Ep.113. Mothering Without Your Mom, with Leslie Colburn

In this heartfelt episode, Leslie Colburn opens up about her journey of motherhood after losing her mom to cancer.

She shares how her mother’s influence shaped her parenting, and the struggles of grieving while raising children. Leslie introduces her powerful GRIEF framework—Grieve, Remember, Invite, Encourage, Empathize, and Faith—as a guide for moms navigating loss. Through writing love letters to her daughters, she honors her mother’s legacy while offering hope and healing to women walking a similar path. This conversation is a reminder that even in seasons of loss, faith, community, and connection can carry you forward.

Takeaways

• A mother’s influence continues to shape us even after loss.
• Grief is not linear—healing takes time and grace.
• Inviting others into your grief journey helps lighten the burden.
• Community support is essential for moms facing loss.
• Leslie’s GRIEF acronym offers practical steps to process pain.
• Remembering loved ones can bring comfort and meaning.
• Encouragement and empathy strengthen relationships during grief.
• Faith provides hope and direction through the hardest seasons.
• Writing letters to your children can be a healing legacy practice.
• Sharing your story creates space for others to find hope and healing.

Chapters

00:00 The Influence of a Mother

03:37 Navigating Loss and Identity

06:56 Finding Faith in Grief

10:08 Understanding Grief: The GRIEF Acronym

16:33 The Importance of Remembering

19:59 Inviting Community into Grief

23:35 Encouragement and Empathy in Grief

26:49 Writing Love Letters and Legacy

Resources

Learn more about Leslie Colburn

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