Motherless Mothering: Grieving while Giving

Natalie Calderon shares her personal experience parenting a 19-year-old son who briefly moved out after clashing over rules, responsibility and independence. She reflects on the transition from strict parenting to learning to let go, the realities of bills, jobs, and car ownership, and the emotional ups and downs of seeing a child grow into a legal adult. The episode includes a candid conversation with her son about his perspective, lessons learned, and how their family rebuilt communication and boundaries.

In this episode of Defrosted Chicken, host Natalie Calderon sits down with Mayra, a mom and realtor, to share her family’s experience after her son was diagnosed with leukemia. They discuss the shock of diagnosis, navigating medical care, advocating for a child, the emotional and physical effects of treatment, and how faith and community support kept them going. Honest and hopeful, this conversation explores sibling dynamics, returning to school, practical needs (like gift cards and local resources), and small ways listeners can help families facing childhood cancer.   after recording and release of the episode mayra reached out to let me know she gave incorrect information about her sons diagnoses. Luisito acutally has B Cell high risk leukemia. Prayers and love to her and her family ! If anyone would like to reach out to mayra here is here instagram handle - @mayraygomezrealtor as discussed in the episode here is the instagram for the nonprofit organization that helps families with children fighting childhood cancer.  @mamabearsfcc  or go to www.mbfcc.org  

Dive into the unfiltered world of parenting with host Natalie Calderon as she explores the pressure to look perfect on social media. In this episode, Natalie shares a much-needed reminder that it’s okay to step back when life feels overwhelming. She unpacks the dangers of comparing real-life parenting to carefully curated online content and sheds light on the blurry line between genuine family moments and performing for likes. With honesty and heart, this episode explores how influencer culture impacts our day-to-day parenting and why authenticity—both online and off—matters more than ever. Join in for real talk, laughs, and the reassurance that you’re definitely not alone in this messy, beautiful journey.

In this powerful episode of Defrost the Chicken, host Natalie Calderon sits down with Amanda, who bravely recounts her emotional journey through divorce. Amanda opens up about the painful decision to separate from her husband, whose struggles with addiction and infidelity deeply impacted their marriage. She shares how these experiences shaped her perspective and ultimately led her to prioritize the well-being of herself and her daughter. From meeting her husband as a teenager to enduring emotional abuse, Amanda speaks candidly about the internal battles she faced and the strength it took to walk away. She discusses the pivotal role therapy played in her healing process and how she rebuilt her identity through self-care and resilience. Amanda’s story is a reminder that choosing yourself—and your peace—can be the first step toward a brighter future. Her message about not settling for less and finding balance after trauma offers hope to listeners navigating similar struggles.

In this deeply personal episode of Defrost the Chicken, Natalie opens up about her journey through two C-sections—each one filled with its own lessons, challenges, and moments of unexpected strength. In honor of C-Section Awareness Month, she shares her story. Through candid reflections, historical insights, and a whole lot of heart, Natalie shares how a quiet, undeniable presence guided her to make a last-minute decision—one that ultimately saved her daughter’s life. This experience has sparked a journey of restoring her faith in God, reminding her that even in uncertainty, there is grace, purpose, and something greater at work. Join her as she creates space for understanding, healing, and connection—especially for those navigating the tender and transformative world of motherhood.

In this episode of Defrost the Chicken host Natalie and guest Paula explore the vital topic of creating open lines of communication with children. Paula shares her personal experiences and challenges as a single mother raising her 19-year-old son. She emphasizes the importance of building trust and fostering an environment where children feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics. The conversation highlights the complexities of modern parenting, from handling teenage relationships to balancing discipline and support. The episode delves into Paula's journey of raising her son alone, the effects of maintaining a close mother-son relationship, and the lessons learned from past parenting decisions. Paula opens up about a significant incident involving her son and the measures taken to address it, underscoring the value of trust and understanding between parent and child. Through heartfelt anecdotes and candid discussions, this episode provides valuable insights for parents striving to create a safe space for their children.

In this episode of Defrost the Chicken, we’re diving into something so many moms feel but rarely say out loud—losing yourself a little (or a lot) in motherhood. From juggling friendships and marriages to managing expectations that were basically handed down with zero instructions, we’re keeping it real with candid convo and personal stories that’ll have you laughing, nodding, or possibly yelling, “Same!” at your phone. We unpack what it really means to hold on to your identity while raising tiny humans, and why putting yourself last might not be the badge of honor we’ve all been sold. This one’s for the moms who feel overwhelmed, under-caffeinated, and still determined to find their way back to themselves. Come for the honesty, stay for the solidarity—and yes, there’s a little colorful language, because motherhood is messy, and so is this conversation (in the best way).

What does it mean to mother when you didn’t have one—or lost yours too soon? In this episode of Defrost the Chicken, we dive into the emotional weight and resilience behind mothering without a mother. Whether you’re grieving, navigating strained relationships, or simply figuring it out without a blueprint, this one’s for you. We talk about the ache, the unexpected strength, and the beauty in it all. It’s messy. It’s honest. It’s real. And if you’ve ever felt like you’re mothering from scratch—this episode will remind you that you’re not alone. Explicit language ahead—because feelings and f-bombs often go hand in hand.

What’s something your parents did that you know you won’t do with your own kids? In this episode, I asked a bunch of parents that exact question—and I’m sharing some of their answers along with my own. Breaking cycles isn’t easy. A lot of us are out here trying to unlearn some of the weird, wild, or straight-up toxic stuff we grew up with while figuring out how not to totally screw up our own kids. Fun times, right? Heads up: there’s some strong language—because talking about childhood trauma without swearing? Couldn’t be me.

In this episode, we’re revisiting some thoughts from episode one while diving deeper into the very real struggles of maternity leave. Do moms actually get enough time off? Well… that depends on where you live. We’re unpacking the differences between maternity and paternity leave in the U.S. versus other countries, and how those policies (or lack thereof) impact families during such a tender (and let’s be honest, totally chaotic) time. We also talk about the mental and emotional toll on new moms—from sleep deprivation and the invisible workload to those quiet “WTF am I doing?” moments that no one prepares you for. Plus, we hear one mom’s gut-wrenching experience navigating the broken system just to get a little more leave while battling postpartum depression. Spoiler: it shouldn’t be this hard. We keep it real, and sometimes that includes a few colorful words—because parenting doesn’t always come wrapped in a bow.