Parentless Podcast

58, Sharon

Tracee Herbaugh is a freelance journalist, a wife, a mom, a griever, and an adult orphan. She grew up in small town Colorado and now comes to us from just outside Boston, Massachusetts.

Tracee has a strong work ethic and an even stronger "Mom" ethic.

Tracee spent most of her younger life living with her grandparents as her mother was a war correspondent for the Associated Press and many times had jobs out of state and overseas. Tracee did not know anything about her dad during this time, and many times saw her grandparents as parental figures, though the large age gap and the overall situation was difficult to navigate at times. Tracee had to figure out a lot of things on her own.

When Tracee was 9, her mother had come back to visit. They left that visit on strange terms as Sharon was attempting to act motherly, but Tracee didn't have that connection with her. Four years later, when Tracee was 13, the family received news that Sharon had been in a helicopter on assignment, when the helicopter crashed.

We speak about this time in a small town, what it's like when everyone knows one another and everyone's business.

Tracee went away to college and began to embark on her own journey, grateful to escape small town Colorado. Fast forward years later and Tracee finally discovers her sperm donor's identity after completing a DNA test on one of the ancestry sites. She explains what a rollercoaster this discovery was and discusses the ultimate ending to the mystery.

Tracee has written two articles that are published works which both provide great insight to her feelings and journey, and those are located here:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2014/04/18/attack-on-ap-journalists-in-afghanistan-rekindles-a-daughters-pain/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2018/06/01/my-mother-abandoned-me-as-a-child-it-took-having-kids-of-my-own-for-me-to-forgive-her/

Podcast Spotlight:

Got Grief

Welcome to the podcast about Adults bereaved as Children. To find out more and get involved follow us on Instagram: @gotgriefpodcast

Listen to "Tracee" on Got Grief on Apple Podcasts or Spotify now.

If you'd like to donate to Tim Harris' project of providing free therapy to at least one person for one year, please visit www.grievingisbreathing.com/donate

This is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ.

Additional production and music by Ian Releford.

Music by Colen Lococo and The Revolving Birds.

Like what you hear? Helped by what you heard? Have something to share?

https://www.patreon.com/parentlesspodcast

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @parentlesspodcast
Voicemail: 623.396.6069

You are not alone.

57, Chiquitita

Monica Gomiz was 15 when her precious mom, Mary Angela, passed away. Her family was honest with her from the beginning about about the situation, which Monica is grateful for.

When Monica was in college, she was looking for the perfect book to fit her life, however she didn't find exactly what she was looking for. She recognized that if she didn't find what she needed, she could create it! Monica's book, Becoming a Woman: A 7-Step Guide to Creating a Happy Life & Loving Relationships When You Don’t Have a Role Model, can be found here:

https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Woman-7-Step-Creating-Relationships/dp/1777030188/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2RAMW5EZHMBQM&keywords=monica+gomiz&qid=1643106117&sprefix=monica+gomez%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-2

In her professional life, Monica is a Transformational Life Coach and a Conscious Parenting Coach. She has turned her life experiences into ammunition to help parents break traumatic cycles with their children. One of Monica's mentors along the way has been Dr. Shefali Tsabari, Ph.D., author of The Awakened Family: How to Raise Empowered, Resilient, and Conscious Children, found here:

https://www.amazon.com/Awakened-Family-Empowered-Resilient-Conscious/dp/0399563970/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Monica shares that one of the most important coping techniques that she has learned is called The HeartMath Technique, which is defined on Google as:
a one-minute technique that allows a major shift in perception. More than positive thinking, it creates a definitive, heartfelt shift in how we view a situation, an individual or ourselves. When under stress: Shift out of the head, and focus on the area around your heart.

Find specific directions to try this technique here: https://www.pbs.org/bodyandsoul/203/heartmath.htm#:~:text=It%20is%20a%20one%2Dminute,the%20area%20around%20your%20heart.

I'll leave you with my favorite quote from Monica's book, "A lighthouse is like a parent and the light represents unconditional love. Thanks to that light, you know who you are and where you're going. If it disappears, it's like the light goes off. You no longer know who you are, nor where you're going."

This is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ.

Additional production by Ian Releford.

Music by Colen Lococo and The Revolving Birds.

Like what you hear? Helped by what you heard? Have something to share?

https://www.patreon.com/parentlesspodcast

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @parentlesspodcast
Voicemail: 623.396.6069

You are not alone.

56, My Art Is My Story

Ashley Maclure, aka Ms. Mac to her art students, shares her story and the story of her mother, Carolyn.

Carolyn came from a time when familial issues and many important topics were shoved under the rug, they weren't spoken about. Carolyn was a victim, and was ultimately unable to share her own story.

Ashley has embraced her life story and uses her art as a form of communication.

Ashley hopes that people are listening now, both with their ears and with their eyes. Her work can be found at http://www.ashleymaclure.com/ and is an explosively expressive collection of all things Ashley.

Read Ms. Mac's own words to describe a series entitled What We Pass On, 2018:

"I created this series while I was awaiting the birth of my daughter. I’ve been haunted by the legacy of mental illness and dysfunction my mother left behind after she died in 2012. These represent the fear of what I may unknowingly pass onto my children."

Ashley is sweet and fierce, and is showing up for herself, her daughter, and her mother. She is working each day to break the chains of intergenerational trauma while mothering without a mother. She leans on memories with her grandmother and those early years with her own mother to help in her day-to-day mothering.

This is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ.

Additional production by Ian Releford.

Music by Colen Lococo and The Revolving Birds.

Like what you hear? Helped by what you heard? Have something to share?

https://www.patreon.com/parentlesspodcast

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @parentlesspodcast
Voicemail: 623.396.6069

You are not alone.

55, My Brother Bruce

Bruce Coleman has experienced the loss of a parental figure three times in his 50 years. He himself is a husband, a father, brother, son, the list goes on. He also happens to be Steph's brother. Bruce and Steph discuss these experiences as well as Bruce's recent out of body experience.

Be sure to listen to the bonus episode, "Bruce, We Love You" to hear Bruce's account of his out of body experience and meeting his guardian angel.

The episodes were recorded in July 2021.

This is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ.

Additional production by Ian Releford.

Music by Colen Lococo and The Revolving Birds.

Like what you hear? Helped by what you heard? Have something to share?

https://www.patreon.com/parentlesspodcast

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @parentlesspodcast
Voicemail: 623.396.6069

You are not alone.

December 18, 2021

Bruce Coleman, Stephanie's oldest brother, tells about the time he died in April 2021.

Our father died of a heart attack right before he turned 50, and his mother had died much earlier, so Bruce was excited to wake up on his own 50th birthday.

Bruce was known as Miracle Man during his stay in the hospital because of his unbelievable recovery. Bruce continues to recover to this day and has made strides in his health and looks forward to finding and fulfilling his purpose in life.

Find the rest of Bruce's interview in episode 55, My Brother Bruce.

The episodes were recorded in July 2021.

This is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ.

Additional production by Ian Releford.

Music by Colen Lococo and The Revolving Birds.

Like what you hear? Helped by what you heard? Have something to share?

https://www.patreon.com/parentlesspodcast

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @parentlesspodcast
Voicemail: 623.396.6069

You are not alone.

54, Mommy, Do You Miss Your Mommy?

Cara Lidberg lives in Orlando, Florida. She dabbles in many parts of life, including Mom-life, being a wife, griefy things, CBD and Wine! She spent over fifteen years as a professional dancer. She danced for the Orlando Magic while in college, on cruise ships after that, and in Las Vegas for multiple shows, including Cirque du Soleil.

Eventually she left that life to explore more things mama. She married her husband and has 2 beautiful children. She has brought dancing back into her life by creating reels with several of her friends and she uses her Instagram platform to share all the feels, no matter what they're related to. Sharing her feelings publicly, especially those dealing with grief, is something Cara is continually working on as she knows sharing her own story might help others.

Cara did not spend her life getting to know her father. She had just reconnected with him , only to learn of his passing right before they were to spend Thanksgiving together, and she definitely felt time with him was stolen from her. Cara's mother was her person. Cara said she knew in her heart that her mom was going to die when she heard that she was going to have a daughter. Unfortunately, her parents never got to meet her children, so Cara has been navigating life as a parentless parent.

Cara is the woman she is today and she is able to be the mom she is today because of her mom.


Instagram -
www.instagram.com/takingcaramamas

Linktree -
linktr.ee/caralidberg

This is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ.

Music by Colen Lococo and The Revolving Birds.

Like what you hear? Helped by what you heard? Have something to share?

https://www.patreon.com/parentlesspodcast

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @parentlesspodcast
Voicemail: 623.396.6069

You are not alone.

53, The Biggest Scallywag of Them All

Liz Gleeson remembers thinking to herself that she was eligible for this podcast in March 2021. She lost her father at age 92, and her mother years before this. Liz's father became ill around the time she separated from her husband. She discusses dealing with both these losses and how impactful they were on her life.

Her dad loved gardening, baking apple pies and fixing things. Today, Liz's home is filled with greenery and she doesn't miss an opportunity to shout, "bring me my toolbox!"

Liz's father died during a global pandemic, and Liz talks about navigating a funeral in a lockdown in Ireland. Who do we hold funerals for, anyway? Who's out there? These are just some of the questions we are faced with when a funeral comes with a virtual link.

Liz is the host of the Shapes of Grief Podcast and creator of a grief education program, which is available on her website. She has offered listeners of Parentless Podcast 10% off the program price until December 31, 2021. Sign up now if you've been wanting to stretch yourself and learn more about grief.

Book References:

The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
"Life is hard!"

Website - https://www.shapesofgrief.com/

Instagram -
www.instagram.com/shapesofgrief

YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN_6WOp6p_GXhArbMfxvaUg

This is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ.

Music by Colen Lococo and The Revolving Birds.

Like what you hear? Helped by what you heard? Have something to share?

https://www.patreon.com/parentlesspodcast

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @parentlesspodcast
Voicemail: 623.396.6069

You are not alone.

November 23, 2021

Welcome to this week's special Grief Podcast Spotlight!

Liz Gleeson, is host of the Shapes of Grief Podcast and creator of a grief education program, which is available on her website. She has offered listeners of Parentless Podcast 10% off the program price until December 31, 2021. Sign up now if you've been wanting to stretch yourself and learn more about grief.

Liz's full episode will be available shortly on Parentless Podcast as well.

Website - https://www.shapesofgrief.com/

Instagram -
www.instagram.com/shapesofgrief

YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN_6WOp6p_GXhArbMfxvaUg

This is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ.

Music by Ian Releford

Like what you hear? Helped by what you heard? Have something to share?

https://www.patreon.com/parentlesspodcast

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @parentlesspodcast
Voicemail: 623.396.6069

You are not alone.

52, Dad, How Do I?

Rob Kenney, founder of the Dad, How Do I? YouTube channel shares his life journey.

Rob is the second youngest of 8 children. His mother suffered from mental illness and alcoholism, and his dad chose to leave his family when Rob was 14. This was a crucial time for Rob as a teenager, and his family structure deeply impacted his life and what he is doing today.

On his channel and in his new book, Dad, How Do I?: Practical "Dadvice" for Everyday Tasks and Successful Living, Rob shares tips and tricks he has learned over the years. Rob proudly says, "I have 80 year old kids!" What Rob has to offer applies to all ages, and anyone that may need that extra "Dadvice".

Rob eventually re-connected with his father, but was never able to have a deep, meaningful conversation with him. Today, as a father, he makes sure that he and his son are having meaningful conversations. Rob learned the art of forgiveness through his life, and during a fishing trip with his father when he was 50, he was able to tell his dad that he had forgiven him.

Rob's dad died when he was 87, and his mother passed away as well. Rob did not have a close relationship with his mother, who died when she was 58. Rob now advocates for mental health help for everyone and his goal is to remove the stigma that often comes with mental illness.

Find Rob's book here:

https://www.amazon.com/Dad-How-Do-Practical-Successful/dp/B08ML4LTJN/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3AV53ZEMWSP3O&dchild=1&keywords=dad+how+do+i+book&qid=1634045638&sprefix=dad+how+do+i+%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-3

Rob's advice: I've found things are temporary.


Website - https://www.dadhowdoiofficial.com/

Instagram -
www.instagram.com/dadhowdoi

YouTube -
www.youtube.com/dadhowdoi

This is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ.

Music by Colen Lococo and The Revolving Birds.

Like what you hear? Helped by what you heard? Have something to share?

https://www.patreon.com/parentlesspodcast

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @parentlesspodcast
Voicemail: 623.396.6069

You are not alone.

51, My Mom Was My Soulmate

Leah Carey, host of the popular Good Girls Talk About Sex podcast discusses the deaths of her parents, and how they are both big losses in her life for very different reasons.

Leah's father, Bob, was a Private Investigator at the time of his death. Leah had a rocky relationship with him, which continued even after his death.

Leah's mother, Sybil, was by her side every step of the way as Leah worked through her own personal aftermath of her father's death.

Listen as Leah describes how the death of her mother eventually led her to become a Sex and Intimacy Coach.

But first...before she went on the journey that made her who she is today, Leah went on a different journey to explore her mother's experience with hospice. Leah created a newspaper series which can be found here: https://www.leahcarey.com/living-with-dying/

Listen to Leah here and then be sure to check out her podcast or recommend it to a friend!

Podcast: Good Girls Talk About Sex

Website - www.LeahCarey.com and
www.GoodGirlsTalk.com

Instagram -
www.instagram.com/GoodGirlsTalk

YouTube -
www.youtube.com/GoodGirlsTalk

This is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ.

Music by Colen Lococo and The Revolving Birds.

Like what you hear? Helped by what you heard? Have something to share?

https://www.patreon.com/parentlesspodcast

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @parentlesspodcast
Voicemail: 623.396.6069

You are not alone.