Mending Families Podcast

Mending Families Podcast

Mending Families is hosted by Melissa Pemberton and she brings you weekly content that is a mix of trauma aware interviews, parenting tips for those caring for kids from adversity, and stories from people just like you as they share their beautiful messy moments.

Melissa hopes that when you listen each week, you will feel encouraged, inspired and take a little something away to help you and your family move from broken to mended.

To help keep the podcast going, consider becoming a monthly donor to help cover the costs!

Introducing Mending Families - Trailer

Are you in the trenches of parenting kids from adversity and trauma? Do you find yourself wondering why the "typical parenting strategies" are not working for your family? That those strategies seem to make matters worse? Are you a friend or family member of someone parenting kids from hard and you just don't know how to help? In fact, maybe you don't even fully understand why the struggle is so real for them? Are you a professional, teacher, therapist, social worker, or advocate that wants to better understand how trauma is effecting the kids you are working with? Then this podcast is for you...for all of you!

We all have kids in our lives who have (or are going to) experienced trauma and the reality is, trauma does affect child development, emotional regulation, brain development and so much more. So let's dig in to better understanding trauma. Let's have real talk about how hard it is to parent kids who have experienced trauma, especially if we are still doing our own healing of trauma. Let's not be afraid to talk about trauma, parenting and the healing journey we are all on! Remember, trauma awareness is important for our future generations and it starts with you!

Melissa Pemberton Melissa Pemberton

Episode 25- Jessica Sinarski

On today’s episode, Jessica talks with us about how she works to help educators learn more about trauma and approach teaching through a trauma informed lens. She also talks about how Riley the Brave came to be and shares about her latest Riley project that was recently released. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, or have a child in your life, you will be sure to get something out of this episode!

Read More
Melissa Pemberton Melissa Pemberton

Episode 24 - Mondays with Melissa

On today’s episode, Melissa gives you some things to think about when it comes to using breathwork and mindfulness with your kids. She has broken these ideas down and provides you with practical strategies to help support you as you are working through how to help your kiddos heal. Remember that change takes time so don’t get overwhelmed! Come back to this later if you need to! You got this!

Read More
Melissa Pemberton Melissa Pemberton

Episode 23 - Hannah Talbot

On today’s episode, Hannah shares about how Anam Cara came to be and dives into the healing that you can find through mindfulness, meditation, somatic work, and breathwork. Hannah talks us through the importance of breathwork and how to start using this to heal your nervous system today. She gives us great resources to start the journey of healing through mindfulness, meditation and breathwork and is such a joy to listen to!

Read More
Melissa Pemberton Melissa Pemberton

Episode 22 - Mondays with Melissa

On today’s episode, Melissa goes through some things for you to consider when searching for community. She also talks about the importance of community but a few red flags to consider to ensure that you are always on the path towards healing and growth. Community is hard to find sometimes so Melissa gives 3 points for you to consider as you “interview” communities and groups in your area.

Read More
Melissa Pemberton Melissa Pemberton

Episode 21 - Lisa Qualls

On today’s episode, Lisa shares with us how she got started in writing and what led to each book that she authored. She also shares some exciting news about an upcoming project so you won’t want to miss out! Lisa is so raw and real as she talks about her own struggles as a parent which ultimately led to the community that she co-leads with Melissa Corkum, The Adoption Connection.

Read More
Melissa Pemberton Melissa Pemberton

Episode 19 - Tori Hope Petersen

On today’s episode, we start the conversation by talking about pageantry and how Tori found herself with the title of Mrs. Universe in 2021. Tori shares how she does not see her title as something that defines her but something she has done as her heart is really to love others the way that she has felt loved by Jesus throughout her life. Listen in as Tori gives us insight into her relationship with her biological mom and how she has found healing an important part of her own parenting journey. Whether you are a foster parent, adoptive parent, teacher, coach, social worker or anyone who touches the lives of kids, this episode will have something for you!

Read More
Melissa Pemberton Melissa Pemberton

Episode 20 - Mondays with Melissa

On today’s episode, Melissa gives you some things to consider when it comes to parenting. She also talks specifically to foster parents, adoptive parents, relative caregivers, social workers, and churches as she believes that our kids are “our” kids and we all play a role in their healthy development.

Read More
Melissa Pemberton Melissa Pemberton

Episode 18 - Mondays with Melissa

On today’s episode, Melissa opens up about what led her to finally going to therapy and how she ultimately ended up discovering EMDR. Melissa will share with you a glimpse of how she knows that EMDR is helping her continue to move forward in healing. If you aren’t sure how to even start, this episode will give you the opportunity to hear about how therapy is definitely not linear! As always, contact Melissa through Instagram, Facebook or via email (melissa@mendingfamilieswa.com) anytime!

Read More
Melissa Pemberton Melissa Pemberton

Episode 17 - Christina Knudsen

On today’s episode, Christina talks about what led to her and her husband living in their RV and traveling the country, but more importantly, she breaks down what EMDR is and how you might find it helpful in your own healing journey. Christina walks us through the process and what you can expect should you decide to pursue EMDR. Finally, she gives us some great resources and things to think about when facing our own trauma healing.

Read More
Melissa Pemberton Melissa Pemberton

Episode 16 - Mondays with Melissa

On today’s episode, Melissa gives you some suggestions on caring for your nervous system if you are not in a space (or have time) to step into the Safe and Sound Protocol. She breaks down the importance of caring for our nervous system and gives you four practical tips that you can start using today!

Read More