Momma Drama and Trauma

For most of my life, I knew who I was. I was a wife. I was a mom. My family was the center of everything, and honestly, that was the life I had always wanted.But now, as I’m approaching 50, my kids are growing up, my marriage is over and for the first time, I’m having to ask myself a question I’m not sure I’ve ever really had to answer before: Who is Jenny when nobody needs anything from her?In this episode, I’m talking about starting over, learning to let my kids grow up, rediscovering the parts of myself that have always been there and trying to figure out what I actually want the next part of my life to look like.I know I want peace. I know I want a life that feels like mine. I’m just still figuring out who I am along the way.🎧 Episode 59 of Momma Drama & Trauma🌼 New episodes every week

What happens when the life you spent years planning no longer feels like the life you want?In this episode, I’m looking back at the dreams I had as a little girl, the life I eventually built and the future I thought I had all figured out. Some of those dreams have changed, some are still very much mine and I’m learning that maybe I don’t need to know exactly what comes next to start creating a life that feels like home.Want to stay connected between episodes? Follow Momma Drama & Trauma on Facebook or find me on TikTok & Instagram @MommaDramaAndTrauma.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped making much room for myself.It didn’t happen all at once. Life got busy. My kids needed me. There was a house, a business, a marriage and all the things that needed to be taken care of. Little by little, the things that were mine became easier to let go.In this episode, I’m looking back at the woman I was before my marriage ended and realizing how much differently I think today. I talk about losing something I loved when I had to stop running, feeling like my quieter hobbies somehow didn’t count, struggling with how I saw myself and eventually learning just how much my nervous system had been carrying.I’m still figuring out who I am and what I want the next part of my life to look like. I’m almost 50 and I definitely don’t have all the answers.But I trust myself a whole lot more while I figure them out.Want to stay connected between episodes? Follow Momma Drama & Trauma on Facebook or find me on TikTok & Instagram @MommaDramaAndTrauma.

Three summers ago, I went to sleep on my couch thinking I knew what the rest of my life was going to look like.I was raising three teenage boys, running everyone where they needed to go, keeping up with the house and business and sending my husband listings for pieces of land where I thought we might someday build a home and grow old together.I had no idea how much my life was about to change.In this episode of Momma Drama & Trauma, I’m looking back at the woman I was before everything fell apart, the woman who had to learn how to do life on her own and the woman I am still becoming today.I talk about buying a vehicle by myself for the first time, learning to sit at a table alone, figuring things out around the house, starting Momma Drama & Trauma and eventually realizing that the life I was once terrified of losing wasn’t a life I wanted back.And somewhere along the way, my definition of home changed too.Home will always be my boys, but home has also become peace. It has become trusting myself, taking care of myself and realizing I don’t have to know exactly where my life is going to keep moving forward.If you’ve ever looked back at an older version of yourself and wished you could sit beside them for a while, this episode is for you.The Porch Swing:If you’d like to learn more about The Porch Swing, you can find the details here: https://ko-fi.com/mommadramaandtraumaConnect with Momma Drama & Trauma:Instagram: @mommadramaandtraumaTikTok: @mommadramaandtraumaYouTube: @MommaDramaTraumaWebsite: www.mommadramaandtrauma.com

What happens when you start keeping the promises you make to yourself?In this episode of Momma Drama & Trauma, I’m sharing some of the small moments that helped me begin trusting myself again. From finally letting go of the need to know what my former husband was doing, to continuing to show up for this podcast when life felt heavy, to taking back a closet that once held someone else’s life and walking into a testing center scared to death that I wouldn’t pass.None of these moments changed my life overnight. But each one gave me a little more proof that I could count on myself.Sometimes rebuilding trust in yourself doesn’t begin with one huge decision. Sometimes it starts with one small promise you make to yourself and actually keep.So come have a seat with me on the porch swing, and before you leave, I’ll ask you one question:What promise could you keep to yourself this week?🌼 Join me on The Porch SwingIf you’re not quite ready for the conversation to end, The Porch Swing is where we slow down, go a little deeper and continue these conversations together with reflections, guided resources, exclusive audio and community.The Porch Swing: https://ko-fi.com/mommadramaandtrauma🎙️ Momma Drama & TraumaNew episodes weekly.

Have you ever realized you were waiting for someone else to tell you it was okay to begin?In this episode of Momma Drama & Trauma, we're talking about the quiet ways we put parts of our lives on hold while we wait for the right time, more confidence or someone else's approval.I'm sharing a few ordinary moments from my own life that didn't seem very important while I was living them, but looking back, I can see how much they changed me. From learning to choose myself, to telling my own story, to discovering I could enjoy my own company and eventually creating something I had only imagined before.This week's Porch Swing Reflection asks one simple question:What are you waiting for permission to do?Take that question with you this week and give yourself some time to really think about the answer.🌼 THE PORCH SWINGIf you'd like to continue these conversations with me, I'd love to have you join me at The Porch Swing.The Porch Swing is a place to slow down, reflect and tell the whole story instead of the short version we usually tell. Inside, you'll find guided journals and workbooks, personal audio reflections, slideshows, bonus content and a growing collection of resources created from the things I've learned through my own healing and growth.Come as you are. Take what speaks to you and leave what doesn't.Have a seat and stay awhile.Join The Porch Swing here:https://ko-fi.com/mommadramaandtrauma🌼 MOMMA DRAMA & TRAUMAIf today's episode connected with you, follow Momma Drama & Trauma so you don't miss next week's story. And if you know someone who might need this conversation too, I'd love for you to share this episode with them.Website:www.mommadramaandtrauma.comSocial Media:@MommaDramaAndTraumaReflection is where healing begins.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to trust everyone else's opinion... but struggle to trust your own?Somewhere along the way, many of us stop listening to that quiet voice inside ourselves. We ask for reassurance. We second guess our instincts. We wait for someone else to tell us we're making the right decision.In this episode, I'm sharing four personal stories about the slow, quiet journey of learning to trust my own voice again. From patched yoga pants to launching my podcast, from hitting "Publish" without asking for permission to creating The Porch Swing, each story reminded me that healing doesn't always happen in big, dramatic moments. Sometimes it happens one ordinary decision at a time.If you've been wondering how to trust yourself again after heartbreak, loss or a life-changing season, I hope this conversation reminds you that your voice was never really gone.It may have just been waiting for you to listen again.Learning to make decisions without asking for permissionWhat one year of podcasting taught me about healingTrusting your own voice instead of seeking constant reassuranceWhy I created The Porch SwingWhen was the last time you trusted yourself before asking someone else what they thought?Join Me on The Porch SwingI'm so excited to finally share The Porch Swing, my new membership community created for anyone who wants to continue these conversations beyond the podcast.Inside you'll find deeper reflections, guided resources, exclusive audio content and a supportive community walking through healing and growth together.🌼 Join The Porch Swing here:https://ko-fi.com/mommadramaandtrauma🌼 Website: https://www.mommadramaandtrauma.com🌼 Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MommaDramaAndTrauma🌼 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mommadramaandtrauma🌼 TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@mommadramaandtrauma🌼 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@MommaDramaAndTraumaIf this episode encouraged you, I'd be so grateful if you would follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with someone who might need to hear it.Thank you for spending part of your day with me.Reflection is where healing begins.

When I first thought about freedom, I imagined it would feel like a finish line. I thought it would come after everything was over.Instead, I discovered something completely different.In this episode, I'm sharing four ordinary moments that quietly changed my life. A conversation on my back porch, a realization in my office, a moment alone on my couch and rediscovering the little girl who loved to create.None of them seemed life changing at the time.Looking back, they changed everything.Maybe freedom isn't about escaping your past.Maybe it's about finally setting down what was never yours to carry, finding your voice again and slowly coming home to yourself.If you've ever wondered whether healing was even possible, I hope this conversation reminds you that sometimes the biggest turning points in our lives begin on the most ordinary days.Thank you for spending a little time with me today. If this episode meant something to you, I'd love for you to follow Momma Drama & Trauma on Spotify and share this episode with someone who might need it today.🌼 Reflection is where healing begins.🌼 Website: www.mommadramaandtrauma.com🌼 Facebook: Momma Drama & Trauma🌼 YouTube: Momma Drama & Trauma🌼 Instagram: @MommaDramaAndTrauma🌼 TikTok: @MommaDramaAndTrauma

When was the last time you noticed yourself?For years, my life revolved around taking care of everyone else. My mornings were filled with making breakfasts, packing lunches, driving kids to school and making sure everyone had what they needed before I ever stopped to think about what I needed.Then, little by little, life began to change.In this episode, I'm sharing four ordinary stories that quietly changed the way I see myself. Stories about school mornings, hearing the garage door close after my boys left for work, learning to trust my own decisions and realizing I'm capable of carrying more than I ever imagined.None of these moments felt extraordinary while I was living them.Looking back, they became the moments that taught me how to carry my own life.If you've ever found yourself wondering who you are after raising children, after divorce, after heartbreak or after a season of putting everyone else first, I hope these stories remind you that rediscovering yourself rarely happens all at once.It usually happens one ordinary day at a time.If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear your story too.🌼 Website: www.mommadramaandtrauma.com🌼 Facebook: Momma Drama & Trauma🌼 Instagram: @MommaDramaAndTrauma🌼 TikTok: @MommaDramaAndTrauma🌼 YouTube: Momma Drama & Trauma

Sometimes the biggest promises we make aren't the ones we make to other people.They're the quiet promises we make to ourselves.In this episode, I take you back to the early days of Momma Drama & Trauma, from recording my first episodes to the night a YouTube Live turned into a complete dumpster fire. Looking back now, I realize none of those moments were really about getting everything right. They were about showing up for myself, following through and learning to trust myself again.This episode isn't about being fearless. It's about taking the next step anyway, even when you have no idea how things are going to turn out.If you've ever wondered whether your story matters or whether you're capable of more than you believe, I hope you'll come have a seat beside me on the porch swing.Reflection is where healing begins.

After heartbreak, I stopped trusting myself.I questioned my decisions, replayed conversations and wondered how I had missed the signs.In this episode, I'm taking you back to a white desk, a car dealership, a quiet food court and a few ordinary moments that slowly helped me find my way back to myself.This isn't a story about suddenly becoming confident.It's about discovering that trusting yourself doesn't happen all at once. Sometimes it happens one small decision at a time.If you've ever questioned your instincts after betrayal, divorce or a major life change, I hope this conversation reminds you that the person you've been searching for has been inside you all along.Reflection is where healing begins.If this episode reminded you of a part of your own story, I'd love to hear from you. You can always find me on social media at Momma Drama & Trauma, or send me a message through my website. One of my favorite parts of doing this podcast is hearing your stories too, because they remind us that we're never as alone as we think we are.And if you're looking for a place to keep reflecting, I hope you'll come join me over at The Porch Swing. It's a space I'm creating for women who want to slow down, share stories, reflect and continue healing together. There will be guided reflections, journal prompts, conversations and monthly resources, all created with the hope that you'll feel seen, supported and encouraged as you continue your own journey.I'd love to have you there.

Three years ago, I stood in my laundry room wondering what had happened to me.I had spent so many years taking care of everyone else that somewhere along the way, I stopped knowing who Jenny was. I thought I was searching for purpose, but I had no idea life was quietly preparing me for a journey I never would've chosen.In this episode, I'm taking you back to the ordinary places that became turning points in my life: the laundry room where the questions first began, the couch where everything changed, the therapy offices where I finally felt safe enough to fall apart, the early morning walks with Mazy that slowly helped me breathe again and the porch swing where I now find myself sharing this journey with you.This isn't a story about going back to the woman I used to be.It's about becoming the woman I never knew I could become.If you've ever wondered where you went, questioned your purpose or felt like you were slowly losing yourself while taking care of everyone else, I hope this conversation reminds you that your story isn't over.Sometimes the life you never planned introduces you to the woman you were always capable of becoming.Reflection is where healing begins.If today's episode made you feel a little less alone, I'd love for you to follow Momma Drama & Trauma here on Spotify so you never miss a new conversation.You can also join me over on The Front Porch Swing on Facebook, a free community where we'll keep having conversations just like this one. No pressure, no pretending and no expectation that you have everything figured out.Just real women, sharing real journeys and reminding each other that none of us have to walk this road alone.I'd love to save you a seat.

For a long time, I thought the hardest part of healing would be surviving the pain.What I didn't expect was how strange it would feel when life started getting better.In this episode, I'm sharing the moments that caught me off guard as happiness slowly started finding its way back into my life. From watching my boys become more independent to late nights on the porch with friends and realizing I could laugh without carrying the weight of my divorce every second of the day, healing didn't show up the way I thought it would.It arrived quietly.And when it did, I wasn't always sure I could trust it.We'll talk about why joy can feel uncomfortable after heartbreak, why peace sometimes feels unfamiliar, and how learning to let go of control became one of the most important lessons of my healing journey.If you've ever found yourself waiting for something bad to happen just when life starts feeling good again, this conversation is for you.If this episode spoke to you, follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might need the reminder that happiness is still possible after heartbreak.

For a long time, I thought I had simply gotten busy.And maybe that's exactly what happened.Between raising three boys, helping run a business, managing a household and carrying the responsibilities of everyday life, I slowly stopped paying attention to the things I enjoyed.Not because I was unhappy.Not because I didn't love my life.Life just got full.In this episode, I'm sharing what it was like to realize I had lost touch with the parts of myself that always brought me joy. The books I loved reading. The writing and journaling that helped me process life. The creativity that eventually led me to create Momma Drama and Trauma.This isn't a conversation about finding joy through some huge life change.It's about the small moments that helped me reconnect with myself.A good book.A journal page.Music in the kitchen.A creative idea.A quiet morning.Because sometimes finding yourself again looks a lot like remembering what you loved all along.If you've ever looked around and wondered what happened to the things that used to make you feel like you, this conversation is for you.And if today's conversation resonated with you and you'd like to stay connected, I'd love to have you join me over at MommaDramaAndTrauma.com.You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube at Momma Drama and Trauma, where I share reflections, stories and little moments that don't always make it into the podcast.I'd love to continue this journey with you there.

When my marriage fell apart, I didn't want support.I wanted nobody to know.I was embarrassed, ashamed and trying to hold everything together while my world felt like it was falling apart.In this episode, I'm sharing the story of the people who carried me when I couldn't carry myself. From my mom and sister to my sister-in-laws, counselors, friends, neighbors and even an unexpected friendship that came from one of the hardest chapters of my life, this episode is about the people who showed up.It's a reminder that healing isn't something we're meant to do alone.Sometimes the people who help us the most aren't the people who fix the problem.They're the people who stay.Reflection Question:Who carried you when you couldn't carry yourself?And have you ever told them how much it meant?And if you're enjoying the podcast, don't forget to follow Momma Drama & Trauma on Spotify so you never miss an episode. As always, thank you for being here.

For a long time, I thought finding joy again meant reaching a point where the pain no longer existed.What I eventually learned was that healing doesn't work that way.In this episode of Momma Drama & Trauma, I share what it was like learning to navigate life as a family of four after the end of my 22 year marriage. I talk about the traditions I thought we'd always have, the holidays that felt different, the quiet weekends that hurt more than I expected and the small moments that slowly brought life back into focus.This episode isn't really about divorce.It's about grief, healing, motherhood and learning to embrace the life that's right in front of you, even when it doesn't look like the one you planned.Along the way, I share the lessons I learned about slowing down, being present with my boys and realizing that joy and grief can exist at the same time.Most of all, I talk about how finding joy again wasn't really about getting my old life back.It was about finding myself again.If you've ever struggled with letting go of the future you thought you'd have, I hope this conversation reminds you that your story isn't over.There is still beauty here.There is still life to live.There is still joy waiting to be found.Journal Reflection:What parts of your life still bring you joy, even while you're healing?Not the big things.The little things.The conversations.The music.The walks.The sunsets.The people who showed up.I'd love to hear your answer.You can share it in the comments, send me a message or connect with me on social media.And if you'd like to do a little more reflecting, I've included a free journal prompt that goes along with this episode.Sometimes the things that help us heal are already sitting right in front of us.

In this episode of Momma Drama and Trauma, I'm sharing the story of my youngest son, Carson.If you've ever met Carson, you've probably felt it immediately. The energy. The laughter. The imagination. The joy.From his loud footsteps and endless stories to his fearless personality and ability to make people laugh when they need it most, Carson has always been the spark in our family.He was my easiest baby, my biggest handful, my storyteller, my fearless adventurer and the child who constantly reminds me that life doesn't always have to be so serious.In this episode, I share memories of family game nights, fish eggs that weren't really fish eggs, a fish supposedly living in our basement toilet, Fred Flintstone feet and the countless ways Carson brought laughter and life into our home.But beneath the stories is something deeper.This is a conversation about individuality, creativity, learning differently, finding your place in the world and the unique gifts our children bring into our lives.Most of all, it's about a little boy who grew into a young man and taught his mom how to laugh more, worry less and find joy in the everyday moments.Because sometimes the people who test our patience the most are also the ones who teach us the greatest lessons.If this episode made you think about someone who brings joy into your life, I'd love for you to share it with them.Be sure to follow Momma Drama and Trauma on Spotify so you never miss a new episode. New episodes are released weekly.You can also connect with me at:Momma Drama & Trauma WebsiteAs always, you are strong, you are worthy, and your story matters. Until next time, take care of you.

This week on Momma Drama & Trauma, I’m talking about my son Derek, the quiet protector of our family and the one who guarded my heart during some of the hardest moments of my life.Derek has always been an old soul. He notices everything, remembers everything and feels things deeply even when he doesn’t always say them out loud. In this episode, I share stories about his love for family, his love of history, the way he always wanted everyone together and the quiet ways he showed up for me after our family changed forever.We talk about the moments that defined who he is, from late night talks and beach conversations to the nights he slept beside me in a chair because he didn’t want me to be alone.This episode is about the quiet kids. The deep feelers. The protectors. The ones who carry more than they let the world see.And most of all, it’s about the kind of love that shows up softly but changes everything.Next week, we continue the series with Carson: The Spark of Joy.🎙️ Momma Drama & TraumaHealing, growing and finding yourself again.🌿 Website: www.mommadramaandtrauma.com📱 Facebook, Instagram & TikTok: @MommaDramaAndTrauma

Sometimes the child who looks the strongest is the one carrying the most.In this episode, I’m sharing the story of my oldest son, Ryan, the one who stepped into responsibility early, the one who tried to hold things together, and the one who has always had a heart that feels deeply and loves hard.From the little boy who wanted to be the one to help to the young man who figured things out on his own, Ryan has always carried more than people realize.We talk about what it means to see yourself in your child, how that can challenge you and grow you at the same time, and the quiet ways our kids show up for us, especially in the hardest seasons.This episode is part of a special series about my boys and how, in ways they may never fully understand, they helped carry me through one of the most difficult times of my life.And today feels even more meaningful because as this episode is released, Ryan and his brother Derek have just graduated high school.A full circle moment I will never forget.If you’ve ever had a child who takes on more than they should, who feels deeply, or who reminds you of yourself in ways that are both beautiful and hard, this episode is for you.🎧 New episodes every Tuesday🌐 www.mommadramaandtrauma.com📲 Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @MommaDramaandTraumaIf this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to follow, share it with someone who needs it or leave a review, it helps this message reach other women who might need to hear it.

There is a part of motherhood no one really prepares you for.Not the chaos.Not the exhaustion.The silence.In this episode, I am sharing what it felt like to go from a loud busy house full of boys to a quiet home that no longer sounded like the life I once knew.From little feet running across the kitchen floor to wrestling matches in the living room to bedtime routines, sports schedules and everyday chaos, this was the rhythm of my life.And then everything changed.Divorce did not just change my marriage.It changed the sound of my home.It changed my nervous system.It changed me.This episode is the foundation for the entire month of May where I will be sharing more about my boys and the lessons motherhood has taught me.But before we get there, we have to start here.With the sounds.The silence.And the truth that sometimes what once felt overwhelming becomes the very thing you miss the most.If you are navigating divorce, co parenting or simply the quiet that comes with your kids growing up, this episode is for you.You are not alone.If this episode resonated with you, follow the show and share it with someone who might need it.You can also find more reflections, blogs and free resources at:www.mommadramaandtrauma.com

Sometimes healing is not about getting back to who you were.Sometimes it is about grieving the version of you that existed before everything changed.The woman who felt safe.The woman who believed in forever.The woman who thought she knew how her story would go.In this episode of Momma Drama & Trauma, I’m talking about the grief that comes with becoming someone new.Because healing is not just growth.Sometimes it is loss.It is letting go of old versions of yourself.It is learning to trust yourself again.It is realizing peace matters more than keeping people comfortable.I share the small moments that showed me I had changed, the truth about still wanting my husband back after betrayal and the quiet healing that happens when you finally choose yourself.If you are somewhere between the old version of you and the person you are becoming, this episode is for you.You are not lost.You are changing.And that matters.For more healing reflections, blogs and my free journal Choosing Love That Chooses You, visit mommadramaandtrauma.comIf this episode spoke to you, make sure you’re following Momma Drama & Trauma on Spotify so you never miss a new episode every Tuesday.And if this story helped you feel less alone, share it with someone who may need it too.