Your Mother Dosen't Have To Love You

"Who said a mother's love was fundamental? Preach to me, because we are learning together. What if, before they were our mothers, they were just broken girls and women themselves?" Welcome back to Chapter Two, Episode Five of Conversations with Candice! This season is all about love and relationships, but today we are widening the lens completely. We aren't just talking about romantic partnerships; we are honoring the massive emotional weight of parental wounds, family dynamics, and the grueling, necessary process of saving ourselves. Candice and co-producer Uncle Bode return to the chamber to answer heavy-hitting questions from the listener inbox. How do you stop letting the ghosts of your past dictate your present, and how do you find comfort in quiet places when you've been conditioned to run on pure chaos? Inside the Dilemma Inbox today: Dilemma 1: A well-known couple of 30 years (with six grown children!) wants to start a podcast about their real marriage struggles but is paralyzed by the fear of public judgment. Candice and Bode break down the core difference between the 'fear of knowing' and the 'fear of judging,' and why you shouldn't roll in the mud with the pigs. Dilemma 2 (The Mother Wound): Going 'no-contact' with a mother is the healthiest decision, yet why does peace feel so terrifyingly unfamiliar? Candice digs deep into her own 8-year journey of no-contact, detailing how seeking chaos is actually letting your abuser 'get you twice,' and challenging the societal narrative of 'unconditional maternal love.' The 'Lucky Bag' of Life: Rebuilding your identity and self-worth block by block when you were only given the gift of life—nothing more, nothing less. Bode’s Take on Universal Approval: Choosing to make moves that let you sleep soundly at night, accepting that not everyone is built to understand or support your path. No experts, no perfection. Just real conversations about life as we're actually living it. 📚 READ & CONNECT ON SUBSTACK Join the inner circle on Substack for deep-dive articles, essays, and community discussions: Substack Profile: https://candicebrathwaite.substack.com 🔗 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE ACROSS CHANNELS Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ifcRNeOOcHOgovuhk9i2K?si=6c87234b263c4547 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/conversations-with-candice/id1882427274 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/54f972c1-650d-401a-8418-cf499de44b24/conversations-with-candice Acast RSS Feed: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/conversations-with-candice 📱 FOLLOW CANDICE ON SOCIALS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candicebrathwaite TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@candicebrathwaite 🎬 PRODUCTION NOTES & CREDITS Produced by: Undeniable Productions Executive Produced by: Candice Brathwaite Aboderin and Bode Aboderin Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss a conversation. Conversations with Candice is hosted by two-time Sunday Times bestselling author and cultural commentator Candice Brathwaite. New episodes every week. Get in touch: contact@conversationswithcandicepodcast.com Listen on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/conversations-with-candice Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@conversationswithcandicepod Follow Candice: Instagram: @candicebrathwaite TikTok: @candicebrathwaite If you love the show, please leave a review, it really helps others find us. Remain Unrealistic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.