In this heartfelt episode, Rachel welcomes Kelly Cunningham, known as Kweenie, who shares her profound journey of grief and healing following the sudden loss of her mother while navigating new motherhood. With a two-month-old baby and two sisters also experiencing motherhood, Kelly reflects on the overwhelming tidal wave of grief that engulfed her and the mental health struggles that ensued. Kelly also discusses the toxic work environment that ultimately led her to leave a job she once loved, and how she transformed her pain into purpose through her art. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Navigating Grief and Motherhood: The experience of losing a mother while becoming a new mother can create a complex emotional landscape, where feelings of grief and the responsibilities of caring for a newborn intertwine.

• Importance of Support Systems: Having a strong support network, such as sisters or close friends, can provide a safe space to express emotions and share experiences.

• Recognising Toxic Environments: A toxic work environment can significantly impact mental health, leading to feelings of inadequacy and stress. It’s crucial to recognise when a job becomes detrimental to well-being and to take steps to prioritise mental health.

• Art as a Healing Tool: Engaging in creative expression through art can serve as a powerful means of healing and self-discovery. It allows individuals to process emotions, reclaim their identity, and find purpose after experiencing trauma.

• Empowerment Through Self-Discovery: The journey of overcoming personal struggles can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and a renewed sense of purpose. 

BEST MOMENTS

“I felt like a bit of a failure in that I heard of other people who had gone through similar things, who then couldn’t feed their babies because their milk dried up. Mine didn’t. And I was like, oh God, I’m a horrible person.”

“In times of hardship like that, you know, it’s nice knowing that there are other people out there to try and shoulder a bit of it and that you’re not going through it alone.”

“I was never ever clinically diagnosed as having depression or anything like that… but I used to always just say at my health visit, well, you know what my answer’s going to be? It’s going to be, I feel like shit.”

“I thought, you know what, you’ve got that. You’ve got it in your husband, you’ve got it in your sisters, you’ve got it in your friends, but so many people don’t.”

“It’s about having someone that you can trust to say actually and speak openly whatever it is that you’re feeling without being judged.”

To Connect with Kelly

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556187753893

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/kweeniestudio/

Web: https://kweeniestudio.com/

To connect with your host follow Me HERE:

Insta:https://www.instagram.com/rachel_unspokenemotions/ 

TikTok:www.tiktok.com/@rachel.unspoken.em

Email: [email protected]

HOST BIO

Rachel Elimelech is the warm, courageous voice behind Unspoken Emotions – a podcast that gives voice to the feelings we so often keep buried. A qualified Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate, Rachel combines professional insight with deeply personal lived experience – from surviving sexual abuse, loss, and single parenthood to rebuilding her life with quiet strength and unwavering resilience.

Her journey from teenage single mum to respected legal professional has shaped her gift for deep connection. With empathy and authenticity, Rachel creates a safe, judgment-free space where guests are invited to speak the unspoken – grief, guilt, shame, anger, fear – and begin to let go of what no longer serves them.

Through honest, unfiltered conversations, Unspoken Emotions explores how real people have turned pain into purpose and silence into healing. Rachel believes that healing begins the moment we speak the truth of our experiences – and that none of us should carry our emotions alone.