The Mama's Den

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

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

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

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. 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

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