We got a Doctor in the Den! Psychiatrist, researcher, and author Dr. Judith Joseph joins the Mamas for a powerful convo about high-functioning depression, grief, and the struggle to find joy in daily life. Dr. Judith keeps it real about her own experience with depression and explains the high-functioning challenges faced by high-achieving women, particularly Black women. If you?ve ever felt the pressure to have it all together while struggling silently, you?re not alone - and this episode is for you!

Dr. Judith's book, High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy, is available everywhere on April 8, 2025.

**Warning: This episode contains mention of suicide from 06:45 - 08:00, which may be triggering for some listeners.**

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We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com.

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

We got a Daddy in the Den! Actor and father of two, Michael Ealy, joins the Mamas to talk about raising a boy and a girl. Together, they highlight the value of fathers being involved in their kids? lives (to all the dads at ballet class - we see you!), the importance of communication between parents, and the need to appreciate each parent?s role. Michael shares lessons learned, from recognizing double standards (why are girls called sassy but boys are assertive?) to reminding us that dads juggle the same challenges moms do.

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We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com.

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

This episode kicks off with a round of We?re Not Really Strangers - a fun card game designed to spark meaningful conversations. What starts as a friendly Q&A turns XXX-rated (because Ashley?.surprise, surprise...). Then, the Mamas dive into a show-and-tell of their favorite kids? books, celebrating new releases from fellow Black mamas and authors: Tabitha Brown (Hello There, Sunshine), Tamron Hall (Harlem Honey), and Tika Sumpter (I Got It From My Mama). Get the scoop on all the books the Mamas love reading with their little ones - covering everything from diversity and equality to understanding emotions and self-discovery. #MamasAgainstBookSleeves

This episode is sponsored by We?re Not Really Strangers. Get 20% off all products (including the Kids edition card game!) with the code: mamasden.

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We love getting Listener Letters! Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com.

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

In this episode, the Mamas relive their unforgettable girls trip to NYC ? a trip that almost didn?t happen after Melanie hurt her back! From sisterhood sleepovers and Brooklyn meetups, to all the family and friends who showed up for them, the Mamas take a moment to soak it all in. What a journey going from a podcast born during the pandemic to representing Black motherhood on national TV. We love to see it!

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Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com.

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

Melanie, Ashley, and Codie are back in the Den! Even though Felicia?s out this week, she still makes a stunning appearance?be sure to check out the YouTube channel for the visual!

In this episode, the mamas break down a list of one-liners that make parenting a little easier, like ?you gotta do what you need to do, before you get to do what you wanna do? (a Melanie Fiona original). They also discuss teaching their kids about respect, validating their emotions while disciplining them, and giving kids autonomy in making decisions ? even when they want to curse! Throughout the convo, the mamas get a few surprise calls that tie right into a heartfelt Listener Letter ? this is an episode you won?t want to miss!

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Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com.

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

For more Black stories and articles, go to blacklove.com. 

Marnesha is in the Den! If you've listened to The Mamas long enough, you have heard Fee rave about her kids' behavioral coach, Marnesha Hall. She joined the ladies of The Mama's Den to break down what a behavioral coach is and the benefits of having one for your kids. This episode explains the differences between behavioral coaching and therapy, how parenting dynamics impact your kids, and provides some helpful strategies to outsmart your little ones during their most challenging moments. Get your stickers ready because Marnesha?s advice will help both you and your child fill up your sticker chart.

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Send any thoughts or questions for the Mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com. 

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

This week, the Mamas tackle Listener Letters on balancing romance, friendships, and managing meddling grandparents.

They get real about the struggles of keeping their dating life alive ? because for some, dating has left the chat! ? and they share fun ideas for a cute date night (or a little afternoon delight!). The Mamas also dive into the importance of setting boundaries when grandparents are doing the MOST, and discuss the challenge of holding onto old friendships while your kids' social life forces you to befriend other moms. Thanks to the Listener Letters because this episode is packed with practical advice for moms trying to keep their relationships?and their sanity?intact.

Should the Mamas get a Listener Letter hotline? Let us know and send us questions at podcasts@blacklove.com and on Instagram @themamasdenpodcast.

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

If you?ve ever felt like you were stuck in the hard part of your story, Tabitha Brown is in The Mama's Den to remind you?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. This week, Tabitha gets real about the tough seasons in her marriage, the moments she and Chance weren?t sure they?d make it, and what it really took to rebuild their relationship. She also shares how losing her mother shaped her, 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.

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Send any thoughts or questions for the mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com. 

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

The Mamas reminisce about their journey to adding baby #2 (or babies #2 and #3 for Codie!), and share the ups and downs of managing the unique logistics and personalities that come with a growing family. From pregnancy stories to juggling schedules and sibling dynamics, this episode dives into the tools, challenges, and unforgettable memories that come with expanding your crew.

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Send any thoughts or questions for the mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com.

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

2025 is already doing the most! From navigating the impacts of the LA wildfires while parenting, to facing the realities of a new president, and trying to survive sleep amidst the middle of the night needs of kids, the Mamas discuss how - and if - they can find JOY when the world feels heavy.

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So Village, how do you find joy when your world is heavy? Let us know! Send any thoughts or questions for the mamas at podcasts@blacklove.com. 

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

Are you happy with all of your accomplishments? Far too often, we find ourselves reflecting on everything we have done and have the nerve to think we haven?t done enough. But let?s get real, Mama?s Den family, sometimes getting up in the morning IS the accomplishment. It's easy to fall into the trap of believing that we should be further than where we are right now OR that it's too late to accomplish all the things and dreams we've had. The Mamas share not only what they accomplished, but what they had hoped to have done at this point in their lives.

Soon?..we will be back to talk about what we are proud of in 2025. We have enjoyed running back some of our favorite episodes with you. Get ready for a new episode next week!

The holidays are behind us and some of us are thinking "New Year, New Me" and whatnot. But when you have had a baby or two....or four, there can be challenges beyond just hitting the gym. So, The Mamas are running back an episode where we talked about our pre and post baby bodies. Hear what we think about everything from snapping back to diastasis recti, cosmetic surgery and more. This episode was recorded before Tata and Kaia were even born, so things have changed. But give it a listen and then tell us if you want us to talk about how we feel about our bodies now!

Ahhh, motherhood.....the new baby smell, the cuddles, the cute questions, sweet tiny voices saying I love you.....the 1000 questions at bedtime, dragging 3 carseats on vacation, paying thousands of dollars at an amusement park to stand in long lines at the bathroom more than actually ride rides.....What did you think motherhood was going to be???

Don?t worry, we will go first as we run it back to one of our all time favorite episodes about what we romanticized about motherhood before becoming moms.

Get in on the conversation and let us know over at podcasts@blacklove.com OR you can fill out our form. PLUS you can always submit a DM to @themamasdenpodcast on Instagram.

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

In this BRAND NEW episode, alongside Victoria Jenn Rodriguez of Banking on Cultura, the Mamas recorded live from Miami to share what tradition means to us in 2024. Baybeee.....it ain't what it used to be. We don't feel the need to make everything perfect year after year but we are sharing the big and small things that do matter to us when the holidays arrive.

Mama's Den Village, what holiday traditions are important to you? Is there a specific story you want to share with us? Get in on the conversation and let us know over at podcasts@blacklove.com OR you can fill out our form. PLUS you can always submit a DM over @themamasdenpodcast on Instagram.

Make sure you connect with our Mamas:

Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls

Codie - @codieco

Felicia - @felicialatour

Melanie - @melaniefiona

Follow along to see what city the Mamas end up in next!

Want to know what we were like before we became moms? From the club - or stage - to jet setting, the Mamas of the Den are running it back to an early episode where we talked about our lives before becoming moms. It was a TIME! 

We are in that post-Thanksgiving, not-yet-Christmas period where many of us are playing supermom trying to do it all, so we figured you could use a reminder from one of our favorite episodes that this is a season....the holiday season AND a season in your and your family's life. Whether it's our kids growing and evolving or us as adults in all of our complexity, y'all know the saying....The only thing constant in life is change.  Be present, learn what you can, and make the most of it. Most importantly - you are not alone! 

It?s the holidays so we decided to go down memory lane to one of the first episodes we recorded introducing ourselves to our audience. We recorded this one before we decided on a name for our podcast - it?s so funny to play this one back. Ashley only had 3 kids and Melanie was a mom of 1! Melanie even shares the origin of her love story with Jared! We hope you enjoy listening to this one as much as we enjoyed revisiting it.

Omar Bolden, host of the podcast "Nice and Neat," joins The Mama's Den to share his unique perspective as a new father. Omar discusses his parenting journey, the challenges and joys of being a dad, and the importance of creating spaces where men can be authentically themselves.

The Mamas recorded live from the Black Love Summit in Los Angeles, jumping into a candid conversation about the importance of building communities where you can be seen and heard, especially during the journey of motherhood. From Melanie entering the music business without any pre-existing relationships, to Felicia and Ashley being the first of their friends to have babies, and Codie desire to explore Black love, the four of them discuss pressing past fear and anxiety to create what they seek.

The Mama?s Den live conversation at the Black Love Summit was presented by Akina Connect, an incredible network that?s redefining how Black women, mothers and entrepreneurs connect, grow, and thrive. Akina isn?t just a community; it?s a tech-driven platform that offers innovative solutions for the unique needs of women, providing, including mental health support, mentorship programs, and tools designed to help us succeed in all areas of life. Right now they are in beta and you can join Akina for the low low price of free! 

Akina leverages data and cutting-edge digital tools to provide personalized support, whether it?s through their app, which gives you access to a wealth of resources right at your fingertips, or their AI-powered features that connect you with the right mentors and resources based on your goals and interests. It?s all about harnessing technology to create meaningful connections and make a real impact on our lives as mothers, entrepreneurs, and women on the go.

Learn more at AkinaConnect.com

Hot flashes, body changes, mood swings?oh my! Dr. Kendra Segura is in the The Mama's Den to chat all things perimenopause and menopause.

Actress and mother Tika Sumpter joins The Mama's to chat about her new podcast The Adventures of Curiosity Cove and everyone shares how their motherhood journey has inspired their creativity.

Marriage & Family therapist and wife and mother of three, Nina Westbrook, is in the Mama?s Den and we?re talking about therapy, family, and how to heal from the trauma you may have experienced with your own mother, especially, when you enter motherhood.

Visit Nina's mental wellness platform Bene by Nina Westbrook at benebynina.com

And don't miss a new podcast we've tapped into to give us helpful insights on our parenting journey, Opportunity Gap: How to Support Kids of Color Who Learn Differently. Give it a listen here --> https://lnk.to/opportunitygapPS!themamasden

The Mamas are answering questions from none other than you all, the Village! Codie picked a handful of your questions and she, Ashley, Felicia and Melanie open up about how they all met, and how they manage making new friends while maintaining the old ones. The conversation goes a bit deeper when the Mamas express what they mean to one another and Ashley gets very candid about postpartum and the rules of teenage sleepovers! 

So Mama's Den Village, if you have a question you'd like to ask the Mamas, let us know over at podcasts@blacklove.com OR you can always submit a DM over @themamasdenpodcast on IG. Your question just may be on an upcoming episode!

And don't miss a new podcast we're excited about offering helpful insights on our parenting journey, Opportunity Gap: How to Support Kids of Color Who Learn Differently. Give it a listen here --> https://lnk.to/opportunitygapPS!themamasden

You're going to want to listen to this one, Village! Melanie, Ashley, Codie, and Felicia talk about their feelings on plastic surgery, being pregnant, and medical integrity. Plus, you're going to want to stick around for our special guest today - Codie's husband, Tommy! Tommy joins the Mamas to answer one of Fee's pressing questions and share his opinion on having more kids.

So Mama's Den Village, how do you feel about plastic surgery? Do you have a story about your pregnancy or recovery you want to share with us? Get in on the conversation and let us know over at podcasts@blacklove.com OR you can always submit a DM over @themamasdenodcast on IG. 

Also, there is a new podcast we've tapped into to give us helpful insights on our parenting journey, Opportunity Gap: How to Support Kids of Color Who Learn Differently. Check it out here --> https://lnk.to/opportunitygapPS!themamasden

Summer is coming to an end... The Mamas are doing some girl chat and checking in with each other on mom guilt and how we manage it all.

And don't miss a new podcast we've tapped into to give us helpful insights on our parenting journey, Opportunity Gap: How to Support Kids of Color Who Learn Differently. Give it a listen here --> https://lnk.to/opportunitygapPS!themamasden

Before we were mothers, we looked at things a little differently. These are our honest opinions now that our lives have changed.

The Mama's chat about how to handle when your child asks for a cell phone and access to social media.

CMS Administrator, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure is in the den to give the details on what the current administration is doing to combat the maternal healthcare crisis in the US.

Hey Mama?s Den family! Our ladies are out this week, but you?re in for a special treat today because we want to introduce you to our friend Lizzy Mathis, TV host, former model, mama of 3, COOL MOM, and host of The Cool Mom Code podcast!  Every week, Lizzy invites some of the coolest and most influential moms around to have candid convos about their journey before kids and after: how has motherhood impacted, elevated, or even imploded their relationships, career and all the in between. Her guest this week is the one, the only, mama of 4 and our sister and co-host, Ashley Chea!!

Follow Lizzy at @lizzymathis on IG and enjoy The Cool Mom Code Podcast, where motherhood is your keycard to the coolest spot in town. 

Elaine Welteroth has joined the Mamas to chat about her new initiative BirthFund, to show love to midwives, and to answer a critical question in new friendships.....to FaceTime or not to FaceTime.

Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins is in the Den to talk about her journey with IVF, plus each Mama lets her know what she can look forward to as a new mom.

While Ashley is out this week, Codie, Felicia, and Melanie are talking about the good and challenging parts about being a boy mom....and should Mama's Boys really get a bad wrap?

The Mamas took a quick road trip to Yaamava? Resort & Casino to take a break from the kids and enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation with a few of their friends.  In their first live recording, listen in as they talk about the importance of friendships, and building your tribe to have your back when you?re raising dem babies. You'll also hear the voices of Tai Beauchamp, Angel Laketa Moore, and Cassandra Freeman.

Karen Derrico, mom of the TLC show Doubling Down with The Derrico's joins the Mama?s to talk about the upcoming season and how they make it work with 14 children.

Latham Thomas, founder of Mama Glow is joining The Mama?s Den to talk about self care, wellness and the work she?s doing to advocate for Mama?s everywhere.

This week the Mama?s talk through how to deal when your little one gets rejected.

This week in the Mama's Den is OBGYN Dr. Kendra, answering questions about fibroids, when to take your daughters to see an OB and finding the right birth control.

If only we knew "this" before becoming Mamas, but now that we do, hopefully this helps a mama, auntie, or anyone raising up a child. 

We're sharing tips on how to navigate the children's schedules with all these extra curricular activities.

We?re using this episode to bring awareness to Black Maternal Health Week with midwife/doula and founder of Kindred Spaces LA Kim Durdin.

Whether you have a career or you?re staying home with the kids ? let?s face it, moming is still a 24hr job with no PTO. Also don't forget to support Mama Ashley, her book The Forever Journey drops on April 2nd!

Crying, lying and parenting -- The Mama's talk through all the things that helped to define their parenting styles to raise these chilrennn oh and we shed a few tears.

This week the mama's are talking about how to navigate the questions of spirituality and religion with our little ones and how our personal beliefs play a role in our parenting.

The mama?s share their tips on what they do to school their little ones on the value of a dollar. 

Our friends at the podcast Good Moms Bad Choices are going on tour.  Go to https://goodmomsbadchoices.com/tour  for more info!