Healing Through the Mended Mama Method with Emily Cleghorn
In this heartfelt episode, Jen sits down with Emily Cleghorn, a holistic recovery coach, author, and founder of the Mended Mama Method. Emily opens up about her deeply personal journey—from navigating the shadows of childhood trauma to reclaiming her identity as a mother and healer.
Through her own experiences, Emily discovered that healing isn’t a single destination but a continuous, transformative process. Her work now helps mothers recognize emotional triggers, cultivate self-awareness, and build thriving, connected relationships with their children.
A Journey Rooted in Resilience
Emily’s early life was shaped by trauma, leaving her with deep emotional wounds that carried into adulthood and motherhood. But motherhood became her turning point—the moment she realized that her healing was not only possible but essential. As she began addressing her triggers and learning to regulate her emotions, she developed tools and frameworks that would eventually become the foundation of the Mended Mama Method.
The Mended Mama Method
At the heart of Emily’s coaching is the Mended Mama Method, a four-pillar approach that guides mothers through emotional healing and self-regulation. By building what she calls a trigger toolkit, women learn to pause, reflect, and respond rather than react—creating space for growth, compassion, and genuine connection.
Emily emphasizes that the healing journey is ongoing. It’s about continually choosing self-awareness, embracing vulnerability, and learning to advocate for yourself in moments of pain and uncertainty.
The Power of Storytelling and Shared Healing
One of the most powerful themes in this episode is the healing that happens through storytelling. Emily’s openness about her experiences not only empowers other mothers to do the same but also helps break the cycles of silence and shame that often surround trauma. Through her speaking, writing, and coaching, Emily creates safe spaces for women to see that thriving after trauma is possible.
Episode Highlights
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[02:10] Emily’s Early Life and Trauma
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[09:32] The Awakening of a Mother
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[16:52] The Journey of Healing Begins
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[21:36] The Mended Mama Method Explained
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[31:17] Empowering Women Through Speaking and Advocacy
Key Takeaways
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Childhood trauma can profoundly shape one’s understanding of motherhood.
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Recognizing and addressing triggers is vital to conscious parenting.
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Healing is a continuous process that grows through self-awareness.
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The Mended Mama Method offers four pillars for emotional healing.
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A trigger toolkit helps with emotional regulation and resilience.
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Sharing stories empowers women and breaks generational cycles.
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Self-advocacy is a cornerstone of healing.
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Creating a vision for thriving helps trauma survivors reclaim their power.
Resources Mentioned:
Emily’s Website https://mamahoodaftertrauma.ca/
Emily’s Book https://books.mamahoodaftertrauma.ca/breakingfree
Emily’s Podcast https://mamahoodaftertrauma.substack.com/
Connect:
Podcast Host/Founder of My Moody Monster
Jennifer is a single mom and entrepreneur who lives with Complex PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder from childhood trauma. Throughout her life, Jen has learned valuable coping skills and has made it her mission to help others to better understand their own emotions.
Jen has faced obstacles in her healing journey - from becoming a mother without a healthy parental model of her own to overcoming her inner saboteur while coping with the symptoms of CPTSD and Depression. She has spent the last 4 years developing My Moody Monster - a pull apart plush toy that has helped children to get out their frustrations in a safe way and giving families a tool to talk about emotions and communication.
Jen believes by sharing her own story she can help others to know they are not alone. Her YouTube channel features her Moody Talks focusing on an emotion each month and teaching coping skills that have helped her with her own mental health.
After being featured on multiple mental health and parenting podcasts, Jen had a powerful realization: her story of pushing away the hard work of facing her trauma was just one journey, and there are countless other journeys out there—each just as important and impactful. This is what inspired her to create "When Not Yet Becomes Right Now", a space for exploring the many different paths we take in life.
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