In Episode 3 of the "Our Dead Mothers" podcast, hosts Tracy Fink and Joy Solomon dive into a deeply personal and enlightening discussion on body image, food, and the powerful influence of their mothers. Titled "Does This Podcast Make My Ass Look Fat?," this episode explores the complex relationship many of us have with our bodies and how our mother's attitudes and behaviors shape our perceptions.

This is a heartfelt conversation where Tracy and Joy reflect on how their late mothers viewed food and body image, recount anecdotes, and discuss the cultural and societal conditioning that influenced their mothers' lives.

Tracy talks about her experiences with exercise as a form of self-differentiation and Joy shares how her mother’s approach to food as an expression of love has impacted her own views. They touch on their efforts to embrace agency and power in their own lives, leaving listeners with valuable insights and tools for their own paths to wellness.

Tune in for a blend of humor, reflection, and actionable takeaways that remind us that while grief is inevitable, growth is a choice.

Show Notes:

• Introduction to the topic of body image and food (0:00)

• Guided 4-7-8 Breathing Meditation with Tracy (1:09)

• Personal stories about their mothers' influence on body image (10:50)

• Discussion on societal conditioning and its impact (22:43)

• A touching poem by Caitlin Haught to conclude (23:44)

• Sneak peek into future topics like worry and sex (24:35)

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In this heartfelt and introspective episode of "Our Dead Mothers," hosts Joy Solomon and Tracy Fink dive deep into the complex emotions surrounding guilt in the context of our deceased mothers. Contrary to popular belief and expectations, Joy and Tracy reveal that guilt wasn't initially a top concern for them. Join them as they navigate through the intricate web of feelings associated with motherhood, loss, and the lifelong quest for self-compassion.

The episode begins with a grounding physiological sigh meditation led by Tracy to help settle the mind and body. As they proceed, Joy and Tracy candidly discuss their personal experiences and the societal expectations tied to guilt. Tracy reflects on her journey of overcorrecting the use of guilt as a parenting tool, while Joy opens up about the liberating advice she received during her mother's lifetime: "You couldn't be better."

Through mindfulness practices and poignant storytelling, the hosts explore how the awareness between reaction and response can serve as an antidote to guilt. They also touch on the notion of toxic positivity and the importance of acknowledging and processing difficult emotions rather than bypassing them. The episode is beautifully rounded off with a reading of the moving poem "Kindness" by Naomi Shihab Nye, reminding us of the profound lessons that emerge from grief and sorrow.

Tune in to Our Dead Mothers as Joy and Tracy share their wisdom and personal anecdotes, offering listeners a compassionate and nuanced perspective on navigating life's challenges after the loss of a mother.

Subscribe and listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode as we continue to reflect, remember, reconcile, relate, and rejoice in the lessons learned from Our Dead Mothers.

In the inaugural episode of the "Our Dead Mothers" podcast, co-hosts Joy Solomon and Tracy Fink delve into the poignant and deeply personal topic of "Wishing Our Mothers Dead." The episode begins with Joy asking Chris to describe his feeling of his mother's presence on a scale of 1 to 10, using vivid imagery like a juicy watermelon or an unripe peach.

Throughout the conversation, Joy and Tracy reflect on their unique relationships with their late mothers, sharing stories about the joys and challenges they experienced, and the complexities involved in dealing with grief. Joy discusses her mother's battle with Alzheimer's disease and the heart-wrenching wish for her suffering to end, while Tracy reminisces about her mother's connections with pets and friendships with gay men in the 1970s.

Listeners are guided through a settling meditation exercise, learning techniques in breath and mindfulness. The hosts also contrast parenting styles and traditions, exploring how they've evolved over time and how their own experiences with their mothers have influenced their approaches to parenting.

Joy candidly reads a poem about the importance of paying attention and seeing what there is to see, emphasizing the value of open and safe conversations. Tracy reflects on how her relationship and perception of her mother changed towards the end of her mother’s life, and how she felt seen at her mother’s funeral. They touch on the possibility of reframing past experiences and changing one's relationship with a deceased parent.

This episode provides a nuanced and authentic discussion on grief and the multi-faceted emotions tied to losing a mother. It concludes with a brief promotional message encouraging listeners to subscribe and follow the podcast on social media.

Join Joy Solomon and Tracy Fink as they navigate through the bittersweet journey of reflecting, remembering, reconciling, relating, and rejoicing in the lessons learned from their deceased mothers.