Episode 54: Second Chances and Sacred Truths | Kenda Fields

In this deeply vulnerable and soul-stirring episode, Dr. Kristian Edwards sits down with a longtime friend for a raw and redemptive conversation about motherhood, friendship, identity, grief, forgiveness, and second chances. What begins as a reflection on their evolving relationship unfolds into a sweeping narrative of personal transformation and healing. The guest shares candidly about the weight of postpartum depression, navigating deep friendship wounds, the journey of co-parenting through separation, and the divine unfolding of a love story rebuilt from the ground up.

Through emotional honesty, mutual reflection, and moments of laughter, the two discuss what it means to live authentically, how storytelling creates space for healing, and why choosing yourself is always worth it. From the complexities of mother-daughter relationships to the joy of reconnection with a life partner, this episode is a testament to the power of grace, growth, and the stories we dare to tell.

Callout Quote:

“We really got it out the mud—the Georgia clay, red, nasty, hard mud—and I’m really proud of us.”

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity is revolutionary – Sharing your full truth, even when it's messy, has the power to free not just you, but others.
• Forgiveness is a sacred journey – Healing relationships—whether romantic, familial, or platonic—requires patience, humility, and courage.
• You are not alone – From postpartum struggles to friendship breakups to co-parenting challenges, others have walked similar roads, and community is possible.
  

Episode Highlights:

• [06:18] The Silent Struggle of Postpartum Depression
  A raw reflection on postpartum depression and anxiety—including what it looked like, how it felt, and the shame and silence that often accompany it.
• [15:43] When Friendships Fracture
  An honest unpacking of a friendship breakup—how it happened, what it revealed, and what it took to rebuild trust and reconnection.
• [27:05] Reclaiming Yourself in Motherhood
  A powerful moment of clarity about the difference between being mothered and mothering others—and the journey back to self when your identity has been lost in caretaking.
• [35:10] “We Got It Out the Mud”: A Love Story Rewritten
  The emotional retelling of how the guest reunited with her children’s father after a seven-year separation—starting with shared parenting, moving toward healing, and ending in a second-chance love.
• [47:21] Generational Healing Through Forgiveness
  How reconciling with her children’s father opened doors to healing with her in-laws, especially her mother-in-law—and the shift that happened once she became a mother to a son herself.
• [55:00] The Ongoing Work of Forgiving Her Mother
  A tender acknowledgment that some healing is still in progress—particularly the complex journey of reconciling a fraught relationship with her own mother.
  
  

Memorable Quotes:

• “Mothering and being mothered are two different things.”
• “I have never lost when I chose myself and I chose to show up as myself.”
• “It was the first time I realized I had a part in the dissolution of our marriage too.”
• “Just being your real self is powerful.”
• “Forgiveness was not easy, but it was so worth it.”