The Mama Sisterhood

Heather Evans

Welcome to The Mama Sisterhood - I'm Heather Evans. When my twins were born at 24 weeks gestation, I began to think about the uniqueness of each of our motherhood journeys. I also began to understand the importance of education and support from other moms, no matter how different our lives may be. Each episode will highlight one mother's journey and the lessons she has learned on this crazy path we call life. I'm so happy to have you here. Welcome to the Mama Sisterhood!

  1. 10h ago

    Episode 105 - Mariah's Story - Navigating Pregnancy & Motherhood with Chronic Illness

    When Mariah was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her 20s, she never could have known how much her chronic illness would shape her journey into motherhood. In this episode of The Mama Sisterhood, Mariah shares her experience navigating three pregnancies while living with rheumatoid arthritis at a time when there was much less research and information available about managing the condition during pregnancy and breastfeeding. She talks openly about having to stop her medication, the flares that followed, and how her health ultimately affected her breastfeeding journey. Mariah also shares what motherhood looks like when you are managing a chronic illness — including the challenges, the guilt, and the need to adjust expectations. Through her experiences, she has learned some powerful lessons about parenting and what truly matters when raising children. Her own experiences eventually led her to create Mamas Facing Forward, a community designed to support women living with chronic illness as they navigate pregnancy and motherhood. Mariah's story is a reminder that motherhood doesn't have to look a certain way to be meaningful. Sometimes, living with chronic illness forces us to let go of the expectations we place on ourselves and focus on what matters most. Find Mamas Facing Forward at mamasfacingforward.com Important note: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health, medications, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or treatment.

  2. Sep 22

    Episode 104 - Stephanie's Story - When It's More Than Picky Eating: Stephanie’s Story of ARFID

    As a toddler, Stephanie began noticing that her daughter’s struggles with food went far beyond typical picky eating. But it would be years before she received an official diagnosis of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). In this episode of The Mama Sisterhood, Stephanie shares her family’s journey through years of uncertainty, therapy, and learning how to understand and support a child with ARFID. Her daughter eventually overcame the eating disorder and is now an adult, but getting there was a long road filled with challenges, questions, and plenty of misconceptions about what was really going on. Stephanie incorporated her daughter’s experience with ARFID into her fiction novel Sad Perfect, using storytelling as a way to help educate others about the disorder and give readers who may be experiencing similar struggles a chance to see that they are not alone. Stephanie’s story is a reminder that sometimes what looks like “just picky eating” can be something much more complex—and that understanding, support, and the right resources can make a meaningful difference. Stephanie's website: https://stephanieelliot.wixsite.com/arfid Sad Perfect by Stephanie Elliot on amazon.com Learn more about ARFID: https://www.arfidcollaborative.com/welcome FB groups Stephanie recommends: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1561802504059071/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/408708434487042 Disclaimer: The Mama Sisterhood is a space for sharing stories, experiences, and information—not medical advice. Always talk with your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional about your individual health concerns and before making changes to your care.

  3. Aug 11

    Episode 101 - Shelby's Story - A Mother's Fight After A Daycare Tragedy

    In this deeply moving episode, I talk with Shelby, a mom whose life changed in an instant after her infant son, Benny, suffered a catastrophic injury while at daycare. Shelby shares the heartbreaking story of the day everything changed—from a police officer arriving at her work to deliver the news to the long road of unanswered questions, hospital stays, and adjusting to a completely different future. Today, she is a full-time caregiver to Benny, whose medical complexities have transformed her family's daily life, while also running an online boutique and raising her two daughters. We talk about what it truly means to become a "medical mom," the resilience required to navigate therapies, appointments, and advocacy, and the hope that keeps her moving forward. Shelby also opens up about pursuing stem cell treatment for Benny and why even the smallest signs of progress are worth celebrating. Beyond sharing her family's journey, Shelby offers practical advice for other parents, including the importance of carefully vetting childcare providers and advocating for yourself in the workplace. She encourages working moms to seek employers who genuinely support the realities of raising a family. This episode is one of heartbreak, incredible strength, and unwavering love. Shelby's story is a powerful reminder of the resilience parents discover in the face of unimaginable circumstances—and the hope that can still exist, even on the hardest days. Follow Benny on FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591158371122Follow Shelby on IG: @shelbcannon Support Shelby and her family:https://www.supportnow.org/beelieve-in-benny Check out Shelby's boutique:https://shopraeandkae.com/

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Mama Sisterhood - I'm Heather Evans. When my twins were born at 24 weeks gestation, I began to think about the uniqueness of each of our motherhood journeys. I also began to understand the importance of education and support from other moms, no matter how different our lives may be. Each episode will highlight one mother's journey and the lessons she has learned on this crazy path we call life. I'm so happy to have you here. Welcome to the Mama Sisterhood!

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