Episode 17: Motherhood is the hardest HOOD- with Elli (@mammafestation.pod) Artwork

Earth Tones Podcast

Earth Tones is a soulful podcast rooted in four pillars: survival, passion, service, and love. Born from personal experience, spiritual devotion, and huge heart for humanity, this show explores the sacred intersections of faith, culture, healing, empowerment, and human connection.

Through raw storytelling, spiritual reflection, and conversations that matter, host Ella- a single mama, creative, solo traveler, and once, non profit founder- invites you into the journeying that shapes each of us. From her time working with refugees in Syria and Afghanistan to the quiet revelations that come through motherhood, each episode offers perspective, purpose, and permission to keep growing.

Whether you’re rebuilding, reimagining, or reaching for more- this space is for you. For the ones yearning for closer connections to each other or to God. Earth Tones is a return to what is real- a rhythm, a remembering, a quiet rebellion against a world that tells you to stay surface- level. Here, we go deeper.

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Earth Tones Podcast

Episode 17: Motherhood is the hardest HOOD- with Elli (@mammafestation.pod)

November 25, 2025 • Ella Kuhn

This week I sit down with my ride or die, Elli- a woman who moves through life with equal parts humor, hustle, and heart.

As two single mothers, we talk openly about the realities behind today’s title- from the chaos and comedy of raising kids alone, to the quiet internal battles that most moms never speak about.

We share how we met (plot twist: her boyfriend cheated on her with me- neither of us knowing it at the time 😭) and how that pain turned into one of the most meaningful friendships of our lives. Sometimes life delivers your soul-sisters right through the mess.

In this episode we dive into:

✨ How motherhood forces you to grow

✨ Why kids don’t need perfection, they need appreciation

✨ Holidays with intention (not overwhelm)

✨ Lighthearted Christmas ideas for the littles

✨ Creating sacred morning time for grounding and gratitude

✨ Giggles, honesty, and the hilarious things our kids say

✨ Why some women take years to emotionally warm up to motherhood

✨ Elli’s prenatal + postpartum depression journey

✨ The poker faces single mothers wear

✨ Learning to go inward, heal, and love yourself again

If you’ve ever found yourself numb, annoyed, overwhelmed, or absolutely exhausted.. you are not broken.

Motherhood isn’t soft and glowy every day.

Some seasons hurt before they bloom.

Elli opens up about how long it took before she could receive motherhood with softness instead of fear, and how surrender, community, and inner work changed everything. This episode is tender, funny, and most importantly real.. because the hood is chaotic, but healing is possible.

Connect with Elli + Mammafestation:

🌸 Book Club (first month free!!):

📖 December Book Club Pick: Have Yourself a Minimalist Christmas

https://mammafestation.mykajabi.com/offers/CyTbHw6s/checkout

🌸 Website:

https://mammafestation.mykajabi.com/

🌸 Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mammafestation.pod?igsh=MXRwc2s3c3ZkeGY2ZA==

🌸 TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@mammafestation.pod?_r=1&_t=ZT-91gacXznxd7

Connect with Earth Tones:

🪽Instagram (Earth Tones):

https://www.instagram.com/earthtones.pod

🪽TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@earthmamaella

🪽 YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@EarthTonesPodcast

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Earth Tones — New episodes every Tuesday. 🤎