Mommy Cigarette Break

Chelsea Ragland
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the porch, Porch Girls. I’m Chelsea Ragland — mom, reality TV enthusiast, grief survivor. I started laughing to survive and never stopped. Mommy Cigarette Break is your weekly escape for the women running on coffee and faith who just need a minute. Every episode we’re checking our sanity, recapping what’s airing, and leaving you with something to hold onto. Unfiltered. Unapologetic. Always laughing. Pull up a chair. Break’s over when I say it is.

Episodes

  1. Sep 23

    A Message to Christine Wells | The Nolan Wells Grand Jury Decision, Mary Cosby’s Bravery & Am I the A*****e?

    This week, my Sanity Check is equal parts exhausted and inspired. I’m burning the midnight oil, building something new, and feeling like I’m in a season I’ll always remember. Fear be damned—Chelsea’s got another idea. In the Air, I discuss the grand jury’s decision not to bring charges in Nolan Wells’ death, the questions his family is still asking, and the criticism surrounding Ben Crump’s work with Trey Reed’s family. Most of all, I have a message for Nolan’s mother, Christine Wells-Wonsley. Hearing her speak reminded me that even when we pursue answers and justice, a mother still has to carry the grief of losing her son. Nolan deserves to be remembered for the life he lived and how deeply he was loved. I also talk about Mary Cosby’s bravery in the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City premiere, her decision to share this part of her life, and the responsibility that comes with filming someone through profound grief. Then we change the energy and close with Am I the A*****e? Because sometimes it just feels good to yell at a MAN and let off a little steam. If this episode resonates with you, please like, comment, and subscribe. Tell me your verdict on Am I the A*****e?, share the episode with a friend, and follow along for more Mommy Cigarette Break. Chapters:00:00 Sanity Check: Betting on Myself04:46 The Grand Jury Decision in Nolan Wells’ Case16:36 A Message to Christine Wells22:54 Mary Cosby’s Bravery and the Responsibility of Reality TV27:35 Am I the A*****e? Follow me:Instagram: @mommycigarettebreak | @chelsearaglandTikTok: @chelsearagland_YouTube: Mommy Cigarette Break Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: MXNVD0EUZWJI4OHB

  2. Sep 18

    Joy Unlocked My Grief, Chris Brown's Apology Tour & The Conversation That Changed My Life

    What happens when you finally feel alive enough to feel everything else? This week on Mommy Cigarette Break, I’m coming off one of the most joyful weekends I’ve had in a long time—and somehow, that joy unlocked some of the deepest grief I’ve felt in years. After Nashville, I came home to an empty house, sat alone with myself, and grieved my son in a way I didn’t even realize I still needed. It made me question whether I’ve really been avoiding grief all this time… or whether I’ve simply gotten so good at functioning that I haven’t given myself enough stillness to feel it. Then we get into the air: Chris Brown gets recognized by elected officials, the backlash comes, and suddenly we’re on an apology tour. I understand the different perspectives on whether he should have been honored in the first place—but my bigger question is: if you knew exactly who you were honoring when you made the decision, why weren’t you prepared to stand on it when people got mad? On the air… y’all, I have barely watched a damn thing. 😂 But I DID manage to get into The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives long enough to once again ask: Taylor Frankie Paul, girl, WHAT are we doing?! And then, Before I Go Back In, we’re talking about the conversation that changed my life. For years, I thought “taking it on the chin” was an act of love. I thought keeping quiet about hurt was me protecting the people I loved. What I’m realizing at 30 is that avoiding the hard conversation doesn’t always prevent conflict—sometimes it just allows hurt to accumulate until you reach scorched earth. This week, I finally had a conversation that touched nearly 10 years of hurt. And y’all… I feel free. So I’m sharing the four things I’m learning about approaching hard conversations with people you love: pouring into the relationship first, being intentional about the person/timing/setting, checking your heart before you speak, and praying before you ever open your mouth. I’m not an expert. I’m learning this in real time. But when something gives me this much peace, I can’t keep it to myself. I wish this level of peace on all of you. 🤎 CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome Back, Porch Girls00:47 Nashville & a Love Letter to My Friends07:59 When Joy Unlocked My Grief17:07 Sometimes I Need to Just Be Chelsea22:10 Chris Brown Got Honored—Then They Apologized35:34 Taylor Frankie Paul: Girl, What Are We Doing?40:58 I Thought Taking It on the Chin Was Love01:00:51 One Conversation Healed 10 Years of Hurt01:03:39 The Hard Conversation Playbook: 4 Things to Do First PORCH GIRLS, I NEED A FAVOR 🤎 If you’re enjoying Mommy Cigarette Break, please take a second to rate the podcast wherever you’re listening. And don’t just listen quietly—come talk to me! Leave a comment/review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and if you’re watching on YouTube, drop a comment and let me know what part of this episode hit home for you. Your ratings, reviews, comments, likes and shares help more Porch Girls find our little corner of the internet, and I appreciate every single one of you who takes the time to support the show. KEEP UP WITH ME Instagram: @chelsearaglandInstagram: @mommycigarettebreakTikTok: @chelsearagland_YouTube: Mommy Cigarette Break Subscribe/follow Mommy Cigarette Break wherever you listen so you don’t miss the next smoke break. 🚬 MUSIC Music licensed through Soundstripe.Codes: HKMPPLSBX5FENJ0X, LINEFNRNMCLVEVRD All right, Porch Girls. Break’s over. 🤎

  3. Sep 11

    I’m Not Playing CSI With Lindsay Clancy | RHONY, RHOSLC & A Love Letter to My Day Ones

    Everybody has been asking me to talk about the Lindsay Clancy trial — and I’ve intentionally avoided it. This week, I’m finally explaining why. I’ve seen the conspiracy theories. I’ve seen the internet trying to piece together what happened. And I’m not doing it. There are some cases where “I don’t know” is the most responsible answer, and I’m not willing to play CSI with a tragedy involving three children. What I AM willing to talk about is what worries me about the aftermath of this case — particularly what it could mean for the next mother who admits she’s struggling with her postpartum mental health. Then, Housewives are BACK. RHONY has returned, RHOSLC is right behind it, and I have questions. Can the new RHONY finally make me care? And is Salt Lake City starting to get stale, or do these women still have another era in them? But first, it’s Sanity Check — and this one is a love letter to my day ones. I’m officially 30, my calm and cute birthday weekend is behind me, and now I’m heading into girls’ trip weekend with women who have known and loved multiple versions of me. There’s something sacred about realizing that romantic relationships aren’t the only love stories we get to experience. Sometimes, you look around and realize you’re growing old with your girlfriends too. And Before I Go Back In, I’m asking myself what I’m unwilling to carry into this new decade. I can hold a grudge — but I’m starting to realize that letting something go doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, they weren’t wrong, or I didn’t deserve better. Sometimes it just means deciding: this has already gotten enough of me. God was never asking me to settle for less. He was offering to take over. So before you go back in: what are YOU ready to release? CHAPTERS 00:32 Sanity Check: A Love Letter to My Day Ones
04:29 In the Air: Why I’m Not Playing CSI With the Lindsay Clancy Case
10:28 On the Air: Housewives Are Back, But Do I Care?
15:12 Before I Go Back In: Leaving the Grudge Behind
21:36 Break’s Over: Until Next Time KEEP UP WITH MOMMY CIGARETTE BREAK Instagram: @mommycigarettebreak
YouTube: Mommy Cigarette Break FOLLOW CHELSEA Instagram: @chelsearagland
TikTok: @chelsearagland_ If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with somebody who needs their own cigarette break. ❤️

  4. Sep 2

    Goodbye to My 20s (You Were Nothing Like I Expected)

    This week on Mommy Cigarette Break, I’m celebrating small wins, questionable financial decisions, and the end of an entire decade. First, I have a confession: we got a dog. And somehow a quick stop to “just look at the puppies” ended with me leaving $3,000 poorer and the proud owner of a Maltese named Snow. Then we’re getting into Lizzo’s recently dismissed lawsuit and the question I can’t stop thinking about: why is the public so loud when celebrity lawsuits are filed, but so quiet when they’re dismissed? Can a celebrity’s reputation ever fully recover once the allegations have already become part of the public narrative? On the Air, my interest may have officially left the island. I’m talking about why I couldn’t even finish the Love Island reunion, my problem with the Islanders becoming too PR-trained after leaving the villa, Beyond the Villa becoming part of their contracts, and whether Anaya and Carl are actually giving happily-ever-after. And finally, I’m saying goodbye to my 20s. Before I turn 30, I’m reflecting on the ambitious, slightly unhinged 20-year-old who dreamed bigger than she knew how to execute, the hardest lessons this decade taught me, the dating stories I absolutely should have taken to the grave, surviving the hardest season of my life, and realizing that somehow, through all of it, God did it. My 20s: you were a clusterf*ck. You were nothing like I thought you would be. But you laid the foundation for the woman I am today. Here’s to 30. 🥂 CHAPTERS 00:00 — Celebrating Small Wins00:58 — My Annual Fall Irresponsible Decision: Dog Edition06:25 — Can Lizzo’s Reputation Be Restored?11:58 — My Interest Has Left the Island: Love Island Reunion Recap17:30 — Saying Goodbye to My 20s33:09 — Still a Work in Progress If you enjoyed this episode, like, follow, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a rating or review wherever you’re listening. Follow me on socials:Instagram - @mommycigarettebreakInstagram - @chelsearagland Youtube - mommycigarettebreak Tiktok - chelsearagland_ Break’s over. I’ll see y’all next week. 🖤

  5. Aug 27

    Proximity ≠ Safety: Nolan Wells, Carmelo Anthony & Choosing My Daughter’s School | Sanity Check

    I’m back from hiatus after a beautiful summer of making memories, and we’re picking up right where we left off. In this episode, we catch up on life lately and revisit the Carmelo Anthony trial and the lasting impact it had on me—especially when it came to making decisions about my daughter’s school. We also discuss Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black boy who passed away over Fourth of July weekend while on a boat with his white friends, and unpack a belief that deserves a much deeper conversation: proximity does not equal safety. We talk about the way proximity to whiteness can sometimes be equated with safety in the Black community, why these stories challenged that assumption for me, and how all of it shaped the way I thought about where I wanted my daughter to go to school. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Sanity Check without talking about life. We touch on grief in this episode—but maybe not in the way you’d expect. What does it look like to be grieving while simultaneously making some of the happiest memories of your life? How do you give yourself permission to experience both without feeling like one emotion somehow cancels out the other? Sometimes life really is that complicated. You can miss someone deeply, carry grief with you every day, and still laugh, travel, celebrate, and make beautiful memories. Both can be true. Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the podcast. Keep up with me between episodes: Instagram: @chelsearaglandTikTok: @chelsearagland_MCB Instagram: @mommycigarettebreakYouTube: @mommycigarettebreak Until next time, Porch Girls. 🤎

    Proximity ≠ Safety: Nolan Wells, Carmelo Anthony & Choosing My Daughter’s School | Sanity Check

  6. Jun 8

    SMOKE BREAK: Rick Chow & Karmelo Anthony | Two Self-Defense Cases, Two Very Different Outcomes?

    Hey Porch Girls, welcome back for another Smoke Break! This week we’re discussing two cases that have dominated headlines: the acquittal of Rick Chow in the death of Cyrus Carmack-Belton and the ongoing murder trial of Karmelo Anthony in the death of Austin Metcalf. At first glance, these cases seem very different. Different states, different facts, different victims. But both cases raise many of the same questions about self-defense, reasonable doubt, and what happens when a confrontation turns deadly. With Rick Chow now acquitted and Karmelo Anthony still awaiting a verdict, we’re exploring why two cases built around self-defense claims can lead to very different outcomes—and what juries are actually being asked to decide when they walk into that deliberation room. We’ll break down the facts, the legal standards, and the public reaction surrounding both cases, while asking whether these two trials may ultimately tell us more about self-defense law than they do about any single defendant. Grab your coffee, your wine, or your cig, and let’s take a quick Smoke Break. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, rate, and review! Follow me:Instagram: @chelsearagland and @mommycigarettebreakTikTok: @chelsearagland_YouTube: @mommycigarettebreak 00:00 Introduction to Controversial Cases 11:51 The Cyrus Carmack Belton Case 20:42 The Carmelo Anthony Case 22:13 The Tragic Outcome of Youth Violence 23:56 Understanding Actions and Reactions 24:42 The Importance of Witness Testimonies 25:39 The Role of Self-Defense in the Case 27:50 The Jury's Composition and Its Implications 29:18 Historical Context of Jury Decisions 31:20 The Need for Carmelo to Testify 32:34 Comparing Cases: Rick Chow and Carmelo Anthony 34:20 The Impact of Violence on Families 37:13 Race and Its Role in the Justice System

  7. Jun 5

    EPISODE 5: Love Island's N-Word Controversy, Nature Boy Documentary & Quieting the Noise

    Welcome back to Episode 5 of Mommy Cigarette Break! This week we're covering a little bit of everything. First, we're checking in on life postpartum and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with making major parenting decisions—especially when it comes to choosing the right school for your child and carrying the weight of wondering whether you're getting it right. In the Air, we're discussing Love Island Season 8 and the controversy surrounding a contestant's removal from the villa. Then On the Air, we're diving into the Nature Boy documentary and the Hood Horrors follow-up documentary. We discuss Carbonation's original mission, how things spiraled, the role childhood trauma can play in cult recruitment, and the lessons we can take away from the story. Finally, we're continuing the Dare to Dream series with Part 3: Quieting the Noise. Let's talk about handling haters, filtering criticism, staying focused on purpose, and why outside validation can corrupt internal fulfillment. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction & Episode Overview SANITY CHECK 00:30 – Postpartum Struggles 01:29 – Navigating School Choices for My Daughter 05:24 – The Emotional Weight of Parenting Decisions IN THE AIR 06:59 – Love Island Season 8 07:24 – Controversy Surrounding Contestant Removal 09:20 – Reactions Following the Removal ON THE AIR 11:30 – Reviewing the Nature Boy Documentary 14:16 – The Mission of Carbonation 20:42 – The Dark Turn Explored in Hood Horrors 24:52 – Nature Boy, Cult Dynamics & Vulnerability 25:02 – The Role of Childhood Trauma in Cult Membership 27:10 – Reflections on the Documentary and Its Lessons BEFORE I GO BACK IN: DARE TO DREAM SERIES (PART 3) 27:50 – Introduction to the Series Segment QUIETING THE NOISE: HANDLING THE HATERS 30:00 – Quieting the Noise 32:15 – Outside Validation vs. Internal Fulfillment 34:40 – Criticism, Feedback & Distractions 36:15 – Staying Focused on Purpose BREAK'S OVER 37:48 – Final Thoughts & Closing 💬 Join the conversation in the comments: What's a dream, goal, or calling you've had to pursue despite criticism from others? 📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes covering motherhood, reality TV, current events, culture, faith, and the conversations we're all having behind closed doors. FOLLOW ME: Instagram: @chelsearagland @mommycigarettebreak TikTok: @chelsearagland_ Threads: @chelsearagland YouTube: @mommycigarettebreak 🎙️ Listen to Mommy Cigarette Break wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who could use a smoke break. New episodes every week.

  8. May 20

    SMOKE BREAK: RHOBH Season 15 Performance Reviews

    Hey Porch Girls, welcome back for our first SMOKE BREAK! Smoke Breaks are intended to be quick bonus episodes where we clock in for my FAVORITE reality TV shows. This week, we’re discussing the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and, in honor of Boz being head CMO, we’re doing performance reviews. We’re discussing who’s on a PIP, who got a glowing review, and who still has some work to do before next season. Some of these women came in prepared for the fiscal year… others definitely did not. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, rate the podcast, and share this episode with your Bravo group chat. Follow me on Instagram at @chelsearagland, TikTok at @chelsearagland_, and YouTube at @mommycigarettebreak.

  9. May 19

    EPISODE 4: What If I Fail? | Louisiana v. Callais Aftermath, Julio Foolio & Worst Ex Ever

    What if the fear of failure is the very thing keeping us from the life we’re praying for? In episode 4 of Mommy Cigarette Break, we’re talking anxiety, overthinking, and the mental spiral that can happen when you want more for your life but can’t stop thinking about everything that could go wrong.. In part two of the Dare to Dream series, we get honest about the question so many people quietly carry: what if I fail? We also discuss the aftermath of Louisiana v. Callais as states rush to redraw congressional maps, the ongoing conversations surrounding the Julio Foolio case, and Netflix’s Worst Ex Ever — including the disturbing realities many victims of domestic violence face when warning signs are ignored and systems fail to protect them. So pour your coffee, take a breath, and come take a break with me. ✨ in this episode: the aftermath of Louisiana v. Callaisstates redrawing congressional mapsthe Julio Foolio caseNetflix’s Worst Ex Everdomestic violence and systemic failuresDare to Dream Part 2: What If I Fail?follow me on instagram @chelsearaglandon youtube @mommycigarettebreakon tiktok @chelsearagland_ don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with someone you think it would bless!

  10. May 5

    EPISODE 3: New Supreme Court Ruling, Michael Jackson Biopic, & Driven by Purpose, Not a Paycheck

    This week on Mommy Cigarette Break, I’m in a good season… but I’m also being honest about what it looks like to carry grief even when life feels full. In Sanity Check, I talk about how grief doesn’t necessarily get smaller — you just learn how to live around it. Even in the best moments, there’s still that quiet “what if.” Like something is missing… and always will be. In In the Air, we get into the new Supreme Court ruling everyone’s talking about — Louisiana v. Callais — and why it matters right now. In On the Air, we’re talking about the Michael Jackson biopic — and I’ll be honest, I went in not really being a fan… and came out completely changed. Now I can’t stop listening to his music, and we get into why the film is sparking so much conversation. And for Before I Go Back In, Tim joins me for Driven by Purpose, Not a Paycheck. He’s one of the biggest dreamers I know, and we’re talking about how he built a life around bold, audacious goals — not money — and what that’s actually looked like in real life. We close things out with Break’s Over. Find me on Instagram @chelsearagland, on Youtube @mommycigarettebreak, and on Tiktok @chelsearagland_Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with anyone you think it would be a blessing to. Love you, Porch Girls! CHAPTERS 00:57 – Sanity Check: Living Fully While Carrying Grief 05:36 – In the Air: The New Supreme Court Ruling Everyone’s Talking About — Louisiana v. Callais 14:52 – On the Air: The Michael Jackson Biopic That Made Me a Fan 18:53 – Before I Go Back In: Driven by Purpose, Not a Paycheck 37:29 – Break’s Over

  11. Apr 28

    Episode 2: SOS-We're Ready for Summer, My Therapist Told Me I Was Jealous, Wendy Osefo Trial Preview & Did Rhode Island Make Housewives Great Again?

    Welcome to Mommy Cigarette Break—a space for real, unfiltered conversations about motherhood, pop culture, and everything in between. If you’ve ever needed a moment to yourself to laugh, think, or just feel a little lighter… you’re in the right place. In this episode, we’re in full “SOS—we’re ready for summer” mode. I’m talking about that end-of-school-year energy, the shift in routines, and the pressure that comes with planning for summer as a mom. We move into In the Air, where I’m previewing Wendy Osefo’s upcoming trial and getting into whether Hulu’s newest shows are actually worth your time. Then in On the Air, I’m breaking down why The Real Housewives of Atlanta feels like a mixed bag this season—and why The Real Housewives of Rhode Island might’ve just made Housewives great again. And in Before I Go Back In, what started as me venting in therapy turned into a real shift—realizing I was jealous, unpacking why, and recognizing that somewhere along the way, I had stopped dreaming. That moment leads into the introduction of the Dare to Dream Series: Changing Our Lives in This New Season, where we’re not just talking about what we want—we’re actually taking steps to go after it. Timestamps:00:00 — Sanity Check: Summer Break Is Coming… and Moms Are Already Tired02:44 — In the Air: Wendy Osefo’s Upcoming Trial — A Quick Preview05:34 — In the Air: Hulu’s New Shows — What’s Actually Worth Watching?11:06 — On the Air: The Real Housewives of Atlanta — Why This Season Feels Like a Mixed Bag17:11 — On the Air: The Real Housewives of Rhode Island — Did This Just Make Housewives Great Again?19:08 — On the Air: New Reality Shows You Should Actually Be Watching Right Now21:27 — Before I Go Back In: My Therapist Told Me I Was Jealous… and She Was Right29:27 — Before I Go Back In: Dare to Dream — Changing Our Lives in This New Season As part of the Dare to Dream Series, we’re doing Dream Check-Ins. What is your dream—and what did you do this week to move closer to it? This is a space for dreamers, not just to say it out loud, but to actually take steps forward—whatever that looks like for you. Send yours in—I want to hear it. 📲 Instagram: @chelsearagland📧 Email: mommycigarettebreak@gmail.com🎥 YouTube: Mommy Cigarette Break Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a friend who needs it.

  12. Apr 20

    EPISODE 1: FIRST DRAG

    Welcome to Mommy Cigarette Break — the podcast for moms who need a moment. I’m Chelsea Ragland, and this is our very first episode. Pull up a chair. This week, we’re discussing my journey with Ozempic, Emma Grede’s controversial stance on the three-hour mom, and the debate that has the internet in a chokehold. We’re also getting into the status of Beverly Hills, the poor concept of Beyond the Villa, and before I go back in, we’re talking about the balancing act of motherhood and the importance of filling our own cup before we can pour into others. Unfiltered, unapologetic, and always laughing Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 07:20 - Reality TV: A Healthy Obsession 10:06 - In The Air: The Three Hour Mom 14:49 - Reflections on Motherhood and Career 15:08 - The Fulfillment of Motherhood 15:39 - On The Air: Beyond the Villa 20:54 -On The Air: Save RHOBH 28:32 - Before I Go Back In: Fill Your Cup If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment — it means the world and helps more moms find their way to the porch. Share this episode with a mom who needs a moment. 📱 Follow me on Instagram: @chelsearagland 🎙️ Find us on YouTube: @mommycigarettebreak 🎧 Available everywhere you listen to podcasts — Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.

  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to the porch, Porch Girls. I’m Chelsea Ragland — mom, reality TV enthusiast, grief survivor. I started laughing to survive and never stopped. Mommy Cigarette Break is your weekly escape for the women running on coffee and faith who just need a minute. Every episode we’re checking our sanity, recapping what’s airing, and leaving you with something to hold onto. Unfiltered. Unapologetic. Always laughing. Pull up a chair. Break’s over when I say it is.

Information

  • Creator
    Chelsea Ragland
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Chelsea Ragland
  • Show Website
    Mommy Cigarette Break