while struggling silently, you’re not alone - and this episode is for you!Dr. Judith's book, High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy, is available everywhere on April 8, 2025.**Warning: This episode contains mention of suicide from 06:45 - 08:00, which may be triggering for some listeners.**======We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at [email protected] sure you connect with our Mamas:Ashley - @watermeloneggrollsCodie - @codiecoFelicia - @felicialatourMelanie - @melaniefiona

We got a Daddy in the Den! Actor and father of two, Michael Ealy, joins the Mamas to talk about raising a boy and a girl. Together, they highlight the value of fathers being involved in their kids’ lives (to all the dads at ballet class - we see you!), the importance of communication between parents, and the need to appreciate each parent’s role. Michael shares lessons learned, from recognizing double standards (why are girls called sassy but boys are assertive?) to reminding us that dads juggle the same challenges moms do.======We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at [email protected] sure you connect with our Mamas:Ashley - @watermeloneggrollsCodie - @codiecoFelicia - @felicialatourMelanie - @melaniefiona

This episode kicks off with a round of We’re Not Really Strangers - a fun card game designed to spark meaningful conversations. What starts as a friendly Q&A turns XXX-rated (because Ashley….surprise, surprise...). Then, the Mamas dive into a show-and-tell of their favorite kids’ books, celebrating new releases from fellow Black mamas and authors: Tabitha Brown (Hello There, Sunshine), Tamron Hall (Harlem Honey), and Tika Sumpter (I Got It From My Mama). Get the scoop on all the books the Mamas love reading with their little ones - covering everything from diversity and equality to understanding emotions and self-discovery. #MamasAgainstBookSleevesThis episode is sponsored by We’re Not Really Strangers. Get 20% off all products (including the Kids edition card game!) with the code: mamasden.A List of The Mamas' Favorite Kids Books======We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at [email protected] sure you connect with our Mamas:Ashley - @watermeloneggrollsCodie - @codiecoFelicia - @felicialatourMelanie - @melaniefiona

In this episode, the Mamas relive their unforgettable girls trip to NYC — a trip that almost didn’t happen after Melanie hurt her back! From sisterhood sleepovers and Brooklyn meetups, to all the family and friends who showed up for them, the Mamas take a moment to soak it all in. What a journey going from a podcast born during the pandemic to representing Black motherhood on national TV. We love to see it!======Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at [email protected] sure you connect with our Mamas:Ashley - @watermeloneggrollsCodie - @codiecoFelicia - @felicialatourMelanie - @melaniefiona

Melanie, Ashley, and Codie are back in the Den! Even though Felicia’s out this week, she still makes a stunning appearance—be sure to check out the YouTube channel for the visual!In this episode, the mamas break down a list of one-liners that make parenting a little easier, like “you gotta do what you need to do, before you get to do what you wanna do” (a Melanie Fiona original). They also discuss teaching their kids about respect, validating their emotions while disciplining them, and giving kids autonomy in making decisions — even when they want to curse! Throughout the convo, the mamas get a few surprise calls that tie right into a heartfelt Listener Letter — this is an episode you won’t want to miss!======Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at [email protected] sure you connect with our Mamas:Ashley - @watermeloneggrollsCodie - @codiecoFelicia - @felicialatourMelanie - @melaniefionaFor more Black stories and articles, go to blacklove.com.