A Girl Before Mom

Change is supposed to be good, right? Not always. Today I’m discussing the depression I’ve been navigating for the last fortnight and the moment I realized—with a little help from a friend—that my current "life transitions" are the culprit. It’s an honest, unscripted look at mental health, triggers, and the power of having people who see what you can’t.

Twenty-seven years ago today, my life changed in the best way possible. 👣 In honor of my son’s 27th birthday, I’m taking a trip down memory lane in the upcoming podcast episode. I’m sharing all the raw, unfiltered stories from my very first pregnancy—the nerves, the excitement, and everything in between.

What does a decade of loyalty look like? As I hit my 10th anniversary at the firm, I’m reflecting on the highs, the lows, and the incredible support that kept me going. From the early days to the present, I’ve been allowed to be a human first and an employee second. With the office closing its doors soon, the search for a new workplace has officially begun. Join me as I discuss how to honor the past while bravely stepping into the unknown.

Why is it that every time he finds someone new, they find your inbox? In this episode, we are breaking down the X factor drama the lies womanizer tell to keep their past present, the psychological of the “ crazy ex” narrative, and how to stop being the unpaid PR manager for your ex’s mess.

In this episode, we are pulling the rug out from under one of the oldest lies in the book: the claim that having children makes you "unmarketable" or "less than" in the dating world. This isn't just a mean comment; it’s a calculated tactic used to shake your confidence and keep you tethered to a situation that no longer serves you.

In this milestone 50th episode, we’re breaking down one of the most misunderstood forms of emotional manipulation: gaslighting. What does it actually mean to be gaslit? We dive into the red flags, the psychological impact of having your reality questioned, and personal stories of navigating the fog. Whether you’re currently in it or looking back in hindsight, this episode is about validating your experience and learning how to trust your own mind again.

The conversation continues. In part two of our series on friendship, we dive into the silence that follows a goodbye. How do you heal when there is no "closure" from the other person? We’re talking about emotional resilience, setting new boundaries, and the quiet peace found in choosing yourself.

We’ve been through the trenches so you don’t have to. In this episode, we’re sharing the hard-won lessons we’ve gathered from years of online dating. We discuss our personal "red flag" dealbreakers, how to spot a catfish from a mile away, and why we’re finally (maybe) ready to delete the apps for good. It’s a survival guide for the modern romantic.

Whether you’re receiving it or paying it, child support can be a major source of stress in any co-parenting relationship. In this episode, we dive into our own journeys through the system. We discuss how to manage the financial expectations, keep the focus on the kids, and protect your peace of mind while dealing with the red tape.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re "bad" at friendship, this episode is for you. We’re exposing the fundamental lie that friendships are supposed to be "found" rather than "built.

Is it just us, or is "trusting the process" easier said than done? Today, we’re talking about that nagging voice in the back of your head that asks, "Wait, what’s the catch?" From the "read" receipts that give us anxiety to the general feeling that everyone has an ulterior motive, we’re getting real about trust issues in 2026. Whether it’s a friendship that went south or a relationship that feels like a detective novel, we’re breaking down:• The difference between intuition and paranoia.• Why "letting your guard down" feels like an extreme sport.• How to stop self-sabotaging perfectly good vibes.Grab a coffee (and maybe put your phone on DND) while we unpack why we’re all a little bit suspicious.

They say the days are long but the years are short, and 2025 was no exception. ✨ In today’s episode of A Girl Before Mom, I’m sitting down to "Rap Up" everything this year taught me—not just about being a parent, but about finding myself again in the midst of it all. From the big wins to the quiet shifts, let’s look back at the woman behind the "Mom" title this year.

I’m back ! Happy New Year let’s talk about what I learned in 2024, my surgery update, relationships update and what I am hoping for the New Year.

And this episode I will be talking about pregnancy and infant loss and experiencing it for the first time due to an abusive relationship.

I talked about how I was diagnosed with depression in 99 and almost live in myself. How are dealt with depression and anxiety and where I’m at today with it.

In this final episode I talk about getting sentenced, experience in prison and how I was released.

There is often a lot of shame involved in staying too long. But what if that period was actually part of your processing? Today, we’re reframing the "stay." We discuss the lessons learned in the waiting room of change, how to stop beatng yourself up for "wasted time," and how to build the courage to act on what you already know to be true.

The first time is always the hardest. This week, we reflect on our first postpartum season—the highs, the lows, and the help that got us through. We discuss the shift in family roles, setting boundaries with relatives, and the lessons we learned when we were just two rookies trying to keep a newborn happy.

They say it takes a village, but what happens when you’re the whole town? What Single Motherhood Taught Us is a deep dive into the grit, the grace, and the growth that comes with solo parenting. Join us as we peel back the layers of the "supermom" myth to discuss the real lessons learned in the trenches—from navigating identity and loneliness to discovering a strength we never knew we had. No fluff, no judgment, just the honest truth about the journey that redefined us.

What happens when you trade the traditional family dinner for a seat at your best friend’s table? In this episode, we explore the beauty of spending the holidays with "chosen family." From navigating new dynamics to the pure joy of making memories with our friends’ kids, we’re talking about why stepping away from tradition doesn’t mean losing the holiday spirit—it means expanding it.

They say you are the company you keep, so I’m thrilled to introduce you to one of the best people I know. In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Maria. We’re moving past the surface level to talk about her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and what makes her tick. Grab a coffee and join our conversation!

In this episode I talk about why we picked a purse drive and the community we picked to get them. My intro about who I am and my domestic violence experience. My strength and how I overcame it.

In this episode I talk about celebrating 5 years in business with Cardona Designs. How the business came about and why I am a workaholic.

And this episode I talk about how relationships after math still continues to follow at times with drama when you’re trying to heal or have already healed. Then just going over the red flags that you saw on the relationship and why you ended it.

And this episode I talk about how people view depression and a little bit about a situation happen that let me know something wasn’t right and how I was diagnosed with depression.

In this episode I talk about how I was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus and how I explained it to my partner about it. How important it is to get a diagnosis and get treatment because letting it go untreated can lead to vulva.

And this episode I talk about losing my dad to colon cancer. My experiencing and having a colonoscopy and finding out I had stage one colon cancer.

In this episode I talk about being homeless with my kids and the job opportunity that helps me get on my feet to get us out of homelessness.

In this episode, I talk about going to jail, meeting with myAttorney, how things came about, pleading guilty, and why I was on the run.

This episode I talk about how I found out about stolen money from my employer and being charged.

In this episode I talk about what I learned Tejano is and the history of it. I talk about My great great great uncle looked like a white man and my DNA ancestry results. At the end of the day be proud of who are just don't knock someone else on their views and opinions.

Today’s episode is about as a little girl how I thought about a future husband for myself and I talked a little bit about seeing my parents, marriage, being toxic, and then eventually having my own toxic relationships. I also talk about my first what I thought was my serious boyfriend.

In the episode I talk about DV in my home having to let my son leave and where my health and mind has been.

In this episode I talk about the 5 tips my friends and I thought is important to do to handle problems in a relationship before you decide to break up.

In this episode, I talk about entrepreneurship how I got into it when I did how my middle son started doing it while he was in high school and how it changed the economy and held me as a single mother

And this episode, we talk about the four letter word love how love is in relationship, with your family, with your children, and have you ever really experience it and how you need to love yourself first before you really can love anybody else.

This episode I talk about how you can feel rejected because what you want, what they aren’t ready for or they think your asking for to much.

In this episode I talk about being a domestic violence survivor, and my mom as well. I talk about how I thought my night in shining armor was finally sweeping me off my feet until I found out he was in. He said he was.

In this episode I talk about how my weight loss journey is going and how therapy has been my best friend these days. Talk about sometimes I want to give up but know I’m the long run this will help me.

In this episode I talk about how I met my husband and why I divorced him. I talk about how I had a mental health crisis and how I finally chose me to be happy and ended my marriage.

Today episode we will be hearing about my good friend Vianey Gonzalez growing up and now her trying to heal her inner child.

In this episode we talk about friends that were in our lives at one time and out the next. We talked about how at times women can be insecure in their relationships and forget about their friendships.

This episode we talk with our guest speaker Alex Gonzalez about being the first generation child here and how family life was. How she had to give up her youth to help take care of her siblings while her parents work.

This episode I talk about finding out about my female issues, founding out I have Lupus, dating with Lupus and just learning to live with it. Your not alone or crazy and I am here to help.

In this episode I talk about how I met the guy I was in a 13 year relationship with and I found out about his double life. How now dating is hard in my 40s.

Today’s episode Tezhaniah and I reflect on 2023 the good the bad and what we want from 2024. I talk a little bit about using services, tipping, and about when you had enough in a relationship.

We talk about some of our first dates having to pay the bill and can’t keep a conversation. Featuring my son Nathan giving his two cents about men communicating.

This episode touches on why I started the podcast and what people know about and just introducing myself to my audience. Come get to know me and find out what we have similar.

When family who keep secrets about their loved ones and it comes to light . Some stories of people who lived with family secrets.

I talk about how my relationship with my grandmother was kinda like the same relationship my mother had with her. I also talk a little bit about wanting more for my children and building my relationships with my siblings.