Ep 1: "Wishing our Mothers Dead"

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.