Would you rather your kid have lice…or the stomach flu?? In this episode, the Mamas play a game of Would You Rather? - unpacking everything from funny hypotheticals to real-life boundaries and the many messy moments in parenting. It’s a lighthearted convo full of laughs, real talk, and proof that every mama has her own way of handling motherhood in the wild. ________________________ We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com. Make sur...
Aug 25, 2025•39 min•Ep. 145
Candice Bolden, entrepreneur and former professional dancer, opens up about her journey with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) - from battling weight gain and skin issues to being told she’d struggle to conceive. With lots of research, faith, and support from her husband, ex-NFL player Omar Bolden, Candice reversed her symptoms through major lifestyle changes - and now they’re proud parents to a baby girl! This episode is a powerful reminder that you can take control of your health and how moth...
Aug 18, 2025•45 min•Ep. 144
AD, reality TV star and podcast host, joins the Mamas to dish on going from a heartbreak on Love is Blind to finding her happily-ever-after on Perfect Match - where she met her fiancé, Ollie Sutherland. Now expecting their first child (we’re screaming!), AD spills all the tea on her pregnancy body changes, planning two weddings, and how she’s carrying her biggest life lessons into motherhood and marriage. The Mamas swap wisdom on breastfeeding, postpartum, and building a partnership...showing th...
Aug 11, 2025•50 min•Ep. 143
We are running back a popular episode where Melanie, Ashley, and Codie break down a list of one-liners they found on social media 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 cuss! Throughout the convo, the mamas get a few sur...
Aug 04, 2025•38 min
Y'all welcome to this oldie but goodie - we are throwing it back to an conversation that brought out some feelings. Mamas, we often celebrate others and stress ourselves out over our kids' birthdays but, in this episode, Codie, Ashley, and Melanie discuss the value of experiences versus parties, embracing getting older, and Ashley annual emotional response to her birthday......She opens up about the difficulties of having a birthday around the holidays and how her birthday celebrations have evol...
Jul 28, 2025•36 min
This is a timeless episode from a time when a then 5-year old Asiyah asked Ashley "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Ashley was not pleased! Codie, Melanie, and Ashley are talking about what it means to be "just" a mother - and more. The Mamas also explore what it means to truly be living in your purpose and supporting your kids’ decisions despite what you may want for them! So, Mama's Den Village, are you fulfilling your childhood dreams or did you figure out your purpose later in life?...
Jul 21, 2025•38 min
We are running it back to this fun conversation from 2023....We all know social media sparks a lot of conversations these days. So Codie, Ashley, and Melanie are giving their opinions about a post shared on Instagram that listed 5 things parents should do if they want to have a secure relationship with their children. The Mamas also talk about holding space for their children’s emotions and reflect on their relationships with their own mothers. Mama's Den Village, do you agree with the 5 steps o...
Jul 14, 2025•32 min
Is your kid’s bedtime routine a sweet dream…or a beautiful nightmare? In this episode, the Mamas are joined by Brandi Jordan - pediatric sleep specialist, postpartum doula, lactation consultant, and professional baby whisperer. Brandi breaks down how sleep actually works, from healthy newborn sleep habits to setting boundaries with big kids who still crawl into your bed. She talks about dream feeds, developmental milestones, co-sleeping vs. the cry-it-out method, and how to create the right envi...
Jul 07, 2025•48 min•Ep. 142
A few weeks ago, we dropped Mama’s Den Reintroduction Part 1 - if you missed it, go run that back! In Part 2, we pick up where we left off…but this time, we’re officially down one Mama. Codie, Ashley, and Melanie open up about Felicia’s decision to step away from the show to pursue her next chapter (we love you and love this for you, Fee!). The Mamas also get real about where they are now - juggling motherhood, entrepreneurship, and personal growth - while doing their best to choose joy and lean...
Jun 30, 2025•50 min•Ep. 141
Bozoma Saint John is a Badass Mama! From single motherhood to climbing the corporate ladder as a marketing exec, launching her hair brand Eve by Boz , and starring on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills - Boz has done it all! But behind the glam is a woman shaped by hard-earned lessons in self-love, loss, and unstoppable growth. In this episode, Boz opens up about losing a child, becoming a widow, and being a Black woman in the boardroom...and how these moments empowered her to stand on busines...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 140
We recently put out a listener survey and the results are in...y’all want more from the Mamas! So in this episode, while Felicia’s off handling her business (we’re so proud of you, Fee!), Codie, Melanie, and Ashley reintroduce themselves, reflecting on how they became the women and mothers they are today. From unplanned pregnancies and navigating pregnancy without health insurance, to finding purpose in motherhood and building community through The Mama’s Den - the Mamas open up about why honest...
Jun 16, 2025•42 min•Ep. 139
Grammy-winning singer, author, and mama Victoria Monét is in the Den! Victoria opens up about how motherhood has shifted her mindset - from navigating the stigma of being pregnant in the music industry to guarding her joy, mastering time management, and finding inspiration for her hit song “On My Mama.” Victoria and the Mamas also talk about the power of having a village, and why leading by example and leaving a legacy matters. Plus, Victoria shares the story behind her new children’s book, Ever...
Jun 09, 2025•51 min•Ep. 138
Dr. Arlene Hollingsworth - psychologist, Youtube creator, and mama of three - shares how she and her husband, Javoris (PhD), turned a family dream into Gracie’s Corner - the viral YouTube series that celebrates Black culture through animated kids’ songs. But the road wasn’t easy! From failed businesses and financial stress to finding their way as a family during the pandemic, Arlene reflects on how staying rooted in their purpose led to their breakout hit, The Phonics Song. This episode is for e...
Jun 02, 2025•42 min•Ep. 137
In this episode, the Mamas confess about the struggle of teaching kids good hygiene. Because baby! Keeping the house clean and dealing with ashy, stinky bodies is tough — and tough situations call for tough love. Hear how the Mamas are trying to instill responsibility and independence… without completely losing their cool. ====== We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com. Make sure you connect with our Mamas: Ashley - @watermeloneggr...
May 26, 2025•35 min•Ep. 136
Stylist Bec Gross joins the Mamas to drop her favorite tips for feeling cute and confident in your clothes - especially for moms learning to love their postpartum bodies. From embracing your shape and dressing for your size, to building a wardrobe with key staples, Bec’s here to help you rediscover your personal style. If you’re trying to be outside this season, Bec’s got the fashion hacks to make sure you look good and feel good! ====== We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or que...
May 19, 2025•47 min•Ep. 135
Producer, Actor, Choreographer, and Momager - Brittany Perry-Russell is THAT GIRL! From dancing with icons like Ciara and Beyoncé to raising a successful kid actor (Isaiah Russell-Bailey), Brittany joins the Mamas to discuss managing her son’s career while still chasing her own dreams. There’s no blueprint for motherhood, but for Brittany, being spirit-led has always kept her aligned with a higher purpose. If you’ve ever thought about giving up on your own dreams, this episode is your reminder t...
May 12, 2025•53 min•Ep. 134
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 ...
May 05, 2025•44 min•Ep. 133
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 podcasts@blacklove.com. Make sure you connect with our Mamas: Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco Felicia - @feli...
Apr 28, 2025•32 min•Ep. 132
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 c...
Apr 21, 2025•40 min•Ep. 131
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 h...
Apr 14, 2025•39 min•Ep. 130
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 t...
Apr 07, 2025•37 min•Ep. 129
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...
Mar 31, 2025•36 min•Ep. 128
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...
Mar 24, 2025•58 min•Ep. 127
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 ...
Mar 17, 2025•42 min•Ep. 126
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 podcasts@blacklove.com. Make sure ...
Mar 10, 2025•33 min•Ep. 125
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 k...
Mar 03, 2025•40 min•Ep. 124
Marnesha is in the Den! If you've listened to The Mamas long enough, you have heard Fee rave about her kids' behavioral coach, Marnesha Hall. She joined the ladies of The Mama's Den to break down what a behavioral coach is and the benefits of having one for your kids. This episode explains the differences between behavioral coaching and therapy, how parenting dynamics impact your kids, and provides some helpful strategies to outsmart your little ones during their most challenging moments. Get yo...
Feb 17, 2025•56 min•Ep. 123
This week, the Mamas tackle Listener Letters on balancing romance, friendships, and managing meddling grandparents. They get real about the struggles of keeping their dating life alive — because for some, dating has left the chat! — and they share fun ideas for a cute date night (or a little afternoon delight!). The Mamas also dive into the importance of setting boundaries when grandparents are doing the MOST, and discuss the challenge of holding onto old friendships while your kids' social life...
Feb 10, 2025•32 min•Ep. 122
If you’ve ever felt like you were stuck in the hard part of your story, Tabitha Brown is in The Mama's Den to remind you—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. This week, Tabitha gets real about the tough seasons in her marriage, the moments she and Chance weren’t sure they’d make it, and what it really took to rebuild their relationship. She also shares how losing her mother ...
Feb 03, 2025•45 min•Ep. 121
The Mamas reminisce about their journey to adding baby #2 (or babies #2 and #3 for Codie!), and share the ups and downs of managing the unique logistics and personalities that come with a growing family. From pregnancy stories to juggling schedules and sibling dynamics, this episode dives into the tools, challenges, and unforgettable memories that come with expanding your crew. ====== Send any thoughts or questions for the mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com. Make sure you connect with our Mamas: As...
Jan 27, 2025•32 min•Ep. 120
