Mama's Garden

Cequoia Ali

Welcome to Mama’s Garden— a space created for African American mothers to feel seen, heard, informed, and supported through the realities of postpartum life. Hosted by doctoral OT student Cequoia Ali, Mama’s Garden explores postpartum depression, the transition into motherhood, barriers to care, identity, healing, and the experiences that often go unspoken. Through honest conversations with postpartum parents, healthcare professionals, community advocates, and subject matter experts, each episode offers education, lived experiences, practical resources, and encouragement to help mothers navigate their journey with confidence and self-advocacy.

Episodes

  1. Oct 13

    Episode 6: Growing Through It

    Episode 6: Growing Through It | Season Finale Healing after postpartum depression isn't a destination, it's a journey. In the final episode of season 1 of Mama's Garden, I sit down with occupational therapist and doula Erin Richardson to talk about what recovery can truly look like after birth. Together, we explore the power of community, meaningful routines, self-compassion, and the support systems that help mothers navigate difficult seasons. This conversation is a reminder that healing doesn't happen overnight. Sometimes it looks like quieter thoughts, more confidence in your decisions, reconnecting with activities that bring you joy, or simply finding one person who can support you along the way.  In this episode, we discuss:  • Signs that healing is happening, even when it doesn't feel like it • The importance of community, family, and peer support • How meaningful activities can support recovery • Creating a postpartum support plan • Free and low-cost resources available for mothers • Self-compassion, identity, and learning to trust yourself again • Why mothers do not have to navigate postpartum depression alone Resources mentioned:  • Postpartum Support International (PSI) • Black Girls Mental Health Foundation • Atlanta Birth Center (Mocha Mamas) • Mamas Mosaic Collective • Georgia Fund for Perinatal Mental Health • Georgia WIC & Atlanta Healthy Start • National Maternal Mental Health Hotline • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Thank you for joining us throughout this first season of Mama's Garden.

  2. Sep 28

    Episode 5: Rebuilding After Birth: Finding Yourself in Motherhood

    Rebuilding After Birth: Finding Yourself in Motherhood The baby is here. The appointments are over. Now what? In Episode 5 of Mama's Garden, I sit down with occupational therapist, researcher, educator, and women's health advocate Dr. Sabina Khan to discuss what recovery really looks like after birth. While postpartum recovery is often viewed as physical healing, many mothers find themselves navigating something much bigger: changes in routines, identity, relationships, sleep, self-care, and daily life. Together, we explore how motherhood can disrupt the activities and roles that once felt familiar and what it means to rebuild after birth. On this episode: What occupational therapy is and how it supports mothers Understanding occupational disruption after childbirth Why motherhood is one of life's biggest transitions Sleep deprivation, self-care, and changing routines How postpartum depression affects daily participation Identity shifts and the feeling of "losing yourself" Practical ways to rebuild routines and restore balance Small steps that can help mothers reconnect with themselves Whether you're a new mom, an expecting parent, a healthcare professional, or someone supporting a mother, this episode offers practical guidance and reassurance that you're not alone in the transition.

  3. Sep 23

    Episode 4: "Where Was the Support?"

    Episode 4: Where Was the Support? What happens when mothers ask for help but don't feel heard? In this episode of Mama's Garden, I sit down with occupational therapist and mother Dr. Mirage Sanders to discuss the realities of postpartum care and what happens when a mother's concerns are dismissed, minimized, or overlooked. Together, we explore the gap between what postpartum care is supposed to provide and what many mothers actually experience after birth. From mental health screenings and follow-up appointments to trust in healthcare and culturally responsive care, this conversation sheds light on why feeling heard matters. Episode Topics: Expectations vs. reality after birth Postpartum care beyond the 6-week checkup Mental health screening and emotional support Feeling dismissed by healthcare providers Trust and mistrust in healthcare systems Culturally responsive care for Black mothers What mothers wish providers understood Every mother deserves to be heard, believed, and supported. Whether you're a mother, healthcare professional, student, or advocate, this episode is a reminder that compassionate care starts with listening. Learn More • Postpartum Care Overview • Optimizing Postpartum Care • Postpartum Mental Health Screening Resources

  4. Sep 21

    Episode 3: The Strong Black Woman Narrative: Strength, Silence & Motherhood

    Episode 3: The Strong Black Woman Narrative: Strength, Silence & MotherhoodWhat does it really mean to be a "Strong Black Woman"? In this deeply personal episode of Mama's Garden, I sit down with two mothers and longtime friends for an honest conversation about motherhood, mental health, and the pressure many Black women feel to always be strong. Together, we explore how messages like "keep pushing," and "don't let anyone see you struggle" can shape the way women navigate postpartum depression, ask for help, and care for themselves after becoming mothers. Through their lived experiences, we discuss: The Strong Black Woman narrative and where it comes fromThe pressure to appear strong while struggling internallyPostpartum depression, mom guilt, and emotional overwhelmFear of judgment when seeking help or expressing vulnerabilitySingle motherhood, support systems, and asking for helpGenerational messages about emotions and resilienceRaising emotionally aware children and breaking cycles of silenceThe importance of grace, healing, and self-compassion If you've ever felt like you had to hold everything together while silently falling apart, this conversation is for you. Resources and Learn More HealthyWomen: Understanding the Strong Black Woman Schema Read here Research Article: The Strong Black Woman Schema and Maternal Mental Health View Article Research Article: Exploring the Impact of the Strong Black Woman Narrative View Article

  5. Sep 21

    Episode 2: Why Us? Understanding PPD in Black Women

    Episode 2: Why Us? Understanding PPD in Black Women | Mama's GardenWhy are Black women more likely to experience postpartum depression? In Episode 2 of Mama's Garden, I'm joined by Dr. Tavia Williams, OTD, OTR/L, an occupational therapist, maternal health researcher, and advocate, to explore the factors that place African American women at greater risk for postpartum depression and other maternal mental health conditions. Together, we discuss maternal health disparities, chronic stress, racism, social determinants of health, and the systemic barriers that shape the postpartum experiences of many African American mothers. Drawing from her doctoral capstone on wellness among African American women during pregnancy, Dr. Williams helps us better understand the "why" behind the statistics and what healthcare professionals, families, and communities need to know to better support African American mothers. In this episode: • Maternal mental health statistics among African American women • Chronic stress before, during, and after pregnancy • Racism, discrimination, and the concept of "weathering" • Social determinants of health and postpartum recovery • Why maternal health outcomes remain unequal • What healthcare providers need to better understand about African American Resources & Learn More • March of Dimes: Stress and Pregnancy • KFF: Racial Disparities in Maternal & Infant Health • UChicago Medicine: Disparities in Black Maternal Health • CDC: Maternal Mortality • Postpartum Support International

  6. Sep 21

    Episode 1: More Than the Baby Blues

    Episode 1: More Than the Baby Blues | Mama’s Garden  What if what you’re experiencing after birth is more than just the baby blues?  In the first episode of Mama’s Garden, I’m joined by Dr. Rashan Dickinson, OTD, OTR/L, occupational therapist, educator, entrepreneur, and founder of Integrum Therapy Services, for an honest conversation about postpartum recovery and maternal mental health.  We explore the “fourth trimester,” the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression, common signs of PPD, barriers faced by Black mothers, and the importance of support during the transition into motherhood.  In this episode:  • Baby blues vs. postpartum depression  • Signs and symptoms of PPD  • Postpartum recovery and identity changes  • Barriers to maternal mental health support  • Black maternal mental health  • What mothers should know after leaving the hospital    You are not failing as a mother, and you don’t have to navigate postpartum alone.  Resources:  • Postpartum Care of the New Mother (StatPearls):  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565875/  • Mayo Clinic: Postpartum Depression  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617  • Postpartum Support International  https://www.postpartum.net/  • Postpartum Support International Help & Resources  https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/

  • 6 Episodes

About

Welcome to Mama’s Garden— a space created for African American mothers to feel seen, heard, informed, and supported through the realities of postpartum life. Hosted by doctoral OT student Cequoia Ali, Mama’s Garden explores postpartum depression, the transition into motherhood, barriers to care, identity, healing, and the experiences that often go unspoken. Through honest conversations with postpartum parents, healthcare professionals, community advocates, and subject matter experts, each episode offers education, lived experiences, practical resources, and encouragement to help mothers navigate their journey with confidence and self-advocacy.

Information

  • Creator
    Cequoia Ali
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cequoia Ali
  • Show Website
    Mama's Garden