135: Breaking the Cycle: Nina Mongendre on Healing Inherited Trauma

Rewrite the Mother Code with Dr. Gertrude Lyons

In this episode, I’m delighted to be in conversation with Nina Mongendre. She is a coach and author of the Inner Child & Beyond Oracle Deck, which I personally love to work with. We discuss Nina’s unique experience of rewriting the mother code through her work with ancestral trauma and traumatic healing, how we can learn from our mothers, and mothering’s infinite capacity to teach.

Nina’s mother codes are woven through the story of her upbringing. Raised in Hong Kong, meeting Mother Theresa at 3 years old, living in France then the U.S., the geography of her childhood was dramatically shaping. She often felt cut off from her feelings and creativity. As an adult she embraced yoga, meditation, and spiritual practice. Nina vulnerably shares how she consciously decided to have children of her own and that she wanted them to have a much different childhood than hers, she also realized she was using these healing tools to spiritually bypass her own feelings.

We then discuss the paths her healing journey has taken after her mother’s passing. She reminds us that our relationships with our parents are ongoing, even if they are deceased. We always hold our parents with us, and they are always available to ask for help. As a mother of two, one of the most nourishing spiritual self-care practices for Nina is finding silence and space to be alone. As women, we too often do not prioritize ourselves and uphold only permeable boundaries. Motherhood has continued to peel back the layers of healing for Nina. The lessons learned are infused in Nina’s incredible oracle deck and her current coaching offerings. Her work beautifully integrates inner child healing, inherited trauma, and emotional processing.

You’ll also hear about:

• (03:15) Welcome Nina Mongendre
• (06:45) Growing up spread apart and stifled
• (11:35) Moving the family to France
• (17:45) Becoming a mother
• (23:18) Healing after losing a parent
• (26:34) Mothering through dreams
• (33:30) Daily practices for moms
• (42:06) Nina’s deck and offerings
• (46:24) How Nina rewrites the mother code

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Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Perdita Finn
• EdieArt

Connect with Nina Mongendre

• Learn more on Nina’s website
• Follow Nina on Instagram
• Buy the Inner Child & Beyond Oracle Deck here

Follow Dr. Gertrude

• Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s website
• Follow Dr. Gertrude on Instagram
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