The Parentless Podcast breathes life into the enigmatic acronym IYKYK (if you know, you know). Sadly, grief slams the brakes on your life's momentum, leaving you stranded while the world around you keeps on moving. Grief carves out a peculiar realm for those it touches—a delicate boundary nestled between stark reality and the surreal.
Co-Hosts Brittany and Chiquita find themselves straddling that boundary—living as adult orphans in this liminal space, grappling with myriad unanswered questions and a laundry list of uncertainties. The genesis of The Parentless Podcast lies in the understanding that although there's no escape from this relentless cycle, engaging in conversations and simply "talking it out" can serve as the cathartic release needed to endure it. Come join us as we endeavor to make sense of our altered reality, sharing our own tales of grief while lending an ear to others who walk the same tightrope alongside us.
The Parentless Podcast
ABOUT
The Parentless Podcast emerged from a profound longing to illuminate the ambiguous voyage of losing a parent, extending solace and empathy to those unexpectedly thrust onto this path. Within these conversations, we acknowledge that grief respects no boundaries and that dialogue serves as the essential conduit for healing to unfurl. Together, we courageously traverse the uncharted expanse of our 'new normal,' interweaving our personal narratives of grief while extending a compassionate embrace to fellow travelers journeying beside us.
About Our Dead Parents
Having first crossed paths at Rutgers University, their lives took separate paths until fate intervened 16 years later, reuniting them in the midst of life's storms. One friend found herself engulfed in the uproar of grief, while the other stood unknowingly on the brink of her own journey through loss.
In 2018, Brittany's world was shattered by the loss of her mother to breast cancer, followed by the unexpected passing of her husband in 2019, leaving her a parentless widow. Tragically, her father, Harry, had passed away just a year earlier in 2017. Brittany's courageous story has been shared on the TTFA podcast, where she candidly explores her complex relationship with her father, the challenges of living without her mother, and the experience of becoming a young widow.
In 2021, Chiquita faced her own heart-wrenching losses, as her mother succumbed to stage IV breast cancer six months after diagnosis. Just over a year later, in 2022, her father passed away from aspiration pneumonia, a common complication of vascular dementia. Their reunion, orchestrated by a higher power, took on new significance as they found solace and support in each other's company.
Their narrative is one of profound friendship, resilience, and mutual support, underscored by the shared experiences of grief and growth.
Meet the Hosts
Brittany + Chiquita
Co-Host
Dr. Brittany Freeman-Anderson, PsyD, LPC
Known affectionately as the "parentless widow", stands as the visionary founder and proprietor of A Freeman’s Place Counseling, a distinguished mental health clinic dedicated to serving children, women, and families across the state of New Jersey. With over 12 years of experience as a licensed professional counselor, Brittany brings profound expertise and compassion to her practice. Specializing in family grief, she not only provides therapeutic support but also serves as a dynamic speaker and educator on the topic of family grief and loss. Beyond her professional pursuits, Brittany finds joy and fulfillment in her remarriage to husband Wes, alongside their cherished family members: bonus son Isaac and beloved dog son Drummer.
Co-Host
Chiquita Dotson, M.A., CCC-SLP, M.S., Ed.
The visionary behind Team Speech, a premier speech and language company dedicated to empowering children and families. With a focus on childhood apraxia of speech, fluency disorders, and language disorders, Chiquita brings a wealth of expertise and passion to her practice. Not only is she a skilled clinician, but also a celebrated children's book author, with her captivating series, “The Adventures of Jae and Gia”, adored by schools throughout New Jersey. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Chiquita finds joy in her partnership with her love and takes pride in her charismatic 19-year-old daughter embarking on her college journey.