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Serena was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but it tarnished. Her life fell apart when she was just four years old. After her parents divorce, Serena’s brother went to live with her father, while she remained with her mother. Then one day, when left unsupervised, her older brother died in a tragic accident. This event precipitated years of being bounced around between family members. Not living with her biological parents, Serena felt a drive to be self-sufficient, and has found entrepreneurial success. In the episode of The Now What Pod, Serena joins us to share her story.    Topics Discussed: Serena’s childhood The Accident Learning of her Brother’s Death How children process death Survival Becoming Financially Independent Being an entrepreneur during the pandemic Becoming a mom during Covid  Shared Custody   Resources: Buy Serena’s Book https://amzn.to/3navFzT   About Serena Holmes: Serena Holmes is the CEO of multi-award winning brand experience agency Tigris Events. She has spearheaded more than 12,000 brand building activations across Canada over the last 18 years. In addition, she recently transitioned her real estate license and launched her first book, The Accidental Entrepreneur – which is part memoir, part “nuts and bolts” business book. The book chronicles Serena’s experience going from surviving a difficult childhood to thriving as a self-styled, private enterprise, thriving entrepreneur.   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: [email protected] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod  

CW: abortion   The Now What Pod is joined by post-abortion life coach, Amanda Star Kingsley. After an unexpected pregnancy, Amanda, a married mother of three, chose to have an abortion. Amanda discovered that this was a complex and emotional experience.  In this episode, we discuss abortion laws, deciding to have an abortion, the stigma of abortion, abortion access, and healing after abortion.  Topics Discussed: U.S. Abortion Laws The Decision to have an Abortion Stigma of Abortion  Life After Abortion Supporting and Feeling Supported  Planned Parenthood Abortion Access Post-Abortion coaching    Resources: Roe vs.Wade https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade Working Moms imdb.com/title/tt6143796/ Planned Parenthood Toronto https://ppt.on.ca/ Planned Parenthood US https://www.plannedparenthood.org/   About Amanda Star Kingsley: Amanda Kingsley is a Certified Feminist Life Coach and Doula. She is the host of the Speaking Light Into Abortion podcast. And the Author of ‘What I Wish: 100 love notes to help you survive, come alive, and thrive after abortion.’ After her own unanticipated abortion as a mother of three, she recognized the need for a wider conversation around the complex emotional landscape of life after abortion. She reminds her audience that it’s okay to feel all the feelings after abortion, and that we can honor our decisions by living the life we made our choice for. You can learn more and connect with her at www.amandastarkingsley.com  IG @amandastarkingsley   Support The Now What Pod Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content Shop our Merch   Subscribe to our Newsletter and never miss an episode!   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: [email protected] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod  

CW: Suicidal ideation, sexual abuse, alcohol abuse, domestic violence   Charlene joins The Now What Pod to talk about the impact that the sexual abuse she experienced as a child had on her. As a teen and adult, Charlene struggled with alcohol abuse, mental illness, and suicidal ideology. The one day, just 2 days before she planned to take her own life, everything changed. She flipped the script and was able to begin the healing process, and find her purpose. Topics Discussed: The sexual abuse: Charlene talks about how she came to be living with her grandparents, and how the abuse at the hands of her grandfather began. Alcohol abuse: Charlene talks about leaning on alcohol as a coping mechanism Writing as an outlet Suicidal ideation, attepting suicide Domestic violence: Charlene entered into unhealthy relationships while seeking validation Trying to outrun her problems by moving far away Creating Happiness for herself Insecurities as a woman and mother Handling setbacks Gratitude, Morning Routines, Starting your day in a clear balance Supporting others: How can we hold space for others, allowing them to feel their feelings without trying to fix it.    Resources: www.ascensionwellnessstudio.com www.charlenemadden-speaker.com The 5AM Club https://www.amazon.ca/AM-Club-Morning-Elevate-Life/dp/1443456624 Miracle Morning: https://www.amazon.ca/Miracle-Morning-Not-So-Obvious-Guaranteed-Transform/dp/0979019710/ref=asc_df_0979019710/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292938044607&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12146600924608737235&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1002468&hvtargid=pla-345853580821&psc=1   About Charlene Madden: Charlene Madden has admittedly spent most of her life living in a state of darkness.  After experiencing over 9 years of sexualized trauma at the hands of her grandfather, a decade of domestic violence, and 3+ decades of mental illness and suicidal ideology, she was just 2 days away from taking her life when she attended  a women's workshop where everything changed.  She was able to take off her blinders, begin the healing process, and find her Purpose by turning her Mess into a Message of Hope, Evolution, and Transformation that she now shares with people all over the world.  Charlene is a Mother of 3 amazing children, a wife, daughter, Reiki Practitioner, Women's Empowerment Coach. Connect with Charlene:  https://www.instagram.com/charlene_anne_madden https://www.facebook.com/charleneannemadden https://www.facebook.com/igniteyourlifebc https://twitter.com/MaddenAuthor https://ca.linkedin.com/in/charlene-madden-speaker-and-author   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Subscribe to our Newsletter & never miss an episode   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: [email protected] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod

Sherente, a Two Spirit member of the Narragansett tribe, joins The Now What Pod to share their story of overcoming the discrimination they faced when they decided to compete in a dance traditionally performed only by women. Sherenté talks about their two spirit identity and how they are breaking barriers while fighting for Indigenous visibility.  Sherente takes the time to explain what it means to be a two-spirit and to teach us about Narragansett culture and history in this thought provoking episode.    Topics Discussed: Two Spirit: What does it mean to be Two Spirit? What was the traditional role of two-spirits in the Narragansett community?  Identifying as Two Spirit: Sherente shares their journey of coming out, being accepted Powwows and Pow Wow Dances: Sherente describes Powwows, both historically and at present. They share their experience deciding to compete in a dance traditionally performed by women.    Narragansett Culture and History   Narragansett People: A brief history of the Narragansett People   Resources: Complete the Circle https://www.uri.edu/tedx/talks/sherente-harris-complete-the-circle/ Documentary: Being Thunder https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14908696/   About Sherenté Harris: Sherenté Mishitashin Harris intertwines stories of cultural existence with their Two Spirit identity, to evoke emotion, spark dialogue, and amplify ideologies that are too often silenced. Sherenté’s efforts oppose the prolonged issue of Indigenous invisibility. Sherenté is Niantic Narragansett and a citizen of the Narragansett Tribal Nation. Named a 2019 LGBT History Month Icon, Sherenté is also a 2018 Presidential and Rhode Island Foundation Carter Roger Williams Scholar and is currently enrolled in a five year dual degree program at Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. S/he can be found on IG @sherente   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: [email protected] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod  

The Now What Pod talks with Instamom,  Melissa Rainer. Melissa shared her motherhood journey, from stepmom, to bio mom, and then legal mom. Melissa dishes the real real of being a stepmom, and the challenges she faced before finally adopting her step children.    Resources: Instamom Pod https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/instamom-podcast/id1587915577   About Melissa Rainer: Melissa was a stepmom first, BioMom second, and now legal mom forever. She shares her story on her podcast Instamom from the beginning of becoming a stepmom and is working through to how she was able to adopt her stepdaughters. She always felt alone in her feelings of being a stepmom, which lead her to start the podcast. Being a primary parent without any legal standing really caused a lot of stressful situations. They have been a legal family for a year now but the difficulty of working through abandonment, disparagement & broken hearts is never ending.  Follow Melissa @instamompod   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: [email protected] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod  

This week, The Now What Pod meets with Megan Hillukka who is a bereaved mother, with 7 children, one who died at 15 months old. When Megan was 36 weeks pregnant her daughter, Aria, died. Megan was caught between saying goodbye to one child, while welcoming a new child into the world. In this episode, Megan shares her experience with the death of her daughter, and what she has learned about grief. She now uses her experience to coach other grieving moms, and shares so much of her wisdom with us.    Topics Discussed: Aria: Megan tells us all about her daughter Aria, who died suddenly at 15 months old.   After Aria Died: In the aftermath of Aria’s death, Megan suffered from PTSD. She desperately  wanted to care for her kids and be the best mother she could be, but struggled with grieving and did not want to be left alone with her children   Keeping Aria as part of the family: Megan talks about how her family keeps Aria’s memory alive by continuing to talk about her often    Grief in Social situations: Megan describes how she navigates social situations where people do  not know what to say. Initially, Megan withdrew from social situations and chose to surround herself with only a few people. She also talks about how she manages telling new people about Aria.    Grieving: Through her experience of the death of her daughter Aria, Megan has learned how to feel her emotions, be aware of her thoughts and how much they matter, and learned that grief is with her the rest of her life, and she can ride the waves of it.   Coaching mothers through grief: Megan now encourages and supports grieving mothers. She helps others learn how to process and move through the emotions of grief through tapping and meditations, and provides a place of safety and compassion. Megan teaches us about she she calls clean grief and dirty grief.  Resources: Grieving Moms Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/grieving-moms-podcast/id1473859194 Grieving Moms Haven www.grievingmomshaven.com/bundle/hope About Megan Hillukka: Megan Hillukka is a bereaved mother, with 7 children, one who died at 15 months old. Megan encourages and supports grieving mothers that though the worst thing has happened to them, their life is not over. Through her experience of the death of her daughter Aria, Megan has learned how to feel her emotions, be aware of her thoughts and how much they matter, and learned that grief is with her the rest of her life, and she can ride the waves of it. Because Megan has done the deep work of grief, she now has room for joy, laughter, hope, and so much fun in her life. She will never forget her daughter Aria and they talk about her often as a family. She helps moms learn how to process and move through the emotions of grief through tapping and meditations, and provides a place of safety and compassion within grief, so that they too can feel themselves again and hope for their future.   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content Shop our merch   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: [email protected] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod

Nova Reeves joins The Now What Pod to discuss the murder of her mother by “The Green River Killer”. As a child, Nova was frequently left responsible for the care of her younger sisters, while her mother struggled with drug use and undiagnosed mental health issues. Then, one day her mother disappeared and was never seen again.    In this episode, Nova shares the impact that her upbringing, and her mother’s murder has had on her life, and how she has learned to grieve the death of somebody she had already lost.   Topics Discussed: Upbringing: Nova talks about her upbringing with a mentally ill mother, and being thrust in the role of caregiver for her younger siblings.    Grieving the Loss of her Mother: Nova has begun healing from wounds left by her mother. As part of her grieving process she has tried to unearth who her mother was by learning as much as she could about her. For Nova, writing poetry about her mother as played a major role in her healing.    Impact: Nove discusses how her early experiences have led to struggling with intimacy and boundaries.   Bipolar Disorder and PTSD: Nova shares what life is like for her living as an adult with Bipolar Disorder, and PTSD   Being a BIrth Mother: Nova describes the rationale beyond her own decision to place her child in an open adoption, and what her relationship is like with her son.    Generational trauma: In this episode, we learn who Marta was. Nova shares information about her mother's childhood and upbringing, and the threads of generation trauma are obvious.    Resources: Bipolar Disorder https://mdsc.ca/edu/what-is-bipolar-disorder/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmuiTBhDoARIsAPiv6L_7xDApvVoRM-1AdPRvxjPyng2GPLdPR7wZLMULdSQhQ0FX1nyPWD8aAgcnEALw_wcB Catching Killers: television series https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15723914/ MMVR murder victims reconciliation (texas): Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation http://ami.mvfr-tx.tripod.com/ Viva Victims advocacy https://outto.us/mnstrm/main   About Nova Reeves: Nova Reeves is an American poet and birth mother from the San Francisco area.  Her work can be accessed by emailing [email protected] to acquire a copy of her zine, entitled "Mother, Meadow, Stones".  Additional work can be accessed by googling Nova Reeves and The Opiate Magazine for poetry, Nova Reeves and the Tacoma Tribune, for an op-ed on the death penalty, and Nova Reeves also on the podcast This is Actually Happening.   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: [email protected] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod

Returning Guest, Mandy Reilly, joins us at The Now What Pod to talk about her experience in the “Sandwich Generation”. Caught between raising a child, and caring for her ailing mother, Mandy shares a heart-wrenching and heart-warming story about Love, Loss, and Motherhood.
 Topics Discussed: All of the updates. Jen and Tesha talk life updates, and we chat about what's in store this season on The Now What Pod   Multigenerational Families: Mandy talks about life growing up in a Multi-generational home, and now living in a multigenerational home as an adult.    Responsible Decision Making: Mandy shares the hardships of making difficult medical decisions for loved ones, and planning a funeral for somebody you love.    Who is allowed to grieve?: We talk about defining grief and arbitrary rules for who is allowed to grieve.    Sandwich Generation: Mandy talks about raising her son, while caring for aging parents at the same time.    Grieving while Parenting: Mandy shares the heart-wrenching story of her mothers death, how she helped her son say goodbye to his grandmother, and grieving the loss of mother.    

 Resources: COPD  https://www.lung.ca/copd?gclid=CjwKCAjwgr6TBhAGEiwA3aVuIUEqA6aLdNjgOrZjoW686UriZvlM0vJ4fiHHnHWf5KocewUaWbzt3xoCF2MQAvD_BwE   To Purchase Mandy’s Book: www.iknowiambook.com   About Mandy Reilly: Mandy Reilly runs on faith, Diet Coke and to-do lists - not necessarily in that order. She wears many hats but her two favourites are wife to Blake and mom to Cristian. Armed with her late Sicilian mother's sarcasm and Mexican father's family values, she loves long naps and carbohydrates. After almost three decades of being at war with her body, Mandy has realized she can be a masterpiece and a work in progress all at the same time and wants to make sure children know the same.   Her book, “I know I am”, comes out 5/17/2022 and is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and via the publisher https://www.orangehatpublishing.com/product-page/i-know-i-am-paperback   More info about the book can be found at www.iknowiambook.com   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content

Shop our merch  nowwhatpod.com   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: [email protected] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod  

CW: Infertility, Infant Loss  In this episode of The Now What Pod, guest Kristin Joseph, tells her story of infant loss. She and her husband struggled for 4 years with infertility. They went through multiple rounds of IVF, miscarriage, and infant loss, before having their rainbow baby. Kristin takes us through the stress, pain, grief associated with infant loss, and the decision to try having another baby. Kristin provides advice for those supporting somebody through infant loss, or experiencing loss themselves.   Topics Discussed: Kristin’s Story of IVF, miscarriage, and, eventually, a healthy pregnancy.  Mateo: Kristin describes Mateo’s birth, meeting him, and then saying goodbye to him. Grief: Kristin describes the depths of her grief and the impact it had on her mental health then and now.  Deciding to have another child: Kristin talks about the decision to have another child.  Moving on or Moving through?: Kristin talks about the concept of moving forward but not moving on. Kristin’s advice: Kristin tells our audience how people can support others going through this time.    Resources: PAIL (Pregnancy and Infant Loss) Network https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/   About Kristin:  Kristin is a Secondary Teacher in Toronto who is blessed to love her career and enjoys learning from her students every day.  She and her husband Triston and the proud parents of 15 month old Greyson and angel baby Mateo. Kristin is a survivor of infant loss and in her episode she tells the story of losing her son Mateo and how her life changed forever.  It was the first time telling her story through fully, so it is raw, messy and real.  She hopes that by listening to her episode, others who have experienced tragic loss and trauma will feel less alone and be empathically supported with grace and understanding. Once people realize that they are not alone in their grief, they, like Kristin, can learn to navigate the world differently and support others in their own healing. Also, Kristin hopes that loved ones will gain an understanding of how to support bereaved parents after a traumatic loss of a child. After Mateo passed, to honour his memory, she began to write a blog post for/about Mateo that further expands on her story and how she and her family walk through and with grief and triggers as they move forward. www.mateoanthonyjoseph.com Want to be a guest on the show?  You can reach us at  Email: [email protected] Follow us on IG/FB/TikTok/Twitter @nowwhatpod   Support the Show Patreon for exclusive episodes and more patreon.com/nowwhatpod Buy us a Coffee buymeacoffee.com/nowwhatpod Shop our Merch nowwhatpod.com  

CW: Birth Trauma, Medical Trauma Kayleigh joins The Now What Pod to talk about her experience with AFE (Amniotic Fluid Embolism), a rare, and often fatal complication affecting pregnant women shortly before, during, immediately after childbirth . She shares her post-partum journey, dealing with trauma as a new mom, and how we can better support new moms. Topics Discussed: Kayleigh’s Birth Story  Coming Home - Kayleigh takes us through a range of emotions she experiences, from feelings of fear, anger, and grief to trying to be grateful all the time that she was alive. AFE or Postpartum depression? Supporting moms through Birth Trauma, and Recovery. Resources: Postpartum support international https://www.postpartum.net/ To learn more about AFE afesupport.org About Kayleigh  Kayleigh Summers is an LSW working as a school clinician at a boarding school in PA. She lives with her husband, Steve, 18 month old son, Callahan, and dog, Daxton. Kayleigh hopes to continue helping women on their birth trauma journeys through sharing her own experiences and creating space for others to share. Kayleigh also runs birth trauma peer support groups for women who are interested in making connections and finding support among other birth trauma survivors. You can find her on Instagram & TikTok @thebirthtrauma_mama. To find out more about AFE please visit afesupport.org. Want to be a guest on the show? You can reach us at Email: [email protected] Follow us on IG, FB, TikTok & Twitter @thenowwhatpod Shop our merch nowwhatpod.com Love the show, support us Patreon starting at just $3 patreon.com/nowwhatpod Buy us a Coffee buymeacoffe.com/nowwhatpod

Today on The Now What Pod we celebrate 1 year of releasing episodes of the show. We also make a fun announcement before sharing some fun and silly outtakes from the show.   Thanks so much for listening!   Support The Now What Pod Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes monthly Buy our Merch   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod?   You can reach us at  Email: [email protected] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod    

Marci Warhaft joins The Now What Pod to share her jaw-dropping journey to self discovery.  After suffering years of trauma, Marci coped by abusing both food and sex. She was a soccer mom by day, and stripper by night before eventually deciding to get healthy.  Working as a body image and self-esteem expert, Marci constantly worried her past was going to be found out, until she finally learned how to let go of the shame.   Topics Discussed: Jen and Tesha Life/ Podcast Update Marci’s Childhood, and the loss of her brother Traumatic Overload Abusing Food and Sex Feeling like she didn’t deserve to be here Struggling with disordered eating and body image Worrying about what others think Letting go of Shame   Resources: Your Dance Class (where Jen takes her dance class) www.Yourdanceclass.ca   We Should Talk About That Podcast https://www.westatpod.com   Buy The Good Stripper: A Soccer Mom’s Memoir of Lies, Loss, and Lap Dances https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1989555349?tag=onamzteshagib-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1989555349&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.H4MR7OBC8Q39     About Marci: Marci Warhaft is a recognized expert on body image and self-esteem, and founder of The Fit vs Fiction body image workshops. She was named one of Canada’s Top 100 influencers for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 by Optimyz fitness magazine. She is the author of, “The Body Image Survival Guide for Parents” and, “The Good Stripper: A Soccer Mom’s Memoir of Lies, Loss and Lap Dances” Where she shares in raw, honest and intimate detail her eye-popping journey to self discovery. Marci uses her experiences to help others release themselves of the shame, guilt and insecurities that keep them from living their lives with the joy they deserve.   Support The Now What Pod’s drive to upgrade our audio equipment Buy Us a Coffee Patreon - and access special episodes and content   Want to be a guest on The Now What Pod? You can reach us at  Email: [email protected] IG/FB/TikTok: @thenowwhatpod