In this episode, host Kim Loliya delves into the complexities of mothering and smothering, particularly in the context of intergenerational trauma and societal pressures. Kim reflects on the toxic culture surrounding New Year's resolutions and the systemic forces that shape our desires for change. The conversation transitions into an exploration of smothering behaviors, their roots in fear and anxiety, and the cultural dynamics that perpetuate them. Kim acknowledges the importance of recognizing these patterns and working towards healthier relationships, both as mothers and as individuals who have been smothered.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to My Mother’s Trauma Podcast

01:33 Resolutions are Colonial

06:01 Decolonial Freebies Coming Up at Black Psychotherapy

08:59 The Continuum of Harmful Mothering

10:43 Smothering in Black, Brown and Indigenous Mothers

15:13 Deconstructing Smothering

18:25 Smothering Ingrained in Culture

19:49 From Smothering (Back) To Mothering

30:28 Outro

CONTACT INFO

• Newsletter - Sign up here
• Question for Kim – Submit here
• Website - blackpsychotherapy.org
• Instagram - @blackpsychotherapy
• Email address - info@blackpsychotherapy.org

EPISODE LINKS

• Transcript –You can find the transcript here
• Events – Register here
• Event - Holding Black Rage CPD for Helping Professionals, on 7th February 2025, online. Tickets can be purchased here
• Event - Justice in Therapy, on 15th March 2025, online. Tickets can be purchased here

CREDITS

• Artwork – Kim Loliya in collaboration with DALL-E
• Editor & Producer – ZShed Productions

In this episode Kim Loliya reflects on the recent Justice in Therapy conference, discussing the complexities of engaging in justice work, especially in the context of familial trauma during the holiday season. Kim explores themes of emotional labor, gender dynamics, racial capitalism, and the impact of migration and displacement on holiday experiences. Kim goes on to emphasise the importance of community support, self-care, and the need for mental health resources during this challenging time. The episode concludes with gratitude for the listeners and a hopeful outlook for future discussions on intergenerational trauma.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to My Mother’s Trauma Podcast

01:08 Intergenerational gifts making justice work possible

09:13 Femme labour over the holidays

12:56 Racial capitalism as intergenerational trauma

18:16 Navigating harm from family members

26:53 Migration, displacement and loneliness

29:58 Breaks in therapy

33:10 End of year gratitude

36:25 Outro

CONTACT INFO

• Newsletter - Sign up here
• Question for Kim – Submit here
• Website - blackpsychotherapy.org
• Instagram - @blackpsychotherapy
• Email address - info@blackpsychotherapy.org

EPISODE LINKS

• Transcript –You can find the transcript here
• Racial Capitalism
• Event - Holding Black Rage: Professionals Training, on 7th February, online. Tickets can be purchased here
• Event - Justice in Therapy, on 15th March 2025, online. Tickets can be purchased here
• Other Events – Register here

CREDITS

• Artwork – Kim Loliya in collaboration with DALL-E
• Editor & Producer – ZShed Productions

In this episode Kim Loliya explores 'holding the good' amidst the challenges of trauma and cultural barriers. Kim emphasises that goodness can be found in both significant moments and mundane experiences, and discusses the importance of self-love and community in nurturing this practice. The conversation delves into the impact of trauma on our ability to perceive goodness, the cultural conditioning that makes it difficult to celebrate positive experiences, and practical steps to cultivate a mindset that embraces goodness. Kim encourages listeners to take small, manageable steps towards holding the good, while also acknowledging the complexities of trauma and self-worth.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to My Mother’s Trauma Podcast

03:17 Practicing holding the good

04:37 Defining goodness

08:11 Trauma responses to goodness

15:03 Practical steps to hold the good

24:29 Locating the good

26:07 Outro

CONTACT INFO

• Newsletter - Sign up here
• Question for Kim – Submit here
• Website - blackpsychotherapy.org
• Instagram - @blackpsychotherapy
• Email address - info@blackpsychotherapy.org

EPISODE LINKS

• Transcript –You can find the transcript here
• Events – Register here
• Event - Justice in Therapy, on 15th March 2025, online. Tickets can be purchased here

CREDITS

• Artwork – Kim Loliya in collaboration with DALL-E
• Editor & Producer – ZShed Productions