Nurturing Words: Voices of Experience
Are you a motherless daughter? What if we told you we have 20 years’ worth of truth treasures, pearls of wisdom and diamonds of hope to help you with your mother loss? We do, and we share all things mother loss on Voices of Experience, the Motherless Daughters Ministry podcast. Give yourself some self-care and listen as we discuss grief, regret, anger, redemption, closure and so much more. Hit “Subscribe” and take the next step in the healing journey to your future.
Episodes
The Motherless Daughters Ministry is celebrating 25 years of helping motherless daughters. This episode features a discussion with Motherless Daughters Ministry founder, Dr. Mary Ellen Collins, on the past, present, and future of the ministry. We are celebrating 25 years and looking ahead to the next 25.
Resources
Ways to support MDM financially: : https://www.motherlessdaughtersministry.com/giving/
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Motherless daughters deal with grief in different ways. Today’s episode focuses on a story from one of our blog writers, Dottie Menkhaus, who, at the time, struggled to face reality and deal with her grief. Instead, she tried to ignore it, as so many of us do! This episode focuses on the importance of dealing with our grief and discussing it with others in community.
Resources
Podcast Episode highlights a blog by Dottie...
The “holiday season” is filled with traditions at every turn. While they anchor us and provide familiarity and predictability, they can also be the source of stress and trigger deep sadness and grief. However, because they create a sense of belonging, gradually introducing new activities can maintain the togetherness and provide needed support for healing.
Joy and sadness coexist during the holidays while grieving a ...
The “holiday season” is characterized by family gatherings, festive decorations, gift-giving and feasts that include a large variety and amount of food. Minds and hearts are void of negativity and replaced by the spirit of kindness, generosity and good will. Great efforts are put forth and money spent to modify schedules, arrange travel and buy gifts. But there is an entirely different scenario for a large population ...
We never outgrow the need for the love, support, and nurturing of a mother or a mother figure. This is true during life’s special times and milestones. Entering motherhood is such a time. This episode features a conversation about mothering without a mother. Two of our volunteers, Sarah Lynn Wells and Natalie Lundstrom, discuss their experience of mothering as motherless daughters.
The Motherless Daughters Ministry of...
Our "Voices of Experience" are the best ones to tell you about the Motherless Daughters Ministry (MDM). Healing from the impact of loss is different for every individual. While our experiences are unique, there are common threads that bind us into a supportive community of sisters. Vanessa West is now a part of the ministry with her own unique voice. In this episode, our Podcast Administrator, Sarah Lynn We...
Sometimes, when you watch a movie or read someone’s story, there are parts of it you overlook. This episode features the experience of Sarah Lynn Wells, Podcast Administrator and blog writer, as she watches the movie “Wicked” with fresh eyes. She noticed, for the first time, that the main character, Elphaba, is also a motherless daughter. While not the focus of the story, it does shed some light on her and helps the a...
Getting hit by a storm and trying to deal with the aftermath is a lot like what many of us deal with when losing someone we love. Finding community and experiencing the power of presence from others is crucial in navigating grief. Sometimes what we really need is someone to listen and show up emotionally. This episode is a powerful analogy authored by our Founder, Dr. Mary Ellen Collins.
The Motherless Daughters Minis...
It is natural for us to set up expectations. But when things don’t go the way we expect, what determines how we respond? It’s different for everyone. But the earlier we learn how to control that response, the better. This episode features Cathy DiBella’s review of the book entitled “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way,” by Lisa TerKeurst. The book addresses walking through disappointment with a “biblical insight.” Cath...
Healing from the impact of loss is a major focus of the Motherless Daughters Ministry offerings. It requires work that is sometimes painful. In our humanity, we try to avoid pain. But when it cannot be avoided, we diligently seek to alleviate it. Painful memories, thoughts, and experiences get neatly tucked away under layers of coping mechanisms and routines. Over time, we become insulated from the hurtful feelings of...
What's holding you back from being free to be the best version of yourself possible? Do you have interests, hopes, and dreams that have been neglected? Sometimes our past can restrict the ability to discover who we are and grow to our potential. Dr. Mary Ellen Collins, our Founder, uses vivid imagery to challenge us to free ourselves to grow forward.
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Childhood experiences may not get a label until well into adulthood. It may be years before we acquire the language to describe how our life has been impacted by our past. Even if the explanation is objectionable, it is tailor-made for us to wear. When we discover truths, it is upon us to decide how to respond. Dr. Mary Ellen Collins, the Motherless Daughter Ministry Founder, opens the door on her experience.
Healing from the impact of loss is a cyclical journey. Instead of a destination we acquire new knowledge and skills to manage grief and become our best selves. This episode is the continuation of Dottie Menkhaus’ story. It encompasses the last 2 parts of her 3-part blog about her journey toward healing from the impact of mother loss. The previous episode includes an interview update from the author and provides insig...
Healing from the impact of loss is truly a journey. There is no destination when it comes to grief. Every experience is unique because of our individual circumstances. It is impossible to create a timeline for this process because it requires something different for each individual. So, we describe the “journey” one story at a time. Today’s episode is Dottie’s story. Her “voice of experience” may encourage you on a ...
Voices of experience are the best ones to share information about “The Journey Retreat.” Our flagship offering is designed to provide a personalized experience in a safe environment with women who understand. These four testimonies give a glimpse of the powerful purpose-driven design of this retreat.
The next Motherless Daughters Ministry “Journey Retreat” is June 6-9, 2025. Registration is open NOW!. A discount is av...
Sometimes taking a step out in faith can be challenging and scary! Today’s episode focuses on following God out of our comfort zone and into what He is calling us to do. This can be hard for motherless daughters navigating grief. But, remaining where we are may be missing out on extraordinary plans God has for us or others to whom we will witness.
Resour...
“The Journey Retreat’ is a residential retreat focusing on mother loss and its effect on your life. The evolution of this offering has created an experience that is transformative. This interview brings together individuals who have attended and facilitated the event to provide inside information helpful to those wishing to attend. Our Founder, Mary Ellen Collins, interviews 5 women who give their personal experien...
Grief often feels like something we wear every day that most people do not seem to notice. But, when you find someone who understands, they seem to notice right away. This episode is based on a blog post written by Sarah Lynn Wells, our Podcast Administrator. Her focus is on the importance of community in the healing journey. A hidden picture serves as an effective illustration for grief.
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Our “Meet the Authors” series features writers who have published books focused on their mother loss stories. This episode features the work of Alice Cunningham, author of Daughters on the Journey. The book not only features her journey, but that of nine (9) other women. She provided a compassionate and safe environment to share their experiences, encourage other motherless daughters, and celebrate their mother’s lega...
Becoming motherless was not a choice, but everything after that becomes an opportunity to exercise that power. Making choices is not always an easy task. Our feelings, emotions, people, and circumstances get in the way. However, some factors can facilitate our decisions.
Julie Thompson is a gifted blog writer who has contributed significantly to our library. She shared her experiences that others may find their way to...
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