MOM TALK

We recap our rare night out at a belated work Christmas party at Varsity Pins (food, frozen margaritas, duckpin bowling) and then a late stop at The Bent Wrench. We talk surviving two weeks of ice days, Mason’s wild “shark tooth” dental visit, a tearful taxes moment that brought up memories of Mom, and Mason accidentally making Good News Club think he’s not fed or allowed to read his Bible—plus a quick update on Henry’s Wizards basketball games.

00:00 Mom Talk Kickoff: A Rare Moms’ Night Out

00:19 Work Christmas Party in February (Plus-One Drama & Timing)

01:14 Food, Potluck Vibes & Frozen Margaritas at Varsity Pins

02:39 Duckpin Bowling + When Can the Kids Handle It?

03:36 After-Party at The Bent Wrench (Staying Out ‘Til Midnight)

04:19 The Next-Day Reality: Sleep, Kids, and Feeling Human Again

05:39 Two Weeks of Ice Out: Cabin Fever, Slips, and Surviving at Home

08:26 Back to School Whiplash + Mason’s Wild ‘Shark Tooth’ Dental Visit

11:46 Kids’ Anxiety Styles: Stoic vs Worrier (and the ‘Liquid Relaxer’)

13:28 Adulting at 41: Paying Taxes Without Mom’s Help

14:21 Paying County vs. City Taxes… and an Unexpected Connection to Mom

15:15 Emma’s Heart-to-Heart & Being Forced to Grieve in Real Time

17:42 Compartmentalizing Grief: The ‘Switch’ and Avoidance Talk

18:10 Quiet Car Rides & the Podcast That Finally Broke Through

20:38 Theresa Caputo, Mediums, and Faith: Is It ‘From God’?22:34 TLC Rabbit Hole: Baylen Out Loud, Tourette’s, and Why She’s So Funny

23:32 Mason’s ‘$100’ Answer + Good News Club Homework Drama

28:18 Henry’s Hoops Update: Game Nights, Team ‘Wizards,’ and Wrap-Up

Welcome back to Mom Talk! In today's episode, Victoria hilariously recounts relatable gripes with Jarrett's drinking habits, and the overwhelming wrestling schedule that turns parenting into a solo sport. We dive into Victoria's accidental slip and fall leading to a knee injury, followed by her painful dental visits. Meanwhile, Remi takes center stage, quite literally, dancing on coffee tables and living her best life. Join us for an episode filled with laughter, real talk, and navigating the chaos that is parenthood!

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:10 Victoria's Annoyance with Jarrett

03:13 Wrestling Schedule Woes

09:31 Victoria's Injury Story

18:51 Knee and Wrist Recovery Update

19:58 New Dentist Experience

21:35 Dental Work Challenges

27:27 Mason's Dental Issues

30:57 Remi's Dance Adventures

35:29 Research Study and Walking Challenges

37:59 Podcast Wrap-Up

In the final part of this series, I'm talking about what comes after—the grief, the signs, and somehow moving forward.

After losing my mom on December 1st, my body crashed. Then my sister had a baby at 24 weeks on Christmas Day. Then a woodpecker showed up at Henry's window. This episode is about processing the impossible, recognizing the signs my mom is still here, and figuring out how to keep going one day at a time.

0:00 - The day I couldn't get out of bed
1:30 - Julianne's baby arrives at 24 weeks on Christmas morning
3:00 - The "gift-wrapped" miracle baby named after mom
6:30 - Baby LJ's health scare and the PDA diagnosis
9:45 - How Julianne and I text each other when feelings hit
11:20 - The grief theory: the box, the ball, and the pain button
13:00 - "I should go eat lunch with mom" - when it hits you
15:30 - Why nobody cares about your birthday like your mom
17:00 - Henry's woodpecker visit: mom came back as a bird
19:45 - Our telepathic friendship and knowing when something's wrong
22:00 - Taking it one day at a time and staying in motion
24:30 - Thanks for listening and where to find us

Content Warning: This episode discusses grief, loss, premature birth complications, and the ongoing process of learning to live after losing a parent. Still coping with dark humor.

This is Part 3 of 3.

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review!
Follow us on Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

In this catch-up episode, we dive into the latest happenings in our lives—from the trending yoga pants to Emma's milestone 15th birthday and getting her permit. Join us as we navigate the DMV experience, share insights on Emma's driving progress, and touch on the emotional aspects of watching our kids grow up. We also discuss some intriguing pop culture drama, including the Beckham family dynamics, and how it all relates to our own experiences.

00:00 Casual Conversations and Fashion Trends

02:39 Memories and Emotional Attachments to Clothes

05:01 Health Updates and Menopause Journey

09:33 Pop Culture and Celebrity Gossip

14:57 Birthday Reflections and Personal Stories

16:06 Reflecting on Emma's Birthday

18:10 The Permit Test Experience

20:48 Navigating the DMV

24:33 First Driving Lessons

28:50 Preparing for Kindergarten

31:44 Future Plans and College Talk

32:55 Closing Remarks and Social Media Plugs

In Part 2, I'm sharing what it was like bringing my mom home on hospice, caring for her around the clock, and saying goodbye. From the moment hospice arrived to her final breath on December 1st, this is the raw truth about what those last days were really like—and how my family showed up in ways I'll never forget.

0:00 - Meeting with the hospice social worker
1:15 - Bringing mom home and realizing hospice isn't 24/7 care
2:30 - Henry's tournament and the PBR: leaving her when she was at her worst
4:00 - The reality of round-the-clock caregiving
6:45 - Uncle Terry: the hero who never slept
9:20 - The night we were up 36 hours and she wanted Baked Lay's chips
11:30 - Getting the medication right so her body could rest
14:00 - The bath she insisted on taking
17:45 - When I knew it was close
20:15 - December 1st: the hospital bed, the song "Memories," and her final moments
24:00 - Being in a room with a dead body
26:30 - The funeral home, the service, and the 250-photo slideshow
29:00 - Business mode at the visitation: consoling everyone else

Content Warning: This episode discusses end-of-life care, death, grief, and funeral planning. It's honest, it's heavy, and we cope with dark humor.

This is Part 2 of 3.

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review!
Follow us on Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Hey friends! Welcome back to the couch. In this episode, we're catching up on SO much - from Emma's first homecoming to some real talk about Victoria's health journey with pulmonary hypertension. We're also diving into our potential menopause journey (yes, really), mom guilt, and a special project we've been working on for you!

0:00 - Intro & Lucy the Cat (Best Co-Host Ever?)

1:36 - Emma's First Homecoming! 🎉

6:06 - The Boyfriend: Cam Long

8:12 - DIY Flower Bouquets & Getting Ready

10:45 - Emma Looking Like a Literal Princess

13:14 - Kids Growing Up Too Fast (I'm Not Crying, You're Crying) 15:16 - Henry's Transformation - Nobody Recognizes Him! 1

7:18 - Wait, Are We Mother and Daughter?!

20:21 - Homecoming Night: Dinner, Froyo & The Dance

27:28 - Emma's Driving Permit (How Is This Happening?!) 32:33 - My Birthday & New Job Update

36:40 - Casino Trips & Quality Time

42:43 - My Health Update: The Hard Truth

44:45 - Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms Returning

49:48 - Heart Monitor Results: 1,100 Abnormal Beats

53:54 - Meeting with the Cardiologist

56:57 - How I'm Feeling Mentally About All This

1:04:00 - Lung Transplants & Reality Checks

1:09:00 - Sleeping with 17 Pillows (Not an Exaggeration)

1:16:00 - The Menopause Test Journey Begins

1:19:00 - Victoria Joins the Menopause Journey Too

1:23:00 - Mom Guilt Workbook Announcement! 📖

1:25:00 - Wrap Up & Where to Find Us

Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit that notification bell so you never miss an episode!

Follow us on Instagram @mom_talkpodcast

Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

See you next time! 💕

We're back after an unexpected break!

In this episode, I'm opening up about losing my mom to colon cancer. From the phone call that made me hyperventilate to navigating impossible treatment decisions, this is my story of hope, delusion, and watching my mom fight to stay present for her grandkids until the very end.

0:00 - Why we've been gone
2:05 - The diagnosis: that phone call from Aunt Joy
5:00 - Meeting with surgeons and the urgency to remove the mass
6:50 - Surgery day and what they found
8:50 - The chemo treatment that went horribly wrong
11:00 - Choosing quality of life over aggressive treatment
14:00 - The pill form chemo and a year of stability
16:00 - Noticing the gradual decline at Emma's dance competition
20:00 - Mom's determination to show up for every game
22:00 - The ER visit in October that changed everything
25:00 - Hospital transfers and the pain they couldn't control
28:30 - The moment I knew we needed hospice

Content Warning: I talk about cancer, medical procedures, end-of-life care, and grief. We use dark humor as a coping mechanism because honestly, what else are you supposed to do?

This is Part 1 of 3.

Welcome back to Mom Talk! Victoria's back from Fall Break with lots to share. Tune in to hear all about her family trip, from packing chaos to beach fun, and even some wild car troubles. Plus, catch up on my Fall family fun day and Henry's exciting baseball milestone. Thanks for watching and don't forget to follow us!

00:00 Welcome Back from Fall Break

00:18 Packing and Preparing for the Trip

00:50 Dealing with a Sick Child

03:44 On the Road: Travel Adventures

07:04 Beach Fun and Family Time

08:53 Pontoon Boat Adventure

12:45 Final Beach Day and Birthday Celebrations

14:01 Birthday Confusion and Tears

15:48 Travel Troubles and Fluid Pills

18:04 Kids at the Beach and Car Rides

23:06 Henry's First Home Run

26:34 Fall Family Fun Day

29:23 Podcast Sign-Off

We are talking with Jacqlyn Elliott today! She tells about her journey from being 18 and losing her mom, getting married and having kids, and where she is now being a breast cancer survivor! She has such a positive outlook on life, y'all do not want to miss this one! Jacqlyn is a real estate agent and you can find her on in instagram at jelliott.realtor or her website at www.jelliottrealtor.com

Check out our instgram @mom_talk_tn for more!