“Parenting in the Ashes: Nichole’s Fight to Reconnect”
In this unflinching episode of Claws Out Confessions, we sit down with Nichole—a mother, survivor, and warrior—whose story begins in a home shaped by addiction and spirals into her own battle with substance use, young pregnancy, and the devastating loss of her children to CPS.
Nichole opens up about:
• Growing up with addicted parents and repeating cycles she swore she'd escape
• Falling into addiction after a young pregnancy and losing custody of all her kids
• The painful distance from her oldest daughter, who lived with her father while the others entered state care
• The crushing weight of self-hatred and addiction that kept her from reaching out—even when she had access
• And finally, after 15 years of struggle, the slow, sacred work of rebuilding trust with her daughter and bonding with her two grandsons
This episode is a testament to the long road back—a raw look at parenting through addiction, the systems that separate families, and the radical hope of reconnection. Nichole’s voice is fierce, vulnerable, and full of truth. If you’ve ever wondered what healing looks like when the damage runs deep, this one’s for you.
🖤 Claws out. Hearts open. The fight to parent doesn’t end when the system says it does.

Trigger warning: This episode contains candid discussions of addiction, trauma, and recovery.