We recorded an entire episode… and lost it. So we hit reset and turned a podcast disaster into one of our realest conversations yet about holiday grief, family boundaries, and surviving the chaos of the season.

In this episode of Raised By Her, we keep it 100%. Donnica shares what really happened the night she was honored at the Who’s Who in Black Dayton & Cincinnati awards—including the valet meltdown that left hundreds stranded in the cold.

We open up about navigating the holidays while grieving and how we’re learning to show up emotionally when the season feels heavy. We also dive into:

• The viral trend of Millennials going “No Contact” with parents
• How to handle difficult in-laws and family drama
• Why setting boundaries is essential for your mental health
• And… the reason Ro Nita is forcing the family to go caroling (even though she can’t sing)

If you’re moving through loss, trying to protect your peace, or dealing with complicated family dynamics this time of year, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Ohio weather is bipolar
1:05 - The "Lost Episode" disaster (We forgot to hit record!)
2:40 - Broadcasting horror stories & finding joy in failure
4:57 - Mom gets honored at "Who's Who in Black Dayton"
8:12 - The 45-minute Valet Parking nightmare
11:44 - How to handle holiday grief & setting boundaries
16:22 - Bringing back the Caroling Party tradition
19:35 - Our favorite holiday games (Charades & Trivia)
23:45 - The case of the missing Christmas decorations
26:25 - The truth about marrying into a difficult family
28:31 - "No Mother-in-Law Required": A dating horror story
30:23 - Why Millennials are going "No Contact" with parents
33:51 - Forgiving people for your own peace
36:02 - Choosing your "Word of the Year" for 2026
40:13 - Morning rituals for a better life

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