The Motherless

The Motherless

Kelly Ford lost her mum Jill to ovarian cancer aged 15. Grief, as we know, never goes away, but after becoming a mother herself aged 36, Kelly found the questions her grief brought to the surface were questions no one could answer for her - because the only person she really wanted to hear from was Jill. Losing Jill had subtly informed a lot of Kelly’s previous broadcasting work, including The Everything Project, in which she talked to people about a broad range of life experiences, grief included. Now with 7 years experience broadcasting in radio and podcasts and expecting her second child in February 2021, Kelly’s questions felt more urgent than ever, and so she reached out to other mums in her position, mumming without a mum to support them. What emerged was a set of conversations with women from a range of backgrounds, who’d had a range of relationships - positive and negative - with their lost mums. The Motherless aims to start a positive conversation about parenting and grief and to create a warm and safe communal space where people who are looking for support and information can turn.

Episodes

May 18, 2021 34 mins
Ola talks to Kelly about her childhood in Nigeria and she recalls growing up with her grandparents in a vicarage. Ola remembers her Mum Remi bringing back M & S tartan skirts from UK for her amongst other special items.
Remi passed away at 57 years old from a blood based disease TTP with no notice, Ola's daughter Mayah spent her last night with her before which is discussed. At the time Remi died Ola was 7 months pregn...
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This week I speak to entrepreneur Carly Moosah. We remember her mother Sharon and Carlys magical childhood growing up in a happy home full of laughter, parties, family memories and love.

Carly at the time of this interview was navigating her own breast cancer treatment and journey. We talk about her mothers battle breast cancer and how Carly has managed the battle against the disease that took her Mummo too soon.
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May 4, 2021 24 mins
In this episode I speak to Nneka and we remember Selma. Selma like me lost her Mum at age 15, in year 11. We talk about growing up with sadness, family relationships and then negotiating GCSE'S and leaving school straight after her mother passing. 
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April 26, 2021 33 mins
In our second episode I speak to campaigner, writer and communicator Grace Woodward. In this episode we remember Grace's mother Marianne. We discuss eating disorders, having an absent parent and dealing with a newborn who arrived 60 days before Marianne passed. This conversation is intimate, personal and emotive. Thank you Grace for sharing your story.
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April 19, 2021 36 mins
In this episode we speak to comedian and broadcaster Hatty Ashdown about her mum Pat. There is laughter and tears, a fitting tribute to our subject, a great mum and dealing with loss.
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