The Mama's Den

Epizodes

• Summer Crushes & College Dreams: A Mama Check-In from Disneyland 01.06.2026 27min

  This week, the Mamas are recording from the Happiest Place on Earth! Right in the middle of the tour - while Melanie stayed on the east coast - Codie and Ashley are joined by their families at Disneyland Resort for a special summer check-in filled with laughter, reflections, and a little bit of Disney magic. From celebrating Asiyah's birthday and debating the best rides to swapping summer plans and parenting updates, this was the family time the Mamas needed. The Mamas also open up about the bittersweet reality of watching their children grow up. Ashley shares why this summer is all about supporting Amirah as she prepares for college tours and her future beyond home, while Codie reflects on balancing work, rest, and making meaningful memories with her kids. And because no Mama conversation stays on one topic for long, the episode ends with stories about first crushes, first boyfriends, and the surprisingly sweet qualities their children value in "a crush". It's a joyful, lighthearted reminder that the seasons of motherhood move fast—and every stage deserves to be savored. Whether you're planning an epic vacation or just trying to make it through summer break, this episode is your reminder to slow down, enjoy your kids, and make the memories while you can. Because one minute you're pushing a stroller... and the next you're planning college tours. Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona
• Mom’s Night Out: Chicago, Hormones & Holding On By a Thread 25.05.2026 1h 12min

  Over the last 7 days, The Mama’s Den did live shows in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia ANNNNNDDD Ashley and Codie recorded at Disneyland! The Mamas are out here doing this most! The MOM'S NIGHT OUT tour ended this past Saturday but here is your glimpse into the live experience which is filled with the kind of honest, hilarious, healing conversations only the ladies of the Den can deliver. From Ashley hand-expressing breast milk in the club to the mamas juggling parenting schedules, college tours, dance drop-offs, therapy, perimenopause, and the emotional weight of raising kids while still trying to care for ourselves… the Mamas and the Chicago audience keep it all the way real. Ashley, Melanie, and Codie open up about the motherhood stage they’re currently navigating — from parenting teenagers to surviving the “Maycember” chaos, to feeling like marriage and parenting is one long relay race. Plus, the audience shares what it actually took to show up for themselves that night, and trust us… moms are doing THE MOST. The Mamas are also joined by women’s health expert Dr. Jessica Shepherd for an important segment about hormones, mental health, midlife changes, and why women deserve support through every season of life. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, touched out, guilty, exhausted, emotional, grateful, or deeply in need of a night out with your girls… this episode is for you. Grab your snacks, your group chat, and come sit in the Den. Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona
• Ashley’s Literal Day One: A Friendship That Has Lasted a Lifetime 18.05.2026 47min

  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
• The Parenting Conversation Most of Us Avoid 11.05.2026 48min

  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 Expectations vs. Reality (And Why We’re Choosing Ourselves) 04.05.2026 33min

  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
• How We Pulled Off Our First Live Show (Even When It Felt Impossible) — Updated 27.04.2026 30min

  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
• What Midwives Actually Do (And Why It Changes Everything) 20.04.2026 48min

  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
• Doulas, Medi-Cal & Black Maternal Health: What You Need to Know 13.04.2026 47min

  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
• The Snapback (Part 2): It Was Mental Warfare 06.04.2026 32min

  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
• The Truth About Doing It All: Country Star Mickey Guyton on Burnout, Motherhood & Redefining Success 30.03.2026 47min

  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 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 The Mama's Den on IG for all dates. Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona
• Social Media vs Real Relationships: The Truth No One Shows 23.03.2026 45min

  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
• Tabitha Brown in the Mama's Den - RUNNING IT BACK 16.03.2026 45min

  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
• How That Chick Angel is Raising Four Respectful Boys 09.03.2026 58min

  Some moms just get it… and Angel Laketa Moore (aka That Chick Angel aka the One Margarita Lady) is one of them. In this episode, the comedian, actress, podcaster, and mama of four boys - including a set of twins - pulls up to the Den and gives us the real on raising kind young men, balancing a full career with motherhood, and why parenting with intention matters. From the story of how she literally trained her son for his first homecoming date (PowerPoint included) to the sweet way she sings to him before school every morning, Angel shows that raising confident, respectful kids doesn’t happen by accident — it’s love, consistency, and a little strategy. We also talk about: • Raising boys with manners and emotional intelligence • When older siblings become the “third parent” • Building a career that actually works with motherhood • Protecting your kids while still sharing your life online • Why Angel says she was a terrible girlfriend but a great wife And of course… we laugh a LOT along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how some moms raise kids who are kind, thoughtful, and grounded — this conversation is for you. Keep up with Angel on IG: @ThatChickAngel 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
• The Love Comes Back with Donna Jordan 02.03.2026 53min

  There are mothers… and then there are matriarchs. This week in the Den, we sit down with Donna Jordan — lifelong visual artist, educator, proud grandmother, mother of three — and yes, the mother of Michael B. Jordan. But this conversation? It’s about her. Donna shares what it really looked like to raise three creative children while nurturing her own artistry — creating art between caregiving and callbacks working in hand-painted silk and design to help support her family, and making sure her children saw her creating even when life was full. She opens up about being diagnosed with lupus in 1997, navigating fear and uncertainty, and “faking it” through pain so her children wouldn’t carry the weight of her illness. She talks about what it means to mother through invisible disease, to show up when your body doesn’t want to, and how watching her push through shaped her children’s empathy and work ethic. And now? We see the fruit. Her children don’t just succeed — they show up. They place her art on sets. They manage her business. They protect the woman she is and the legacy she built quietly for decades. This episode is about reciprocity. About raising children who return the love. About taking your “$10” for yourself. About reclaiming your time — at any age. If you’ve ever wondered whether your sacrifices matter… this one will sit with you. Keep up with Donna Jordan on IG: @dj_kree8tive 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
• Protecting My Peace (And My Babies) with Apryl Jones 23.02.2026 1h 1min

  This week in The Mama’s Den, we’re kicking it with Apryl Jones — single mama of two, entrepreneur, creative, and yes… someone many people think they know from reality TV, but trust us, there’s so much more to her story. Apryl gets real about doing the work to release old relationship hurt and issues with her father so she can show up lighter, freer, and fully present for herself and her kids. We talk motherhood hustle, protecting your peace, dating as a single mom, what still scares her, and what she’s truly looking for in this next chapter. And honestly? Her energy surprised us in the best way — fun, carefree, thoughtful, and grounded in family first. It turned into one of those conversations where you laugh, reflect, and leave feeling a little softer about your own journey. Healing, honesty, and good mama energy all around. Keep up with Apryl on IG: @aprylsjones 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
• Faith Over Fear: Choosing Motherhood Solo with Kellee Stewart 16.02.2026 38min

  This week in The Mama’s Den, actress, storyteller, and new mama Kellee Stewart joins us for a deeply honest conversation about faith, timing, motherhood, and trusting your own path. After a seven-year relationship ended in her 30s, Kellee made the powerful decision to freeze her eggs — a choice that would shape her future in ways she never expected. Thirteen years later, through what she describes as a divine nudge delivered through her mother, she embraced motherhood on her own terms - at 50 years old - and is now navigating life as a newborn mom. We talk about heartbreak, hope, egg freezing as an option every woman deserves to understand, and the beauty of building a family in a way that feels right for you. It’s vulnerable, inspiring, faith-filled, and full of the real talk you expect from The Mama’s Den. Keep up with Kellee Stewart on IG: @kstew222 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
• Wait — Is This Perimenopause?! Real Talk With Dr. Jessica Shepherd 09.02.2026 55min

  Hot flashes, hormones, mood swings… oh my. 😅 This week in the Mama’s Den, OB-GYN, menopause expert, and Generation M author Dr. Jessica Shepherd joins us for a honest, funny, and super informative convo about perimenopause, menopause, and everything in between. If you’ve ever wondered what’s happening to your body (or what’s coming next), this episode is packed with clarity, reassurance, and practical gems. Honestly? Required listening for every woman — and the people who love us. Keep up with Dr. Shepherd on IG: @jessicashepherdmd Learn more about her and even buy her book, Generation M, at jessicashepherdmd.com 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
• GOAT Talk: Main Character Mama Moments 02.02.2026 37min

  This week on The Mama’s Den, we’re coming together in our LA studio in the best way — with a conversation inspired by the upcoming animated film GOAT, a story all about dreaming big, overcoming expectations, and discovering the greatness already inside you. Using themes from the movie, the Mamas ask each other powerful questions about legacy, pressure, confidence, setbacks, and what it really means to keep going — not just for our kids, but for ourselves. And because we hadn’t been in the same room together in months, this episode turns into something even more special: a chance to truly catch up, laugh, get honest, and go deep about the seasons we’ve been living through as women, moms, and friends. It’s heartfelt, it’s fun, and it’s a reminder that sometimes the best conversations happen when you give yourself space to reflect — and the people who know you best are right there beside 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
• Hoops, Heart, and God's Timing with Simone I. Smith 26.01.2026 1h 6min

  This week on The Mama’s Den, we’re joined by the radiant Simone I. Smith — jewelry designer, mother of four, grandmother of four, devoted wife to LL Cool J, and a true embodiment of sisterhood. Simone is the definition of a girl’s girl: a woman whose brand and spirit are rooted in community, friendship, and showing up for other women. From her signature hoop designs under Simone I. Smith Jewelry to the wisdom she carries as a cancer survivor, Simone’s story is one of resilience, grace, and deep faith. In this conversation, we talk about God’s timing, trusting the seasons of motherhood, and learning to lean into the kind of mom you truly are — not the one you think you’re supposed to be. Simone shares what it means to build a life grounded in love, purpose, and sisterhood, and why every chapter unfolds exactly when it’s meant to. This episode is a reminder that motherhood isn’t one-size-fits-all… and that sometimes, the greatest strength comes from embracing your own journey — right on time. Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona
• Choosing Love & Laughter with Katryce Pedro 19.01.2026 54min

  On this episode of The Mama’s Den, we’re joined by Katryce Pedro aka The Funny Momma, who proves that you can tell the truth about hard seasons and laugh your way through them. With humor, honesty, and zero fluff, Katryce opens up about being a mom of two by two different fathers, what she learned from two failed marriages, and why she’s still choosing love as she steps into 2026 engaged and embracing a well-deserved soft life. She also shares the very real—but often heavy—experience of parenting a child on the autism spectrum, explaining how taking a hands-on, informed approach helped her youngest son make meaningful progress. This conversation is filled with laughs, lessons, and reminders that community matters in motherhood. It’s proof that joy and resilience can exist right alongside the hard stuff. Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco  Melanie - @melaniefiona