Welcome to this special episode, one I recorded in the days leading up to the holidays and the winter solstice, the darkest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. 

This season, when the nights are long and the light feels scarce, invites us to pause, reflect, and seek warmth and meaning in intentional ways. And this year especially, the darkness has felt more than seasonal. In the face of heartbreaking events unfolding in the world, I've found myself needing practices and perspectives more than ever that help me stay grounded, connected, and hopeful. It was from this place that I found myself returning again to the Mystics Almanac. 

This fall, I had the honor of contributing another piece to the Almanac, a powerful creation by my friend and mentor Lindsay Pera. Years ago, inspired by the enduring legacy of the Farmers Almanac, Lindsay envisioned something similar but more mystical—an annual guide grounded in her beautifully illustrated Oracle Deck, woven with astrological insights, divinations, and reflective writings from a diverse circle of contributors. The Mystics Almanac isn't just a book of forecasts and dates. In Lindsay's own words, it's a mirror, a guide, and a reminder that we are not alone on this path. I've turned to the Almanac for this reason myself over the years; and it was especially poignant and supportive of me and my family in the days before my father passed away.

The months before writing my piece for the Almanac felt incredibly heavy. In my own motherhood journey and in our country and the world, it seemed that not only were things in crisis, but that they were collapsing. Past stories, systems, and patterns revealed their cracks, leaving me disoriented and searching for new footing. I returned often to the Mystics Almanac and drew cards from the Mystics Oracle Deck. Again and again, I pulled the "Fear" and the "Beneath" cards, mirrors of all I was experiencing in the not knowing. As I sat with these cards, I realized that my personal feelings were also reflected in our collective story.

Echoes of History

As I listen to and read from historians, I keep noticing how much this moment echoes others in our history. The turbulence and backlash of Reconstruction, when newly won freedoms were met with violence and suppression. The Gilded Age, when vast inequality and political corruption left ordinary people struggling while the wealthy few consolidated power. The 1930s, when economic collapse and widespread fear created conditions that allowed authoritarian movements to rise across the world.

Each of these times brought real devastation and loss. And yet, they also carried seeds of transformation. Reconstruction, though violently cut short, planted the roots that later grew into the Civil Rights Movement. The abuses of the Gilded Age gave rise to reforms in the Progressive Era. The despair of the Depression led to the New Deal, the creation of social safety nets, and labor rights that reshaped American life. And though the 1930s brought the world to war, its aftermath renewed global commitments to democracy, human rights, and rebuilding, even if those commitments have been fragile and incomplete. 

History does not repeat, but it does rhyme. Life moves in spirals, not straight lines. We return to familiar struggles, facing injustice, violence, and division, but when they arrive again, we are not the same as before. We come with new perspective, new resilience, and often hard-earned wisdom we did not have the last time around.

Guiding Lights

This summer and fall, I found myself asking "how should we navigate this new ring of the spiral?" How might we mother ourselves, our children, and our communities through the darkness of collapse without losing faith that something transformative is taking root beneath it all?

Just as the Mystics Almanac draws on cards to illuminate the energies of the year, I decided to turn to the Mother's Quest Podcast as my own kind of oracle, revisiting conversations from episodes with mothers whose wisdom can light our way. Three voices called to me most strongly: the Mystics Almanac's own intuitive strategist Lindsay Pera, From Scratch author, producer and screenwriter Tembi Locke, and the Revolutionary Love Project civil rights leader Valarie Kaur.

Lindsay's words deepened the concept of the spiral itself as a guide. Life, she confirms is not linear but more like a nautilus shell, circling back with new perspective. Challenges return, not as failures, but as invitations to greet them with greater compassion for ourselves and others. She likens our lives to the rings of a tree, each year holding stories of hardship and growth. What once felt like collapse can, with time, be recognized as part of a larger pattern of healing and becoming.

Tembi reminded me of the power of ancestry and constellations. Raised by an "ecosystem of women," her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she carries the resilience and faith they instilled. She told the story of the Drinking Gourd, the Big Dipper, which enslaved people once followed north to freedom when no maps existed. Her wisdom for now: when the path ahead feels uncertain, we can still orient ourselves by what is larger than us, our ancestors, the stars, our deepest faith, and we must remember that no one travels alone.

Valarie recalls the birthing room, her mother's hand on her forehead, whispering "You are brave" as she felt generations of women standing invisibly at her back while she labored. In the midst of growing authoritarianism, she has famously posed the question: "Is this the darkness of the tomb, or the darkness of the womb?" Her story reminds us that every labor, whether giving birth, raising children, or rebirthing a nation, calls for courage, community, and the breath of our ancestors at our side. Even when the contractions feel painful and relentless, transition always comes before new life.

Going Deeper

Together, these voices remind me that we are never meant to find our way alone. For more connection, I also invite you to pause and reflect and notice how these themes are showing up in your own life. Grab a pen and a journal and pause as needed to respond to these questions: 

What wisdom might you want to carry with you into the year ahead?

Where in your life right now are you navigating crisis and collapse? What might help you trust it as part of the spiral?

Who are the mothers, ancestors, or teachers at your back that you can call on for courage and light?

What lessons have you been circling back to? How can you meet the return of familiar challenges differently this time?

If the darkness of this moment might be both tomb and womb, what must you release, and what are you quietly nurturing toward birth?

Closing Wish

I have a closing wish for all of us. As we move into the year ahead, may we meet the spiral with compassion and perspective, may we orient ourselves by the constellations and the strength of our ancestors, and may we trust that even in the most painful contractions, something new is waiting to be born. 

Related Episodes and Links

• Right Livelihood, Magic, and Meaning with Lindsay Pera of the Modern Mystics Institute

• Light For These Pandemic Times: Space, Grace & Love Planted Across Generations with Tembi Locke

• Mothering as Revolutionary Love

• The Mystics Alamanac use the code JULIE to get $5 off created by Lindsay Pera, illustratrions by Sarah Love McCoy 

• EPIC Year Planner + Plan With me Sessions use the code JULIE to get $5 off

 

In a world heavy with heartbreak and injustice, I've been searching for ways to stay grounded in my humanity…ways to resist not only despair, but also the systems of harm and oppression around us.

My guest today, Kaitlin Curtice, calls this practice living resistance. Kaitlin is an award-winning author, poet, and citizen of the Potawatomi Nation who writes and speaks at the intersections of spirituality, identity, and collective healing. Through her work, including her book Living Resistance and her upcoming release Everything Is a Story, she invites us to become more fully ourselves, to honor the gifts we already hold, and to let those gifts ripple out in love, courage, and care for the world.

Her life has been shaped by liminality, existing between her Native American heritage and a Southern Baptist Christian upbringing. This in-between space has given her a unique lens on how we find belonging and move toward healing in a fractured world.

In our conversation, Kaitlin shares how resistance is not a single act but a continuous practice of becoming and being. She reflects on how it can be gentle and fierce, personal and political, and she offers practices for grounding ourselves in the midst of life's spiral journeys. We closed with her Resistance Commitment—a poetic call to action that reminds us that living resistance means tending to our inner lives while courageously shaping our collective future.

I'm so grateful to my friend and former guest Rachel Macy Stafford, who first connected me to Kaitlin. Rachel's dedication to Kaitlin in this episode captures what Kaitlin offers the world—a call to link the best parts of ourselves so we can move forward together.

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• Growing up in liminality, navigating the complexity between Native American and Southern Baptist cultures
• The cyclical, spiral nature of growth and how we revisit challenges with new wisdom
• Discovering your unique voice and purpose through what has "always been there for you"
• Living resistance as a daily practice, using our everyday lives to push back against injustice and nurture a sense of  wholeness
• Embodiment practices that can reconnect you with your body after trauma
• How rock climbing became Kaitlin's  family's  practice for presence and connection
• Building community in both physical and virtual spaces and the importance of "third places" where you can be fully yourself
• Seasonal living as an alternative to linear goal-setting
• The power of words, poetry, and storytelling as forms of spiritual activism and as sources of healing 

About Kaitlin

Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. She also speaks on these topics to diverse audiences who are interested in truth-telling and healing. 

As an inter-spiritual advocate, Kaitlin participates in conversations on topics such as colonialism in faith communities, and she has spoken at many conferences on the importance of inter-faith relationships. Kaitlin leads workshops and retreats, as well as lectures and keynote presentations, ranging from panels at the Aspen Climate Conference to speaking at the Chautauqua Institution and at universities, private retreat centers, and churches across the country. 

In 2020 Kaitlin's award-winning book Native: Identity, Belonging and Rediscovering God won Georgia Author of the Year in the religion category. Native explores the relationship between American Christianity and Indigenous peoples, drawing on Kaitlin's experiences as a Potawatomi woman.

In 2023, Kaitlin released two books, first, Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day, which examines the journey of resisting the status quo of hate by caring for ourselves, one another, and Mother Earth, and second, her first children's book called Winter's Gifts: An Indigenous Celebration of Nature, which is the premier book in a series of four books on the four seasons coming out with Convergent, RandomHouse Books. Her second book in the series called Summer's Magic was released in 2024.

Besides her books, Kaitlin has written online for Sojourners, Religion News Service, On Being, SELF Magazine, Oprah Daily, and more. Her work has been featured on CBS and in USA Today. She also writes essays and poetry for The Liminality Journal and spends her time supporting other authors as they navigate the world of publishing. Kaitlin lives near Philadelphia with her partner, two dogs, and two kids.

Connect with Kaitlin:

• Website | www.kaitlincurtice.com
• Instagram | www.instagram.com/kaitlincurtice

Explore Kaitlin's Writing:

• "Living Resistance" by Kaitlin Curtice
• "Everything is a Story" by Kaitlin Curtice – available for preorder 
• Liminality Journal (Kaitlin's Substack)

This Episode's Challenge:

Kaitlin offered us a beautiful challenge to shift from linear thinking to cyclical thinking. She invited us to try two practices: first, draw five circles on paper representing different aspects of your life (work, family, hobbies, etc.) to see the vastness of who you are from a bird's eye view. Second, instead of making yearly resolutions, evaluate your life every season – asking what needs to shift in your daily rhythms, self-care, and relationships as the seasons change. As she put it "We don't have to expect so much of ourselves… It's a lot more tender to us if we say, "I'm going to try this out for the next few months." Both practices help us look at our lives without judgment while gently challenging ourselves to grow.

Related Episodes: 

• Ep 74: Living and Loving with Authenticity with Hands Free Mama Rachel Macy Stafford
• Ep 16: Rising Up with Paola Mendoza
• Ep 94: Dear Body: Reflections on Embracing and Embodying 50

This Episode is Dedicated by Rachel Macy Stafford

Rachel Macy Stafford is a New York Times bestselling author, educator, and speaker with over 25 years of experience in teaching and writing. With a Master's degree in Special Education and a background as a certified special education teacher, Rachel brings a heart-centered approach to her work—emphasizing connection, inclusion, and self-awareness.

Since 2014, Rachel has published five bestselling books, including Hands Free Mama, Only Love Today, and Soul Shift, and expanded her reach with an audio series and book from Sounds True. Rachel also created a transformative eight-week online course that has engaged over 15,000 participants and writes Rachel's Treehouse, a Substack newsletter dedicated to cultivating meaningful connection, self-compassion, and collective care through weekly essays and monthly live teachings.

Rachel leads retreats and workshops at renowned centers like Kripalu, Omega Institute, and the Art of Living Retreat Center, and speaks at events across the country.

🌱Experience Rachel's Work… 

 If you're navigating a season of change, letting go, or becoming…

You're not alone. Consider joining me in person or in the Treehouse this fall:

🌿Only Love Today: A Restorative Retreat for Givers

🗓 November 7–9, 2025

📍 Art of Living Retreat Center, North Carolina

This soul-soothing weekend is for those who give deeply and often forget to receive. We'll rest, reflect, and reconnect with the parts of ourselves we've put on hold. There's still space to join—learn more or sign up here.

🏡Rachel's Treehouse

Part journal, part gathering place—Rachel's Treehouse is where Rachel reflects on midlife, empty-nesting, and what it means to dream again. If you've been asking, "What now?" This is a space to land, reconnect, and rediscover. Join the community here.

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

In celebration of our 100th episode, we invite you to help us spread the word by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Help us reach 100 + reviews to honor 100 + episodes of the Mother's Quest Podcast!

You can also support the podcast by making a contribution or joining one of our memberships at Ko-Fi.com. 

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest

Welcome to this first episode of Season Nine of the Mother's Quest Podcast with a returning and special guest, my own son Ryan Neale.

I first sat down to record an episode with Ryan in 2017, on his 13th birthday, after we embarked on a milestone hike, using the ascent and descent at our local Sugarloaf Peak to pack up the lessons of his first 13 years of life and my first 13 years of motherhood. 

At that time, Ryan knew he wanted to close out his teenage years the same way he began them. So this past March, in what felt like the blink of an eye, his 20th birthday approached and Ryan returned from college so we could set out on the trail again.

Though the path was familiar, we soon recognized just how much we each had grown, maturing through heartache and triumph in our own ways.

We knew we would want to record our reflections from the hike again in a special recording studio and with the support of someone who might help us go even deeper. The answer to our quest appeared in the form of Tricia Creason-Valencia, co-founder of PowerHouse, and who Ryan and I have been partnering with on a new initiative, the Autism Storytelling Project.

It therefore also felt right to invite Tricia to dedicate this episode. Listen in for her beautiful dedication. You'll also hear her voice toward the end of our conversation, asking us each a question that brought us both to tears. 

Along with some tears, there were many moments of insight and even some laughter, as we share about this 20 year milestone in both of our lives, the lessons we've learned about our neurodivergent identities especially, and about the exciting chapters unfolding for us.

It was a gift to experience this and also to share it with you. Ryan and I both hope this conversation inspires you to find your unique way to mark the milestones in your life, to reflect mindfully with your children, and to give yourselves opportunities to see one another, champion one another, and to grow alongside one another.

About Ryan Neale

Ryan Neale is a neurodivergent sophomore at UCLA, planning to double major in Communication and Disability Studies with a minor in Film Studies. He is part of the College Scholars Program at UCLA and recently was selected as part of the 2023 Chancellor's Leadership Program cohort. He is passionate about neurodiversity advocacy and sharing his own experiences to pave the way for others. He is currently a staff member at the Bruin Resource Center, where he is a student lead on a new campus-wide neurodiversity initiative, the Bruin Neurodiversity Collective, to make UCLA more inclusive for students like him. This summer, he served on staff for the Stanford Neurodiversity Project – Research, Education, and Advocacy Camp for high schoolers wanting to create neurodiversity advocacy projects. He was also a speaker at the 2021 Stanford Neurodiversity Summit and has been a guest host on the Mother's Quest Podcast. Ryan was diagnosed with autism at the age of 18 months old and also identifies with ADHD and anxiety.

Connect with Ryan

• Website | www.ryanjneale.com
• LinkedIn |  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-neale-031112176/
• Instagram | @ryan.neale04

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• The origins of our first milestone hike and why it was important to Ryan to end his teenage years in the same way he began them. 

• Ryan's grappling with his autistic identity, and how his desire to be "normal" over his teenage years was like navigating a "toxic ex." 

• Our growth and learning journey as a spiral, inviting us to revisit similar challenges but with new levels of self-awareness and knowledge. 

• How Ryan's perception of autism shifted over time, from internalized ableism and heavy masking toward self-acceptance and more authenticity.. 

• My diagnosis of ADHD just before my 50th birthday and how my own perceptions of neurodiversity have shifted. 

• The ways that both of us used our voices to highlight gaps in support for neurodivergent students at UCLA and how that led to Ryan co-founding The Bruin Neurodiversity Collective. 

• Ryan's first quarter at UCLA crash and burn and how writing his story about that experience for Business Insider was a turning point. 

• How Ryan putting himself out there and experiencing rejection after rejection ultimately led him to the greatest gift of all. 

• The letter of acknowledgment I wrote for Ryan about all the qualities I see in him. I read through tears but am so glad I persevered and could share it with him (and you!)

• The power of mother and son sharing and growing alongside one another. 

This Episode Dedicated by: Tricia Creason-Valencia and The Autism Storytelling Project

Tricia Creason-Valencia is a dynamic force in the world of filmmaking, education & community building. Through the art of storytelling, Tricia weaves her own raw narrative of mothering, making movies, resilience and rediscovery. As an Emmy-Nominated Director/Producer, Motivational Speaker and Co-Founder of PowerHouse, she pioneers the way for women, people of color and youth to amplify their voices and claim their power through creative expression. She believes, deep in her soul, that truth-telling fosters empathy and connection, serving as a catalyst for social change.

• Tricia Speaks! | SPEAKER | CO-FOUNDER | FILMMAKER - Link-in-bio
• LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/flacafilms/
• Instagram | @flacafilms

About The Autism Storytelling Project

The Autism Storytelling Project empowers young autistic people who aspire to tell authentic autistic stories through creative expression by awarding unrestricted grants. The goal of the project is to expand understanding about autism by elevating stories about the personal experiences of autistic young people ages 16-25 in Santa Clara County, CA. All forms of art and creative expression are welcome, but the story must focus on the artist's lived experience as an autistic person, or on autism as a whole. Connect with the Autism Storytelling Project:

• ‌Website | Autism Storytelling Project
• Instagram | @autismstorytellingproject

About PowerHouse 

PowerHouse is a creative co-working space for women+ entrepreneurs, video and podcasting production studio and venue for professional development & creativity workshops committed to amplifying women's voices. PowerHouse is a women & minority-owned social entrepreneurship venture in the heart of downtown San Jose founded by Farran Tabrizi and Tricia Creason-Valencia.

• Website | http://Powerhouse-SJ.com
• Meet the Co-Founders | PowerHouse-Founders — Tabrizi Productions - Bay Area Videography | Corporate Video | Animation | BRAND VIDEO | VIDEO EDITING‌

Other Related Episodes and Resources: 

• YOLO (You Only Live Once) and Other Milestone Reflections *Revisited* with Ryan Neale

• Embracing Neurodiversity and Being an Adult with Julie Lythcott-Haims and Ryan Neale
• Learning Outside the Lines in College with Neurodivergent Advocates Ryan Neale & Jonathan Mooney
• Neurodivergent Students In College: Support Your Child With Lessons Learned From Ryan and Julie
• Ryan's Business Insider Article - I'm an Autistic College Freshman at UCLA. I Wore Myself Out Socially.

Mother's Quest May Gift Guide – Gift Yourselves and the Mothers You Love Beyond Mother's Day!

Put yourself on your priority list and choose something special for yourself this Mother's Day. Take a peek inside the Mother's Quest Gift Guide at some of my favorite things I've curated for you. 

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

In celebration of our recent 100th episode, we invite you to help us spread the word by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Help us reach 100 reviews to honor our 100th episode milestone of the Mother's Quest Podcast!

You can also support the podcast by making a contribution or joining one of our memberships at our Patron Page on Ko-Fi.com. 

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest

 

 

I'm honored to bring this special episode of the Mother's Quest Podcast to you with mother, activist, writer, co-founder of the Trayvon Martin Foundation and an inspiration to so many, Sybrina Fulton. 

The episode is the last in a series I've recorded for the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative on the subject of gun safety and the intersectional impact of gun violence on our communities. 

Unfortunately, Sybrina deeply knows the grief that comes in the wake of gun violence. But, after the deadly 2012 shooting of her beloved son, Trayvon Benjamin Martin, she felt compelled to rise up, literally pushing herself to get out of her bed, becoming the voice for her son and embarking on a journey to bring awareness to senseless gun violence and racial profiling.  

In 2016, Sybrina rallied to the forefront at the Democratic National Convention with a group of African American trailblazing women, connected by tragedy, who became known as "Mothers of the Movement" for the "Black Lives Matter" Movement the death of their children sparked. 

She didn't stop there. In 2017, Sybrina co-authored her first book, Rest in Power, The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin, a memoir recounting the death of her son, which became the subject of a docu-series that debuted this year, Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story, produced by hip-hop mogul Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.

This intimate conversation, over a year in the making, was a unique opportunity to delve into Sybrina's own journey, how the E.P.I.C. guideposts show up in her life and in her activism, and to hear her powerful call to action to invest in mothers, by reaching out to mothers grieving in our own communities and by contributing to her "Circle of Mothers," a labor of love that came to her in her dreams. 

I'm grateful to activist Michael Skolnik, who dedicated this episode, for connecting me to Sybrina and for inviting us to spread this conversation far and wide and direct resources to help mothers turn their grief into healing and advocacy, following Sybrina's powerful example. 

Michael and I have each pledged the first $3,000 to the campaign, each of us $1500 to sponsor a different mother to attend Circle of Mothers. I hope you'll open your hearts and minds to Sybrina's story, visit mothersquest.com/circleofmothers and join us in contributing to her mission. 

Much appreciation, 

P.S. Know someone who you think would appreciate this special episode? Push forward and share this conversation!

This Episode is Dedicated by:
Michael Skolnik

Michael Skolnik was recently profiled in the NY Times and identified as "the man you go to if you want to leverage the power of celebrity and the reach of digital media to soften the ground for social change." But, besides all of that, he is most proud to be the father of Mateo Ali, a rambunctious five year old. 

He is the co-founder and partner of The Soze Agency, a social impact agency that partners with companies, non-profits, foundations and movements to create campaigns that uplift compassion, authenticity and equity.

He is a respected leader in the new social justice movement, and has helped ignite conversations around America's relationship with race, the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown and Eric Garner, and the Obama and Trump presidencies.

He is a prolific voice on social media with more than 350,000 followers, and a regular commentator on outlets such as CNN, MSNBC and Fox News.

Michael serves on the Board of Directors for Rock The Vote, The Trayvon Martin Foundation, Policy Link, The Gathering For Justice and The Young Partners Board of The Public Theater.

Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
The Soze Agency
Learn more about Michael Skolnik: https://about.me/michaelskolnik

 

In This Episode We Talk About:

• What Sybrina wishes everyone would know about approaching a conversation with a mother who has lost a child.
• My 14 year old son's question to Sybrina about what it feels like when your calling and the powerful work you're doing is sparked by a tremendous loss.
• Why we need systemic and cultural change, and more awareness-raising conversations, to keep young people of color safe from racial profiling.
• The tragic death of Chinedu Okobi, an unarmed young black man who was tasered to death by San Mateo County deputies, just 20 minutes from my own home.
• The importance for grieving mothers to remember the things that they used to love and what Sybrina's joyful outlet is
• The Circle of Mothers and how the idea to create it came to Sybrina in a dream.
• Sybrina's challenge for all of us to open our hearts and to reach out to mothers, across differences, who have lost their child to let them know we care.
• Why investing in mothers is the most powerful lever to impact gun control.

 

Resources and Topics Mentioned:

• Trayvon Martin Foundation
• Circle of Mothers
• Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story
• Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin
• Remembrance Weekend: Peace Walk on February 9th followed by the Remembrance Gala on February 10th
• Article from CNN about Chinedu Okobi - Facebook executive says unreleased video calls into question police account of brother's death
• GoFundMe for Circle of Mothers
• Women Podcasters in Solidarity website

Other Mother's Quest Episodes in This Series on Gun Safety: 

• Ep 37: Generations Rising for Gun Safety with Gloria Pan
• Ep 54: Superheroes, Fighting Patriarchy, and Courageously Defeating Gun Violence with Ladd Everitt

And in Last Year's Series on Anti-Racism and Police Accountability:

• Ep 27: Courageous Conversations about Race with Nicole Lee
• EP31: Brave Spaces and Solidarity with "Rad Women" Author Kate Schatz
• EP33: Beyond the Trauma: Legacy, Compassion and Change with Mothers Against Police Brutality Co-Founder Sara Mokuria

 

This Week's Challenge:

For this week's challenge, Sybrina asks us to reach out to a mother who has lost a child and be a support to them. Take them out, let them know you are here, organize something for a group. Let them know that they are not alone. 

You can also show your support, and invest in the healing of mothers who can lead the way forward, by contributing directly to the GoFundMe campaign and sponsor mothers to attend this year's Circle of Mothers event. We have a goal to raise $15,000 and send 10 mothers, at $1,500 per person, who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend. 

CLICK HERE 

Learn More About Sybrina Fulton:

After the death of her beloved son, Trayvon Benjamin Martin, in February 2012, Sybrina Fulton was charged with a new mission. A desire to transform family tragedy into social change allowed her to establish the Trayvon Martin Foundation in March 2012.

As Fulton traverses the globe, she passionately embarks on a journey designed to bring awareness to senseless gun violence and serves as an advocate to families, the catalyst for her dream project, the "Circle of Mothers." Winning the national support of president-elect Hillary Clinton, Fulton rallied to the forefront in 2016 at the Democratic National Convention with a cadre of African American trailblazing women known as "Mothers of the Movement." The women, connected by tragedy, are the inspiration behind the "Black Lives Matter."

In 2017, Fulton co-authored her first book, Rest in Power, The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin, a memoir recounting the death of her son, and the subject of a six-part docuseries, Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story, produced by hip-hop mogul Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter for Paramount Network and BET (July 2018).

Bestowed with many distinguished awards, Sybrina Fulton has represented the United States at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss racial discrimination; the National Urban League, Black Lives Matter, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, The Triumph Awards (2016), Essence Festival & Conference (2017, 2018), and was selected as the White House's guest of honor for the unveiling of former President Barak Obama's initiative, "My Brother's Keeper." Fulton is also one of the 2018 recipients of VH1's Trailblazer Honor Award.

A Miami native and graduate of Florida Memorial University, Sybrina Fulton, along with her son, Jahvaris, are on a mission to build better, safer communities. She is a proud member of the Miami Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Metropolitan Dade County Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

She created the Circle of Mothers as a way to empower women. The purpose of the Circle of Mothers is to bring together mothers who have lost children or family members to senseless gun violence for the purpose of healing, empowerment, and fellowship towards the larger aim of community building. 

Connect with Sybrina at: Facebook Twitter Instagram
www.circleofmothers.org
www.trayvonmartinfoundation.org

 

Announcements: Support the Circle of Mothers GoFundMe Campaign

As of December of 2018, 644 children and 2,729 teens have been killed by gun violence in the US this year. If you feel  pain at the loss of so many young lives full of promise, imagine the devastating grief experienced by the mothers they've left behind.

On May 16, 2014, Sybrina embarked on a powerful call to action to support and invest in mothers, by reaching out to mothers grieving in our communities. The Circle of Mothers, an annual retreat for women who have lost a child to senseless gun violence, was born. 

It costs $1,500 to sponsor a mother who would otherwise not be able to participate in Circle of Mothers. Activist Michael Skolnik and I have pledged the first $3,000 of this $15,000 campaign, 2 toward our goal of 10 women we hope to send. 

I pray that one day we won't need The Circle of Mothers, because we've brought an end to gun violence in the US and no more mothers will have to grieve the theft of their children's lives.  

Until then, I hope you'll open your hearts and minds to Sybrina's story, lift up grieving mothers who seek healing, and invest in them to lead the way forward.

Support the Campaign

Women Podcasters in Solidarity

Tragically, I have now lost count of the number of mass shootings have taken place just in the time since the Women Podcasters in Solidarity selected "gun safety" as the issue we want to shine a light on this season.

Grateful to partner with Cristin Marie and Elsie Escobar on bringing this season of the Initiative to life. It is my deepest hope that through the power of podcasting, the episodes we will record, the conversations we will share with our listeners, and the dollars we will collectively raise toward gun safety causes, will save lives.

Please take a look at Cristin's post here and say "yes" to the Initiative yourself or help spread the word to reach other podcasters who would want to join.

Mother's Quest Circle

If you're on a quest to live an E.P.I.C. life, but you've been feeling challenged, isolated, or unsure of the path ahead, the Virtual Mother's Quest Circle may be the source of connection you're looking for.

The Mother's Quest Circle provides inspiration, coaching and community for an intimate group of no more than 8 women who are ready to say "yes" to:

• Reflect together, in a community of like-minded mothers, on what matters most
• To consciously live their version (not someone else's) of an E.P.I.C. life
• To take bold action toward one of the E.P.I.C. life guideposts before the end of the sessions
• To hold space for sharing, coaching, and championing one another so we are "in community" on our journey

If you're looking to start the year strong, the Circle is a great way to make an investment in yourself and what matters most to you. Apply here to add your name to the wait list.

Learn More

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

Michael Skolnik
Helgi Maki
Kari Azuma
Tamara Sobomehin
Katie Krimitsos
Carrie Caulfield Arick
Rachel Rosen
Chandra Brooks
Jen Simon
Monisha Vasa
Celia Ward-Wallace
Vanessa Couto
Desiree Adaway
Rachel Steinman
Katie Hanus
Denise Barreto 
Sage B. Hobbs 
Samantha Nolan-Smith
Jody Smith
Emily Cretella
Collette Flanagan
Titilayo Tinubu Ali 
Carly Magnus Hurt
Lizzy Russinko 
Suzanne Brown
Mara Berns Langer
Mallory Schlabach 
Katharine Earhart
Jessica Kupferman
Jen Jenkins Dohner
Genese Harris
Tonya Rineer
Liane Louie-Badua
Cristin Downs 
Erin Kendall 
Niko Osoteo 
Erik Newton 
Claire Fry
Divya Silbermann
Rachel Winter
Caren and Debbie Lieberman
Cameron Miranda
Fran and David Lieberman
Debbie and Alan Goore
The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

 

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm honored to share this episode of the Mother's Quest Podcast, the second in a series I'm recording for the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative on the subject of gun safety and the intersectional impact of gun violence on our communities.

As the mother of two boys, I was interested in having a conversation with an expert on this subject who's also a man and a father and I'm so grateful to have found one willing to go deep and be vulnerable in gun prevention advocate Ladd Everitt.  

Ladd has been involved in this movement since 1993, when his life changed forever after a man boarded a rush hour train on the Long Island Railroad and opened fire with a handgun, killing six and wounding 19. This train was the one Ladd took regularly and he realized that it easily could have been him killed that day.
 
That moment sparked Ladd to attend the Million Mom March in 2000 in Washington DC, where despite the fact that he was a single man with no children, he found himself stepping into leadership for a local chapter and working alongside mothers for gun safety.  

More than two decades later, he has become a father himself, and is still deeply committed to this work. After 10 years as a strategic communications and social media specialist with the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Ladd took the position he holds today as Director of One Pulse for America, a gun violence prevention group established after the Florida Pulse Nightclub shooting by acclaimed actor/LGBTQ rights activist George Takei.
  
Ladd brought honesty and clarity to the conversation as we traced his E.P.I.C. life journey, from growing up as a young boy influenced by Marvel comics, to stepping into his own powers as a caring father and a decades long gun control advocate.
 
I appreciated Ladd's humility as he expressed how the trauma of doing this work has impacted him, his own growing pains as he's learning about and confronting racism and patriarchy, and the importance of giving the microphone and following the lead of young people, who he says are the emotional and cultural leaders of the movement today. 
  
Ladd leaves us with hopefulness about the possibility for real change after the mid-term elections along with a challenge to hold our elected officials accountable, beginning with a specific request of Nancy Pelosi to focus on new and bold, not watered down, gun policy changes. 

I was inspired by the example in Ladd of a white male leader, connected to his emotions, doing meaningful work, and looking for ways to share his privilege and influence with voices that should have more representation in the movement. Ladd and I both left the conversation feeling enriched by the opportunity to talk through complex issues. I'm excited to invite you in to listen with us and then move into action for gun safety alongside us. 

Much appreciation, 

Julie Neale

P.S. Know someone who you think would appreciate this episode? Push forward and share this conversation!

This Episode is Dedicated by:
Helgi Maki

Helgi dedicated this episode to all mothers affected by cycles of gun violence, who witness and deal with its aftermath for generations, especially the mothers affected by the terrorist attack in Pittsburgh, in the anti-Semitic hate crime shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday, October 27, 2018. They deserve our heartfelt, meaningful support in the wake of life altering gun violence. 

Helgi is a lawyer and the founder of traumainformedlaw.org - an initiative to help justice professionals and communities reduce the impact of  trauma and violence on public health.  You can learn more about her work at the links below.

The Trauma-Informed Law Project
Trauma-Informed Law On Twitter
Tree of Life Congregation

In This Episode We Talk About:

• How Marvel creator Stan Lee influenced Ladd's own development and the ways that Stan's depiction of women and people of color changed over time

• The tragic event that became a wake-up call and sparked Ladd's passion for working toward gun safety.

• Ladd's first experience working toward gun control after the Million Mom March

• How young people are the emotional and cultural leaders of the gun control movement now and Ladd's fear that they may start listening to adults

• The vicarious trauma and harassment that those on the frontlines of gun advocacy work experience

• The exploration of toxic masculinity in the movie "The Mask You Live In" and why Ladd believes it's crucial to teach boys that crying is a healthy way to express their emotions

• The importance of fighting back against stigmatization of the mentally ill

• Ladd's experience being arrested, along with Michael Skolnik and other male activists, while protesting on behalf of women during the Kavanaugh hearings

• The Universal Background Check and why is it important.

• The book on Ladd's desk when we conducted our interview that he's reading to help him learn how to confront racism and white fragility

• His Challenge for all of us to hold our newly elected officials accountable for bold gun policy  

Resources and Topics Mentioned:

• Women Podcasters in Solidarity

• Million Mom March

• Writer Jena Schwartz's daughter's post about her experience with a school lockdown.

• White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin DiAngelo

• LA Times Op Ed

• The Mask You Live In

• One Pulse for America FB page

• "Challenge" Action Alert

• EP31: Brave Spaces and Solidarity with "Rad Women" Author Kate Schatz

This Week's Challenge:

For this week's challenge, Ladd challenges us to focus on what he believes is the most important issue related to gun safety: to get serious about disarming violent people in our country.

Ladd asks us to follow through on his One Pulse America Action Alert: To Tell Presumptive Speaker Pelosi to Make Assault Weapons Ban a Priority

Follow the links below for more information:

https://www.onepulseforamerica.com/action-alert/tell-presumptive-speaker-pelosi-to-make-assault-weapons-ban-a-priority/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1779750855570640/

And read Ladd's recent OpEd in the LA Times on this subject

Learn More About Ladd Everitt:

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

Other websites:

https://medium.com/@LaddEveritt

Announcements: Women Podcasters in Solidarity

I want to let you know about a special end of the year campaign as part of the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative to raise money for the mothers, caretakers and activists on the frontlines of gun violence prevention. To make sure you get notified about the campaign, sign up for email updates at www.mothersquest.com and follow the Mother's Quest page on Facebook. You can also reach out to me at julie@mothersquest.com if you'd like to be one of the first to "seed" the fund with your contribution. 

Tragically, I have now lost count of the number of mass shootings have taken place just in the time since the Women Podcasters in Solidarity selected "gun safety" as the issue we want to shine a light on this season.

Grateful to partner with Cristin Marie and Elsie Escobar on bringing this season of the Initiative to life. It is my deepest hope that through the power of podcasting, the episodes we will record, the conversations we will share with our listeners, and the dollars we will collectively raise toward gun safety causes, will save lives.

Please take a look at Cristin's post here and say "yes" to the Initiative yourself or help spread the word to reach other podcasters who would want to join.

Mother's Quest Circle

If you're on a quest to live an E.P.I.C. life, but you've been feeling challenged, isolated, or unsure of the path ahead, the Virtual Mother's Quest Circle may be the source of connection you're looking for.

The Mother's Quest Circle provides inspiration, coaching and community for an intimate group of no more than 8 women who are ready to say "yes" to:

✨Reflect together, in a community of like-minded mothers, on what matters most
✨To consciously live their version (not someone else's) of an E.P.I.C. life
✨To take bold action toward one of the E.P.I.C. life guideposts before the end of the sessions
✨To hold space for sharing, coaching, and championing one another so we are "in community" on our journey

If you're looking to start the year strong, the Circle is a great way to make an investment in yourself and what matters most to you. Apply here to add your name to the wait list. 

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

Helgi Maki
Kari Azuma
Tamara Sobomehin
Katie Krimitsos
Carrie Caulfield Arick
Rachel Rosen
Chandra Brooks
Jen Simon
Monisha Vasa
Celia Ward-Wallace
Vanessa Couto
Desiree Adaway
Rachel Steinman
Katie Hanus
Denise Barreto 
Sage B. Hobbs 
Samantha Nolan-Smith
Jody Smith
Emily Cretella
Collette Flanagan
Titilayo Tinubu Ali 
Carly Magnus Hurt
Lizzy Russinko 
Suzanne Brown
Mara Berns Langer
Mallory Schlabach 
Katharine Earhart
Jessica Kupferman
Jen Jenkins Dohner
Genese Harris
Tonya Rineer
Liane Louie-Badua
Cristin Downs 
Erin Kendall 
Niko Osoteo 
Erik Newton 
Claire Fry
Divya Silbermann
Rachel Winter
Caren and Debbie Lieberman
Cameron Miranda
Fran and David Lieberman
Debbie and Alan Goore
The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

--

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

The last few weeks where I live, in California, have been a challenging time.  Wildfires raged in Southern and Northern California, taking lives and destroying so much (including my beloved childhood summer camp, Hess Kramer) and causing us to stay indoors or wear masks due to the unhealthy air quality.

Through it all, I found myself coming back to the lessons on choosing gratitude in this "Revisited" episode with Nancy Netherland and the dedication from my friend Lizzy Russinko. Just over a year ago, challenged by another wildfire in Sonoma County, Lizzy found reprieve in the connection and hospitality of a neighbor and made a commitment of her own to reach out.

If you, like me, are getting ready to gather with family or friends, I encourage you to find some time to listen to this episode with Nancy, to think about where you can find magic and meaning during even the most difficult times, and to join Lizzy in her commitment to pay forward kindness in some way to those who are suffering right now.

In Northern California, much needed rains have come and the air has been clearing. I'm grateful for many things…. to breath a little easier, for my family, for women like Nancy Netherland and Lizzy Russinko who inspire me with their own E.P.I.C. life stories, and for the opportunity to reflect on the meaning in my own life, with members of the Mother's Quest community like you.

Feeling thankful for so much and sending wishes for you to "choose gratitude" today too.

XOXO,

In This Episode You'll Hear About:

• Lizzy's story of connection and commitment amid the wildfires last year
• Resiliency and mindfulness during traumatic events
• The importance of creating magic in our lives
• "Gratituding" as a verb and how to "choose gratitude"
• Nancy's favorite book "Man's Search for Meaning"
• Advocating for your children's health
• The importance of community, especially as a caretaker
• Building deep relationships with people of differing viewpoints

Resources Mentioned:

• Gratitool
• Choosing Gratitude
• Hepatitis C information
• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
• Commonweal – where Nancy learned her framework for self-care
• Clinical Trials  a site that is open to the public to find life saving clinical trials
• UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital
• These Inspirational Notecards that Lizzy and her family will be passing around to her community

This Episode's Challenge "Revisited"

Building on Nancy Netherland's story, this challenge came last year from Lizzy Russinko who committed to leave note cards of encouragement and hope around town for her neighbors to find and give, as their community in Sonoma County coped with the wildfires last year. This was their little way of injecting magic and meaning into a time of significant adversity and change. Lizzy invites us to do something special to bring comfort in our neck of the woods.

Announcements: Mother's Quest Circle

If you're on a quest to live an E.P.I.C. life, but you've been feeling challenged, isolated, or unsure of the path ahead, the Mother's Quest Circle may be the source of connection you're looking for.

The Mother's Quest Circle provides inspiration, coaching and community for an intimate group of no more than 6 women who are ready to say "yes" to:

Reflect together, in a community of like-minded mothers, on what matters most
To consciously live their version (not someone else's) of an E.P.I.C. life
To take bold action toward one of the E.P.I.C. life guideposts before the end of the sessions
To hold space for sharing, coaching, and championing one another so we are "in community" on our journey

Add your name to the wait list to be the first to find out when our Virtual Circle begins in 2019.

Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life

Join me for "Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life," a four session series of one-on-one coaching sessions based on the signature process I've been using in the Mother's Quest Circle experience.

I have space for three clients to experience an intensive, one-one-one, four-session coaching process. Could this be you?

*Do you feel like you're on the threshold of a powerful shift in your life?

*Are you ready to spark new perspectives, new ways of being, and some E.P.I.C. action of your own?

*Have you wanted to participate in the Mother's Quest Circle but the timing wasn't right or you prefer to work one-on-one?

Interested? I'd love to schedule a time to check-in about what's happening in your life and how this could support you.

Sign up for a discovery session at this link or message me some times that could work for you if you don't see something that fits your schedule.

https://mothersquest.as.me/discoverysession

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm thrilled to share this episode of the Mother's Quest Podcast with mother, coach, entrepreneur and mind-body wellness expert Erin Stutland. Through her signature Shrink Session workouts and Soul Strolls, which combine principles from dance, yoga, meditation and more, Erin helps over 70,000 people in 155 countries to transform negative thinking into possibility and tap into their own inner strength. 

I bring this episode to you as I participate in Erin's free five day movement and mantra challenge. I first discovered this challenge three years ago, and ever since, her inspiring videos have become a key part of my morning practice. So, it was surreal in the best way, when I had the opportunity to talk live with Erin about movement, motherhood and her own E.P.I.C. life. 

The ability to embody leadership, to create movement in our bodies and our lives, is the gift that Erin brings to all those she reaches through her products, programs, and soon-to-be-published book Mantras in Motion.

In this conversation, I loved learning about how Erin developed these gifts from an early age, growing up in Chicago where her own mother allowed her the freedom and permission to move, play and pursue her passion for dance. Recently a mother herself, Erin brings this awareness and the gift of movement to her own baby daughter. 

There was a lightness and grounding quality in talking with Erin that I so appreciated, as we explored everything from the lesson she learned about leadership while shepherding goats in Israel to how she brought her whole self and integrity to hosting a reality television show. 

I was grateful to be immersed in Erin's perspective and challenge this week, which coincided with our mid-term elections in the United States. On election day in particular, I noticed my anxiety rising, and was able to consciously transform Erin's movement mantra of the morning "This is my time," to "This is our time," envisioning the progressive leaders I supported successfully winning their elections. 

That invitation to change my "inner landscape" as Erin calls it, through mantra and movement, made a huge difference in my outlook. A day later as I record this, I'm sitting with mixed feelings about the outcome of the election, but also a determination to move into action. 

I hope after listening today, that you, like me, are inspired by the lessons Erin has shared with us and the gift of her Soul Stroll, to get moving and stay moving toward the change in our lives and in our country that we seek. 

Much appreciation, 

P.S. Know someone who you think would appreciate this episode? Push forward and share this conversation!

In This Episode We Talk About:

• Favorite mantras that Erin and I brought to this episode as our intentions for the conversation.
• The importance of guiding from behind and moving our own egos out of the way when we parent (and what this has to do with goats!)
• The power of MOVEMENT in our lives and the impact of shifting our inner landscapes.
• How using movement can help us be more present for our children.
• Why a body at rest stays at rest, and moving is often the last thing we want to do. But, our lack of desire to get moving is not a reflection of how we'll feel once we get going.  
• Bringing consciousness to how we invest and care for ourselves and why it's natural to make different kinds of investments at different times in our lives.
• Erin's soon to be published book – "Mantras in Motion"
• What to do when you're feeling stuck, anxious, or depressed
• Erin's challenge and gift to us to make time for a "Soul Stroll"
• The story I shared with Erin about Jacob and Taekwondo that she says she'll remember

Resources and Topics Mentioned:

• Ep 52: Third Chapters, Raising Adults, and Loving Ourselves with Julie Lythcott-Haims
• Ep 38: Making Space and Finding Rhythm with "Kindie Rock" Star Laurie Berkner
• Ep 51: Equanimity & The Calm In the Storm with Mindful Parent Michelle Gale
• Say It. Sweat It. Get It. Free Five Day Challenge
• The Jacob and Taekwondo Video

This Episode is Dedicated by:

Kari Azuma supports mothers to powerfully design their lives. Check out Kari's new program – THRESHOLD, an immersive retreat into the depths of womanhood and motherhood to reclaim your power and unleash your highest self.

Threshold

Website

Facebook Business Page

Personal Facebook Page

Instagram

This Week's Challenge:

For this weeks' challenge, Erin encourages us to take a Soul Stroll and discover what a 20-minute walk can do to reduce your stress and renew your perspective. You can use this free link to access your special Soul Stroll, led by Erin, with inspiring music and mantras to accompany you.

When you feel like you don't want to move, just put on your shoes, flip-flops or slippers and take a walk outside your house with no intended destination in mind, only the thought "I'm just gonna go out for a walk".

Learn More About Erin Stutland:

Erin is a mind-body wellness and fitness expert. She is the host and life-style coach of Z Living's cable series, Altar'd. Nominated for a Real Screen award alongside Oprah's Super Soul Sunday, the show returns for its second season this fall.

In January 2019, she is publishing her first book, Mantras in Motion: Manifesting What You Want through Mindful Movement, which explores her proprietary approach to creating meaningful change by harnessing the body's mental, physical, and spiritual energy through stories, journaling exercises, meditations and movement.

Erin is the creator of several mind-body fitness programs including her signature Shrink Session workout and Soul Strolls and has appeared on The Rachael Ray Show, People.com, Fox News, Glamour Magazine and more.

She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband Lance and daughter, Kwynn.

Learn more about Erin by visiting these links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube
Pre-order her new book here

Announcements: Women Podcasters in Solidarity

Tragically, I have now lost count of the number of mass shootings have taken place just in the time since the Women Podcasters in Solidarity selected "gun safety" as the issue we want to shine a light on this season.

Grateful to partner with Cristin Marie and Elsie Escobar on bringing this season of the Initiative to life. It is my deepest hope that through the power of podcasting: the episodes we will record, the conversations we will share with our listeners, and the dollars we will collectively raise toward gun safety causes, will save lives.

Please take a look at Cristin's post here and say "yes" to the Initiative yourself or help spread the word to reach other podcasters who would want to join.

Mother's Quest Circle

If you're on a quest to live an E.P.I.C. life, but you've been feeling challenged, isolated, or unsure of the path ahead, the Mother's Quest Circle may be the source of connection you're looking for.

The Mother's Quest Circle provides inspiration, coaching and community for an intimate group of no more than 10 women who are ready to say "yes" to:

Reflect together, in a community of like-minded mothers, on what matters most
To consciously live their version (not someone else's) of an E.P.I.C. life
To take bold action toward one of the E.P.I.C. life guideposts before the end of the sessions
To hold space for sharing, coaching, and championing one another so we are "in community" on our journey

If you're looking to end the year strong, now is a great time to make an investment in yourself and what matters most to you. Apply here. Application closes tomorrow!

Say It. Sweat It. Get It. Challenge

Sign up today to come along with me on Erin's week-long challenge where she will give you super short, easy to follow workouts, that combine movement and mantras, to inspire you, physically, mentally and spiritually. During the challenge, I'll release an episode on the podcast with Erin to give you insight into her journey and why movement plays such a powerful role in her life.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

Kari Azuma
Tamara Sobomehin
Katie Krimitsos
Carrie Caulfield Arick
Rachel Rosen
Chandra Brooks
Jen Simon
Monisha Vasa
Celia Ward-Wallace
Vanessa Couto
Desiree Adaway
Rachel Steinman
Katie Hanus
Denise Barreto 
Sage B. Hobbs 
Samantha Nolan-Smith
Jody Smith
Emily Cretella
Collette Flanagan
Titilayo Tinubu Ali 
Carly Magnus Hurt
Lizzy Russinko 
Suzanne Brown
Mara Berns Langer
Mallory Schlabach 
Katharine Earhart
Jessica Kupferman
Jen Jenkins Dohner
Genese Harris
Tonya Rineer
Liane Louie-Badua
Cristin Downs 
Erin Kendall 
Niko Osoteo 
Erik Newton 
Claire Fry
Divya Silbermann
Rachel Winter
Caren and Debbie Lieberman
Cameron Miranda
Fran and David Lieberman
Debbie and Alan Goore
The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

This conversation with best-selling New York Times author and Ted talk speaker Julie Lythcott-Haims was over two years in the making and yet came just at the right time.

Author of How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success and Real American: A Memoir, Julie's interested in the human experience and writes non-fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry with the aim of helping humans thrive.

She has a JD from Harvard Law School, an MFA in writing from California College of the Arts and holds her BA in American Studies from Stanford University, where she later returned to serve as Dean of Freshman and Undergraduate Advising, among other roles.  She currently lives in Silicon Valley with her partner of more than thirty years, her two teenagers, and her mother.

Born to an African-American father and a British mother, Julie moved often in her childhood from Nigeria to New York to Wisconsin to Washington D.C., where her father was part of the Carter Administration, and then back to Wisconsin again. Along the way, she struggled to find her identity as a bi-racial woman who faced stereotypes and micro-aggressions about her blackness that sent her on a journey from self-loathing to self-love, something she reflects on with powerful honesty in her memoir.

Themes of self-exploration, self-sufficiency and service weave thread through this incredibly enriching conversation with Julie. We discuss her healing journey with her mother and how that impacts how she parents her children today. Julie shares the lessons that she learned about how to successfully raise adults from her years as the Dean at Stanford and extensive research that informs her best-selling book and popular Ted talk on the subject.

She reveals the way that she has daringly made career pivots that others thought were crazy, what's next on the horizon for her, and how she may even create her own radio show one day. And, we talk candidly about her journey to embracing self-care, about her commitment to her partner of over thirty years, and to the impact on her body and sexuality of moving toward menopause.

I was struck by Julie's continued evolution in her own awareness, and her commitment to personal growth and to pursuing her own purposeful path, parallels evident in the wisdom she holds for us about how to raise our children to be healthy adults. Finally, I'm inspired by her bold challenge to us, to look at how stereotypes and biases about black people show up in ourselves, and to do the conscious work of taking them apart.

This conversation is a powerful one that has already begun to shift my awareness. I look forward to hearing what Julie's life lessons, wisdom, and revelations shift for you when you listen. 

Much appreciation, 

P.S. Know someone who you think would appreciate this episode? Push forward and share this conversation!

In This Episode We Talk About:

• Julie's journey of healing with her mother, now 80 years old, and how a third chapter of their relationship led to reciprocal learning across three generations, between Julie's mother, Julie, and Julie's daughter.

• What happens when our egos impact our parenting and the power of realizing that we are not our kids; they're not a mini-me, a pet, a trophy or a bonsai tree. They are their own person.

• What Julie's experience as a Stanford Dean taught her about how to raise adults, including the two most essential things she learned kids need: to do chores and to be loved.

• How a commitment to life-long learning inspired Julie to make daring career pivots, from attorney to school administrator to writer.

• The three more books  that Julie knows she has inside of her.

• Julie's own evolution in her understanding of what self-care means and the ways that she invests in herself today.

• The practices Julie has committed to with her husband to keep their thirty plus year connection strong.

• The impact of peri-menopause and menopause in how we feel in our bodies and on our libido in particular, and my commitment to focus a future episode on this subject.

• The importance of becoming aware of the stereotypes we hold about black people and Julie's challenge to us to consciously undo them.

Resources and Topics Mentioned:

• Thriving Child Summit – Dr. Elisa Song's Summit where I first learned about Julie.
• How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success
• Real American: A Memoir
• Julie's Ted Talk On How To Raise an Adult – the one Chris and I watched and then discussed with Ryan 
• Ep 05: Live your E.P.I.C. Life to Help Your Children Thrive – my conversation with Dr. Song from the Thriving Child Summit
• Ep 46: "Owning our Truth" with Renegade Mothering's Janelle Hanchett
• Women Podcasters in Solidarity where you can find the episodes I recorded on the subjects of anti-racism and police brutality 

This Episode is Dedicated by:

Tamara Sobomehin, chasing the human dream, working to unleash the brilliance and potential of people by cultivating a culture of positive creation supported by the foundation of effective human and technical systems. Dedicated in honor of Tamara's mother Paula Denise Lacy.  

Street Code Academy – The organization Tamara runs with her husband Tunde. 
Recharge Ravenswood – The website to learn more about Tamara's campaign for Ravenswood City School Board. 
Team Esface – The exceptional basketball program, founded by the Sobomehin brothers, that Ryan participated in and where we first met Tamara and her family. 

This Week's Challenge:

For this week's challenge, I encourage you to read Julie's powerful memoir, The Real American, to explore the impact of stereotypes about black people on her life experience. Then, follow Julie's invitation to notice when stereotypes about black people kick in for us. She says, "If you're not loving black people, ask yourself why? Be interested in that. Black people are humans worthy of love, compassion and care like anybody else is. If you notice a stereotype kicks in when you see a black person, see if you can immediately say to yourself – what would I do if this was a white person? Or a person of any race other than black? When a stereotype pops up, name it and tell yourself I'm discarding it. Try interacting with that person as if they were your own brother, sister, grandmother, father, friend or family."  It's our job to acknowledge the impact of stereotypes and biases and undo it.

Learn More About Julie:

Julies Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Announcements: Mother's Quest Circle

If you're on a quest to live an E.P.I.C. life, but you've been feeling challenged, isolated, or unsure of the path ahead, the Mother's Quest Circle may be the source of connection you're looking for.

The Mother's Quest Circle provides inspiration, coaching and community for an intimate group of no more than 10 women who are ready to say "yes" to:

• Reflect together, in a community of like-minded mothers, on what matters most
• To consciously live their version (not someone else's) of an E.P.I.C. life
• To take bold action toward one of the E.P.I.C. life guideposts before the end of the sessions
• To hold space for sharing, coaching, and championing one another so we are "in community" on our journey

If you're looking to end the year strong, now is a great time to make an investment in yourself and what matters most to you. Apply here. 

Say It. Sweat It. Get It. Challenge

Sign up today to come along with me on Erin's week-long challenge where she will give you super short, easy to follow workouts, that combine movement and mantras, to inspire you, physically, mentally and spiritually. During the challenge, I'll release an episode on the podcast with Erin to give you insight into her journey and why movement plays such a powerful role in her life.

Starts Mon. Nov. 5th! Sign up Today!

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

Hello and welcome to this episode with mindfulness educator, corporate trainer, podcast host and author of "Mindful Parenting in a Messy World," Michelle Gale. 

This conversation, rooted in how to bring more equanimity to our lives–finding our center of calm in the storm–came to me just when I needed it most, during a start to my fall season marked by big school transitions for my children, travel away from home, and supporting my family after my father's bypass heart surgery. 

In the midst of all of that, it was such a gift to have this time with Michelle, whose journey brought her from working in technology startups like Twitter to a deep dive in mindfulness training. Michelle draws on that training today as an advisor to organizations like Wisdom 2.0, in trainings with corporations like Disney and Google, for summits and workshops for parents that she organizes, and as a parent with her own two boys at home. 

An awareness of our impact in the day to day, through being a mindful parent, is something that Michelle embodies in her own parenting, in the appreciation she describes for her own mother, a single parent who adopted Michelle at the age of four months old, and in the ways that she makes mindfulness relatable and accessible to those she teaches. 

I learned so much from Michelle in the time we spent together, about answering our own calls for life-long learning, about slowing down, raising our awareness and making the implicit explicit, of the importance of bringing compassion, especially during times of transition, and how to draw on our experience as mothers as a source of learning and transformation.  

When we began, I asked Michelle to lead us through a Three Breath Practice which I heard her share about on Deborah Reber's TILT Parenting Podcast. The practice became the bookends for this episode, the opening that allowed us each to make intentions for our time together, and the challenge that Michelle invites us to integrate into our lives. 

As you listen to this episode, I invite you to slow down by taking your own three breaths with us, tap into Michelle's intention for finding "equanimity," your center in the midst of chaos, and open yourself to Michelle's wisdom. If you do, I'm certain you'll find more of your calm in the storm and connect more fully to your own mindful parenting in a messy world. 

In This Episode We Talk About:

• The Three Breath Practice and how I've begun using it to help me make better decisions about how to use my time.

• The concept of "equanimity" and the importance of creating awareness and space for our discomfort so that we can come back to our center.

• Michelle's appreciation for  "Attachment Theory" through the lens of her own experience being adopted at the age of four months. Also the realization that she doesn't have a newborn photo and how that drove her inquiry about who was mothering her before she was adopted.

• Michelle's journey to mindfulness and how she roots her practice in the day to day experience of mothering, especially in the challenging moments, like when our children can't fall asleep alone or when they struggle with homework.

• Michelle's ritual before sitting down to do creative work that she has introduced to her children as well before they do homework.

• Michelle's passion for changing the landscape of how corporations think about supporting parents and the E.P.I.C. snapshot moment that happened for Michelle during a training at Macy's.

• How her experience in circle and community enabled Michelle to call more of that connection into her life and more about the tools she uses to "call in".

• How Michelle is bringing her mindfulness practices to her health, especially as she navigates the transition to menopause and the hormonal swings and changes that come with it.

Resources and Topics Mentioned:

Tilt Parenting Podcast: Michelle Gale on the Power of Mindful Parenting in a Messy World

The Sweet Spot: How to Accomplish More by Doing Less by Christine Carter

Jonathan Field's Good Life Project Community where Michelle and I first connected

Wisdom 2.0

This Episode is Dedicated by:

Katie Krimitsos, CEO & Founder at Biz Women Rock and the Women's Meditation Network and the host of the Meditation for Women Podcast. Katie's beautiful dedication shines a light, through the example of her mother Linda, of the ways we can make an impact in our day to day lives through being a mindful, loving parent. 

You can connect with Katie on Facebook,  Instagram or through her website.

This Week's Challenge:

Michelle encourages us to find a place in our life where we can consciously use the 3 Breaths Practice that she modeled in the episode. The practice includes: 

1. Focusing on your breath coming in and out
2. Letting your body relax; and,
3. Asking yourself, what's really important and what really matters? 

By noticing an area of our lives that needs more consciousness (like reaching for our phone for distraction for instance) and using this practice, we can invite more intentionality, awareness, connection, and equanimity into our lives.

Learn More About Michelle:

Michelle Gale is the podcast host and author of the book "Mindful Parenting in a Messy World",  a mindfulness teacher, executive coach and a corporate trainer. She works in corporations, schools and communities teaching and speaking to fellow parents about mindful parenting.
 

Michelle's Website

Facebook

Twitter

Michelle's Mindful Parenting Resource List

Announcements: Join the Journey to Right Livelihood

I'm so excited to be part of a special program, Journey to Right Livelihood as a learner. And as an affiliate, I'll also offer Mother's Quest bonuses to deepen the experience for members of my community who decide to come along too.

If you're interested, you can learn more at this link and also come over to my private facebook group, where I had a conversation with the founder, and one of my teachers and mentors, Lindsay Pera. It's not too late to join us!

Click www.mothersquest.com/community to request to join and listen to our conversation 

LIVING WITH PRESENCE and PARENTING WITH PURPOSE Online Conference

Expert advice to find more peace, ease, presence and spaciousness in your family through the Online Conference hosted by Michelle and a phenomenal group of mindfulness experts. Learn more and purchase the conversations if you choose by visiting the site here.

Mother's Quest Circle

If you're on a quest to live an E.P.I.C. life, but you've been feeling challenged, isolated, or unsure of the path ahead, the Mother's Quest Circle may be the source of connection you're looking for.

The Mother's Quest Circle provides inspiration, coaching and community for an intimate group of no more than 10 women who are ready to say "yes" to:

• Reflect together, in a community of like-minded mothers, on what matters most
• To consciously live a more E.P.I.C. life
• To take bold action toward one of the E.P.I.C. life guideposts before the end of the session
• To hold space for sharing, coaching, and championing one another so we are "in community" on our journey

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

 

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Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

Welcome to another new episode of the Mother's Quest Podcast, one I'm sharing after a short break, so I could focus on transitioning my children into the new academic year, welcoming in the Jewish New Year and supporting my parents as my father recovers from bypass heart surgery (he is doing much better and already plotting to get back on the golf course!)

During this time of reflection and connection to family, it feels right to bring forward this episode on ancestry with Nicka Smith, a professional photographer, speaker, host, and documentarian with more than 19 years of experience as a genealogist. 

I learned about Nicka through my friend and previous podcast guest Jenjii Hysten, one of Nicka's biggest cheerleaders, who regularly acknowledges Nicka's expertise in African ancestored genealogy and her ability to connect young people to their ancestry. Nicka's experience and accomplishments are vast: she has edited and designed volumes of family history that include narratives, photos, and genealogical information and is the host of BlackProGen LIVE, an innovative web show focused on people of color genealogy and family history.

Using Nicka's life experience, this episode goes deep in how to give ourselves permission to step into becoming our own family historians, the importance of connecting the threads of our ancestors to who we are today, the challenges and emotions involved in tracing genealogy for African American people whose ancestors were enslaved, and the idea that we can become today the ancestors we aspire to be for our descendants by taking the political and social action our times demand. 

With Nicka's guidance, I've started the process of connecting the threads of my ancestors. To be honest, I was a little skeptical that I would find anything particularly interesting. But, while visiting my parents in Los Angeles, my mother and I stayed up late on the couch looking on ancestry.com at documents connected to her mother, my grandmother, Ruth. 

My mother shared details about Ruth's life in a previous episode's dedication, that I'll link in the show notes. We knew that her mother had married (what we say in Yiddush) a "nogoodnick" who left my grandmother destitute with three young girls to raise on her own. 

That night on the couch, we found a strange named document connected to my grandmother's records titled Hebrew Orphan Asylum of New York City. We clicked on the link and soon saw evidence that my grandmother and her youngest sister had been left in the care of an orphanage. But that some time after, my great grandmother, came back to get them. My grandmother, who was only 2 at the time, never spoke of this to us and may not have known.  But now my mother and I know that our ancestor, against the odds, found a way to reunited with her children. Had she not, my grandmother's fate would surely have been different, and my mother and I might not have been here today. 

I know now that my discoveries as my family historian are just beginning. I hope this episode and what I uncovered about my great grandmother give you permission to step into becoming your family historian, to explore the untold stories of your ancestors, and to weave the threads between yourself, your ancestors and your descendants, that will help you more fully live your E.P.I.C. life. 

Much appreciation,
Julie Neale

In This Episode We Talk About:

• How a simple hobby back in college turned out to be Nicka's passion and purpose in life.
• The diverse community and landscape that shaped Nicka's worldview
• The layers to Nicka's "genealogical cake" including revelations she learned about her family ancestry: the Native American blood in her family, the fact that her great great grandfather was legally married to a white woman in the late 1800's, and that her ancestors were enslaved on the same plantation for more than 30 years by a slave-owner from western Massachusetts.
• Nicka's ancestor who took great risks to advocate for his birthright as a Cherokee Freedmen to the Committee on Indian Affairs and the impact that had on Nicka.
• How Nicka's 3 year old son teaches her to experiment and to explore new experiences
• How we can use tools like ancestry.com and a database of documents to help us explore our lineage..
• The life-long trauma experienced still by Nicka's grandmother's grandmother, in her 90's,  from being forcibly separated from your parents during their enslavement and how that connects to the children separated at the border today.
• The case of Plessy vs. Ferguson and how the descendants of slaves and slave owners now unite to fight for civil rights 
• The threads that connect us to who we are across generations and the ways that Nicka's ancestors activism have shaped her own.
• Nicka's challenge for me and for you to step into the role of family historian 

Resources and Topics Mentioned:

Nicka's Website

Black ProGenLive  – Nicka's YouTube show with twice monthly broadcasts feature a panel from BlackProGen and friends discussing a myriad of topics in the world of genealogy.

Coming to the Table Post about Researching Slaveholding and Slave Trading Ancestry

Birthright: 8 Generations of Cherokee Freedmen and Our Story of Redemption

Plessy and Ferguson: Descendants of a divisive Supreme Court decision unite to create a civil rights organization

Ancestry.com – start here to set up an account and step into your own role as a family historian

Family History Is at the Heart of Pixar's Coco

Kamala Harris' remarks on Separating Families at the Border and How We Will Be Judged Harshly

Episode of the Mother's Quest Podcast with the dedication from my mother to my grandmother Ruth

Episode with my father David Lieberman, inspired by an oral history and genealogy workshop I attended

This Episode is Dedicated by:

Carrie Caulfield Arick, the founder of Ya Ya Podcasting, a company that helps podcasters put their best voice forward. She's spent over ten years putting together her own family tree and assists her father, historian at Seabreeze Park in Rochester, NY piece together the stories of notable park guests and employees through genealogical research.

You can connect with Carrie on Facebook,  Instagram or through her website.

This Week's Challenge:

Nicka challenges everyone to give yourself permission to step into the role of family historian. Sign up for an account with ancestry.com and begin with yourself to trace your family tree backward. Investigate to trace your own lineage and see how history repeats itself.

Take a deep dive, and ask yourself these questions: How did we get here? Who immigrated? Why? And apply that to your present.

Announcements: Join the Journey to Right Livelihood

We start today, Thursday September 26th!! 

I'm so excited to embark on this program, Journey to Right Livelihood as a learner. And as an affiliate, I'll also be offering Mother's Quest bonuses to deepen the experience for members of my community who decide to come along too.

If you're interested, you can learn more at this link and also come over to my private facebook group, where I had a conversation with the founder, and one of my teachers and mentors, Lindsay Pera.

Click www.mothersquest.com/community to request to join and listen to our conversation 

What My Open Heart Surgery Taught Me About Coaching

Read the blog post HERE

 

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

 

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Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

We are welcoming back the 5-Day Mussar Yoga Challenge, which officially kicks off today. This is in line with my podcast episode with Edie Raphael last year on Mussar and this season of renewal. Come along for five daily prompts in the Mussar Yoga Challenge at the Mother's Quest Facebook Group.

Mussar is an ancient Jewish practice that invites us to contemplate, journal on, talk in community about... a character trait in our lives, for a specific period of time, in this case 5 days. 

I'm fascinated that the "middah" we picked last year, "order" is also the issue I identified to work on without fully realizing it. 

Have you heard of Mussar before or did you participate in the challenge last year? What do you think about it? Do you have your own rituals or practices for reflection and renewal this time of year?

Listen and learn more in my podcast episode with Edie if you want to go deeper.

PLUS Would love to support you in a one-on-one 90 minute Clarity Session if you want to go deeper. Special rate through Sept. 19th. You can book your session here https://mothersquest.as.me/FallClaritySessionSpecial

Ep 28: Mussar Yoga for Reflection and Renewal with Edie Raphael Brotman

Hello and welcome to the Mother's Quest Podcast that I'm bringing to you at the start of the Jewish New Year. The holiday kicks off a ten day period, known as the Days of Awe, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement.  

This time of year, regardless of your religious faith, is a season of reflection and renewal, as our children get settled into a new school year and the leaves begin to change color. I wanted to take advantage of this time to turn inward and create an opportunity for change not only for myself but also for members of the Mother's Quest Community.

I decided to reach out to mindful mother, Edie Rafael Brotman, author of the book "Mussar Yoga," to learn from her how she approaches self-improvement through blending the ancient Jewish practice of Mussar and the ancient Eastern practice of Yoga.

Edie's book was a trusted resource in a Mussar class I took a few years ago. I was enthralled by the process and know that the experience planted seeds for Mother's Quest. So, when I reached out to Edie to see if she'd share her approach on the podcast and then lead a 5 day challenge in the Facebook Group and she said "yes," I was thrilled. 

Edie is a workplace consultant and coach for a business consulting firm called Rewire Inc that leverages emotional intelligence, mindfulness and communication. She has her PhD in Sociology and was an adjunct professor at UVA, Case Western Reserve University and Towson University.

She's also a highly trained yoga instructor, was named one of Baltimore's favorite yoga teachers in Baltimore Magazine's "Best of Baltimore" and co-founded Off the Grid Yoga and Camping Retreats.

In this episode, Edie orients us to Mussar in which character traits, known in Hebrew as "middot," are the centerpiece of the practice. Edie and I explore her E.P.I.C. life story, how she came to mindfulness and Mussar, and how reflecting on middot in her life has enriched her and her relationships.

Edie also shares how her mother influenced her independence. And how her mother's untimely death jump-started Edie's journey to discover Mussar and connect it to Yoga as a bridge to connect Jewish spirituality and her love for physical activity.

I appreciated so much about this conversation with Edie, especially the deep dive into the history of Mussar practice, and how she came to this connection between self-improvement, spirituality and the physical body.  I'm so excited to continue the exploration of all of these things, and hope you'll decide to come along too as we challenge ourselves together during this season of reflection and renewal.

In This Episode We Talk About:

• Why the fall is the perfect time to undertake a Mussar Yoga Challenge
• How I first learned about Edie and her Mussar Yoga Book
• The path of renewal Edie's mother took in her career, how that impacted her, and how her mother's passing brought her to Mussar
• The power of mindfulness and daily meditation to become more conscious and aware of emotions as they arise
• Mussar as a way of rewiring your brain so it is in alignment with universal precepts
• The origins of Mussar and the people who pioneered the teachings
• The traditional way to practice Mussar, utilizing self-reflection on one character trait at a time on a continuum, and how Edie blends it powerfully with Yoga
• The connection between body and spiritual growth

Resources Mentioned:

• Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – Jewish new year holidays
• Mussar Yoga: Blending an Ancient Jewish Spiritual Practice with Yoga to Transform Body and Soul
• What is Mussar?
• Mussar Institute
• Rabbi Israel Salanter
• The Path of the Upright
• Ben Franklin Circles

This Week's Challenge:

Join the Mother's Quest Facebook Group and do the 5-Day Mussar Yoga Challenge at www.mothersquest.com/community

Announcements: ARE YOU…

 Hopeful that the new school year will be a positive, powerful experience for your child?
 Thinking about how best to set your children up for success?
 Wondering what new practices you can build into your life and theirs to help make that possible?
 Getting lost in all the paperwork and volunteer requests and want to ground yourself in what's most important?
 Ready to focus fully on YOU and YOUR life now that your kids will be in school?

If you're feeling a similar desire to press "pause" on the busyness as I did and reflect on your vision for this year, what's working and what needs to shift, and what key guidepost would help you move forward more intentionally, I'd love to support you with a 90 minute clarity coaching session.

You'll leave with:

  Clarity about what matters most to you in your future vision for this year
 Reflection on what beliefs/ways of being you want to leave behind and what lessons you want to carry forward
 Commitment toward one E.P.I.C. Guidepost and key action(s) that will help you and your children move forward intentionally

✨Fall Special Clarity Coaching Session ✨

A 90 minute session for the price of a 60 minute session
Book By September 19th
Say "yes" if this is calling to you. It's an investment in yourself and your children. 

$198

Just click the link below by Sept 19th to schedule a time at this special rate.
https://mothersquest.as.me/FallClaritySessionSpecial

Whether I have the opportunity to support you now or not, I wish you and yours a sweet and meaningful beginning to this new season. 

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

 

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Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

Honored to share this special episode of the Mother's Quest Podcast featuring a conversation I had with author and coach Sage Hobbs as a guest on her show, Naked Conversations. I loved all the themes that we discussed and wanted to introduce more of you to Sage's work, so I'm excited and appreciative that she gave me permission to share in this way.

This is the last of a series of previously released conversations that I'm bringing to you this summer as I've focused on time with my children and transitioning them to school. In two weeks, I'll be back with a brand new conversation, so make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so that new episode comes straight to you.

Sage and I cover so many topics in this episode, from personal challenges, to losing ourselves in motherhood, to the power of storytelling to feel our common humanity, to activism.  Underneath them all is this idea of defining courage for ourselves, exploring how we've been expanding our leadership in more courageous ways, and how this helps us pursue a fuller expression of who we are.

The theme around courage is particularly resonant for me right now, as I've been stepping into new territory advocating for two police accountability bills being deliberated on in Sacramento, and after I helped to bring a powerful play called The (M)others, of mothers who have lost loved ones to police brutality, to Sacramento just last week.

It's also resonant because in their own ways, my children have been stepping into more courage. Starting a brand new school, especially when you're differenty-wired, has required each of them to move out of their comfort zone and hold a positive picture of what's possible for them.

My oldest son Ryan and I went on another milestone hike together, where he re-committed to not letting fear stop him from living his YOLO life.  My youngest Jacob and I have been doing some affirmations together as part of our Miracle Morning Challenge happening in the facebook group right now, and he chose this affirmation from my list as his own, "Like an alchemist, I transform fear into curiosity and excitement."

I hope this episode gives you an opportunity to reflect on courage in your life, and to find some inspiration to transform any fear you or your children have at this time of year, into curiosity and excitement for yourselves.

In This Episode We Talk About:

• Definitions of courage (one from my 14 year old!)
• What it means to live an E.P.I.C. life
• The moments that moved me to activism for police accountability
• Using growth mindset to explore challenging topics
• Leadership and permission
• My incredible story of two birds trapped in my house, and their timely lesson
• The Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative

Resources Mentioned:

• Making the World a Better Place, One Leader at a Time with Rachel Rosen
• The Power of Healing in Community with Sera Snyder
• This is Not the Life I ordered
• Planting Seeds for Mother's Quest
• Courageous Conversations about Race with Nicole Lee
• Intersectionality and the Age of the New Heroine with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin
• Living Out Loud with Jenjii Hysten
• The blog post about the two birds
• Women Podcasters in Solidarity

This Episode is Dedicated by:

Rachel Rosen, a seasoned facilitator, leadership coach, inclusion strategist, and speaker, and the Founder of SPARK For Humanity, the interactive, community-building card game where everyone belongs.

She dedicates this episode to Jillian Roth of Mama J Consulting and Anjela Ford of Anjelabundance.

Learn more about Rachel:

• www.rachelvrosen.com
• www.spark4leadership.com
• www.spark4community.com
• On Facebook SPARK For Community and SPARK Leadership​
• On Instagram @spark4community, @spark4leadership &@sparkapcommUNITY
• Rachel's Crowdfunding Campaign​

Learn More About Sage:

www.sagebhobbs.com
Naked Conversations Podcast
Sage's Book Naked Communication
Facebook @sagebhobbs and Instagram @sagebhobbs

This Week's Challenge:

Reflect on your own definition of courage and share it in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group. Explore using the affirmation "Like an Alchemist, I transform fear into curiosity and excitement" for yourself and your children as you start the new school year.

Announcements:

Fall Clarity Session Special

In our family right now, we're getting adjusted to two big milestones. Jacob has started kindergarten and Ryan is in high school. To start the school year well, I made sure to invest in myself to reflect on what matters and get grounded, and I know that helped them to start well. In honor of this critical time of year, I'm offering a special rate for a 90 minute clarity coaching session and would love to support you, and your children, to begin the year mindfully. Go to https://mothersquest.as.me/FallClaritySessionSpecial to book your session by the end of August for this special rate. Wishing you and yours an ease-filled and intentional start of this school year.

Support The (M)others and Two Key Police Accountability Bills

In CA, lawmakers are deliberating right now on two key police accountability bills, SB-1421 and AB-931. In advance of that deliberation, I worked with Nikki Yeboah, the producer of a powerful play called (M)others, to bring forward the stories of those who've lost loved ones to police brutality to the Sacramento community. The showings were powerful and we've decided to bring the play to other cities in CA, those with the highest rates of police-involved shootings. Visit gofundme.com/slash take-this-play-to-senate to learn more about this effort and how you can support. We also need your support to call CA lawmakers and tell them to vote "yes" on these two bills. Find additional background on the bills and a call script for here https://www.indivisible.org/resource/police-reform-california/.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Rachel Rosen
• Chandra Brooks
• Jen Simon
• Monisha Vasa
• Celia Ward-Wallace
• Vanessa Couto
• Desiree Adaway
• Rachel Steinman
• Katie Hanus
• Denise Barreto
• Sage B. Hobbs
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella
• Collette Flanagan
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko
• Suzanne Brown
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach
• Katharine Earhart
• Jessica Kupferman
• Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs
• Erin Kendall
• Niko Osoteo
• Erik Newton
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

 

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

Hello and welcome to this special revisited episode of a conversation I had a year ago with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin, titled "Intersectionality and The Age of the New Heroine." This episode was one of my most impactful conversations and one that set me on my own heroine's journey to use my voice and leadership in new ways.

So much has happened since that conversation. Sparked by that episode, and the horror of the Charlottesville Rally that took place a few weeks later, I launched the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative and held a series of interviews on the subject of anti-racism and police brutality. I hosted an Impact Circle with other mothers where we made commitments to step into more action and raised dollars and awareness for the groundbreaking work of Mothers Against Police Brutality.

I kept taking steps, one after the other.. Elizabeth invited me to speak about this work and my journey on a panel at her Gaia Women Lead Conference, and a week later, I witnessed the story of Laurie Valdez and other women who have lost loved ones to police brutality in the powerful play (M)others. The last few months brought me to a Father's Day special episode with Assemblymember Rob Bonta on the podcast where we talked about his commitment to this issue and I began working with the play (M)others' producer to bring the play to Sacramento ahead of key votes on critical police accountability bills in CA SB-1421 and AB-931.

Along the way, messages from my conversation with Elizabeth have taken on deeper meaning, I've learned powerful lessons from incredible guides, and experienced signs and synchronicities that help me realize I'm moving forward on an aligned and purposeful path.

So, it also felt right at this full circle moment to re-release the episode with a new introduction with reflections a year in, and a new dedication provided by one of my guides, activist, coach, speaker and now co-host of the new Families Fighting Mass Incarceration Podcast, Chandra Brooks.

In this new introduction, I share five lessons I've learned over the last year as I moved into anti-racism and police accountability advocacy:

Lesson #1 - Be willing to hold discomfort and a growth mindset

Lesson #2 - Move from guilt into responsibility and action

Lesson #3 - Raise your awareness and bear witness to the impact of police brutality

Lesson #4 - Open yourself to signs and synchronicities on the journey

Lesson #5 - Choose to answer the call

If there is a cause that is calling to you, but you haven't yet answered it, consider this post your cosmic nudge to take your first few steps, find your guides, and trust that you can make a difference.

And, if making a difference on the issue of police brutality is one that has been calling you, but you didn't know how you could help...there is an opportunity in CA RIGHT NOW that needs every soul who is willing...

✨To support bringing (M)others to Sacramento through contributing money to and sharing the GoFundMe page (linked below). Though we reached out initial fundraising goal, additional funds will enable the play's producer to bring (M)others to other cities in CA.

✨To reach out to CA lawmakers to urge them to vote yes on AB 931 and SB 1421; and,

✨To urge lawmakers and those you know in Sacramento to attend the play on August 13th or August 16th and witness the powerful (M)others stories that need to be heard.

Along this journey, I took a class called Diversity is an Asset with Desiree Adaway and Jessica Fish. One of the points that Desiree drives home at the end of every call is that none of us can truly be free until all of us are free.  I hope these reflections and the episode to follow from Elizabeth inspires you to step from guilt and helplessness into action, into your own heroine's journey, and to working toward freedom for all of us.

Resources Mentioned:

The (M)others Play  and the (M)others GoFundMe Site
Ep 07: Living Out Loud with Jenjii Hysten
Ep 32: Sit at the Table & Own Your Power with Chandra Brooks
Ep 27: Courageous Conversations about Race with Nicole Lee
Ep 31: Brave Spaces and Solidarity with "Rad Women" Author Kate Schatz
Ep 33: Beyond the Trauma: Legacy, Compassion and Change with Mothers Against Police Brutality Co-Founder Sara Mokuria
Ep 44: A Family Legacy of Service and Leadership with California Assemblymember Rob Bonta
Women Podcasters in Solidarity - explore the series I recorded on anti-racism and police accountability and over a dozen other powerful episodes recorded by other podcasters who joined the Initiative.  
Diversity is an Asset Post from Desiree Adaway written after the Charlottesville Rally 

Phone Scripts and other Resources for CA Police Accountability Advocacy [Editable &Printable]

  This Episode is Dedicated by:

Chandra Brooks, author of the book called Black, Brown & Political: Get Informed, Get Empowered and Change the Game and co-founder of the new podcast, Families Fighting Mass Incarceration. Dedicated to the organizers of the San Jose Women's March 2018, Vicky Mattson and Jenny Bradanini.

Families Fighting Mass Incarceration Podcast
Black, Brown & Political: Get Informed, Get Empowered and Change the Game!
 

Original Show Notes for Episode 24: Intersectionality and the Age of the New Heroine with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin

Hello and welcome to this Episode #24 of the Mother's Quest Podcast. I'm so honored to bring you this important and powerful conversation today with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin, who through her daily Resistance Lives on Facebook, guides thousands of us with a voice of reason and optimism during the twists and turns of today's political landscape.

Known as a "celebrated career coach" and "fearless entrepreneur" Elizabeth, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a J.D. from George Washington University Law School, transitioned from a fifteen year career as a Wall Street securities litigator and trial lawyer to found The Gaia Project for Women's Leadership. The organization offers virtual and live programming that cultivates leaders from the ground up to to grow what they call "New Paradigm Women's Leadership."

Elizabeth is also a mindful mother. No matter how full her life gets leading women around the globe or fighting for our democracy, she prioritizes bringing presence and focus to her two children, both under the age of 5.

In this episode, we talk about how Elizabeth grew up in a very progressive community and had a strong intuition she would make a massive difference in the world. She attended her first protest when she was just 15 years old and now she's leading a new awakening in activism – one that challenges her over 20,000 followers, of which I am one, to take daily political action, to truly listen to one another and to others with differing perspectives, and move forward as intersectional feminists, shoulder to shoulder.

We also talk about the new heroine's journey where the heroine brings back the lessons learned along the way, her words of wisdom for me as I set out to raise awareness and create space for uncomfortable but important conversations about race, how we can "bear witness" for those who have different experiences than our own, and Elizabeth's challenge to all of us to use our voice for change.

We packed so much depth and wisdom in this conversation, including the first ever lightning round exploration of the E.P.I.C. Guideposts.

I look forward to hearing about the ways in which this episode will inspire you and invite you to join the Mother's Quest Facebook Group to share with us and participate in a special Q & A on Thursday, August 3rd at 11:30 am PST with activist, leadership specialist, and former NAACP Vice President Chandra Brooks.

I left this conversation feeling more inspired than ever myself to step up and into the role of the New Heroine during these times. Moved by my experience with Elizabeth, I commit to daily political action, to stretch myself to have brave conversations and use my voice for change, to truly listen to others, and to consciously cultivate this Mother's Quest community I'm growing.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Elizabeth's unique upbringing in progressive New Hope, Pennsylvania where 50% of the population was gay and there was a strong counter-culture.
• The necessity of letting go of our anger, being willing to listen, and leading from a place of healing to hold a vision for and create the holistic society we seek.
• The feminine energy and ongoing cyclical nature of the New Heroine's Journey.
• The massive acceleration of purpose and mission brought about by our current political situation.
• Intersectionality within the Resistance and how women with privilege need to investigate our own internal biases so we can create a culture where everyone is safe regardless of our race, gender, sexual orientation or immigration status.
• Feedback for me on an initiative I'm exploring to raise awareness and funds for Black Lives Matter; the importance of listening and "bearing witness" for communities who have different experiences than ours.
• The profound moment of reconciliation at the Gaia Lead Conference that had everyone in tears.
• The importance of consciously cultivating the businesses, work-places and communities that represent all of us and how even the smallest gestures of reaching out can really make a difference.
• A lightning round version of how the E.P.I.C. guideposts are showing up in Elizabeth's life and the lessons she's learning along her heroic journey.

This Week's Challenge: Elizabeth asks us to think of ways we can stretch ourselves, outside of our comfort zone, to use our voice for good. And believe that we can change the world by making a difference even in one person's life. Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Gaia Women Lead Website
• RISE (Resist, Inspire, Speak, Empower): An Activist/Leader Bootcamp starting Oct. 15th to help us use our voice for change
• #ResistanceLive
• Elizabeth's Speaking Tour Information & Tickets
• The Heroine's Journey
• Council on American-Islamic Relations
• The video I sent to Elizabeth before our podcast interview – Black parents explain to their kids how to deal with police
• The post that explains what happened when I committed to starting Mother's Quest Two Trapped Birds: Opening the Door for Mother's Quest
• Episode with Jenjii Hysten where we talk about her emotional Facebook live which first called me to "bear witness" regarding Black Lives Matter  Ep 07: Living Out Loud with Jenjii Hysten
• Episode with Women's March Organizer Paola Mendoza Ep 16: Rising Up with Paola Mendoza 
• Episode with Kathleen Shannon where we discuss blocking our time Ep 20: On Being Mom and Being Boss with Kathleen Shannon 
• Sally Yates, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Siskind – women who are new heroines in their own ways

Listen Now Announcements: Take this Play to Senate - Support our GoFundMe Campaign & Action Steps   In CA, at the time of the release of this episode, lawmakers are about to deliberate on two key police accountability bills, SB-1421 and AB-931. In advance of that deliberation, I'm working with Nikki Yeboah, the producer of a powerful play called (M)others, to bring forward the stories of those who've lost loved ones to police brutality to the Sacramento community and to the lawmakers who will vote on this bill. We need your help to raise funds, to spread the word, and to call CA lawmakers, urge them to attend, and to vote yes on these bills. Visit gofundme.com/slash take-this-play-to-senate to learn more about this effort and how you can support. Willing to make phone calls to CA lawmakers? Find additional background and call scripts for the CA bills (among others) from Indivisible here https://www.indivisible.org/resource/police-reform-california/.   Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life   Join me for the first "Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life" Pilot! Four consecutive weeks of one-on-one coaching using a signature process I've been facilitating in my circles this spring 🍃

I have space for three clients to experience an intensive, one-one-one, four-week coaching process. Could this be you?

✨Do you feel like you're on the threshold of a powerful shift in your life?

✨Are you ready to spark new perspectives, new ways of being, and some E.P.I.C. action of your own?

✨Have you wanted to participate in the Mother's Quest Circle but the timing wasn't right or you prefer to work one-on-one?

We've been having an amazing experience in the Mother's Quest Virtual Circle and I want to bring the same practices and flow to work one-on-one in a more focused period of time...over one month instead of three.

Interested? I'd love to schedule a time to check-in about what's happening in your life and how this could support you.

✏️Sign up for a discovery session at this link or message me some times that could work for you if you don't see something that fits your schedule.

https://mothersquest.as.me/discoverysession Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Chandra Brooks
• Jen Simon
• Monisha Vasa
• Celia Ward-Wallace
• Vanessa Couto
• Desiree Adaway
• Rachel Steinman
• Katie Hanus
• Denise Barreto 
• Sage B. Hobbs 
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella
• Collette Flanagan
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali 
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko 
• Suzanne Brown
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach 
• Katharine Earhart
• Jessica Kupferman
• Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs 
• Erin Kendall 
• Niko Osoteo 
• Erik Newton 
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

  Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

Welcome to this last conversation of 2023, with coach, teacher, small group and retreat facilitator at Revolution from Home, mother of four daughters and author of the book Motherwhelmed, Beth Berry.

Beth says she has revolution in her bones. It began when she was seventeen and pumping milk in the bathroom of her high school for her now-grown eldest daughter. It has since gradually evolved into a tender, fiery conviction to reclaim motherhood from every disempowering personal and cultural story she can wrap her head and heart around.

Beth has spent thousands of hours mentoring and supporting mothers through their process of self-discovery, self-reclamation, and dream realization, reminding us of our worthiness and reframing our importance as changemakers.

One of the mothers Beth has mentored is Katie Hanus, one of the members of my very first Mother's Quest Virtual Circle, created over five years ago. Katie and the other members of that first Circle and I are in almost daily conversation together on Voxer where we share the ups and downs of our epic lives and the lessons we're learning from guides who help light our way. It was through Katie that I first heard about Beth's transformative work and hoped I could one day interview her for the podcast. 

Building deep relationships among mothers is something Beth invites us to explore as her challenge in this episode. Without the web of connections that used to come in the form of a village,  we blame ourselves when we're unable to live up to superhuman standards with subhuman levels of support. Beth also offers a beautiful opportunity to invest and care for ourselves through tending to what she calls our soul fire, a representation of the things that restore and sustain us. She invites us to think about how we can add not just quick-burning kindling to this soul fire, but the big logs that can burn steadily.

I hope this conversation can be a spark for you to put yourself at the center during this holiday and new year season, commit to building rich, meaningful connections with other mothers where you live, and add some long-burning logs to your soul fire. In so doing, may 2024 become a year for a revolution and reclamation from home of your own. 

 

About Beth Berry

Beth Berry is a coach, teacher, small group and retreat facilitator, mother of four daughters and author of Motherwhelmed. A revolutionary at heart, she helps mothers get more of what they want and need to feel fulfilled and empowered despite the odds. She believes that self-aware, self-compassionate, well-supported mothers who know themselves to be worthy of pleasure and joy-filled lives are powerful beyond measure and essential to the healing of the world.

 

Connect with Beth Berry

Website | revolutionfromhome.com

Instagram | @revolutionfromhome

Facebook | Revolution from Home

 

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• The ways in which we inherit our mothers' "hand me downs" and the ones that shaped Beth and planted seeds for her own revolution.

• The series of spark moments, most of which she says were not pretty, that set Beth on living her epic life.

• Beth's intuitive approach to motherhood and how she practiced mindful engagement with her children from the beginning, even at the age of 17 when she had her first daughter.

• The deep sense of purpose she feels for changing the narratives around motherhood and shifting the systems that invisibilize the unpaid caregiving of mothers. 

• The power of tending to our soul fire.

• Why some of the entitlement she notices in her daughters gives her hope for a more empowered generation of mothers in the future.  

• How internalized narratives of hyper-individualism can hinder connection between mothers.

• The post-it Beth has on her computer that says "A well rested woman is dangerous" 

 

Books Beth Mentions:

• Beth Berry's Book | Motherwhelmed

• Jaiya John Book | Freedom: Medicine Words for Your Brave Revolution

• Clarissa Pinkola Estés Book | Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype

• Toko-pa Turner Book | Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home

• Pete Walker: books, biography, latest update

• Kimberly Ann Johnson Book | Call of the Wild: How We Heal Trauma, Awaken Our Own Power, and Use It For Good

• Sonya Renee Taylor: Books

• Adrienne Maree Brown Books

• Esther Perel: Books 

• Eve Rodsky Book | Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) (Reese's Book Club)

• Angela Garbes Book | Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change

Other Related Episodes You Might Enjoy Next: 

• Reclaiming Our Time and Creativity with Eve Rodsky

• Slay Your Dragon of Self Doubt with Returning Guest Katherine Wintsch

• Ep 98: Sometimes Change Sucks "Reflections at the 5 year Anniversary of the Manifesto Challenge" With Graeme Seabrook

• Ep 41: Reclaiming Ourselves in Motherhood ~A Mother's Day Special~ with Graeme Seabrook

 

This Episode's Challenge: 

Beth challenges you to pause and reflect when you feel like you're not doing enough. Ask yourself who benefits from that belief and who is harmed by it. Explore the reasons behind the pressure to over-function and consider if there might be healthier ways to self-soothe and achieve your desired life. She also invites us to invest in building relationships with mothers where we live, beginning to restore a sense of village that we have lost. Brave new connections in your community. Knock on some doors in your neighborhood.

 

The Mother's Quest Holiday and New Year Gift Guide: 

Put yourself on your priority list and choose something for yourself this holiday season from our Gift Guide. Take a peek inside and see some of my favorite things that I've curated for you, including the 2024 Live Your EPIC Year planners. https://mothersquest.com/2024-planners/

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

In celebration of our 100th episode, we invite you to help us spread the word by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Help us reach 100 reviews to honor 100 episodes this Season Eight of the Mother's Quest Podcast!

You can also support the podcast by making a contribution or joining one of our memberships at our Patron Page on Ko-Fi.com. 

 

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest

 

This episode introduction comes to you from my hotel balcony in San Miguel de Allende Mexico, where Chris and I are celebrating our 21st anniversary and our children are on a special trip with their grandparents.

To make space for vacation, I decided to re-release two episodes and take a break from recording. Next week, at the one year mark of the Charlottesville Rally, I'll share again my original conversation with Resistance Live's Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin along with a new introduction where I share what I've learned since answering the call to fight against police brutality. Please stay tuned for that episode and see the link in the show notes for how you can help this cause right now.

For this week, when I thought about the first episode from past seasons I'd like to share again, the first introductory episode 00, titled "Planting the Seeds for Mother's Quest," came immediately to mind. It seemed right to revisit this episode, because this summer has been a time of reflecting on milestones, in my own personal development and learning, with my children, and in the development of Mother's Quest since that first recording.

In the last few months, I spoke about my journey on a panel at a conference for the first time, the podcast hit a big milestone, reaching over 20,000 downloads, with over 45 episodes, in 30 countries, with 7 podcast platforms, our Facebook group passed 500 members, and I stepped into new territory advocating for police accountability bills in the state of California. I completed the first virtual Mother's Quest Circle pilot and the first Spark Your E.P.I.C. life one-on-one program and launched a new blog series called "Tales of our Humanity." My children have experienced tremendous growth too, one graduating from preschool and the other middle school, and each taking on new adventures that have stretched them in different ways.

Seeds I planted when I recorded this episode have taken root in amazing ways. And, at the same time, the original intention to use my voice, to create space for powerful conversation, to build community and to grow in a reciprocal relationship with my children have stayed constant.

I'm appreciating the power of marking a new beginning, enjoying the journey, staying true to a vision, and allowing the original seeds of intent to flourish. I hope in listening to this episode again, or perhaps discovering it for the first time, you'll feel grounded in the original messages of Mother's Quest and also inspired by what has been possible since….so you can plant some new seeds of your own and trust that they too will grow.

Episode 00: Planting Seeds for Mother's Quest – An Introduction:

Welcome to this introductory episode of the Mother's Quest podcast. This solocast will give you a preview of what to expect in this twelve week season and reveal the stories behind Mother's Quest E.P.I.C. framework, the podcast logo and the mantra that closes each show.

This solocast, and the podcast that it officially kicks off, is a birthday present to myself. This milestone birthday, on December 1st, 2016, and the reflective and transformative experiences in the months preceding it, inspired me to start my quest and this podcast.

For the first time in my life, I have the desire to create and share publicly something deeply personal; to use and share my voice; to commit to something I am calling my E.P.I.C. life; and to build a community to support me and other mothers along the way.

In the episodes that will follow, I interview other mothers to learn their words of wisdom. But this episode is an opportunity for me to use my own voice and share some lessons I've learned since the moment I decided to cross the threshold and begin living my E.P.I.C. life.

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• How attending a creative workshop hosted by Elizabeth Gilbert last year began a process of self-reflection and helped me to start dreaming
• The mission behind Mother's Quest, and what it means to live an E.P.I.C. life.
• How two birds that got trapped inside my home became the metaphor that sparked my journey.
• Kids are always listening to what we say, to the "seeds" that we plant and nurture in them. And, we are in a reciprocal relationship with our children where we both learn and grow together.
• It's the journey and not the destination that matters the most.
• Synopses of the first three episodes of the podcast
• The first season of the Mother's Quest podcast is dedicated to my friend Leslie Fischer, who passed away last summer from pancreatic cancer. How the inspiration of her life crystallized a Mother's Quest mantra that will close each episode.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/
• Theory of Change: http://www.mothersquest.com
• The late Wayne Dyer: drwaynedyer.com
• The Good Life Project podcast: http://www.goodlifeproject.com/radio/
• Jonathan Fields: jonathanfields.com

Announcements: Take this Play to Senate – Support our GoFundMe Campaign & Action Steps

In CA, at the time of the release of this episode, lawmakers are about to deliberate on two key police accountability bills, SB-1421 and AB-931. In advance of that deliberation, I'm working with Nikki Yeboah, the producer of a powerful play called (M)others, to bring forward the stories of those who've lost loved ones to police brutality to the lawmakers who will vote on this bill. We need your help to raise funds, to spread the word, and to call CA lawmakers, urge them to attend, and to vote yes on these bills. Visit gofundme.com/slash take-this-play-to-senate to learn more about this effort and how you can support.

Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life

Join me for the first "Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life" Pilot! Four consecutive weeks of one-on-one coaching using a signature process I've been facilitating in my circles this spring 

I'm looking for no more than FOUR clients to experience an intensive, one-one-one, four-week coaching process in the month of June. Could this be you?

Do you feel like you're on the threshold of a powerful shift in your life?

Are you ready to spark new perspectives, new ways of being, and some E.P.I.C. action of your own?

Have you wanted to participate in the Mother's Quest Circle but the timing wasn't right or you prefer to work one-on-one?

We've been having an amazing experience in the Mother's Quest Virtual Circle and I want to bring the same practices and flow to work one-on-one in a more focused period of time…over one month instead of three.

Interested? I'd love to schedule a time to check-in about what's happening in your life and how this could support you.

Sign up for a discovery session at this link or message me some times that could work for you if you don't see something that fits your schedule. https://mothersquest.as.me/discoverysession

I'd like to identify the four individuals this week, get scheduled and start next week!

Mother's Quest Tales of our Humanity #2 of 52

On the heels of attending Kate Schatz' launch event for her new book "RAD GIRLS CAN," and in the wake of the tragic loss of life and promise of Nia Simmons, I'm honored to share a series of stories about an incredible 7 year-old girl, Havana, written by her mother Bethany Edwards.

Along with the support of her parents, Havana is already proving there are so many things she CAN do to make a difference, defying stereotypes based on the color of her skin and her age, at every turn.

Havana sees the potential in herself and in her peers. She said it best at a recent event where she spoke "Every single girl in this room is a warrior. And every girl here can change the world."

Here's to Havana, here's to her mother Bethany, here's to our humanity.

Read Here

Reflection on the Mother's Quest Podcast Milestone

It's a big milestone for the Mother's Quest Podcast 20,000 downloads! Lessons from my father on seeking our fate. And join me in the first "Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life Pilot. Watch the video here.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Jen Simon
• Monisha Vasa
• Celia Ward-Wallace
• Vanessa Couto
• Desiree Adaway
• Rachel Steinman
• Katie Hanus
• Denise Barreto
• Sage B. Hobbs
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella
• Collette Flanagan
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko
• Suzanne Brown
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach
• Katharine Earhart
• Jessica Kupferman
• Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs
• Erin Kendall
• Niko Osoteo
• Erik Newton
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm honored to share with you this episode with Renegade Mothering's, Janelle Hanchett, mom to four ranging in age from 4 to 16, and author of the new memoir "I'm Just Happy to Be Here." I reached out to Janelle after reading her raw and honest blog post about raising teenagers. In my experience raising my own teenage son, I saw myself in Janelle's words, and shared her post with every friend I know parenting teenagers.

I've since become a fan of Janelle's wildly popular blog. She started Renegade Mothering in 2011, when after reunifying with her husband and children after years battling addiction, she settled into sobriety, suddenly "woke up" amid the daily life of working and raising her children, and felt overwhelmed by the feeling of erasure in motherhood.

To determine if the rest of the mothering world was crazy or she was, she started writing after her kids went to bed and invited readers to join her. Writing irreverently about the humorous and darker sides of motherhood, and eventually sharing her own recovery from alcoholism, she attracted an audience of hundreds of thousands of readers, and in May 2018 published her first book, the powerful memoir "I'm Just Happy to Be Here."

The theme of being honest and real, owning our truths, seeing ourselves and therefore being able to truly see our children runs through this powerful conversation and carries forward into the challenge that Janelle gives us. She invites us to create space to reflect on, name, and be honest with ourselves about the parts of motherhood that we just don't like. I added to her challenge that I would create a gathering with local moms this summer and give ourselves permission to name and also share these truths with one another. Photo and update on how that goes to come.

I hope you'll say "yes" to claiming space for yourself, owning your truths, finding connection by doing this with others, and that you'll share your photos and your experience with us.

I loved this conversation with Janelle, but admit that after finishing her book last night, I have so many more questions for her. She's agreed to do a follow-up video conversation, that you're invited to, in the month of August. So, I encourage you to order Janelle's book, "I'm Just Happy to Be Here," read it, join the Mother's Quest group so you'll get notified when our conversation is scheduled and come with your questions.

Looking forward to claiming space, uncovering and owning more of our truths together.

 

This episode dedicated by Jen Simon, Writer and Mom:

Jen's biggest secret went viral — although she was a mom, she was addicted to prescriptions pills. After her explosive Washington Post essay, she has been contacted by hundreds of women all saying the same thing: this was my story too. Jen has written about her addiction for Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Babble, and The TODAY Show. She was recently a guest on The TODAY Show and also filmed a video for their website.

In addition to writing about addiction, Jen writes about motherhood, postpartum depression, relationships, pop culture, and feminism. She has contributed to Yahoo, Slate, Woman's Day, and more than two dozen other publications. Her essays have been featured in six anthologies."

www.jensimonwriter.com
Facebook @JenSimonWriter
Twitter @NoSleepInBklyn
Instagram @JenSimonWriter

 

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• How a blog post Janelle wrote on parenting a teenager led me to seek out more of her voice as a guide on my own motherhood journey.

• Janelle shares about her childhood being raised by her own renegade mother.

• We talk about her early years of marriage… parenting, studying, working, and sinking more deeply into alcoholism in the midst of the massive identity shift of motherhood.

• In sobriety, the awakening she experienced of being erased by motherhood, the need to claim space for herself, and how that led to the creation of her blog, Renegade Mothering.

• Janelle's quest to realize herself as a human constantly seeking truth and seeing how she can offer the world something of meaning

• Having children with a broad age difference and how Janelle engages her children through the little in-between moments.

• How Janelle strives to "see" her children for who they uniquely are, remembering she can't save them, while also teaching them, and remembering that they are not the justification for her existence.

• Janelle shares the impact that her writing has had for her, her children, the mothers who read her blog, and families of those who have experienced addiction and recovery.

• Her passion for deconstructing patriarchy and the false expectations society has for mothers, letting go of guilt and shame and of being a sanctimonious mother

• How Janelle invests in herself, her writing, her spirituality and all the connections that help her stay sober

• The strong and powerful friendships in her life and a special group of friends that participate in a weekly rotating dinner practice

• Our realization that our children really are watching us. They are aware of and shaped by us more than we think.

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• www.renegademothering.com, Janelle's Blog – Renegade Mothering

• "I'm Just Happy to Be Here": A Memoir of Renegade Mothering

• Connect with Janelle on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

• A Quote by Margaret Atwood "I am not your justification for existence"

• Jena Schwarz and her 11's Writing Group where I delved into naming truths of my own on a daily basis in a powerful writing experience
• Langhorne Slim – the singer whose approach to writing music that reaches his listeners mirrors what Janelle hopes to do with her writing

 

Blog posts mentioned in this episode:

• Ep 41: Reclaiming Ourselves in Motherhood ~A Mother's Day Special~ with Graeme Seabrook

• "Mama, why aren't you in the PTA?" – Janelle's blog post from the Renegade Mothering website

• Why aren't we talking about parenting teenagers? I'm lost AF.

• "Mama, did you leave me on accident?" – The blog post about Janelle's son saying "Mama home!" when she needed to leave for her writing

• Mother's Quest Tales of our Humanity #1 of 52 – Janelle's recent post about her daughter Ava became the first of the series of 52, "Mother's Quest Tales of our Humanity"

 

This Week's Challenge:

Janelle challenges us to create a space to reflect on, name, and be honest with ourselves about the parts of motherhood that we just don't like and that we want to say no to. I added to her challenge that I would create a gathering with local moms this summer and give ourselves permission to name and also share these truths with one another. Photo and update on how that goes to come. You're invited to do the same and share your photos and truths in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group.

 

Announcements: Join the Mother's Quest Community

As I finished Janelle's book, book with tears in my eyes, I was struck by the power of owning our truths, seeing ourselves in our whole humanity, the good and the bad, and the connection that's possible when we share those truths with one another.

I resonated with a particular passage in her book where she writes about finding her voice and her Renegade Mothering community. She says "When I found my voice, I didn't find answers–I found a purpose for every moment I had lived. I found power in every blackened room in my mind, every fear, every sad parent, every futile word and nightmare memory. Because it led me to you, to the place where we are the same, to the place where words draw a line from my bones to yours, and you look at me and say, "I know," and I look back at you, thinking "Well I'll be damned. I guess we've been here together all along."

That's how I feel about finding my voice through this podcast, about owning the questions I get to explore here with truth-seekers like Janelle, and in realizing, when you listen and engage with me, that we're not alone in our pursuit.

If you haven't yet and want to join the deeper conversation and the community, reach out to me at julie@mothersquest.com or follow the links in the show notes to join our free facebook group. If you're already a member, invite a friend to join us. In the group, stay tuned for an announcement about a special live and interactive conversation with Janelle. Together, I look forward to exploring more questions, seeking more truth, and making more connections.

Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life

Join me for the first "Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life" Pilot! Four consecutive weeks of one-on-one coaching using a signature process I've been facilitating in my circles this spring 

I'm looking for no more than FOUR clients to experience an intensive, one-one-one, four-week coaching process in the month of June. Could this be you?

Do you feel like you're on the threshold of a powerful shift in your life?

Are you ready to spark new perspectives, new ways of being, and some E.P.I.C. action of your own?

Have you wanted to participate in the Mother's Quest Circle but the timing wasn't right or you prefer to work one-on-one?

We've been having an amazing experience in the Mother's Quest Virtual Circle and I want to bring the same practices and flow to work one-on-one in a more focused period of time…over one month instead of three.

Interested? I'd love to schedule a time to check-in about what's happening in your life and how this could support you.

Sign up for a discovery session at this link or message me some times that could work for you if you don't see something that fits your schedule. https://mothersquest.as.me/discoverysession

I'd like to identify the four individuals this week, get scheduled and start next week!

Mother's Quest Tales of our Humanity #1 of 52

Janelle's recent post about her daughter Ava became the first of the series of 52, "Mother's Quest Tales of our Humanity"

 

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Jen Simon
• Monisha Vasa
• Celia Ward-Wallace
• Vanessa Couto
• Desiree Adaway
• Rachel Steinman
• Katie Hanus
• Denise Barreto
• Sage B. Hobbs
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella
• Collette Flanagan
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko
• Suzanne Brown
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach
• Katharine Earhart
• Jessica Kupferman
• Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs
• Erin Kendall
• Niko Osoteo
• Erik Newton
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• The Sustainable Living Podcast

 

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm honored to bring you this Episode #45 of the Mother's Quest Podcast, a conversation I shared first a little over a year ago, when my own son Ryan marked a big milestone in his life, his 13th birthday and the approach of his bar mitzvah.

Recently, Ryan crossed another threshold, his middle school graduation, and in the weeks before this new milestone, he wrote a speech to capture the experiences and lessons learned from a challenging spring semester. 

Though Ryan didn't have the opportunity to address his class at graduation, I believe the messages of his speech, about moving from feelings of depression and isolation to curiosity and connection, could impact an even bigger audience through the power of podcasting.

So, I decided to bring you his speech, in his voice, followed by our original podcast conversation from a year ago. I'm thankful to Ryan for giving me permission to share his speech with this community and for the gift of the conversation we had on the podcast a year ago.

I hope the common themes and the honest messages from last year to now, of overcoming challenges, building trust, finding connection, and not letting fear stop you from living a YOLO life, reach all who need it.

This episode dedicated by Monisha Vasa:

This Milestone Reflections Revisited Episode also warranted, in my mind, a new dedication, from someone with a unique perspective on the topics Ryan explores. I found who I was looking for in Monisha Vasa, a psychiatrist, mother, and writer who dedicated the episode to her courageous patients.

Learn more about Monisha's work at www.monishavasa.com and www.mindful-healing.com.

YOLO (You Only Live Once) and other Milestone Reflections with Ryan Neale Original Episode Show Notes

As Ryan approached his bar mitzvah, a year ago in April 2017, becoming a "Jewish adult" and entering his teens, we decided we would spend his thirteenth birthday together, going on a "milestone hike" 'and then recording an episode of the podcast at a recording studio in San Francisco.

It was a magical day of reflection, revelations for both of us, and a lot of laughter. I'm honored to bring highlights of all of that to you through this episode.

You'll hear Ryan share eloquently and honestly about his appreciation for the support that helped him conquer his developmental delays, how his own fears manifest in his life today, and how, in his next chapter, he wants to trust more and move through his fear. Because, he says, he wants to live with a YOLO (You Only Live Once) mindset.

Ryan reflects on snapshot moments from his life, about his deep love for his younger brother, his experience finding a group of friends and a school program where he could thrive, receiving the academic achievement award, and the moments he hopes he'll be able to look back on with pride at the next milestone.

Ryan also gets a turn to ask me his own questions and give me feedback. I had an opportunity to share the biggest lesson my mother gave me, to always appreciate every stage of life you're in when you're in it, and acknowledge what I wish I could change about myself.  

I also heard Ryan reflect back that in being "a little selfish" in creating Mother's Quest I've given him so much more than if I only focused on my children.

There's a game we play with Erik Newton (whose studio we recorded in) as our game show host, a lot of laughter and some comical out-takes that you'll want to stick around for at the very end.

I felt so blessed to create this experience with Ryan and to share it with you. I take with me the importance of marking these rites of passage thoughtfully with our children, what a privilege it is to be witness to the development of another human being as a mother, a reminder of how powerfully our children see and know us and help us grow, and what fun it can be to create new experiences together.

Ryan and I will never forget how we spent his thirteenth birthday together. We hope you'll leave this episode inspired to mark a milestone in your life, with your children, and make some life-long memories of your own.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Our meaningful and magical milestone hike through Laurelwood Park

• How you cannot see yourself fully through the mirror but can through your loved ones

• Life happens fast, appreciate every aspect of your life as you're in it because before you know it you'll be on to the next

• Take life in small steps and the snapshot moments that Ryan most remembers from his 13 years

• Ryan's love for his brother Jacob and what Ryan said the day Jacob was born

• The impact living my E.P.I.C. life has had on Ryan

• How things that are scary can at the same time be beautiful and Ryan's commitment not to let his fears stop him from living his YOLO (You Only Live Once) life

• The pact Ryan and I made to help us with our biggest area of growth, our management of time

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Headstart, a special program for preschool aged children from low-income communities that provides access to early childhood education

• The GATE Program (Gifted And Talented Education Program) national links and background information. Ryan participates in our local school district's program.

• Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

• "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." – Wayne Gretzky

• Erik Newton, The Together Show

• Sports Illustrated Kid Reporter, a unique program Ryan has applied to which gives selected children ages 10 – 14 an opportunity to write and broadcast about sports

• UCLA Bruin Woods where I was a counselor in college and where we all go to "camp" each summer as a family

Announcements:

Milestone Rite of Passage Coaching Session

The focus of today's episode is about honoring the milestones in our lives. I've learned that when we're moving through these periods of transition, it can be so powerful to slow down and reflect on our experience. If you're on the verge of a new chapter and would like coaching to cross the threshold thoughtfully, email me at julie@mothersquest.com to find out more about my Milestone Rite of Passage Coaching Session. I'd love to help you gather your lessons learned and clarify your vision for what's ahead.

Click here to book a Strategy Session

Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life

Join me for the first "Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life" Pilot! Four consecutive weeks of one-on-one coaching using a signature process I've been facilitating in my circles this spring 

I have space for three clients to experience an intensive, one-one-one, four-week coaching process this summer. Could this be you?

Do you feel like you're on the threshold of a powerful shift in your life?

Are you ready to spark new perspectives, new ways of being, and some E.P.I.C. action of your own?

Have you wanted to participate in the Mother's Quest Circle but the timing wasn't right or you prefer to work one-on-one?

We've been having an amazing experience in the Mother's Quest Virtual Circle and I want to bring the same practices and flow to work one-on-one in a more focused period of time…over one month instead of three.

Interested? I'd love to schedule a time to check-in about what's happening in your life and how this could support you.

Sign up for a discovery session at this link or message me some times that could work for you if you don't see something that fits your schedule. https://mothersquest.as.me/discoverysession

One Minute Mom Manifesto

Launched on Mother's Day, my guest on the podcast, Graham Seabrook, and I invite you to create your own One Minute Mom Manifesto about what you want to claim or reclaim in your motherhood.

Use video, photos, poetry or any other form of your choice to express what matters most to you and share on social media using the hashtag#OneMinuteMomManifesto.

For more on the inspiration behind this idea, and why it's so important that we claim and reclaim our whole selves in motherhood, tune into our episode on the podcast, link in the comments and at mothersquest.com/ep41-graemeseabrook

The Podcast has Reached a Milestone

Help us reach our next milestone by forwarding along your favorite episode to a friend. Thank you for your support!

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

I'm excited to announce that the first founding Mother's Quest Virtual Circle has been filled. If you're interested in a future circle, and want to receive notice when the applications open again, please add your name to this wait list. julie@mothersquest.com

Click here to Apply

Help us Grow the Mother's Quest Community

If you're finding value from the Mother's Quest Podcast and would like to get more involved, please join us in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group, help us find more like-minded mothers on a quest by spreading the word and sharing your favorite episodes, and make a donation or apply to dedicate an episode. You can also share your story on the Mother's Quest Blog.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Monisha Vasa
• Celia Ward-Wallace
• Vanessa Couto
• Desiree Adaway
• Rachel Steinman
• Katie Hanus
• Denise Barreto 
• Sage B. Hobbs 
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella
• Collette Flanagan
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali 
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko 
• Suzanne Brown
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach 
• Katharine Earhart
• Jessica Kupferman
• Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs 
• Erin Kendall 
• Niko Osoteo 
• Erik Newton 
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm excited to share this second special episode this month of the Mother's Quest Podcast, in honor of Father's Day, with someone I've known and admired for over a decade through our connection at Alternatives in Action, California Assemblymember Rob Bonta.

This month of June has been a time to focus on the amazing fathers in our lives. It's also been primary election month in many communities. And when I thought about who I could interview who is both an amazing father and committed to a life of public service, Rob immediately came to mind.

When we pressed record on this interview, Rob had just been elected for a fourth term to the California State Assembly's 18th District, where he represents the cities of Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro and became, in 2012, the first Filipino American legislator in the 165-year history of California.

Prior to this, Rob utilized his law degree from Yale to serve as Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, and served as the Chair of the City of Alameda's Economic Development Commission and as board president for the Social Service Human Relations before becoming Vice Mayor of the City of Alameda, the position he held as he ran for the State Assembly.

We started our conversation reflecting on Rob's childhood and how his father, who stood with Dr. Martin Luther King in the Civil Rights Movement, and his mother, a long-time leader in the Filipino social justice movement, taught him to understand injustice and the importance of joining the struggle to empower vulnerable communities.

We reflect on some E.P.I.C. snapshot moments from Rob's childhood. Growing up in a trailer just a few hundred yards from César Chávez's home, Rob watched closely as his parents organized Filipino and Mexican American farm workers, infusing his formative years with first-hand experience of one of the greatest peaceful social, racial, and economic justice movements of all time.

Then, we delve into how the E.P.I.C. guideposts show up in Rob's life, how he makes space for each of his four children and allows them to step into leadership and activism on their own, his passionate and purposeful work and the causes he's championing as an Assemblyman, from early childhood education to affordable housing, the deep connection to his community that fulfills and restores him, and the family relationships that are everything to him, especially the one with his wife Mialisa, who he met in college and has been married to for 21 years. 

We also had the opportunity to talk about AB-931 and SB-1421, two bills aimed at reducing instances of police brutality and increasing police accountability. Moving through some discomfort I felt in the moment, I asked and Rob agreed to work toward getting these bills passed, to talk with the founders of Mothers Against Police Brutality for policy insight, and to explore bringing a powerful play called (M)others to Sacramento to shine light on the real stories of families who've lost loved ones to police violence.

At the end, Rob challenged me and all of us to hold him and other lawmakers accountable to the issues and causes that matter most to us. In a heart-wrenching week when our government has been separating children from their families at the border, Rob's message and call to action to hold our leaders accountable resonates deeply. I left the conversation with renewed commitment to do so, modeling engagement, not apathy, for my children and saying "yes" to creating my own family's legacy of activism and leadership.

This episode dedicated by:

Celia Ward-Wallace – an author, community leader, inspirational speaker and certified life coach in honor of her parents, social justice activists and leaders Eric Mann and Lian Hurst Mann.  Visit Celia's website athttp://celiawardwallace.com/.

You can also visit:

Celia's Father's Organization, The Labor Community Strategy Center:https://thestrategycenter.org/

The Organization's Radio Show, Voices From the Front Lines:http://voicesfromthefrontlines.com/

Reform LA Jails: http://reformlajails.com/, an Initiative under way that Celia and her parents are championing

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• The activist and public service seeds planted in Rob and his siblings from his parent's and Rob's E.P.I.C. snapshop childhood memories in the presence of César Chávez and organizing for Mexican American Farmworkers' rights.

• How Rob's parents fled the Philippines for the security of the family before the Martial Law era of Ferdinand Marcos

• The way that Rob and his wife, Mialisa, make time for each child and share with their kids what they love and care

• The many causes Rob is championing in his role as Assemblymember.

• Rob's position on the gravity of solving the problem of police violence in our country, an exploration of two new California bills aimed at reducing police violence, and the requests I made of Rob to go further in his commitment.

• How being in his home community restores and fulfills Rob and how his love of soccer, since the days that he served as captain of Yale's Soccer team,  continues to be a way that Rob invests in his own well-being.

• Rob and Mialisa's love story, how they continue staying together, and the extended family that supports them

• Rob's awareness that this interview provided an opportunity to "Get off of the dance floor and onto the balcony" to survey the big picture and reflect

• What Rob really thinks is the enemy of democracy and his challenge for all of us

This Week's Challenge:

Rob believes that the enemy of strong communities and Democracy is apathy. He challenges us to step up and hold him and our other leaders accountable, even through discomfort, to the issues and things that we value and are passionate about.

Resources:

• Official Website for Assemblymember Rob Bonta

• LitLab – the early childhood literacy organization founded by Rob's wife Mialisa Bonta

• Alternatives in Action – the organization where Rob served as President of the Board when I was the Director of Development

• EP43: A Love of Family and Pursuing our Fate – the other Father's Day special episode released this month with my father David Lieberman

• Mother's Against Police Brutality, whose founders Rob agreed to talk with

• EP33: Beyond the Trauma: Legacy, Compassion and Change with Mothers Against Police Brutality Co-Founder Sara Mokuria

• Bill Text for AB-931 Criminal procedure: use of force by peace officers.

• Bill Text SB-1421 Peace officers: release of records.

• Justice4Josiah the organization founded by activist Laurie Valdez, whose story was featured in the play The (M)Others about mothers who have lost loved ones to police violence.

Announcements: Join the Parenting ADHD Summit

Honored to be part of this amazing Summit that Penny Williams is organizing. You can hear from me (my session is called "How Moms Can Live a Life of Intention and Purpose"), Dr. Elisa Song, and over 30 other parenting experts.

Honestly, I think what you'll learn here will help you on your parenting journey regardless of whether you have a child who has ADHD or is "differently wired" in other ways.

Click here to join.

Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life

Join me for the first "Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life" Pilot! Four consecutive weeks of one-on-one coaching using a signature process I've been facilitating in my circles this spring 

I'm looking for no more than FOUR clients to experience an intensive, one-one-one, four-week coaching process in the month of June. Could this be you?

Do you feel like you're on the threshold of a powerful shift in your life?

Are you ready to spark new perspectives, new ways of being, and some E.P.I.C. action of your own?

Have you wanted to participate in the Mother's Quest Circle but the timing wasn't right or you prefer to work one-on-one?

We've been having an amazing experience in the Mother's Quest Virtual Circle and I want to bring the same practices and flow to work one-on-one in a more focused period of time…over one month instead of three.

Interested? I'd love to schedule a time to check-in about what's happening in your life and how this could support you.

Sign up for a discovery session at this link or message me some times that could work for you if you don't see something that fits your schedule. https://mothersquest.as.me/discoverysession

I'd like to identify the four individuals this week, get scheduled and start next week!

Launched on Mother's Day, my guest on the podcast, Graham Seabrook, and I invite you to create your own One Minute Mom Manifesto about what you want to claim or reclaim in your motherhood.

Use video, photos, poetry or any other form of your choice to express what matters most to you and share on social media using the hashtag#OneMinuteMomManifesto.

For more on the inspiration behind this idea, and why it's so important that we claim and reclaim our whole selves in motherhood, tune into our episode on the podcast, link in the comments and at mothersquest.com/ep41-graemeseabrook

The Podcast has Reached a Milestone

Help us reach our next milestone by forwarding along your favorite episode to a friend. Thank you for your support!

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

I'm excited to announce that the first founding Mother's Quest Virtual Circle has been filled. If you're interested in a future circle, and want to receive notice when the applications open again, please add your name to this wait list. Please email julie@mothersquest.com

Help us Grow the Mother's Quest Community

If you're finding value from the Mother's Quest Podcast and would like to get more involved, please join us in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group, help us find more like-minded mothers on a quest by spreading the word and sharing your favorite episodes, and make a donation or apply to dedicate an episode. You can also share your story on the Mother's Quest Blog.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Vanessa Couto
• Desiree Adaway
• Rachel Steinman
• Katie Hanus
• Denise Barreto
• Sage B. Hobbs
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella
• Collette Flanagan
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko
• Suzanne Brown
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach
• Katharine Earhart
• Jessica Kupferman
• Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs
• Erin Kendall
• Niko Osoteo
• Erik Newton
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

What an honor it is to bring you this episode with my own father as one of two I'm having with men on the podcast this month in honor of Father's Day.

Two things sparked my interest in having my father on the show now…first, a desire to feel more connected to my grandmother Molla, my father's mother, who passed away years before I was born from pancreatic cancer. I wanted to hear from my Dad about his experience of his mother, how she shaped him, and the ways he notices her spirit living on in us today.

Related to this, I recently went to a workshop to learn about uncovering our family ancestry and at that workshop they discussed the power of oral histories. My Dad is a storyteller and I wanted to use this amazing platform to capture his stories and life lessons, for me, for my children and the Mother's Quest Community.

The episode is an exploration of my father's E.P.I.C. life, how his mother's passion as a voice and elocution teacher shaped him into the powerful speaker and human being he is today, the moment he first saw my mom when she was just 11 years old, how he built a career and a family, and a love of golf to help him cope with the effects of Type 1 Diabetes. And, how he views love of family and the pursuit of fate as a theme that runs through it all.

This episode's dedication was shared by Vanessa Couto, an astrologist who considers fate and what's written "in the stars" for us as part of her exploration and practice. Vanessa honored her father Guido with this dedication and reflected on the ways that fate, legacy, and character help us live a life of purpose.

I loved reflecting on these same elements of my father's life in this conversation. I wasn't surprised that there were moments that made my Dad and I laugh and cry during along the way. But, I was surprised by the insights that emerged…about the ways in which my grandmother and my father's qualities live in me. I've known I'm much like my mother, but it wasn't until the end of this conversation that I realized that the "seeker" in me, the one who is always on a quest, comes from my father.

My Dad believes that fate play a role in all of our lives, but that we must actively pursue it to fully realize it. Our challenge this month is to reflect on the moments in our lives when we chose to pursue our fate and what happened as a result. Also, to notice and seize the new opportunities and possibilities that call us to take action today in our E.P.I.C. lives.

In honor of Father's Day, I'd like to add one more challenge that we didn't discuss in the interview but came to me as I wrote this introduction. Seek out the father or father figures in your life to ask them about and record the stories, lessons and insights they have to pass along to this and future generations.

I promise you'll learn something powerful about yourself and how to more fully live your E.P.I.C. life.

**Stick around till the end for some light and funny bloopers from the interview.

This episode dedicated by:

Vanessa Couto – Artist, Astrologer, and Teacher. Visit her website at www.vanessacouto.com and connect on Facebook 

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• My father's view on fate and how it has been a thread weaving through his whole E.P.I.C. life

• The ways my grandmother shaped my father and the thing she said to him that sealed his fate for a life he loved in California

• How fate brought my father and mother together, from his first site of her receiving a drama lesson from his mother, to summers as children and teens in a bungalow colony, to 50 plus years of marriage.

• Where the seeds for his playful nature and love for his children and grandchildren were planted early in his life

• How he pursued a career in a business he built, the people he met and helped along the way, and the importance of being a person of integrity

• The impact of Type 1 Diabetes and stress on his life and how his love of golf became his remedy

• Some funny stories of crazy things that happened to him, several involving the Wall Street Journal, and one that you may want to turn the volume down on if your children are listening with you.

• The favorite toasts passed down to him by his mother

This Week's Challenge:

There are three challenges this week:

• One from me, to look back on our lives, notice the moments when we chose to seek our fate, the impact that has had on us, and to share it with our family members
• One from my father to continue to seek out our fate, taking action on opportunities even when we're not certain what might come from it
• And one that emerged from my son Ryan, to share this episode with the fathers or father figures in your life, let them know how you appreciate them, and explore and record their stories and lessons learned.

Other Special Episodes with the People in My Life:

• Ep 40: Live the Movie Version of Your Life with Oscar®-Nominated Producer Rachel Winter, my childhood best friend
• Ep 34: Season Two Finale: The Power of Friendship and a 50 Year-Old Book Club with Fran Lieberman, my mother, and her friend Sandy Klasky
• Ep 18: YOLO (You Only Live Once) and other Milestone Reflectionswith my son Ryan Neale
• Ep 17: A Mindful Writer's Practice with family friend Danielle Dutton

Announcements: Join the Parenting ADHD Summit

Honored to be part of this amazing Summit that Penny Williams is organizing. You can hear from me (my session is called "How Moms Can Live a Life of Intention and Purpose"), Dr. Elisa Song, and over 30 other parenting experts.

Honestly, I think what you'll learn here will help you on your parenting journey regardless of whether you have a child who has ADHD or is "differently wired" in other ways.

Click here to join.

Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life

Join me for the first "Spark Your E.P.I.C. Life" Pilot! Four consecutive weeks of one-on-one coaching using a signature process I've been facilitating in my circles this spring 

I'm looking for no more than FOUR clients to experience an intensive, one-one-one, four-week coaching process in the month of June. Could this be you?

Do you feel like you're on the threshold of a powerful shift in your life?

Are you ready to spark new perspectives, new ways of being, and some E.P.I.C. action of your own?

Have you wanted to participate in the Mother's Quest Circle but the timing wasn't right or you prefer to work one-on-one?

We've been having an amazing experience in the Mother's Quest Virtual Circle and I want to bring the same practices and flow to work one-on-one in a more focused period of time…over one month instead of three.

Interested? I'd love to schedule a time to check-in about what's happening in your life and how this could support you.

Sign up for a discovery session at this link or message me some times that could work for you if you don't see something that fits your schedule. https://mothersquest.as.me/discoverysession

I'd like to identify the four individuals this week, get scheduled and start next week!

CreateYour One Minute Mom Manifesto

Launched on Mother's Day, my guest on the podcast, Graham Seabrook, and I invite you to create your own One Minute Mom Manifesto about what you want to claim or reclaim in your motherhood.

Use video, photos, poetry or any other form of your choice to express what matters most to you and share on social media using the hashtag#OneMinuteMomManifesto.

For more on the inspiration behind this idea, and why it's so important that we claim and reclaim our whole selves in motherhood, tune into our episode on the podcast, link in the comments and at mothersquest.com/ep41-graemeseabrook

The Podcast has Reached a Milestone

Help us reach our next milestone by forwarding along your favorite episode to a friend. Thank you for your support!

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

I'm excited to announce that the first founding Mother's Quest Virtual Circle has been filled. If you're interested in a future circle, and want to receive notice when the applications open again, please add your name to this wait list. Please email julie@mothersquest.com

Help us Grow the Mother's Quest Community

If you're finding value from the Mother's Quest Podcast and would like to get more involved, please join us in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group, help us find more like-minded mothers on a quest by spreading the word and sharing your favorite episodes, and make a donation or apply to dedicate an episode. You can also share your story on the Mother's Quest Blog.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Vanessa Couto
• Desiree Adaway
• Rachel Steinman
• Katie Hanus
• Denise Barreto
• Sage B. Hobbs
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella
• Collette Flanagan
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko
• Suzanne Brown
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach
• Katharine Earhart
• Jessica Kupferman
• Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs
• Erin Kendall
• Niko Osoteo
• Erik Newton
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm honored to share this Episode #42 of the Mother's Quest Podcast, a special conversation released in conjunction with ALS Awareness Month with Mary Huffman. Mary is a wonder woman unlike any I've ever met, who relishes life with exuberance, and shares her love with everyone in her midst, even when facing the greatest of challenges.

I've known Mary and her family, her husband Ted, and her two children Anna and Jonny, for the last eight years, where we've been sharing one week out of every summer at a paradise known to us as Bruin Woods, UCLA's alumni family camp in Lake Arrowhead, California.

But the last summer we came together, Mary arrived in a wheelchair, suffering from a mysterious set of symptoms which she later learned was a fast progressing form of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

ALS is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder which has currently left Mary almost bedbound 24/7 . This diagnosis has been devastating, as you can imagine. But through it all, Mary has focused on trying to stay positive, continuing her life goal of helping others, and making memories with her family and friends.

In our conversation, we explore all the ways in which Mary has lived with grace, positivity and optimism her whole life, and especially since her diagnosis, when instead of falling into despair, she has determined to "Stephen Hawking the crap outta this," cherish every moment, especially with her children, and find ways to live her legacy.

This conversation covers a lot of territory, including the inspiration of her mother, who taught her so much about helping people, a year abroad in Russia during the time of Gorbachev, becoming the first college graduate in her family and then continuing to Stanford's business school, and her entrepreneurial endeavors creating adult coloring books to reduce anxiety, something she has learned to conquer. She gives us a challenge to commit to coloring each night before we go to bed to reap mental health benefits and invited us to contribute to her Master List of Life Tricks.

And of course we talked about her family…especially her husband and children who she adores.

It was such a blessing to have this conversation with Mary during a time when she had full use of her voice. And, although we didn't know when we recorded that we would share it publicly on the podcast, we decided afterward that doing so could contribute to her legacy of helping others. And that, as you'll learn when you listen, means everything to Mary.

Mary has so many lessons to teach us.. I hope you'll leave this conversation, as I did, with a deep appreciation for living your E.P.I.C. life to the fullest, finding the ways that you can help others with a generous spirit, facing any challenge that life brings you with tenacity and optimism, and remembering as Mary and her son Jonny say that there is always rain before a rainbow.

I'm sending you and your family so much love Mary as we release this episode out into the world. I hope those of you listening will join me in sending positive thoughts and wishes.

This episode dedicated by:

Mary's friend, Marcella Klein Williams.

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• UCLA's Bruin Woods, the magical place where Mary and I, and our families, have spent the last eight summers and a favorite memory of mine of Mary there singing karaoke to her husband

• The fast-moving form of ALS Mary has, the inspiration she takes from Stephen Hawkings' legacy, and how she hopes the fast-moving version will become the curable one

• The video "There's Something About Mary" that her friends and family created for her and the custom "ALS Mom" and "Team Mary" T-shirts she and her supporters have had printed

• The inspiration of Mary's mother to help people and the many ways her mother and Mary have opened their homes and extended kindness to others

• Mary's approach to engaging with her children by spending time and listening to them, giving them permission to make mistakes, and helping them understand the ups and downs that come with life.

• Her adventurous life path, including becoming the first in her family to attend college, a year abroad in the then Soviet Union, graduate school in business at Stanford, and management consulting abroad.

• The ways Mary has built strong connections her whole life and a key piece of advice for how to handle criticism that has served her and her relationships well

• How stumbling on a coloring book of her mother's led her to co-create adult coloring books with a friend, and how coloring can have the same benefits as meditation

• Mary's experience battling anxiety and her strategy for defeating our "anxiety monster"

• How Mary got started creating "Mary's Tricks for Life", and the "Master List of Life Tricks" that we can all contribute to

• The E.P.I.C. snapshot moments that revolve around her children and why they mean so much

This Week's Challenge:

Mary challenges us to:

1. Try coloring 15 minutes each night before going to sleep. Check out the special coloring pages that Mary has created if you don't already have your own favorites.

2. Tale a look at the list of life tricks at Mary's website and send in your own so she can add it to the Master List of Life Tricks. This List is part of Mary's legacy, one way to help others now and in the future.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Learn more about Mary from her blog, Ted and Mary and watch the video we mention (linked at the bottom of the page) "There's Something About Mary"

• Mary's adult coloring books available at Amazon.

• The Coloring Book Zone where you can find Mary's and other great coloring books. Use the code MOMISGREAT to get 30% Off.

• The Master List of Life Tricks

• You can help Mary with her ALS medical expenses at her gofundmepage.

• UCLA's Bruin Woods where I met Mary and I have spent one week out of every summer together with our families for the last eight years

Announcements:

Launched on Mother's Day, my guest on the podcast, Graham Seabrook, and I invite you to create your own One Minute Mom Manifesto about what you want to claim or reclaim in your motherhood.

Use video, photos, poetry or any other form of your choice to express what matters most to you and share on social media using the hashtag#OneMinuteMomManifesto.

For more on the inspiration behind this idea, and why it's so important that we claim and reclaim our whole selves in motherhood, tune into our episode on the podcast, link in the comments and at mothersquest.com/ep41-graemeseabrook

The Podcast is Reaching a Milestone

We almost have 20,000 Downloads!!!

Pay the inspiration forward 
Share the mothersquest.com/podcast with a friend!

Spring into Your E.P.I.C. Life Clarity Coaching Package

Spring is an amazing time to more fully seed the E.P.I.C. Guideposts in your life. I'm opening a limited number of one-on-one coaching spaces for a 90 day coaching package that includes bi-weekly hour-long coaching sessions where I will help you mindfully close the chapter of the last season, identify your vision for what's ahead, set strategic action steps for moving forward, and provide inspiration and accountability along the way. Email me at julie@mothersquest.com to set up a free discovery call and learn more.

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

I'm excited to announce that the first founding Mother's Quest Virtual Circle has been filled. If you're interested in a future circle, and want to receive notice when the applications open again, please add your name to this wait list at http://mothersquest.com/virtualcircleapplication/

Help us Grow the Mother's Quest Community

If you're finding value from the Mother's Quest Podcast and would like to get more involved, please join us in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group, help us find more like-minded mothers on a quest by spreading the word and sharing your favorite episodes, and make a donation or apply to dedicate an episode. You can also share your story on the Mother's Quest Blog.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

Desiree Adaway
Rachel Steinman
Katie Hanus
Denise Barreto
Sage B. Hobbs
Samantha Nolan-Smith
Jody Smith
Emily Cretella
Collette Flanagan
Titilayo Tinubu Ali
Carly Magnus Hurt
Lizzy Russinko
Suzanne Brown
Mara Berns Langer
Mallory Schlabach
Katharine Earhart
Jessica Kupferman
Jen Jenkins Dohner
Genese Harris
Tonya Rineer
Liane Louie-Badua
Cristin Downs
Erin Kendall
Niko Osoteo
Erik Newton
Claire Fry
Divya Silbermann
Rachel Winter
Caren and Debbie Lieberman
Cameron Miranda
Fran and David Lieberman
Debbie and Alan Goore
The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

I'm so honored to bring you this special Mother's Day edition of the Mother's Quest Podcast with Graeme Seabrook, a woman whose recent writing on reclaiming ourselves in motherhood through a Mother's Bill of Rights had me laughing, crying and cheering out loud. The moment I read it, I knew I wanted to have this conversation on the podcast.

Graeme is a Motherhood Life Coach, who bases her approach to coaching on the belief that you must be a priority in your own life in order to thrive. Following a traumatizing birth experience and postpartum depression, anxiety, and PTSD, Graeme began a healing journey as a mother and a woman. Believing that our global culture treats mothers as if we're inhuman and expects us to be superhuman, she helps mothers reclaim our humanity through her work as the founder of The Mom Center, a social and coaching network for mothers, and through her speaking and writing.

In our conversation, Graeme shared generously about her life-long quest to become a mother, the disillusionment she experienced in her first months of motherhood, and how she reached out for support to reclaim her life, something she now pays forward by creating and holding space for other mothers.

We discuss the ways that living an E.P.I.C. life resonates for her, the E.P.I.C. guideposts in her life, and how the floodgates for impact opened as she crystallized everything she's experienced and thought about into the "Mother's Bill of Rights" with Ten Articles which I think are revelatory: a mother's right to Personhood, Privacy, Space, Care, Voice, Respect, Name, Dreams, Desire, and Visibility.

In time for Mother's Day, I hope this conversation inspires you to examine your own truths and that you'll record and share with us what you uncover using the hashtag #OneMinuteMomManifesto. It's a co-created challenge, and a Mother's Day Gift to you, from me and Graeme…an invitation to you for nothing less than a reclamation of your whole SELF.

This episode dedicated by:

Desiree Adaway of the Adaway Group. Sign up for four weeks of reflection, discussion, and sisterhood through Desiree's upcoming Sister Summer – a 4-week writing intensive. And learn to become a force for freedom –for your liberation and the liberation of others through the Freedom School.

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• The experiences that shaped Graeme's childhood and conception of motherhood, including her observations of her own mother's experience parenting, the many times her family moved, and how her home and heart landed in Charleston.
• Graeme's honest retelling of the challenging early months of motherhood where she remembers holding her precious baby and feeling like there was a wall between them.
• The E.P.I.C. spark moment that came when she shared her story online, received an outpouring of messages from other mothers going through the same experiences of emotional pain, depression, and anxiety and realized she needed to do something about it.
• -Graeme's "true truths" and the concept from her current favorite author, Octavia Butler, about God. It's so powerful and a metaphor for the reciprocal relationship between parents and their children.
• Graeme's description of the Ten Articles in the Mother's Bill of Rights, how she champions and helps mothers reclaim themselves through this framework and the support she offers in her Mom Center.
• Graeme's E.P.I.C. Snapshot moment which revealed reflections on the legacy of our matriarchs, the mothers we claim for ourselves, and how we can become the ancestor we aspire to now.
• A description of our co-created #OneMinuteMomManifesto challenge.

This Week's Challenge:

A challenge co-created by me and Graeme in honor of Mother's Day to invite you to create your own one-minute manifesto about what you want to claim or reclaim in your motherhood. Use video, photos, poetry or any other form of your choice to express what matters most to you and share on social media using the hashtag #OneMinuteMomManifesto. Visitwww.facebook.com/MothersQuest for more information and inspiration. Help us reach our goal to inspire the creation of one million of these Mom Manifestos!

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Postpartum Support Charleston and their annual MomsRun
• Graeme's favorite books by Octavia Butler: Parable of the Sower andParable of the Talents
• You can visit Graeme's website, The Problem with Motherhood.
• You can also follow Graeme on Twitter, or view her profile on Linked In.
• Graeme's Mother's Bill of Rights
• The piece Graeme wrote about her ancestors
• Lauren Rosenfeld, the mentor/teacher Graeme mentions in her E.P.I.C. snapshot moment
• Episode 7: Living Out Loud with Jenjii Hysten
• Episode 27: Courageous Conversations about Race with Nicole Lee

Announcements:

Dedicate an Episode of the Mother's Quest Podcast

On this special Mother's Day edition of the podcast, I want to honor my own mother Fran Lieberman, my mother in law Anne Neale, and the matriarchal ancestors that came before us, both biological and those as my guest Graeme Seabrook says we claim for ourselves.

I invite you to take a moment in honor of Mother's Day to think about the mothers who have impacted you. And if there's someone special you'd like to dedicate an upcoming podcast episode to, send an email tojulie@mothersquest.com. I'd love to hear your story and share how you can tell it on the podcast.

Spring into Your E.P.I.C. Life Clarity Coaching Package

Spring is an amazing time to more fully seed the E.P.I.C. Guideposts in your life. I'm opening a limited number of one-on-one coaching spaces for a 90 day coaching package that includes bi-weekly hour-long coaching sessions where I will help you mindfully close the chapter of the last season, identify your vision for what's ahead, set strategic action steps for moving forward, and provide inspiration and accountability along the way. Email me at julie@mothersquest.com to set up a free discovery call and learn more.

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

I'm excited to announce that the first founding Mother's Quest Virtual Circle has been filled. If you're interested in a future circle, and want to receive notice when the applications open again, please add your name to this wait list. julie@mothersquest.com

Help us Grow the Mother's Quest Community

If you're finding value from the Mother's Quest Podcast and would like to get more involved, please join us in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group, help us find more like-minded mothers on a quest by spreading the word and sharing your favorite episodes, and make a donation or apply to dedicate an episode. You can also share your story on the Mother's Quest Blog.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Desiree Adaway
• Rachel Steinman
• Katie Hanus
• Denise Barreto
• Sage B. Hobbs
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella
• Collette Flanagan
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko
• Suzanne Brown
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach
• Katharine Earhart
• Jessica Kupferman
• Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs
• Erin Kendall
• Niko Osoteo
• Erik Newton
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Hello and welcome to this Episode #40 of the Mother's Quest Podcast with someone who's grown up alongside me as my friend since I was five years old, Rachel Winter.

The St Ends to my Be Fri in the Best Friends necklace charm we bought in elementary school, Rachel knows me better in some ways than I know myself. Most know her as the Oscar-nominated producer for the movie "Dallas Buyers Club," and the life and creative partner of Terence Winter, the Emmy-Award winning screenwriter for the HBO show Sopranos and the Oscar-nominated screenwriter for the movie Wolf of Wall Street. 

She's also a mom to two children, Max and Simone, a devoted daughter, a champion to her friends, and at her core, a storyteller, a quality expressed beautifully by Rachel Steinman, who presents this week's dedication.

In our conversation, Rachel and I explore the people and experiences that shaped her as a child, why she asked for a divorce when she realized she wasn't living authentically to her vision and how she has since stepped forward as the heroine of her journey in the movie version of her life.

We talk about her latest movie starring Rosario Dawson, Krystal, which took fifteen years to make. And how, because of how long it took to produce, it resulted in a deep friendship with William H. Macy, who directed and acted in the movie, and Felicity Huffman, Bill's real-life wife who also played his wife in this movie.

I appreciated Rachel's honesty as we delved into how the E.P.I.C. guideposts show up in her life, how she has learned to slow down and focus when she's with her children, the upcoming movie projects she's most excited about, how she takes care of herself with strong boundaries and a morning workout ritual after drop-off, and how she shows up for the people she loves in her life.

Rachel gave us all a challenge to seek out an out of the box movie experience, like Krystal, if its playing near us, and take a moment to look around, and even introduce ourselves to someone sitting near us, so that we realize we are all connected and that stories bring us together. 

I'm grateful that I get to live my life alongside my friend Rachel and that I had this time to delve deep into what it's really like for her to live the authentic, movie-version of her E.P.I.C. life. I hope you leave this episode inspired to create space for conversations like these with your closest friends, to find the important and out of the box stories you need to bring forward, and to fully realize the vision you have for your life.

This episode dedicated by:

Rachel Steinman for her mother Laurie Kallen Schwent

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• The people and experiences that shaped Rachel as a child: how she believes we are the next version of our own mothers, the impact of her father's work as a juvenile public defender, and the experience of seeing stories come alive at the Jewish Community Center.
• Her commitment to living an authentic life, how she realized she wasn't living the life she envisioned in her first marriage, and her steps to clear a path for who she was meant to be.
• What she experiences as a cycle of life and balance with our children, in which we pay forward our love and care for our children as our mothers did for us. And also why it's important for our children to see us and care for us while we're raising them.
• Her desire to have it all in her own way, why she writes everything down to see the juxtaposition of her life as a mom and her life as a movie producer, and the surprising day that brought her from picking up medicine at CVS to lunch with George Clooney.
• Rachel's experience of mindfulness with her children, which begins with slowing down and focusing, and how she's learned to come from a place of calm, especially with her daughter.
• Her passionate and purposeful desire to tell true stories that inform and also entertain and the ones she's in the process of creating now, from a movie about LeBron James to one she is co-creating with her husband about Evil Kenevil.
• The movie Krystal, 15 years in the making, how it does not fit easily in a box and how it challenges us to embrace things that are unexpected, to move beyond our fears, and to see that we are in this together.
• An E.P.I.C. Snapshot moment she'll never forget, stepping onto the Red Carpet at the Academy Awards, when she and Terry both arrived as nominees for their own work, on equal footing.

This Week's Challenge:

Go and see the movie Krystal if it's playing near you, or another out of the box movie. Be open to seeing something unexpected that isn't like anything else. While there, take a moment to look around, and even introduce yourself to someone sitting near you, and realize we are all in this together.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Rachel Winter's bio and filmography
• Watch the official trailer of Krystal
• Variety's article about Krystal and other films that showcase the underserved
• The Dallas Buyers Club Law in Colorado
• Meet Terry and Rachel Winter, Oscar Season's Power Couple
• A Conversation with Rachel Winter on Tablet
• The Oprah & Deepak Meditation Experience
• Episode 36: From Fear to Flow with Karly Nimmo

Announcements:

Spring into Your E.P.I.C. Life Clarity Coaching Package

Spring is an amazing time to more fully seed the E.P.I.C. Guideposts in your life. I'm opening a limited number of one-on-one coaching spaces for a 90 day coaching package that includes bi-weekly hour-long coaching sessions where I will help you mindfully close the chapter of the last season, identify your vision for what's ahead, set strategic action steps for moving forward, and provide inspiration and accountability along the way. Email me at julie@mothersquest.com to set up a free discovery call and learn more.

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

I'm excited to announce that the first founding Mother's Quest Virtual Circle has been filled. If you're interested in a future circle, and want to receive notice when the applications open again, please add your name to this wait list. julie@mothersquest.com

Help us Grow the Mother's Quest Community

If you're finding value from the Mother's Quest Podcast and would like to get more involved, please join us in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group, help us find more like-minded mothers on a quest by spreading the word and sharing your favorite episodes, and make a donation or apply to dedicate an episode. You can also share your story on the Mother's Quest Blog.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Rachel Steinman
• Katie Hanus
• Denise Barreto
• Sage B. Hobbs
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella
• Collette Flanagan
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko
• Suzanne Brown
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach
• Katharine Earhart
• Jessica Kupferman
• Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs
• Erin Kendall
• Niko Osoteo
• Erik Newton
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

I'm excited to share this Episode #39 of the Mother's Quest Podcast with a special guest who I seemed destined to know, and who I'll have the pleasure of meeting in person when we both speak at the upcoming Gaia Women Lead Conference in May, Alethea Cheng Fitzpatrick. 

The immigrant daughter of immigrant parents from Hong Kong, Alethea was born in London and grew up in a predominantly white community in the south of England. Today, she lives in Brooklyn, where she moved after university, with her husband and her two boys, currently aged 9 and 6.

An Advanced Certified Coach with the Gaia Project for Women's Leadership and a Myers Briggs Certified Practitioner, Alethea is also the founder of Photosanity, where she helps parents find presence, joy and connection through photographing their kids. She has a background in architecture, with a BArch from Pratt Institute, and almost 20 years of experience as a licensed architect in NYC.

Alethea is a multi-passionate person who has arrived at a point in her life where all the parts of herself and her path weave together in unique ways. In this episode, Alethea and I explore the many ways that she finds presence in her life. We discuss how the current political landscape has caused uncomfortable but important personal growth in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion in both of us, how motherhood can turboboost our connection to ourselves and how we can use photography as a tool to bring mindfulness with our children and grace to ourselves as mothers. 

We also discuss what she's discovering about how the Myers Briggs personality assessment, in women's leadership and in parenthood, identifies our preferences and helps us make choices that energize rather than drain us. 

Finally, Alethea gives us all a challenge to reflect on our own "zone of genius" and will come back into the Mother's Quest Facebook group on April 24th for a live conversation to help us make sense of what we learn. Make sure to join the Mother's Quest Facebook Group to receive your invitation to that event.

I was so energized by this conversation with Alethea. I hope you, like me, come away from this conversation excited and inspired to look at how the threads of your own life weave together, what your personality preferences are, and how you can become more fully present and in your zone of genius for a more E.P.I.C. life.

This episode dedicated by:

Katie Hanus for her grandmother, Marion Walden Cowan.

Katie's Blog, The Nature Wheel

Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• How Alethea and I came to know one another through our mutual quest for activism after Trump was elected

• Who packs school lunches for Alethea's children and how that may have been shaped by her growing up in a household with non-stereotypical gender roles

• What it was like growing up as an Asian immigrant in a predominantly white community of England and how that impacts her today

• How becoming a mother can turboboost you into becoming your true self and what Alethea wishes she could tell every new mother

• Alethea's path to finding Myers Briggs as a tool for understanding the natural preferences in herself, her children, and her clients and the ways it might support you

• Capturing a moment through photography as a vehicle for deep connection and tool to bring even greater presence to our lives

• Brave spaces that Alethea participates in to build dialogue and connection across differences

• Alethea's challenge to explore our "zone of genius" as a first step to understanding our personality preferences

This Week's Challenge:

Alethea urges us to think about where our Zone of Genius lies, as a powerful reflection to do prior to exploring preferences from the Myers Briggs Framework.

The Zone of Genius is a place where there is the most amount of impact with the least amount of effort. When you are in the Zone of Genius, things come with ease, synchronicity abounds, and you have many aha moments.

Observe throughout your day when you feel energized from doing something and take snapshots of those moments to gather data. Encourage your children to do the same. Review Alethea's article on this for more background and share your observations and photos in the Facebook Group. Then, join us for a live conversation and Q &A with Alethea in the Group on Tuesday, May 23rd.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• You can visit Alethea's website and follow her on Facebook andInstagram.

• For more about Diversity is an Asset, the course that Alethea and I both took together, visit their website.

• Learn more about Gaia Women Lead, the conference where Alethea and I will be speaking in early May. You can still register to join us!

• The Gaia Coach Certification Program that Alethea completed

• Photosanity, Alethea's mindful photography business for parents

• You can read more about the Myers Briggs framework here. And take an online test here.

• Get Organized Bk and Inclusive Conversations are the two groups where Alethea has been having brave conversations across differences

• Indicate your interest in learning more about an upcoming workshop Alethea is facilitating, based on the Scene on Radio "Seeing White" podcast series here

• For exploring the Zone of Genius, you can check out the book The Big Leap that Alethea recommended and the blog post Alethea wrote about The Zone of Genius here

• The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

• Karen Ward's My Curious Eyes Photo Challenge that Jacob and I have participated in for several seasons

• Ep 02: Unmasking Motherhood with Katherine WintschMotherhood Un-Masked: Mother's Day Thoughts on the Pictures We Don't Usually Share

Announcements:

Spring into Your E.P.I.C. Life Clarity Coaching Package

Spring is an amazing time to more fully seed the E.P.I.C. Guideposts in your life. I'm opening a limited number of one-on-one coaching spaces for a 90 day coaching package that includes bi-weekly hour-long coaching sessions where I will help you mindfully close the chapter of the last season, identify your vision for what's ahead, set strategic action steps for moving forward, and provide inspiration and accountability along the way. Email me atjulie@mothersquest.com to set up a free discovery call and learn more.

Mother's Quest E.P.I.C. Life Check-In Featuring Alethea Cheng Fitzpatrick – April 24th

Join us for a special edition of our E.P.I.C. Life Check-In with Alethea Cheng Fitzpatrick on Tuesday, April 24th from 11:30 am-1PM pm via Video on Zoom. 

We'll follow-up on Alethea's challenge to reflect on our "Zone of Genius" and learn about how Myers Briggs might support us to stay in that zone more often. We'll also build connections within the Mother's Quest community, reflect on how we feel along the E.P.I.C. Guideposts this week, and set an intention for the week.

Time for learning new concepts, introspection and community-building all packed into one hour and a half. Are you In? Join the Mother's Quest Community to RSVP and find the zoom link to join.www.mothersquest.com/community

Click HERE to Join

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

I'm excited to announce that the first founding Mother's Quest Virtual Circle has been filled. If you're interested in a future circle, and want to receive notice when the applications open again, please add your name to this wait list. julie@mothersquest.com

Help us Grow the Mother's Quest Community

If you're finding value from the Mother's Quest Podcast and would like to get more involved, please join us in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group, help us find more like-minded mothers on a quest by spreading the word and sharing your favorite episodes, and make a donation or apply to dedicate an episode. You can also share your story on the Mother's Quest Blog.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Katie Hanus
• Denise Barreto 
• Sage B. Hobbs 
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella
• Collette Flanagan
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali 
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko 
• Suzanne Brown
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach 
• Katharine Earhart
• Jessica Kupferman
• Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs 
• Erin Kendall 
• Niko Osoteo 
• Erik Newton 
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

I'm honored to share this Episode #38 of the Mother's Quest Podcast with someone who even my children were excited I was interviewing… best-selling, award-winning, children's recording artist Laurie Berkner.

Widely recognized as the uncrowned queen of children's music, Laurie's albums, released on her own label Two Tomatoes, have been best sellers beloved by children and adults alike.  Her debut DVD, which went quadruple platinum, was the first-ever indie children's music DVD to enter Billboard's Top Music Video chart at #1. Laurie's twelfth album, Laurie Berkner: the Dance Remixes, was released in September 2017.

A longtime fixture on TV's Nick Jr. and Sprout channels, Laurie's music videos now appear regularly on NBCUniversal's Universal Kids channel. And she's ventured into new creative endeavors, writing the music and lyrics for three Off-Broadway children's musicals produced by New York City Children's Theater and publishing a series of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, including Pillowland, which has become my son Jacob's story and song of choice at bedtime.

Laurie's music bridges a divide between parents and their children and invites connection, joy and meaning. In our conversation, I was compelled by the stories Laurie shared about families whose children have cancer and listen to her music for comfort in the hospital or whose children have autism and their first words were the names of Laurie's songs.

For her, bringing opportunities for connection and making space for creative expression is her true mission and has begun to take many forms. I was fascinated to learn about the unplanned path that brought her from preschool teacher to children's musician, and how the tenets that inform her music training program, to stop talking and "put it in the music," to let children express themselves in their own voice, and to follow children's rhythm and leadership are powerful metaphors for parenthood and life.

I loved every moment of this conversation, but especially the end, where Laurie recounted a recent E.P.I.C. snapshot moment with her own daughter and then closed us out with her guitar in hand singing my favorite song of hers, "Moon, Moon, Moon."

I felt so enriched by this conversation, and following Laurie's guidance, I'm committed to creating more space for emotion, connection, play and music with my children.

But, there's also something else. The day after I recorded this episode and had the honor of hearing Laurie sing about the moon, I took in the power of the Lunar Eclipse and the rare Blue Moon, sending an email to Laurie to note the synchronicity of it all. I was struck again to learn that as I release this episode, Dr. Roz, the woman beautifully honored in the dedication for this episode, would have celebrated her birthday this week, if she were still alive today.

So, I also leave this experience with renewed faith in ripple effects beyond what we first imagine and a reverence for following the rhythm in our lives, if we make the space to listen.

This episode dedicated by:

Denise W. Barreto, Relationships Matter Now, LLC
www.relationshipsmatternow.com
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Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• What I was doing when I stopped everything to find Laurie's contact information and invite her to come onto the podcast
• The influence Laurie's driven working mother had on instilling the belief that Laurie could create a meaningful career
• Laurie's true life mission which has nothing specifically to do with music or children
• The unplanned path that led Laurie to become a children's musician and the new forms that Laurie's creativity has taken her in recent years
• Laurie's music mentor, Ruth Alperson and how her advice shaped how Laurie engages children with music
• What happened in the preschool classroom that led to the creation of her first song, "We are the Dinosaurs"
• Laurie's key tenets for children's music like "Sing it Don't Say It," and "Singing in a Child's Voice," and how that informed a music training program she created to help children feel ownership and leadership
• How what we "create" are gifts to the world and the unexpected ripple effects that Laurie's music has had on families, especially families with children who are ill or have special needs
• The importance of following rhythm in many forms
• How the E.P.I.C. Guideposts show up in Laurie's life and how she is on a quest to bring more of the "I," investment in herself, through meditation, exercise and more.
• The importance of making space for connection with our children, managing our use of screens, and the very special family time Laurie has established with her family every night
• How Laurie's E.P.I.C. Snapshot moment with her own daughter reflected back everything Laurie has sought to create through her music for others

This Week's Challenge:

Make space for connection and music with your own children. Use music in your daily routine by turning an ordinary task with your child into a song.

Remember to:

• Sing it, don't say it
• Incorporate your children's own sense of internal rhythm into the music
• Bring in playfulness

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Dalcroze Eurhythmics – A music curriculum that involves movement
• Two Tomatoes Records – Laurie's record label
• The Music In Me – Laurie's teacher training program and signature music classes for children 12 months to 4 years
• We Are The Dinosaurs – One of the first songs made by Laurie
• Moon Moon Moon – Our favorite song, sung live in this episode
• Pillowland – My son Jacob's story and song of choice at bedtime
• The Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse – Images of the Blue Moon Lunar Eclipse, which synchronistically took place shortly after I recorded my episode with Laurie

Announcements:

Spring into Your E.P.I.C. Life Clarity Coaching Package

Spring is an amazing time to more fully seed the E.P.I.C. Guideposts in your life. I'm opening a limited number of one-on-one coaching spaces for a 90 day coaching package that includes bi-weekly hour-long coaching sessions where I will help you mindfully close the chapter of the last season, identify your vision for what's ahead, set strategic action steps for moving forward, and provide inspiration and accountability along the way. Email me at julie@mothersquest.com to set up a free discovery call and learn more.

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

I'm excited to announce that the first founding Mother's Quest Virtual Circle has been filled. If you're interested in a future circle, and want to receive notice when the applications open again, please add your name to this wait list. julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest E.P.I.C. Life Check-In

Would love to have you in our weekly E.P.I.C. Life Check-In on Tuesday, from 12N-1PM pm via Video on Zoom

We'll create connections within the Mother's Quest community, reflect on how we feel along the E.P.I.C. Guideposts this week, and set an intention for the week.

Time for personal introspection, group accountability and community-building all packed into one hour. Are you In? Join the Mother's Quest Community to RSVP and find the zoom link to join. www.mothersquest.com/community 

Click here to join!

Help us Grow the Mother's Quest Community

If you're finding value from the Mother's Quest Podcast and would like to get more involved, please join us in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group, help us find more like-minded mothers on a quest by spreading the word and sharing your favorite episodes, and make a donation or apply to dedicate an episode. You can also share your story on the Mother's Quest Blog.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Denise Barreto of Relationships Matter Now
• Sage B. Hobbs of Naked Communication 
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella of MotherHustle
• Collette Flanagan, founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali of Own Your Expertise
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko of This (Un)Scripted Life
• Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

This September 11, 2023, I had the honor of holding space for an intimate conversation with civil rights leader, lawyer, award-winning filmmaker, educator, and best-selling author of the book SEE NO STRANGER, Valarie Kaur.

The fact that we were recording on September 11th was meaningful, because the tragic event that had taken place 22 years ago shaped Valarie in profound ways and set her on a path that she never expected. Valarie became an activist after a man of the same Sikh faith, a father and family friend she called uncle, Balbir Singh Sodhi, was the first person murdered in hate violence in the aftermath of 9/11.

For two decades in his memory, Valarie led visionary campaigns to tell untold stories and change policy on issues ranging from hate crimes to solitary confinement to digital freedom. Along the way, she earned degrees at Stanford University, Harvard Divinity School, and Yale Law School.

Today, Valarie is the mother of two children and as you'll hear her share, the experience of becoming a mother inspired her to birth the Revolutionary Love Project, which supports communities with practical tools to transform the nation from inside out.

Revolutionary love, Valarie says, "is the choice to labor for others, for opponents, and for ourselves. Love is sweet labor — fierce, bloody, imperfect, life-giving, a choice we make. And it begins with wonder. You can look at anyone and say: You are a part of me I don't yet know. From there, we begin to transform the world around us, and inside us."

There is a lightness and hopefulness in the tone of our conversation that we wouldn't have in the same way if we recorded the conversation today. I'm grateful for it. Valarie thanked me at the end for giving her the deepest breath she had in a long time. During a time in our country and world, where so many seem to be disconnected from a sense of our common humanity and divisions between us are widening, I hope this conversation is a deep breath for you.

Because as Valarie says as she evokes the metaphor of a midwife in her famous Watch Night speech, linked in the show notes, we must first breathe and then we push. The mother asks "what if this darkness we face is not the darkness of the tomb, but the darkness of the womb?" Today we breathe and tomorrow we will labor in revolutionary love. 

 

About Valarie Kaur:

VALARIE KAUR is a renowned civil rights leader, lawyer, award-winning filmmaker, educator, innovator, author of the #1 LA Times Bestseller SEE NO STRANGER, and founder of the Revolutionary Love Project. Valarie burst into global consciousness when her 2016 Watch Night Service address went viral with 40 million views worldwide. Her question "Is this the darkness of the tomb – or the darkness of the womb?" reframes the historical moment and is now a mantra for people fighting for change.

Valarie became an activist when a Sikh father and family friend Balbir Singh Sodhi was the first person murdered in hate violence in the aftermath of 9/11. For two decades, in his memory, Valarie led visionary campaigns to tell untold stories and change policy on issues ranging from hate crimes to digital freedom. Her work ignited a national movement to reclaim love as a force for justice. In 2021, she led the People's Inauguration, inspiring millions of Americans to renew their role in building a healthy, multiracial democracy.

Today, the Revolutionary Love Project is seeding networked communities of practice across the country, equipping people with the practical tools to build beloved community and transform the nation from inside out. In the last two decades, Valarie has won policy change on multiple fronts – hate crimes, racial profiling, immigration detention, solitary confinement, Internet freedom, and more. She founded Groundswell Movement, Faithful Internet, and the Yale Visual Law Project to equip advocates at the intersection of spirituality, storytelling, and justice.

Valarie has been a regular TV commentator on MSNBC and contributor to CNN, NPR, PBS, the Hill, Huffington Post, and the Washington Post. She is a celebrated prophetic voice and has spoken widely, including at President Biden's Inaugural Prayer Service. Valarie earned degrees at Stanford University, Harvard Divinity School, and Yale Law School, and holds several honorary doctorates. In Fall 2022, President Biden honored Valarie at the White House in the first-ever Uniters Ceremony, naming her as one of 16 leaders whose work is healing America.

A daughter of Punjabi farmers, Valarie grew up on the farmlands of California, where her family has lived for more than a century. Her grandfather gave her Sikh wisdom through stories and songs that showed the way of the sant-sipahi, sage-warrior. The sage loves; the warrior fights — it is a path of revolutionary love.

 

Connect with Valarie:

• Website | valariekaur.com

• Facebook | www.facebook.com/valarie.kaur.page

• Instagram | @valariekaur

Resources from Valarie:

• Revolutionary Love Project Website 

• See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love

• Valarie's TED Talk: 3 Lessons of Revolutionary Love in a Time of Rage

• Valarie's Famous Watch Night Speech: Breathe and Push 

• The Revolutionary Love Training Course 

• 9/11 20th Anniversary Learning Hub

• Wise Woman Guided Inquiry 

 

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• Valarie's story about the birth of her son, with her mother by her side, and the lessons she learned about motherhood from that experience.

• Mothering as a verb and how mothering often feels like walking through a ring of fire. 

• The experiences that set Valarie on a path of activism after 9/11 and the surprising spark moment she learned from her grieving aunt. 

• How becoming a mother changed Valarie's orientation from activism fighting against hate to activism fighting for revolutionary love.

• Valarie's experience moving to the Rainforest to reflect on all she learned and write her book See No Stranger.  

• Revolutionary love as the call of our times.

• Valarie's epic snapshot moment nursing her daughter while she was at the White House being honored.

• The quote from Audrey Lorde that reminds Valarie to care for and invest in herself - "We can learn to mother ourselves." 

• The Wise Woman ritual Valarie experienced with two of her Sikh friends and the meditation she offers to help you tap into your inner Wise Woman. 

• The lullaby Valarie wrote and sang for her daughter that will become a children's book, "World of Wonder." 

 

This Episode's Challenge: 

Valarie says that the root of love is wonder and sings us a lullaby she wrote for her daughter about wonder. She encourages us to wonder about our partners, our children, our friendships, and beyond. Wondering about each other is a revolutionary process in a society that wants to shut down our ability to look at one another's faces and say "You are a part of me I don't yet now." It's so simple but it can change everything and help us birth a better world. 

 

Other Episodes Mentioned in this Conversation: 

• Good Life Project Podcast Interview of Valarie Kaur 

• Planting Seeds for Mother's Quest Episode 00  

 

About This Episode's Dedication By Shelly Tygielski:

This is the 100th episode of the Mother's Quest Podcast. It feels fitting to mark this occasion with a powerful conversation about Revolutionary Love with renowned civil rights leader Valarie Kaur. Valarie talks about Revolutionary Love as sweet labor and this podcast, since I launched it 7 years ago in 2016, has always been a labor of love.

So too has been my form of mission-aligned sponsorship, where rather than seeking corporate sponsors, I invite one mother to dedicate each episode and to make a contribution to support Mother's Quest.

In honor of this milestone, I invited Shelly Tygielski, founder of Pandemic of Love, and an Advisory Board Member of Global Empowerment Mission to dedicate. Instead of contributing to Mother's Quest, I made a contribution to the Global Empowerment Mission. I hope you'll join me in celebrating this 100th episode milestone by sharing this important conversation you're about to hear and by making a donation to the Global Empowerment Mission.

 

Shelly's Dedication:

I would like to dedicate this episode of the Mother's Quest podcast to all the mothers of young, innocent children who are caught in the crossfire of war. May these children grow up in a world that is free from hate and injustice. May they be free from suffering. May they have access to opportunities and never be devoid of hopes and dreams. As the founder of Pandemic of Love and an advisory board member of Global Empowerment Mission, we are currently providing aid to Israelis and to Palestinians. When people ask us to choose a side, we say we have. We are on the side of love. Or as Valerie Kaur says it is the best, revolutionary love. So to learn more about how you can support our efforts, please visit globalempowermentmission.org. 

 

Donate here: 

https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/mission/israel-hamas-war/

Connect with Shelly Tygielski:

• Website | shellytygielski.com ; pandemicoflove.com ; partnersinkindproductions.com

• Instagram | @mindfulskatergirl

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

As Mother's Quest approaches 100 episodes, we invite you to help us spread the word by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Help us reach 100 reviews to honor 100 episodes this Season Eight of the Mother's Quest Podcast!

You can also support the podcast by making a contribution or joining one of our memberships at our Patron Page on Ko-Fi.com. 

 

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest

Hello and welcome to this special episode of the Mother's Quest Podcast which I'm releasing just days before the March for our Lives. On March 24, 2018 the kids and families of March For Our Lives will take to the streets of Washington DC, and around the country, to demand that their lives and safety become a priority and that we end gun violence and mass shootings in our schools today.

To help light the way, I reached out to Gloria Pan, who currently serves as the National Campaign Director for Gun Safety for the grassroots advocacy organization MomsRising. A public interest advocate and Internet communications strategist, Gloria also leads the organization's member engagement, rapid response and mobile actions initiatives, as well as the #KeepMarching project. 

In our conversation, Gloria shares about her upbringing in an Asian-American immigrant family, the impact of her mother's experience working in the UN during the Women's Movement, and whether the idea of living an E.P.I.C. life is relevant for MomsRising mothers, many of whom are struggling to meet basic needs. We delve into the E.P.I.C. guideposts from the lens of gun safety advocacy, explore the ways in which we can broaden our lens to make that advocacy intersectional, and Gloria gives us specific actionable challenges to get involved and make a difference. 

One of the most impactful moments of the interview for me happened when we talked about the young people of Parkland, and Gloria shared her unwavering belief that those young people would use their privilege to shine a light on their peers who've been organizing for the Black Lives Matter Movement, for gun safety in their communities of color, disproportionately and daily impacted by gun violence.

The moment brought me to tears, because I really believed her…and sure enough in the days since that interview, those young people have been joining with students of color in Chicago and other urban areas, making their advocacy platform intersectional and building bridges where adults have failed to do so.

In a recent article, Cameron Kasky, one of the Parkland student leaders said "We have to represent those who unfortunately were ignored.This is not just about us. … When we're together marching, this is not going to be different races, different generations ― this is going to be a unified people standing together against those who are trying to ignore us."

I'll be standing for all of that on Saturday at the March for our Lives and as I move through the advocacy challenges thoughtfully shared by Gloria and MomsRising in the days afterward. I hope you'll join me.

This episode dedicated by:

Sage B. Hobbs, Author of Naked Communication and Host of the Naked Conversations Podcast. You can find out more about her work at:
www.sagebhobbs.com
Naked Conversations Podcast 
Facebook 
Instagram

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• The importance of modeling activism for our children 
• How the MomsRising members frequently attend rallies, hearings and meetings with law-makers and bring their children along
• An honest exploration of whether living an E.P.I.C. is culturally relevant for families working to meet their basic needs
• The power of using social media platforms as a tool for exploring issues with people of differing political opinions. 
• Our responsibility to step into activism to support communities under siege under this administration 
• Audrey Lorde's famous quote that "there is no such thing as a single issue struggle" and how MomsRising pursues an intersectional multi-issue advocacy agenda
• How the Parkland students, so "clear-eyed" as Gloria says, are galvanizing support for gun safety and using their privilege to shine a lot on the impact of gun violence in communities of color 
• The policy prescription for gun violence prevention in an intersectional way
• Gloria's E.P.I.C. snapshot moment where MomsRising galvanized mothers, through a storybook campaign, to successfully fight against an Open Carry Law in Florida that would have allowed people to carry guns at Disney World. 
• Gloria's challenge to our community to help MomsRising fight gun violence on three fronts

This Week's Challenge:

Become a MomsRising member and fight with them on three fronts:

1. Get FedEx to cut ties with the NRA – sign the petition here
2. Ban military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines – sign the petition here
3. Urge lawmakers to pledge to not take money from the NRA and reject their influence. You can also reach out to friends in other areas to ask them to ask out to their lawmakers

And participate in upcoming student-led events:

• March for our Lives on March 24th and document and share about your experience on social media to inspire others
• April 20th Anniversary of Columbine Student and Educator-Led Day of Action

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Follow #parkland on Twitter for the latest updates in the Parkland school shooting
• Read more about the Parkland students
• MomsRising
• Follow MomsRising on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• #KeepMarching
• MomsRising Reject NRA Money Pledge for your representatives in Congress to sign
• Tell FedEx: Stop Supporting the NRA
• Pantsuit Nation
• Read more about the Indivisible political group
• EP33: Beyond the Trauma: Legacy, Compassion and Change with Mothers Against Police Brutality Co-Founder Sara Mokuria, one of three Mother's Quest episodes recorded for the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative
• Article about the Parkland students speaking out in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement
• The young voices we aren't hearing in the gun-control debate article

Announcements: Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

I'm excited to announce that the first founding Mother's Quest Virtual Circle has been filled. If you're interested in a future circle, and want to receive notice when the applications open again, please add your name to this wait list. julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest E.P.I.C. Life Check-In

Would love to have you in our weekly E.P.I.C. Life Check-In on Tuesday, from 12N-1PM pm via Video on Zoom

We'll create connections within the Mother's Quest community, reflect on how we feel along the E.P.I.C. Guideposts this week, and set an intention for the week.

Time for personal introspection, group accountability and community-building all packed into one hour. Are you In? Join the Mother's Quest Community to RSVP and find the zoom link to join. www.mothersquest.com/community

Help us Grow the Mother's Quest Community

If you're finding value from the Mother's Quest Podcast and would like to get more involved, please join us in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group, help us find more like-minded mothers on a quest by spreading the word and sharing your favorite episodes, and make a donation or apply to dedicate an episode. You can also share your story on the Mother's Quest Blog.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Sage B. Hobbs
• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella of MotherHustle
• Collette Flanagan, founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali of Own Your Expertise
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko of This (Un)Scripted Life
• Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm honored and excited to bring you this Episode #36, the first of Season Three of the Mother's Quest Podcast. 

If you had a chance to tune into the bonus episode I released last week, "Sprouting Seeds for Mother's Quest," you know that today's episode marks what feels like a new chapter with the podcast and with what I call my E.P.I.C. Life.

Through that episode, I reflected on the growth that's happened in my life over the last year and also the places where I want to focus or deepen new learning.

One area where I want to grow is in conquering limiting beliefs, fear of failure, and over-analysis and instead step forward with more freedom, authenticity and in a place of flow. 

I couldn't ask for a better guide to kick-off the season with this mindset and to lead the way for all of us than Karly Nimmo. Karly is a No. 1 iTunes podcaster, with her two hit shows; Karlosophies and Keeping Good Company which she launched with her best friend Lisa Corduff. She's a serial entrepreneur, mad creator, born communicator and killer storyteller with a knack for getting you to look at life from a different perspective.

After finding herself hooked up to an ECG having a suspected heart attack, Karly took a good hard look at what was really important to her. And found it wasn't all the trimmings. It was really quite simple. She wanted to slow down. Spend time with family and friends. Do work that she really cares about. On the work front, she started to let things go. One by one. Until two things were left: Speak. Write. And, that's what you'll find her doing today. 

Another woman who powerfully speaks and writes, and whose episode on Karly's new podcast supported me in moving through some recent fear of speaking out myself, is Samantha Nolan-Smith. I knew I needed a special person to dedicate Karly's episode, I'm so grateful that Samantha said yes, and was deeply moved by her dedication to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers of Australia, and her words about the truth-telling she's experienced from Karly.

In this episode, Karly and I talk about the ways that she has come through for me, helping me find my own truths, first when I was moving through uncertainty in the launch of the podcast, and later when I learned I hadn't pressed record on an interview with Karly and Podcast Hall of Famer Elsie Escober. The resulting lesson from Karly on letting go, quantum psychics, and neural pathways thankfully was recorded (and you can download it if you'd like to listen) and it made that mistake priceless in what it helped me learn. 

Karly shares about her own E.P.I.C. life, how she got to where she is now, living in a state of authenticity doing what feels like her true purpose. And, she gives us two powerful challenges: the first to identify foundational commitments we can make to ourselves each day, and the second to explore how to go after doing our "best work" from a place of flow. I hope you leave this conversation, inspired as I did, to trust yourself and the mistakes that happen in your life, to bring you closer to the fullest expression of who you are and your authentic purpose.

This episode dedicated by:

Samantha Nolan-Smith, who supports women to be seen and heard in the world. You can find out more about her work at www.samanthanolansmith.com on Facebook or on Instagram.

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• How my big mistake on an interview with Karly and Elsie Escobar allowed me to reroute my neural pathways with Karly's guidance
• The perspective shift that happens when we believe things happen for a reason, even if it doesn't make sense at the time, and the idea that "nothing that is for you will go by you"
• Karly Nimmo's nurturing mother, and the impact her mother had, catering to Karly's father, on Karly's determination to do differently
• The struggle of not fulfilling the life you imagined – and how to pick yourself up from failure
• Being vulnerable and revealing a full spectrum of emotions
• Honoring yourself, how important it is to prioritize yourself, and the idea of five foundational commitments
• Karly's belief that our purpose is "being you" and her challenge to us to do our "best work" as the fullest expression of who we are

This Week's Challenge:

Karly gives us a two-fold challenge:

1. Identify and experiment with incorporating 5 Foundational Commitments to Yourself – these can be simple things, like making your bed, or having a daily cup of tea, that make you feel good each day.
2. Reflect on this question…"Are you doing your best work?" If the answer is yes, go ahead and celebrate your achievement. If not, do some self-exploration and find where you can express your fullest potential and go "all in."

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Check out Karly's deeply personal podcast and her free-flowing conversations on: Karlosophies
• Keeping Good Company – Karly's podcast with her best friend, Lisa Corduff
• You may follow Karly Nimmo in Facebook and Instagram
• She Podcasts, Ellie Escobar's Podcast
• Ep 25: Change the Conversation: Podcasting as a Tool for Transformation with Elsie Escobar, the podcast episode that was possible because of the "mistake" I made that became a blessing
• Ep 115: Finally I'm Almost An Overnight Success from Karlosophies
• Bonus Audio: Original Conversation on Mistakes, Trust, and Neural Pathways
• EP 9: Samantha Nolan-Smith – Being Truly Visible from the Keeping Good Company Podcast

Announcements: Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

I'm excited to announce that the first founding Mother's Quest Virtual Circle has been filled. If you're interested in a future circle, and want to receive notice when the applications open again, please add your name to this wait list. julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest E.P.I.C. Life Check-In

Would love to have you in our weekly E.P.I.C. Life Check-In on Tuesday, from 12N-1PM pm via Video on Zoom

We'll create connections within the Mother's Quest community, reflect on how we feel along the E.P.I.C. Guideposts this week, and set an intention for the week.

Time for personal introspection, group accountability and community-building all packed into one hour. Are you In? Let me know and I'll make sure to send you the zoom link. www.mothersquest.com/community

Help us Grow the Mother's Quest Community

If you're finding value from the Mother's Quest Podcast and would like to get more involved, please join us in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group, help us find more like-minded mothers on a quest by spreading the word and sharing your favorite episodes, and make a donation or apply to dedicate an episode. You can also share your story on the Mother's Quest Blog.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Samantha Nolan-Smith
• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella of MotherHustle
• Collette Flanagan, founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali of Own Your Expertise
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko of This (Un)Scripted Life
• Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

Hello and welcome to this special solocast, a chance for me to reflect on the first full year of living what I call my E.P.I.C. Life, the first year of the podcast, and what feels like the ending of a first chapter of this journey as I get ready to launch Season Three. After a long winter break, one my son Ryan especially encouraged me to take, I'm back and I'm so honored and excited for what's to come. 

Before recording this solocast, I was interviewed on Sage Hobbs' Naked Conversations Podcast. She asked me right out of the gate what courage means to me. I encourage you to tune into that conversation when it comes out for the full story on my answer, but in essence I said, "Courage to me is standing in my truth and power, even in the face of fear, for love." 

I love the quest I've been on. I love those of you who I've met along the journey. And I love this vision for Mother's Quest and all it stands for. So, I'm bravely recording again, with a commitment along the way to do my best to let go of perfection and share what feels true. 

Spring is Coming – And Season Three With It

I'm recording and bringing this episode to you in early March 2018, as seeds are sprouting and even some flowers have begun blooming and there is this sense of spring coming in the air. In many of my coaching circles that I've been facilitating, we've been using the metaphor of planting seeds as we've all set intentions for what we want to create in our life this spring. And I decided that I wanted to carry this metaphor of seeds and growth forward in this episode. 

It seems fitting and full circle because the first episode I ever recorded,episode 00, which was also a solocast, was called Planting Seeds for Mother's Quest. That episode captured all the moments, experiences and wishes I had as I set forward to build this vision for Mother's Quest. Since then, there has been so much growth, in myself, in my family, and in the Mother's Quest Community. 

I want to use this episode that I'm calling "Sprouting Seeds for Mother's Quest," to reflect on what's already taken visible form from those intentions I set over a year ago, some of the gifts I've taken from the women who have come onto the podcast to share their stories and words of wisdom, and also to share what I'm on a quest for now and therefore what you can expect in Season Three. 

This episode dedicated by:

Jody Smith, a like-minded mother on a quest who is getting ready to launch her own mission, a children's book that empowers girls.

E.P.I.C. Guideposts

In this episode, I explore just a few moments from the podcast across the guideposts that have impacted me most:

E –  Ways to be more mindfully engaged. I've made space for more "special time," adventure fridays and lots of reflective conversation in the car with my children. One of the things I've continued to appreciate the most is the way in which my children have shared with me and supported me. One that stands out is Jacob's "focus on our goodness" comment after Trump was elected which became the message on the sign at the first Women's March which I attended and his advice to me before I did my first live event interview. 
Selected Clip: And there was this moment, with my son Ryan, which I share on the podcast episode with Kristina Kuzmic.

Ep 11: "Flawed" with Truth Bomb Mom Kristina Kuzmic

P – Making a passionate and purposeful impact beyond my family. So much has changed with Mother's Quest as this vehicle I've developed. Since I launched the podcast, the MQ Community has grown to almost 500 members, I've launched my first Mother's Quest Circle, and I've taken on a dream client in the organization Emerging Women to facilitate circles for them. My podcast interview with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin helped me to develop more of what I call an activist muscle, led me to have an opportunity to interview her in person at her live event in the bay area and to be invited as a panelist for her upcoming Gaia Lead Conference. 
But the greatest impact I think has been my willingness to share about my experience along the way, bringing back reflections, challenges, and lessons learned with my family and community.
Selected Clip: This part of my conversation with Elizabeth summarized well this unique aspect of the heroine's journey. 

Ep 24: Intersectionality and the Age of the New Heroine with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin

I – Investing in myself. My conversation with Lindsay McCarthy about the Miracle Morning, and the 10 day challenge we then did in the facebook group, definitely expanded my morning practice, and an exploration of my own roots through a Jewish practice called Mussar with Edie Raphael Brotman built upon that. Danielle Dutton shined a light on the importance of meditation and taking time to yourself. My conversation with Nicole Lee was instrumental in helping me hold a growth mindset for myself and my children when it comes to courageous conversations about race. 
Selected Clip: This reminder about self-care that came forward in my conversation with Women's March organizer Paola Mendoza, about its importance as an act of political warfare and about building moments of self-care into your daily life, has also stayed with me. 

Ep 16: Rising Up with Paola Mendoza

C – Connecting to experiences of gratitude with the people in our lives and building relationships. Nancy Netherland's conversation touched me in so many ways, and has deepened my gratitude practice with my husband and my children. My conversation with Samantha Ettus helped me think about the importance of inviting people into my home and reaching out when I'm feeling the need for connection. As a result, I hosted my first ever Multicultural Yom Kippur Break the Fast and also hosted a tea and did an interview of my friend Chelsea Bonini who was running for City Council. 
Selected Clip: Finally, I really appreciated this moment on the podcast with Nicole Lee about building connections across differences and the importance of authentic relationships that are not transactional. I've come back to this again and again, and am honored to now count Nicole Lee as a friend. 

Ep 27: Courageous Conversations about Race with Nicole Lee

What I'm on a quest for now: 

Without a doubt, my E.P.I.C. life is still, as it should be, a work in progress. Some challenges I've made progress on and even feel a sense of completion about. Others I have taken some steps, but more work is ahead, need to circle back to them, and trust they will resurface or I'll make movement at just the right time. There are other goals and areas for learning that have come into sharper focus. Here are some things I'm most on a quest for and will be bringing guests on to help light the way for. Tune into the podcast for specifics on some of the guests who are already confirmed or on my wish list:

E – To honor my children. I want to continue to engage mindfully with my children and to more deeply understand who they are and how to support them to grow into their fullest expression of themselves. 

P –  Moving away from fear and resistance and into more ease and flow, especially in my work and continuing to grow my social justice lens and my activist muscle. 

I – Continuing to grow my skills in being mindful and present. I'm on a quest to cook and eat more healthy food for myself and my family, balancing my own use of screen-time, finding help in navigating changing hormones as I get older and improving my time management and organizational skills. 

C- Connection with my own ancestors, roots and rituals. Deepening friendships, networks of support during challenging times, and making time to nurture my relationship with my husband. 

Along with these intentions and directions for conversation and growth, I'm committed to two  particular things as I move forward into this next two chapter. 

1)The first is to remember that it's the journey and not the destination that is what it's really all about. 

2) The second is a commitment to live MY version of an E.P.I.C. life, not somebody's else's, and to continue digging into more and more what that really means for me. And also to support YOU in defining what that means for you. 

This Week's Challenge:

Read my post on how my meaning of the ultimate success has changed over the last year.  Grab your journal, think about what you might have defined as your E.P.I.C. life in the past and then identify what feels more real for you now. 

Answer these questions…

• What are you most on a quest for now? 
• What does YOUR version of an E.P.I.C. life, not someone else's, mean to YOU? 

Announcements: Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

Applications close this weekend for the first Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot. If you're on the threshold of something big in your life and you seek inspiration, coaching and community, this could be just what you need. 
 
Click http://mothersquest.com/virtualcircle/ to learn and apply. The group will start in March, and there are only a handful of spaces left, so apply today if you're interested. Questions? Email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest E.P.I.C. Life Check-In

Would love to have you in our weekly E.P.I.C. Life Check-In on Tuesday, from 12N-1PM pm via Video on Zoom

We'll create connections within the Mother's Quest community, reflect on how we feel along the E.P.I.C. Guideposts this week, and set an intention for the week.

Time for personal introspection, group accountability and community-building all packed into one hour. Are you In? Let me know and I'll make sure to send you the zoom link. www.mothersquest.com/community 

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Jody Smith
• Emily Cretella of MotherHustle
• Collette Flanagan, founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali of Own Your Expertise
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko of This (Un)Scripted Life
• Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contributionhttp://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/ 

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

It's a joy and honor to bring this final episode of Season Two, Episode #34, with my own mother Fran Lieberman and her dear friend Sandy Klasky, who are celebrating their book club's 50th anniversary.

I couldn't think of a more special way to close this season then reflecting with two women, who are mothers and grandmothers, on the lessons of their E.P.I.C. lives across decades, how they've passed on values of social justice to their children and grandchildren, the power of friendship, and of shared experiences, like reading books together, to build community.

In this episode, we talk about what shaped my mother and Sandy as they emerged from the stable years of the 1940's and 1950's into the tumultuous times of the 1960's and 1970's, the ways they sought to have impact beyond their family as women when there were fewer opportunities open to them, how they invested in their own interests and friendships while raising their children, and looking back now, the wisdom and advice they would offer to their younger selves.

The 50th anniversary of their book club, and how it's been an important constant in their lives, is a thread we weave throughout the episode and the challenge they offer us is to read books that they felt made a profound impact on them. They share the reason behind the success and longevity of their book club and friendship and also some snapshot moments from across the years that they will always remember.

Stay through to the end for a funny blooper reel capturing some behind the scenes moments of what it took to persevere through the challenges to record the podcast episode. It was a testament to the power of what's possible with today's technology and to holding a growth mindset no matter what your age.

I loved the perspective and inspiration that shines through this unique conversation on the podcast and I hope you will too. So, get comfortable, pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee, or maybe a glass of wine, and settle into the wisdom from these two life-long friends.

This episode dedicated by:

Emily Cretella of MotherHustle. Learn more at www.motherhustle.com

Topics discussed in this episode:

• My mother and Sandy's social justice roots, one forged as a student in New York where she was exposed to different cultures, religions, and races and one that grew from experiences of living in a segregated city of Detroit
• The trauma of the 1960's and 1970's, including the deaths of leaders like John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War, and how our country has risen before from tumultuous times
• The multigenerational influence Sandy and my mother have had on their children and grandchildren, especially as a result of sharing values and experiences around politics and social justice and how Sandy's daughter, Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, was featured in LA Magazine for her leadership as President and CEO of LA Family Housing.
• The story of how the book club got started with women who were focused on raising their children and sought connection and intellectual stimulation. Also, what has enabled the club to endure through so many years.
• The difference in the way they had to do research for their book club discussions in the past, going to the library and photocopying materials vs. now that we have the internet.
• Snapshot book club moments my mother and Sandy will always remember, like coming together on 9/11 and when their dear friend, and founder of the club, Judy Duroff passed away.
• How Sandy and I both identify with having had a mid-life Renaissance and the importance of following your heart to create your E.P.I.C. life.
• The advice Fran and Sandy would give to their younger selves.
• The books from their book club that made a lasting impact on them.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Ep 18: YOLO (You Only Live Once) and other Milestone Reflections with Ryan Neale

• Headstart

• LA Family Housing where Sandy's daughter Stephanie Klasky-Garner is President and CEO and the LA Magazine article where Stephanie was featured

• Junior Great Books from The Great Books Foundation

• Montecito Music Academy of the West

• A Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

• Room by Emma Donoghue

• The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

• Zoom – the technology we used to record our conversation

This Week's Challenge:

Read the books Room by Emma Donoghue and The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Announcements:

A Podcast Break Until February – Stay in Touch!

This episode marks the end of Season Two and the start of some time off from podcasting until Season Three begins in February. If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe and join the email list so you'll get updates when Season Three begins. And if you want to stay connected through the break, join the Mother's Quest Facebook group where I'll continue to share resources, favorite episodes from past seasons, and personal reflections.

Help Us Celebrate Mother's Quest's First Birthday

A year ago on December 1st, I launched the Mother's Quest Podcast as a birthday present to myself. It's hard to believe that another personal birthday and the first birthday of the podcast have arrived.

I'd love to celebrate by highlighting your stories and how the podcast or Mother's Quest Community has helped you to live your E.P.I.C. life. Go to mothersquest.com and use the speakpipe tool to leave me a 1-2 minute message for a chance to be featured in a special E.P.I.C. Guideposts Episode.

Everyone who submits will also be entered into a drawing for a free signature coaching session from me and some other prizes from other amazing moms in the Mother's Quest Community. Can't wait to hear your stories and celebrate with you.

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

You're a mindful mother. And being present for your children in these years when you're raising them is your highest priority. You're also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.

If the description above sounds like you, the Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot, may be right for you. Or, if you live in the S.F. Bay Area, you can participate in an in-person circle that starts on December 16th.

This signature offering provides inspiration, coaching and community to spark your E.P.I.C. life with intimate virtual reflective sessions over four months.

Click http://mothersquest.com/virtualcircle/ to learn and apply. The group will start as soon as I have a committed number of participants so don't delay if you're interested. Questions? Email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Visit the Website

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.comto explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Emily Cretella of MotherHustle
• Collette Flanagan, founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali of Own Your Expertise
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko of This (Un)Scripted Life
• Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contributionhttp://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

It's an honor and responsibility to share this Episode #33 of the Mother's Quest Podcast with Sara Mokuria, co-founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality. It's the third and final in a series I recorded as part of the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative and it comes to you with a call to action to get involved with this issue today. 

This episode was dedicated by Collette Flanagan, the founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality, who turned her grief from the loss of her son, Clinton Allen, into fuel for change. 

In her dedication, Collette reminded us of our common humanity as mothers and that an insult to one mother is an insult to all mothers. It is this knowing that caused me to record this series after I saw the heart-breaking video of Diamond Reynolds and her then four year old daughter after they witnessed the killing of Philando Castile. Philando was like a father to this little girl, was unarmed and was complying with the police officer's requests when he was shot.

Seeing the trauma and heartbreak endured by this four year old girl, who was the same age as my son when I saw this video, became a catalyst to face the epidemic of police brutality in our country, and to begin taking action, however imperfect. 

Much like Diamond Reynold's daughter, Sara also endured trauma and heartbreak when she watched her father get shot and killed by police at her home in Dallas when she was 10 years old. 

Fueled by her own experience, Sara joined Collette along with another co-founder, John Fullinwider, in creating Mother's Against Police Brutality, as a multi-racial, multi-ethnic coalition uniting mothers nationwide to fight for civil rights, police accountability and policy reform. 

Sara is a mom herself to a seven year old boy.  And, in addition to her work with Mothers Against Police Brutality, she's a sought after educator, community organizer, project manager, and facilitator, currently working as Associate Director for Leadership Initiatives with The Institute for Urban Policy Research at the University of Texas at Dallas. She has two masters degrees, has taught both high school and college at the University of Texas at Dallas and currently serves on the International Mechanism Coordinating Committee for the US Human Rights Network. 

She came to the conversation with an open heart she told me, and I felt her generosity and honesty throughout as she shared how police violence changed her life forever, discussed the trauma of being black in America, how the institution of policing and the prison industrial complex contributes to that trauma, and the ways in which an investment in Mothers Against Police Brutality can change policies and systems to reduce violence and create more accountability. 

As compelling was Sara's exploration of the vision she has for our future... of vibrant communities where we invest in our young people, lean into and value our differences, and where each of us taps into our own unique magic to get us there. 

We ended our conversation with a co-created prayer, a wish for ourselves as much as for all of you listening, to move into greater responsibility for this work from wherever we are, to have the courage to go to those difficult and painful places so we can create a freer future, and to take this moment right now to support this cause. 

I'm doing that today by making a financial contribution to Mothers Against Police Brutality and putting my resources with the mothers, like Sara and Collette, who are closest to the problem and who can see the solution. I hope you'll join me. 

Visit http://mothersagainstpolicebrutality.org/donate/ to make a donation and reference Mother's Quest or, if contributing on November 28th, Giving Tuesday, visit the Mother's Quest Facebook Page to contribute to the Giving Tuesday Campaign, where we have a  possibility of matching funds from the Gates Foundation.

This episode dedicated by:

Mothers Against Police Brutality founder Collette Flanagan, whose son, Clinton Allen, was shot and killed by the Dallas Police in March of 2013. 
 

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Sara's joyous childhood which changed forever when her father was killed by Dallas police officers when she was just 10 years old

• How Sara's mother was her fiercest advocate, even as her mother grappled with the deeply traumatic effects of her husband's killing and the lack of support as a crime victim.

• Disturbing facts about our current law enforcement policies, lack of accountability, the militarization of police, and budget allocations that favor the prison industrial complex over investments that would build a vibrant community

• The New Jim Crowe and the War on Drugs and how it has played out as a war on people of color

• White privilege and how to move from shame and guilt to responsibility and action

• How Sara teaches her son to understand injustice, the history we don't learn in our schools, and how tenderness, love and joy can be an act of resistance

• What happened when Sara met with the officer who killed her father years later and how that shifted her perspective about what the problem really is

• How women make up half of the world's population and how we birthed the other half, therefore we are the world. And, the power of mothers to chart the direction of our families and communities.

• The importance of finding your own unique magic to make a difference and why Sara keeps her heart open to welcome people to this cause when they come to it

• Our prayer and invitation to you the listener

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Women Podcasters in Solidarity

• Mothers Against Police Brutality

• The Movie 13th, directed by Ava Duvernay

• The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

• Drug Policy Alliance

• EP31: Brave Spaces and Solidarity with "Rad Women" Author Kate Schatz

• Ep 27: Courageous Conversations about Race with Nicole Lee

• Ep 07: Living Out Loud with Jenjii Hysten

• How the Irish Became White by Noel Ignatiev

• Dallas Woman Turns Tragedy Into Conversation About Race, an article where Sara talks about the system and not police officers being the problem

• Stride Toward Justice: 9 Steps to Change Policing in America - policy recommendations from Mothers Against Police Brutality

• The Movement for Black Lives

• Campaign Zero

This Week's Three-fold Challenge:

1. Have courageous conversation about these issues with your families during the holidays.

2. Get involved and informed about these issues locally. Become an advocate in your city.

3. Make a monetary contribution to support the mothers who are closest to the solution at Mothers Against Police Brutality.

Announcements:

Giving Tuesday
Visit http://mothersagainstpolicebrutality.org/donate/ to make a donation and reference Mother's Quest or, if contributing on November 28th, Giving Tuesday, visit the Mother's Quest Facebook Page to contribute to the Giving Tuesday Campaign, where there is a possibility of matching funds from the Gates Foundation.

Women Podcasters in Solidarity

I'm honored to have shared three episodes in this series of conversations for the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative. I created the Initiative to build awareness and raise dollars for Anti-Racism and the Movement for Black Lives.

Coming soon: visit www.womenpodcastersinsolidarity.com for the complete list of episodes created by other podcasters who pledged to the initiative.

Help Us Celebrate Mother's Quest's First Birthday

A year ago on December 1st, I launched the Mother's Quest Podcast as a birthday present to myself. It's hard to believe that another personal birthday and the first birthday of the podcast is almost here.

I'd love to celebrate by highlighting your stories and how the podcast or Mother's Quest Community has helped you to live your E.P.I.C. life. Go tomothersquest.com and use the speakpipe tool to leave me a 1-2 minute message for a chance to be featured in this season's finale.

Everyone who submits will also be entered into a drawing for a free signature coaching session from me and some other prizes from other amazing moms in the Mother's Quest Community. Can't wait to hear your stories and celebrate with you.

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

You're a mindful mother. And being present for your children in these years when you're raising them is your highest priority. You're also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.

If the description above sounds like you, the Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot, may be right for you.

This signature offering provides inspiration, coaching and community to spark your E.P.I.C. life with intimate virtual reflective sessions over 3-4 months.

Click http://mothersquest.com/virtualcircle/ to learn and apply. The group will start as soon as I have a committed number of participants so don't delay if you're interested. Questions? Email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Visit the Website

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.comto explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Collette Flanagan, founder of Mothers Against Police Brutality
• Titilayo Tinubu Ali of Own Your Expertise
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko of This (Un)Scripted Life
• Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

I'm honored to share this episode #32 of the podcast with Chandra Brooks, who has become a friend and a generous thought partner for me in recent months.

Chandra is a wife, mother of four, a grandmother, author, entrepreneur and the Northern California Staff Director for SEIU-United Service Workers West.  Born and raised in San Jose, CA, she's passionate about civil rights, social justice, and improving voter outcomes and civic engagement in communities of color.  

She's also an appointed commissioner for Santa Clara County's Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, Chair of the Justice and Advocacy Committee and elected Delegate for The California Democratic Party.

In 2017 Chandra launched The SocialPreneur, a purpose driven business that prepares potential candidates to run for political office and mentors women to own their power and leadership within their company, business, and/or community.

I reached out to Chandra because I wanted to talk with her the week that she released her new book, "Black, Brown & Political: Get Informed, Get Empowered and Change the Game" which provides easy to navigate tips and inspiration to help women of color get involved in local politics.

In this episode, we got to dive deep into the influences which drove Chandra to own her voice and reach her fullest potential. She shares how her mother led her by example to stand up for herself as a woman at a young age and how her uncle unknowingly sparked her to strive for greatness after he doubted her future success when she became pregnant as a teenager.  And, we uncover how Chandra's ambition, value for education, and commitment to political leadership helps her inspire generations today, from her 12 year old son to the women she mentors, to sit at the table and own their power. 

I didn't realize when I scheduled the interview with Chandra that we would be talking the day before the November 2017 elections. The conversation couldn't have come at a better time, and her challenge inspired me to go out and do another round of precinct walking with my 5 year old that afternoon. It was thrilling to wake up the next day to news that so many women of color, including one woman my son and I had supported the day before, had been elected.

Chandra, with her new book as a resource, is a powerful force to fuel this growing movement of women stepping into more leadership. I hope this conversation will inspire you, as it has me, to be part of this movement and to more fully own our power to make a difference.

This episode dedicated by:

• Titilayo Tinubu Ali of Own Your Expertise in honor of her mother, Dr. Gloria Bromell Tinubu

Topics discussed in this episode:

• How Chandra intended to release her book a year after the 2016 elections to encourage people to reflect on the decisions they made the year before and realize the importance of being politically involved
• Chandra's strong, opinionated, and independent mother and how she set an example for Chandra to not be subservient to men
• How Chandra intentionally teaches her children about social justice issues and about their heritage
• The lack of access Chandra witnessed to vocational training and education for women in a local prison, compared to the men, and how she's using her leverage as Commissioner to change that.
• What happened when Chandra's uncle told her "Your life is over, you might as well prepare to be on welfare" after she announced she was pregnant as a teenager.
• How Chandra's fascination and observation of people in leadership planted seeds for her becoming an entrepreneur
• The importance of seeking out mentors and coaches and not being afraid to reach out and ask for help
• Chandra's call to action for us to get more engaged in our local community politics

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Chandra Brook's Mother on a Quest Feature
• Chandra's purpose-driven company The SocialPreneur
• Women Podcasters in Solidarity
• Black, Brown & Political: Get Informed, Get Empowered and Change the Game!
• National School Board Association
• Commission on the Status of Women – the County of Santa Clara

This Week's Challenge:

Get involved as a leader in your local community.. Join a school board, commission, or neighborhood association. Use your influence and privilege to support communities in need and leaders of color.

Announcements:

A year ago on December 1st, I launched the Mother's Quest Podcast as a birthday present to myself. It's hard to believe that another personal birthday and the first birthday of the podcast is almost here.

I'd love to celebrate by highlighting your stories and how the podcast or Mother's Quest Community has helped you to live your E.P.I.C. life. Go to mothersquest.com and use the speakpipe tool to leave me a 1-2 minute message for a chance to be featured in this season's finale.

Everyone who submits will also be entered into a drawing for a free signature coaching session from me and some other prizes from other amazing moms in the Mother's Quest Community. Can't wait to hear your stories and celebrate with you.

Women Podcasters in Solidarity

I'm honored to have shared two episodes in a series of conversations for the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative. I created the Initiative to build awareness and raise dollars for Anti-Racism and the Movement for Black Lives. My plans for the Initiative culminate the last week of November, with a final episode and a personal contribution and invitation to you to support this cause financially on Giving Tuesday. If you want to make sure you stay informed, take a moment now to get connected, whether that's through subscribing to the podcast, joining the Mother's Quest Facebook Group or signing up for the email list at mothersquest.com. I look forward to sharing more.

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

You're a mindful mother. And being present for your children in these years when you're raising them is your highest priority. You're also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.

If the description above sounds like you, the Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot, may be right for you.  This signature offering provides inspiration, coaching and community to spark your E.P.I.C. life with intimate virtual reflective sessions over 3-4 months.

Click http://mothersquest.com/virtualcircle/ to learn and apply. The group will start as soon as I have a committed number of participants so don't delay if you're interested. Questions? Email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Visit the Website

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Sign up! – Free 30 minute Discovery Session

I'm rolling out my new coaching offerings and having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you've had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I'd love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action.

I've been there, I'm still on the journey myself, and I'd love to bring all I've learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email at julie@mothersquest.com if you're interested in learning more.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Titilayo Tinubu Ali of Own Your Expertise
• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko of This (Un)Scripted Life
• Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm honored to share this Episode #31 of the Mother's Quest Podcast with Kate Schatz, and the second I'm bringing to you this fall 2017 as part of the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative. 

Kate is an activist, educator, public speaker, and Bay Area-born-and-bred feminist mama. She's also a New York Times-bestselling author well known for Rad American Women A-Z and Rad Women Worldwide among others. And, she's the former Chair of the School of Literary Arts at Oakland School for the Arts, where she taught fiction, poetry, and journalism to 9th-12th graders for many years. 

Kate's also a fierce advocate for social justice who isn't afraid to use her gift for communication to speak out against racism. In ninth grade, she wrote her first letter to the editor calling out coded racism she recognized in questions parents directed to her during a parent info night. In college, she learned about the intersections of race, class and gender in her Women's Studies Courses at UC Santa Cruz. And in 2016, she co-founded and now organizes Solidarity Sundays, an intersectional nationwide network of feminist activist groups.

She also wasn't afraid to say "yes" to me when I asked if she'd step into brave space on the podcast to honestly explore her personal journey to solidarity and to break down concepts like white privilege, white guilt vs. responsibility, white fragility and centering, and how being an "ally" is not something we proclaim we are but ongoing action we take.

Because Kate is a mother, an author, and a teacher, she also gave me and those of you who say "yes" too, a challenge to read (with our children if they are older than 12) the young adult book "The Hate U Give," and to seek out podcasts, television shows, and other media with black voices for us to listen to and learn from. She shared her favorites which we link to in the show notes as a place to start.

Before we pressed record, Kate and I talked about the pros and cons of having conversations as white women about racism. We discussed that sometimes the labor and burden of explaining these concepts needs to rest on the shoulders of white women but that we also can't fall into the trap of having conversations only amongst ourselves.

The answer we came to is that there need to be more brave conversations, white women on our own, with women of color, and sometimes we as white women need not to talk at all, but to listen to women of color. I'm honored that other women podcasters have signed onto the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative to create more conversations on this subject and I'll share links to the full collection of those episodes in December. 

Until then, I hope my previous conversation with Nicole Lee, and this one with Kate Schatz, will help us realize that fighting against racism is our responsibility, that with a growth mindset we can step into brave spaces to do this work, and that the time to take steps, wherever you are on the activism spectrum, is now.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Kate's Takeaways from Ep 27: Courageous Conversations about Race with Nicole Lee
• Stepping into a brave space vs. staying in a place of comfort to discuss race
• Kate's upbringing in a stable, loving home and how her parents provided a foundation for her early dive into activism
• Kate's quest to use her power, her voice, and her privilege to tell stories, like those in the Rad Women series, that the world needs to hear
• How smart children are and how interested they are in complex topics like politics
• Kate's exploration of feminism and intersectionality as a Women's Studies major at UC Santa Cruz
• An exploration of the E.P.I.C. Guideposts through the lens of Anti-Racism and Kate's personal journey into understanding and unpacking white privilege, white guilt, white centering and white fragility
• Solidarity Sundays, the reason why the group name was changed from Suffragette Sundays and how the story of that change stands as an example of how to listen to concerns of women of color without getting defensive
• If people do not know where you stand, in some level, it does not matter what you stand for and how you can use your gifts and profession to make impact and engage in culture shifts
• Activism is a spectrum and the importance of getting in where you can
• Diversifying our literature, podcasts, and television shows to better understand black perspectives and experiences

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Ep 27: Courageous Conversations about Race with Nicole Lee
• Diversity is an Asset 101
• Solidarity Sundays
• Angels in America by Tony Kushner
• Jen Jenkins Dohner Resistance Art
• Radical Hope: Letters of Love and Dissent in Dangerous Times
• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
• Bettina Aptheker, Akasha (Gloria T.) Hull, and Marge Franz

This Week's Challenge:

Kate and I landed on three challenges related to our conversation 1) Make your opinions and beliefs visible in some way. Even a social media post, simple sign, or wearing buttons will ripple in a powerful way. 2) Read developmentally appropriate newspaper articles with your children and, if he/she is 12 or older, the book The Hate U Give about police brutality  3) Expand your understanding of black perspectives and experiences through podcasts and shows. You can get started with a few of Kate's favorites:

Podcasts:

• Another Round
• The Read
• Two Dope Queens

Television:

• Atlanta
• Master of None
• Insecure

Announcements

Kate Schatz in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group

Join us for a check-in on the challenges from this episode and a Q & A with Kate during a live conversation in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group on Giving Tuesday, November 28th at 11 am PST.

Women Podcasters in Solidarity

I'm honored to share this second episode in a series of conversations for the Women Podcasters in Solidarity Initiative. I created the Initiative to build awareness and raise dollars for Anti-Racism and the Movement for Black Lives. My plans for the Initiative culminate the last week of November, with a final episode and a personal contribution and invitation to you to support this cause financially on Giving Tuesday. If you want to make sure you stay informed, take a moment now to get connected, whether that's through subscribing to the podcast, joining the Mother's Quest Facebook Group or signing up for the email list at mothersquest.com. I look forward to sharing more.

Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

You're a mindful mother. And being present for your children in these years when you're raising them is your highest priority. You're also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.

If the description above sounds like you, the Virtual Mother's Quest Circle Pilot, may be right for you.  This signature offering provides inspiration, coaching and community to spark your E.P.I.C. life with intimate virtual reflective sessions over 3-4 months.

Click http://mothersquest.com/virtualcircle/ to learn and apply. The group will start as soon as I have a committed number of participants so don't delay if you're interested. Questions? Email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Visit the Website

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Sign up! – Free 30 minute Discovery Session

I'm rolling out my new coaching offerings and having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you've had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I'd love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action.

I've been there, I'm still on the journey myself, and I'd love to bring all I've learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email at julie@mothersquest.com if you're interested in learning more.

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Carly Magnus Hurt
• Lizzy Russinko, of This (Un)Scripted Life
• Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment
• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Hello and welcome to this Episode #30 of the Mother's Quest Podcast, a conversation I'm releasing for the second time with healer, artist, healthcare advocate and mom to two incredible girls Nancy Netherland.

Between the hurricanes and the continuing devastation in Puerto Rico, the mass shooting in Vegas, and most recently the wildfires near where I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, I know so many people are struggling with how to find gratitude and meaning in the midst of adversity.

I noticed myself coming back to the lessons I learned about finding magic, even in the most challenging circumstances, from Nancy's stories about her and her daughters in this episode, originally #10.

In our conversation, we explored how Nancy's parents instilled a sense that anything is possible, something she has needed to draw on as she faced the loss of her husband and the serious, chronic illnesses of her daughters. And, she shared how she and her girls cultivate generosity and pay that generosity forward through something they created called "gratitools."

I decided to re-release the episode this week with a new dedication and challenge for all of us from my friend and colleague Lizzy Russinko. Lizzy recently moved with her family from Philadelphia to Petaluma in Northern California where they found themselves in the midst of the devastating wildfires. In her dedication, she shares a story of connection amid uncertainty and her commitment to engage her children in sharing some love and healing in her community.

As we listen to this episode with Nancy, I invite us to think about where we can find magic and meaning during these difficult times.  And to join Lizzy in her commitment to pay forward love and kindness in some way to those who are suffering right now.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• How Nancy's parents influenced her childhood by teaching her that anything is possible

• Resiliency and mindfulness during traumatic events

• The importance of creating magic in our lives

• "Gratituding" as a verb

• Nancy's favorite book "Man's Search for Meaning"

• Advocating for your children's health

• The importance of community, especially as a caretaker

• Building deep relationships with people of differing viewpoints

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Gratitool

• Choosing Gratitude

• Hepatitis C information

• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

• Commonweal – where Nancy learned her framework for self-care

• Clinical Trials  a site that is open to the public to find life saving clinical trials

• UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital

• These Inspirational Notecards that Lizzy and her family will be passing around to her community

This Week's Challenge:

Building on Nancy Netherland's story, this challenge comes from Lizzy Rossinko who dedicated the episode. Over the next month Lizzy's family is going to leave note cards of encouragement and hope around town for her neighbors to find and give, as their community at Sonoma County copes with the wildfires. This will be their little way of injecting magic and meaning into a time of significant adversity and change. Lizzy invites us to do something special to bring comfort and home in our neck of the woods.

Announcements

Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

You're a mindful mother. And being present for your children in these years when you're raising them is your highest priority. You're also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.

If the description above sounds like you, the Mother's Quest Circle Pilot, launching this fall may be right for you.  This signature offering provides inspiration, coaching and community to spark your E.P.I.C. life with intimate in-person reflective sessions over 3-4 months.

Click www.mothersquest.com/mothers-quest-circle to learn and apply. The group starts in November so don't delay if you're interested. Questions? Email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Visit the Website

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over towww.mothersquest.comto explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Sign up! – Free 30 minute Discovery Session 

I'm rolling out my new coaching offerings and having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you've had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I'd love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action.

I've been there, I'm still on the journey myself, and I'd love to bring all I've learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email at julie@mothersquest.com or sign up for a free discovery call by clicking this link if you're interested in learning more.

Women Podcasters in Solidarity

After the events that took place in Charlottesville, I'm even more committed to a quest I've been on to understand the roots of racism and bigotry, how it still shows up today, and how I can become a better ally and advocate to fight against it.

I'm raising awareness for myself, and inviting you to do the same, through this special podcast episode. I'm also pledging to donate to an organization supporting the Movement for Black Lives and to invite you to donate too leading up to Giving Tuesday in November. More on this to come soon.

If you are a women podcaster yourself, I'd love for you to make a similar pledge to use the power of your platform for this cause. You can learn more and join the initiative by signing up at mothersquest.com/solidarity.

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• This week's dedication is provided by Lizzy Russinko, a handlettering artist & writer at This (Un)Scripted Life, coach at Retreat Roadmap, and founder of The BraveGatherers, a community for soulful, message-driven business owners who are ready to harness the power of intimate connection and make in-person events an integral part of their work.

• Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment

• Mara Berns Langer

• Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs

• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors

• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts

• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner

• Genese Harris

• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party

• Liane Louie-Badua

• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast

• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go

• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions

• Erik Newton of The Together Show

• Claire Fry

• Divya Silbermann

• Rachel Winter

• Caren and Debbie Lieberman

• Cameron Miranda

• Fran and David Lieberman

• Debbie and Alan Goore

• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

—

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

I'm excited to share this Episode #29 of the Mother's Quest Podcast with renowned work/life wellness expert, intentional mom, bestselling author, and so much more – Samantha Ettus.

Sam is the author of The Pie Life and The Pie Life Planner which is a playbook for working moms who want to balance the seven "slices" of a delicious life which includes career, health, relationship, children, community, friends and hobbies. She's also raising two strong independent girls and a feminist son along with her husband in Los Angeles.

Sam specializes in helping people thrive professionally and personally. Since earning her undergraduate and MBA degrees from Harvard, she's coached thousands of professionals who aim to perform at the highest levels. She's a bestselling author of five books, the CEO of Work Life Love, an entrepreneur, and Tedx and keynote speaker. She has also hosted a weekly nationally syndicated radio show and has appeared on Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Access Hollywood, CNN and The TODAY Show among others. She's given hundreds of keynotes and led workshops at corporations and conferences around the world.

Samantha and I delve into the subject of how to sustain a thriving personal and professional life at the same time, the importance of keeping at least one foot in the career world while raising your children, and the power of the financial independence and fulfillment that brings, not only to women's lives but to our children's.

By showing our children our enthusiasm in our work, and other parts of our lives, we model investing in a life with not one or two but seven meaningful slices.

We also talk about the other important values Sam aims to teach her children by her example, the importance of honoring our bodies and seeing ourselves as beautiful in any size, to focus on the people who love you, not the haters or the 10% who will always be critical, and to let go of perfection and realize that the most delicious pies and lives are the ones that are messy, gooey, and real.

Finally, Sam shares how she consciously built a community in Los Angeles after relocating from New York, going from not having anyone to put on her children's emergency card at school, to cultivating meaningful relationships, catalyzed by a Yom Kippur break the fast Samantha threw that has now become an annual tradition for a hundred people.

The challenge that emerged from our conversation was to focus on my slice of the pie that relates to building community. As a result of commitments you'll hear me make on the podcast, I've set a date, October 28th, for a podcast listening party of my episode with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin on the Age of the New Heroine followed by a Q & A with my friend Chelsea Bonini stepping into heroic challenges of her own as she runs for City Council. If you're local to the Bay Area, I'd love for you to RSVP and join us.

I also committed to throw my first break the fast after 20 years of feeling a bit adrift during this Jewish holiday away from my Los Angeles family. I consciously chose to make this a multicultural break the fast and we had children and adults of multiple generations and religions, eating, playing and talking together.

It was a messy and delicious evening, and one that will become a new tradition in my E.P.I.C. Pie Life.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Samantha's upbringing as a competitive tennis player in New York and the influence her mother had on her to become strong and independent.
• Sam's belief that women should be financially independent and have careers so they will always have options.
• How being fully present in her work helps Samantha to be fully present for her children
• The benefit of sharing our enthusiasm for our work with our kids and modeling a fulfilling work life
• The Pie Life metaphor and how the messy gooey pies are the most delicious
• Sam's commitment to teach and model to her children a positive body image and the belief that we are beautiful at any size
• How to plan for our lives, the benefits of a paper planner and a bit about how Samantha created her Pie Life Planner
• The importance of letting go of guilt
• How Samantha consciously built community after moving to LA from New York
• The importance of perspective, how life should be lived in moments, and how enjoying our lives (including making time for things like date nights) set an example for our children for how to live a full life
• The challenge I accepted to invest in community gatherings to build connections in my own life

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Mother's Quest Podcast Ep 14: Breaking the Mold and Finding your Worth with Amanda Steinberg
• Mother's Quest Podcast Ep 26: Surrender and Embracing Difference with Debbie Reber of TILT Parenting for "Differently-Wired" Kids
• Tilt Parenting Podcast Episode 29: What it Takes to Live a Healthy, Fulfilled Life as Mother to a Differently-Wired Kid, with Samantha Ettus
• Mother's Quest Podcast Ep 02: Unmasking Motherhood with Katherine Wintsch
• Sam's latest book, The Pie Life and The Pie Life Planner
• Sam's TEDx Talk – The Secret to Unlocking a Child's Potential

This Week's Challenge:

Commit to meaningful gatherings. I accepted the challenge to say yes to "parties" and had my very first multi-cultural Yom Kippur break the fast celebration at our home. It was an amazing experience filled with friends and family of different generations and religions who came together and helped me deepen my Bay Area roots in new ways.

Another challenge Sam gave is to create a community around the Podcast. I've decided to combine a listening part of a favorite episode, with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin on Intersectionality and the Age of the New Heroine along with a Q & A with my friend Chelsea Bonini who is stepping into her own heroine's journey as she runs for City Council.

If you have a podcast or love listening to podcasts, you can create a party in your community, build relationships, and cultivate friendships.

Stay tuned for a future opportunity to have Samantha visit the Mother's Quest Private Facebook Group for a Live Q & A and Check-in on the Challenge.

Announcements

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

At the time of this recording in October 2017, we are reeling as a nation from the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas. Like so many other moms, I've felt a range of feelings from despair to rage about the state of our country and fear for my childrens' safety. And I've also felt more committed than ever to use my voice and continue to develop what I've been calling an "activist muscle" to advocate for critical change like gun law reform. This week I made a donation and have been following calls to action from an organization called Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. If you want to join a group of powerful mothers advocating for gun law reform, take a moment right now and text ACT to 64433 to get started.

Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

You're a mindful mother. And being present for your children in these years when you're raising them is your highest priority. You're also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.

If the description above sounds like you, the Mother's Quest Circle Pilot, launching this fall may be right for you.  This signature offering provides inspiration, coaching and community to spark your E.P.I.C. life with intimate in-person reflective sessions over 3-4 months.

Click www.mothersquest.com/mothers-quest-circle to learn and apply. The group starts in October so don't delay if you're interested. Questions? Email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Visit the Website

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.comto explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Sign up! – Free 30 minute Discovery Session

I'm rolling out my new coaching offerings and having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you've had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I'd love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action.

I've been there, I'm still on the journey myself, and I'd love to bring all I've learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email atjulie@mothersquest.com or sign up for a free discovery call by clicking this link if you're interested in learning more.

Women Podcasters in Solidarity

After the events that took place in Charlottesville, I'm even more committed to a quest I've been on to understand the roots of racism and bigotry, how it still shows up today, and how I can become a better ally and advocate to fight against it.

I'm raising awareness for myself, and inviting you to do the same, through this special podcast episode. I'm also pledging to donate to an organization supporting the Movement for Black Lives and to invite you to donate too leading up to Giving Tuesday in November. More on this to come soon.

If you are a women podcaster yourself, I'd love for you to make a similar pledge to use the power of your platform for this cause. You can learn more and join the initiative by signing up at mothersquest.com/solidarity.

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Suzanne Brown, author of Mompowerment: Insights from Successful Professional Part-Time Working Moms Who Balance Career and Family who provided this week's dedication

• Mara Berns Langer

• Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs

• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors

• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts

• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner

• Genese Harris

• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party

• Liane Louie-Badua

• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast

• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go

• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions

• Erik Newton of The Together Show

• Claire Fry

• Divya Silbermann

• Rachel Winter

• Caren and Debbie Lieberman

• Cameron Miranda

• Fran and David Lieberman

• Debbie and Alan Goore

• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

Hello and welcome to Episode #28 of the Mother's Quest Podcast that I'm bringing to you at the start of the Jewish New Year. The holiday kicks off a ten day period, known as the Days of Awe, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement.  

This time of year, regardless of your religious faith, is a season of reflection and renewal, as our children get settled into a new school year and the leaves begin to change color. I wanted to take advantage of this time to turn inward and create an opportunity for change not only for myself but also for members of the Mother's Quest Community.

I decided to reach out to mindful mother, Edie Rafael Brotman, author of the book "Mussar Yoga," to learn from her how she approaches self-improvement through blending the ancient Jewish practice of Mussar and the ancient Eastern practice of Yoga.

Edie's book was a trusted resource in a Mussar class I took a few years ago. I was enthralled by the process and know that the experience planted seeds for Mother's Quest. So, when I reached out to Edie to see if she'd share her approach on the podcast and then lead a 5 day challenge in the Facebook Group and she said "yes," I was thrilled. 

Edie is a workplace consultant and coach for a business consulting firm called Rewire Inc that leverages emotional intelligence, mindfulness and communication. She has her PhD in Sociology and was an adjunct professor at UVA, Case Western Reserve University and Towson University.

She's also a highly trained yoga instructor, was named one of Baltimore's favorite yoga teachers in Baltimore Magazine's "Best of Baltimore" and co-founded Off the Grid Yoga and Camping Retreats.

In this episode, Edie orients us to Mussar in which character traits, known in Hebrew as "middot," are the centerpiece of the practice. Edie and I explore her E.P.I.C. life story, how she came to mindfulness and Mussar, and how reflecting on middot in her life has enriched her and her relationships.

Edie also shares how her mother influenced her independence. And how her mother's untimely death jump-started Edie's journey to find Mussar as a bridge to connect Jewish spirituality and her love for physical activity.

I appreciated so much about this conversation with Edie, especially the deep dive into the history of Mussar practice, and how she came to this connection between self-improvement, spirituality and the physical body.  I'm so excited to continue the exploration of all of these things, and hope you'll decide to come along too as we challenge ourselves together during this season of reflection and renewal. 

I'm Julie Neale and this is Mother's Quest.

This Week's Challenge:

Join us for Mussar Yoga for Moms: A Mother's Quest 5 Day Challenge with Edie Raphael Brotman using ancient practices to live more E.P.I.C. lives at the Mother's Quest Facebook Group.

Listen to the episode and then make sure to join the Mother's Quest Facebook group where we will poll the community to choose the "middah" or character trait that we'll use in our 5 day Mussar Yoga practice starting Monday, September 25th.

We'll also have a live Q & A in the Facebook Group with Edie to check in on the Challenge on Wednesday, September 27th at 11 am PST.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why the fall is the perfect time to undertake a Mussar Yoga Challenge
• How I first learned about Edie and her Mussar Yoga Book
• The path of renewal Edie's mother took in her career, how that impacted her, and how her mother's passing brought her to Mussar
• The power of mindfulness and daily meditation to become more conscious and aware of emotions as they arise
• Mussar as a way of rewiring your brain so it is in alignment with universal precepts
• The origins of Mussar and the people who pioneered the teachings
• The traditional way to practice Mussar, utilizing self-reflection on one character trait at a time on a continuum, and how Edie blends it powerfully with Yoga
• The connection between body and spiritual growth

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – Jewish new year holidays
• Mussar Yoga: Blending an Ancient Jewish Spiritual Practice with Yoga to Transform Body and Soul
• What is Mussar?
• Rabbi Israel Salanter
• The Path of the Upright
• Ben Franklin Circles

Announcements

Mother's Quest Circle Pilot

You're a mindful mother. And being present for your children in these years when you're raising them is your highest priority. You're also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.

If the description above sounds like you, the Mother's Quest Circle Pilot, launching this fall may be right for you.  This signature offering provides inspiration, coaching and community to spark your E.P.I.C. life with intimate in-person reflective sessions over 3-4 months.

Click www.mothersquest.com/mothers-quest-circle to learn and apply. The group starts in October so don't delay if you're interested. Questions? Email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Visit the Website

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Sign up! – Free 30 minute Discovery Session

I'm rolling out my new coaching offerings and having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you've had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I'd love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action.

I've been there, I'm still on the journey myself, and I'd love to bring all I've learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email at julie@mothersquest.com or sign up for a free discovery call by clicking this link if you're interested in learning more.

Women Podcasters in Solidarity

After the events that took place in Charlottesville, I'm even more committed to a quest I've been on to understand the roots of racism and bigotry, how it still shows up today, and how I can become a better ally and advocate to fight against it.

I'm raising awareness for myself, and inviting you to do the same, through this special podcast episode. I'm also pledging to donate to an organization supporting the Movement for Black Lives and to invite you to donate too leading up to Giving Tuesday in November. More on this to come soon.

If you are a women podcaster yourself, I'd love for you to make a similar pledge to use the power of your platform for this cause. You can learn more and join the initiative by signing up at mothersquest.com/solidarity.

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Mara Berns Langer
• Mallory Schlabach of Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

This month, I was planning to record a special solocast to welcome in our 100th episode of the podcast. Instead, three days before my son Jacob's scheduled knee surgery on July 11th, I got diagnosed with shingles. I'm recovering well and so is Jacob thankfully. But it really caused me to revisit my relationship with my body. There was a need for forgiveness all the way around, a rebuilding of trust and a recommitment to myself.

In case you're not familiar, shingles is the re-emergence of the chicken pox virus, which if you've ever had chicken pox lives dormant in your nerves and tends to come out later in life during a period of high stress or when your immune system is low. I should have gotten the shingles vaccine when I turned 50, around the time that I originally recorded this Dear Body episode I'm resharing with you today. Unfortunately, I had getting the vaccine in the back of my mind and never took care of it, leaving myself susceptible. 

So, if you had chickenpox as a child, are over 50 or have issues with your immune system, this is your friendly reminder and PSA to go get your shingles vaccine.

For me to get shingles when I was worried about my son's surgery felt like a betrayal from my own body and the last thing I needed. But, a few things happened that are helping me to see this as an opportunity to make meaning and change.

1) The first person I called for guidance when I got the diagnosis was Dr. Samantha Brody, a podcast guest from 2019, when she released her book Overcoming Overwhelm, who has since become a friend and advisor. When I called her, Samantha reminded me that she had had shingles and shared some about her experience. I was surprised however, when a few days after my diagnosis I put shingles in my FB search to see if there was any wisdom I might find and came upon a post from Samantha from 2018, letting people know she had shingles because she was stressed out about her book launch and needed to ask for help. Did anyone know of any podcasts where she could share about her book she wrote? In the comments, I found the tag to me and Mother's Quest that must have brought me and Samantha together in the first place. This was a reminder to relisten to my episode with Samantha, so relevant, and trust again that sometimes the universe connects you to what you will need in the future.

2) I had several helpful therapy sessions during these weeks of recovery where I uncovered a few things. One, the incredible parallel between my own open heart surgery at the age of 10, to repair a hole in my heart, and Jacob's knee surgery at the age of 10 to repair a hole in his knee, from a condition called osteochondritis dissecans. We realized there may be some leftover trauma from my own experience that was adding some additional stress, even if only in my subconscious. I'm now giving myself some space and grace to look back on that experience and see if there is anything that needs some extra care and healing. 

3) Finally, this whole experience has helped me acknowledge that I'm often more stressed out than I realize. Most often, I mask my stress with a smile. And I allow my nervous system to be in a perpetual state of go go go. My therapist suggested that I should take my foot off the gas more when I'm in park. I love a good metaphor. There is a lot going on in my life and sometimes I can't relax, but I can make an effort to be in park more often and when I'm in park, really allow myself to shut down and restore. I'm clearly on a quest for this, so may work to find some special podcast guests who are experts on this topic. Stay tuned.

I thought I'd invite all of us to listen to the Dear Body episode again and then also my conversation with Samantha Brody, linked in the show notes, with a fresh perspective. Is there something your body is trying to communicate to you? A "tell" as Samantha would say. What values are most important to you right now? And then how might that impact the commitment letter you write to your body? I'll report back in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group and would love to hear from you too! 

Wishing us all many moments of taking our foot off the gas while safely in park, good health and a restoration of trust between our body and ourselves as we close out the summer.

 

Announcement for my fellow Neurodivergent Listeners:

Sign Up for "Creating Your Personal 504 Plan" Summer Workshop with Briar Harvey

Heard of a 504 plan? A blueprint for how a child with a disability will have access to the accomodations and supports that will help them access their education? The truth is, a blueprint for support shouldn't just be relegated to education and can be a model for adults as well!
Friday, August 4th @ 11 am PST 2pm ET join Mother's Quest Member, and someone who has been an amazing coach for my family, Briar Harvey, for a Summer Workshop where you'll discover the power of creating a Personal 504 Plan that truly caters to your unique needs.

Briar will walk us through the process of constructing a plan that goes beyond standard frameworks, accounting for your individual experiences and circumstances. By the end of this session, you'll have a dynamic, personalized 504 plan that empowers you to navigate life's challenges more effectively. I'm a proud affiliate and have signed me and my college son up too. Learn more about this workshop and others in her summer series here. 

 

More about Briar: Briar Harvey is a storyteller and systems witch. She believes that everything has a story and exists within a system. The trick then, is figuring out how to change the rules and tell a better story. She works with companies that are led by neurospicy minds (ADHD, autism, chronic depression, anxiety, all the fun stuff) or those that employ them, in order to create the systems and processes that work for them.

In her free time, she writes stuff and records podcasts. She's the founder of The Neurodiversity Media Network, a collaborative and accessible media company that is hosting and curating all the news that is relevant to neurospicy folx.

 

Full Episode Show Notes

Check out the full show notes from the original episode here: https://mothersquest.com/ep-94-dear-body-reflections-on-embracing-and-embodying-50/

 

You can also listen to this episode:

• Ep 69: Overcoming Overwhelm with Dr. Samantha Brody 

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

As Mother's Quest approaches 100 episodes, we invite you to help us spread the word by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Help us reach 100 reviews to honor 100 episodes this Season Eight of the Mother's Quest Podcast!

You can also support the podcast by making a contribution or joining one of our memberships at our Patron Page on Ko-Fi.com. 

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest

Hello and welcome to Episode #27 of the Mother's Quest Podcast and the first of several I'll be sharing for an initiative I've launched called Women Podcasters in Solidarity.

The Initiative is a commitment I've made, alongside some other amazing women podcasters, to raise awareness and dollars to uncover and dismantle the ways racism, both conscious and unconscious, are impacting our society. I planned the Initiative after viewing the haunting video of Philando Castile's death and of his girlfriend Diamond Reynolds and her young daughter in the back of the cop car in its aftermath. But, the events of Charlottesville since then have brought another level of urgency to this effort.

I'm so grateful that I found Nicole Lee, an incredible African American woman and mother, as our first guest on this topic, to light the way for how we as mothers, and especially those of us who are white women like myself, can take steps to make a difference, beginning with our own children and our own communities.

Nicole is a strategist, executive coach and public policy advocate through her diversity and inclusion consulting firm, Lee Bayard Group, LLC. And she's a practicing human rights attorney through the Black Movement Law Project she co-founded, which provides legal and strategy assistance to Black Lives Matter protestors and organizations. Social justice and human rights have been part of her character since she was a child where she got her pioneering spirit especially from her own mother, one of the first black women to be ordained in her Christian denomination.

Nicole brings her experience as a mother and advocate to training parents in how to have courageous conversations with our children about diversity, inclusion and equity. I had the opportunity to learn from Nicole on a recent webinar on the subject, an overview for a more detailed class launching in September, that was also attended by Mallory Schlabach who offers this week's dedication.

Nicole and I start the episode with shared agreements and intentions for courageous conversation, committing to one another to come to the podcast recording with an open heart, a commitment to move through discomfort and risk imperfection. I vowed not to edit anything out and we both named a shared desire to plant seeds in mothers to raise awareness for themselves and their children.

We explored how we can open channels of communication with our children, holding a "growth mindset" for them in relation to diversity, allowing them to make mistakes as they share what's on their minds and not "shushing" them when they do. Nicole also shared the importance of expressing our values to our children in ways that they understand.

When I asked her where we could invest in change, she challenged us to focus on our own communities and to identify some hard conversations we've been putting off. She emphasized the importance of introspective work to realize what's in our way, determine what we need to be "ready" and then go get ready and have them.

I committed to doing this work and to having Nicole join us to continue the conversation and give me an opportunity to check in on my progress in the private Mother's Quest Facebook Group on Wednesday, September 13th at 11:30 am PST.

As it has been for me, I hope this podcast episode, and the links and resources in the show notes, will be part of what you need to get ready to have the brave conversations with your own children and your own communities. As Nicole says at the end of our conversation, "we've got this." We are not being asked to do anything that is not within our grasp. It's not easy but we can get it done.

This Week's Challenge:

Our challenge this week is to go back and process our own patterns and thinking about race, diversity and inclusion, to identify what courageous conversations we've been putting off, to get what we need to be ready, and then go have them.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• How having an open heart and articulating intentions create meaningful opportunity for brave conversations about our differences

• Nicole's reflection on why many black women may not want to talk with white women about racism and how to seek out spaces, and resources, to explore these issues if you're white and have genuine intention to learn

• Nicole's childhood and how she was driven at an early age to fight for social good

• An exploration of the E.P.I.C Guideposts in relation to the topic of diversity and inclusion

• The role mothers have in planting awareness and knowledge in their children that will help transform our society

• The importance of cultivating real friendships across differences and how color blindness and an unwillingness to have tough conversations can block authentic connection

• The importance of having a growth mindset in the context of race and not to "shush" our children when they share what's really on their minds

• Expressing our values in a way our children will understand

• Ideas for investing and supporting the Movement for Black Lives and Nicole's opinion that getting involved locally in advocacy on police relations, and having the hard conversations, in our own communities, are the most important steps we can take.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Women Podcasters in Solidarity

• Mother on a Quest: Nicole Lee

• Growth Mindset in Diversity

• Mother's Quest Ep 07: Living Out Loud with Jenjii Hysten

• Explaining Charlottesville to my 7-year-old by Nicole Lee

• How to Deal with the Police/Parents Explain

• Lee Bayard Group, LLC – Nicole's diversity and inclusion consulting firm

• Black Movement Law Project – Legal and strategy assistance to Black Lives Matter protestors and organizations where Nicole is a co-founder

• Nicole's Upcoming Class on Courageous Conversations With Children

• The Movement for Black Lives

Announcements

Women Podcasters in Solidarity
After the events that took place in Charlottesville, I'm even more committed to a quest I've been on to understand the roots of racism and bigotry, how it still shows up today, and how I can become a better ally and advocate to fight against it.

I'm raising awareness for myself, and inviting you to do the same, through this special podcast episode. I'm also pledging to donate to an organization supporting the Movement for Black Lives and to invite you to donate too leading up to Giving Tuesday in November. More on this to come soon.

If you are a women podcaster yourself, I'd love for you to make a similar pledge to use the power of your platform for this cause. You can learn more and join the initiative by signing up at mothersquest.com/solidarity.

Mother's Quest Circle Pilot
You're a mindful mother. And being present for your children in these years when you're raising them is your highest priority. You're also committed to making a positive impact in the world, something that feels even more important with all the challenges we currently face.

If the description above sounds like you, the Mother's Quest Circle Pilot, launching this fall may be right for you.  This signature offering provides inspiration, coaching and community to spark your E.P.I.C. life with intimate in-person reflective sessions over 3-4 months.

Click www.mothersquest.com/mothers-quest-circle to learn and apply by September 10th. Questions? Email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Visit the Website
If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Sign up! – Free 30 minute Discovery Session
I'm rolling out my new coaching offerings and having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you've had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I'd love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action.

I've been there, I'm still on the journey myself, and I'd love to bring all I've learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email at julie@mothersquest.com or sign up for a free discovery call by clicking this link if you're interested in learning more.

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Mallory Schlabach – Marketing Magic for Entrepreneurs
• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

Welcome to this episode #26 of the Mother's Quest Podcast, "Surrender and Embracing Difference" with TiLT Parenting for Differently-Wired Kids founder Debbie Reber. This conversation about seeing diversity as an asset, valuing and embracing difference, couldn't come at a better time.

Debbie Reber is the founder of TiLT, an online destination aimed at helping parents raising differently-wired kids do so from a place of confidence, connection, and peace. She's also host of the TiLT Parenting Podcast, a life coach, speaker and a New York Times bestselling author of books aimed at raising self-esteem for young girls. Before becoming a writer, Debbie worked in children's television, for a relief and development organization and at UNICEF.

Despite this long list of accomplishments, perhaps the greatest thing Debbie has done is become parent, advocate, homeschooler and champion for her own son Asher who is 13, has Aspergers, ADHD and is profoundly gifted.

After years of struggle with Asher, Debbie and her husband took a leap of faith in 2013, moving from the U.S. to Amsterdam where she stepped into her own hero's journey to acceptance, surrender, and presence. In the process, she and Asher have come to an exceptional place, and share their lessons learned, wisdom and real life experiences to make sure other parents of differently-wired kids don't have to journey alone.

Debbie and I had an amazing conversation, about faith, personal transformation through parenting and how to live an E.P.I.C. life of alignment. Debbie invites us to question hidden beliefs about neurodiversity, explore the judgements we make about children who are "differently-wired" and invite us to become more compassionate as a result. She's also invited us to take her TILT 7 day challenge to support ourselves to gently shift our awareness.

This conversation was a year in the making and it was really powerful for me. I was reminded about the gifts our children bring us, even when they don't come in the ways that we expected and it renewed my commitment to show up fully for my own children, embracing their differences and surrendering to the knowledge that life is a journey and not a destination.

Special Message for All of Us

I want to note that I bring this episode to you at a unique moment. At the time of this recording, the nation has endured tragedy and division in the wake of events at Charlottesville, fueled by hatred and fear about our differences. Days later, the universe provided us with awareness that we are bound together by something bigger than ourselves as people everywhere took in the total solar eclipse with awe.

The definition of eclipse means to darken and block out the light. We eclipse the light and love, and our common humanity, when we fail to recognize, understand, and celebrate our differences, whether that difference comes from the way our brains think in the case of differently-wired kids, the color of our skin, or the religion we follow. But, as Debbie so eloquently describes in our conversation, when we can see diversity as an asset and embrace difference, everything changes.

When I noticed that Miki DeVivo, another mom raising differently-wired kids, was launching her beautiful book of poetry this week, "The Naming of Real Things," I asked if she would choose a piece for me to share as a lead into what felt like a sacred conversation with Debbie, as a prayer and invitation for all of us, during this challenging time, to move from darkness into more light, love and compassion for one another. Here it is...

From Miki DeVivo's  new book of poetry, the Naming of Real Things

(shared with permission)

Love More

Love more fully.
Let your love fill in all the cracks
Like Japanese gold.
Raise your heart
To your lips and drink till you are full.

Love more widely.
Let your love widen beyond all the borders
Inflicted by man.
Raise your arms
To the sky in blessings spread wide.

Love more deeply.
Let your love deepen beneath the surface
Of skin and kin and the way we each choose to worship.
Raise your eyes
To see the raw humanity standing before you, pain and wisdom so deep.

Love more fiercely.
Let your love rage like fire and do not be silent.
Raise your voice
To power again and again, unflinching and fierce.

Love more wildly.
Let your love wild like flowers blanketing a meadow in the spring.
Raise your feet
To dance among the blossoms, growing wild.

Love more warmly.
Let your love warm the icicles of contempt that pierce your heart.
Raise your glass
To the fountain of hope until your cup runneth over, sweet and warm.

Love more freely.
Let your love free from the small box you were told would keep it safe.
Raise your hands
To pick the locks and set yourself free.

This Week's Challenge:

Question and explore your beliefs about neurodiversity. Raise your awareness and step into more compassion with Debbie's 7 Day Challenge.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• How Debbie and I have connected as mothers of differently-wired boys, since Jonathan Fields and Harmony Eichsteadt, of The Good Life Project, made an introduction between us a year ago.

• How Debbie wrestled with an Evangelical Christian faith upbringing, the questions she explored about her own spirituality, and how she came to believe there is something greater that connects us all.

• The right turn Debbie's career took from empowering young girls to championing her own "differently-wired" son and then building a community to support parents to champion their own.

• The unexpected gifts that raising Asher has brought to Debbie and her life and the key that helped her shift into acceptance.

• How Debbie followed her intuition and changed everything for the better, to make a big leap of faith, move to Amsterdam, and begin homeschooling Asher.

• Nature is Debbie's church and how lacing up their shoes for long walks outside provides Debbie and Asher opportunity for deep connection.

• Debbie's new book, coming out in spring 2018, to help parents of differently-wired kids realize they are not alone.

• How Debbie's "self-interest" helps her prioritize creating space and time for herself.

• The quote from Shakepeare Debbie's son Asher shared, on his podcast episode, as he reflected on the importance of risk and leaps of faith required in order to grow.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Miki DeVivo's book "The Naming of Real Things"

• The Good Life Project

• Episode 53 of The TILT Parenting Podcast: Debbie and Asher's TiLT Parenting One-Year Anniversary Special where Asher talks about his sleep-away camp experience

• Episode 18 of the Mother's Quest Podcast: YOLO (You Only Live Once) and other Milestone Reflections with my son Ryan Neale which Debbie and Asher listened to together

• TILT Parenting and the TILT Parenting Manifesto

• Debbie's Differently Wired 7-Day Challenge

• TiLT Community Facebook Page

• Quote Asher used after his reflection on his sleep-away camp experience "Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." -William Shakespeare

Announcements

Women Podcasters in Solidarity
In this week after the events that took place in Charlottesville, I'm even more committed to a quest I've been on to understand the roots of racism and bigotry, how it still shows up today, and how I can become a better ally and advocate to fight against it.

I'm raising awareness for myself, and inviting you to do the same, through a special podcast episode coming out in September.

If you want to listen to that episode, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and sign up for email updates at mothersquest.com. And if you are a women podcaster yourself, I'd love for you to make the pledge to use the power of your platform for this cause. You can learn more and join the initiative by signing up at mothersquest.com/solidarity.

Q and A with Debbie Reber
Join us on September 1st, Friday at 10:30 AM PST for a Q and A in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group with Debbie to continue our conversation and check in on the challenge. Click this link to join the Mother's Quest Facebook Group and get invited to the event.

Visit the Website
If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Sign up! – Free 30 minute Discovery Session
I'm rolling out my new coaching offerings and having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you've had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I'd love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action.

I've been there, I'm still on the journey myself, and I'd love to bring all I've learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email at julie@mothersquest.com or sign up for a free discovery call by clicking this link if you're interested in learning more.

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Katharine Earhart of Alesco Advisors
• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

---

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

 

I'm excited to bring this Episode #25 of the Mother's Quest podcast to you with a podcasting leader, mentor and community builder extraordinaire- the insightful and passionate, Elsie Escobar.

A podcaster herself since 2006, at the time of this recording, Elsie is getting ready to be inducted into the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame at the upcoming Podcast Movement conference. Among many accomplishments, she's being recognized for her two impactful shows about podcasting The Feed – The Official Libsyn Podcast and She Podcasts, the podcast for women about podcasting and new media from the woman's point of view.

Elsie has a lot to say about podcasting… she's a self-proclaimed die hard podcast junkie, who especially loves to help women like myself find clarity and power in our voice and shift the narrative to focus on the things that matter most, not the numbers or downloads, but the transformative power of podcasting and expanding our podcasting audience.

Elsie and her She Podcasts partner Jessica Kupferman have developed together an incredible Facebook group with thousands of members, many of us mothers, on a quest to bring our mission forward through podcasting while showing up fully for our children in the magic and also the mess of motherhood.

Pursuing podcasting and motherhood is Elsie's She Podcasts partner Jessica, who dedicated this week's episode to Elsie herself and spoke about Elsie's tremendous empathy. This empathic quality of Elsie's comes through in our conversation in the way she talks about "creating space" for her children, for her passion, for dialogue that elevates and for understanding the needs and behaviors of podcast listeners.

In this episode, we cover a lot of territory, from Elsie's roots in El Salvador and how she saw her mother reinvent herself after they emigrated to the US to the power and potential of podcasting to reach the ears of those who are underrepresented and need it most.

It was such an honor to have this time with Elsie, to experience her fire and passion first-hand and hear her call to amplify women's voices, change the conversation to the things that really matter, and  bring the transformative power of podcasting into our communities.

Elsie gave me a personal challenge to step outside of my digital comfort zone and go to my local library to find mothers where they are and bring Mother's Quest to them. I'm inspired to expand and stretch my voice, my impact and who I reach and welcome into my community. I hope this conversation will inspire you to do the same.

This Week's Challenge:

Elsie gave me a personal challenge to step outside of my digital comfort zone and go to my local library, mother's groups, or homeschooling co-ops and talk to someone in person about the Mother's Quest Podcast.

She also shares another challenge to everyone to affirm, and share something that you love. Do it until sharing what you love expands, gets to the language that matches up with us, and enables you to eloquently share things that drive you. Again, do this challenge in person, and not online.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Consciously cultivating our podcast messages and giving podcast listeners "words they can repeat" and integrate into their own lives.
• Elsies' upbringing in El Salvador, move to the United States when she was 9, and seeing her mother step up and reinvent herself after emigrating to the United States.
• "Creating space" for conversations with her children, especially when emotions are charged, and how her own partner spoke honestly with Elsie during difficult days after her children were born.
• Using podcasting as a venue to create a more feminine impact, looking beyond more traditional masculine metrics.
• How having the right business coaches has helped Elsie be everything she can be.
• The importance for Elsie of being true to herself and how that enables her to attract people who support her and forms her community.
• How socio-economics and cognitive behaviors affect the growth of podcasting
• The importance of expanding podcasting to those who are underrepresented: seniors, those who don't have access to healthcare, the ones that feel alone, people battling addiction, people who need to hear a voice that is like theirs
• A challenge to move beyond our digital comfort zones and reach into communities to expand our podcast audiences

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• DeRay Mckesson involved in Black Lives Matter
• She Podcasts
• The Feed: The Official Libsyn Podcast
• Joyful Courage Podcast Episode on Brain-informed Parenting
• The E-League, Elsie's Podcast Coaching Program
• Podcast Movement 2017
• Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame 2017
• Thinx Panties
• Ep 24: Intersectionality and the Age of the New Heroine with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin

Announcements

Q & A on the Transformative Power of Podcasting with Erica Gordon – Let's continue this conversation inspired by Elsie's episode with a Q & A in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group with side business success strategist Erica Gordon of the Moms With Dreams Podcast, the week of August 13th, exact day and time TBA. Click link to join the Mother's Quest Facebook Group and get invited to the event.

Visit the Website – If you haven't yet visited the website, head over towww.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Sign up! – Free 30 minute Discovery Session

I'm rolling out my new coaching offerings and having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you've had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I'd love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action.

I've been there, I'm still on the journey myself, and I'd love to bring all I've learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email at julie@mothersquest.com or sign up for a free discovery call by clicking this link if you're interested in learning more.

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Jessica Kupferman of She Podcasts
• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

—

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

—

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

 

Hello and welcome to this Episode #24 of the Mother's Quest Podcast. I'm so honored to bring you this important and powerful conversation today with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin, who through her daily Resistance Lives on Facebook, guides thousands of us with a voice of reason and optimism during the twists and turns of today's political landscape. 

Known as a "celebrated career coach" and "fearless entrepreneur" Elizabeth, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a J.D. from George Washington University Law School, transitioned from a fifteen year career as a Wall Street securities litigator and trial lawyer to found The Gaia Project for Women's Leadership. The organization offers virtual and live programming that cultivates leaders from the ground up to to grow what they call "New Paradigm Women's Leadership."

Elizabeth is also a mindful mother. No matter how full her life gets leading women around the globe or fighting for our democracy, she prioritizes bringing presence and focus to her two children, both under the age of 5.

In this episode, we talk about how Elizabeth grew up in a very progressive community and had a strong intuition she would make a massive difference in the world. She attended her first protest when she was just 15 years old and now she's leading a new awakening in activism - one that challenges her over 20,000 followers, of which I am one, to take daily political action, to truly listen to one another and to others with differing perspectives, and move forward as intersectional feminists, shoulder to shoulder. 

We also talk about the new heroine's journey where the heroine brings back the lessons learned along the way, her words of wisdom for me as I set out to raise awareness and create space for uncomfortable but important conversations about race, how we can "bear witness" for those who have different experiences than our own, and Elizabeth's challenge to all of us to use our voice for change. 

We packed so much depth and wisdom in this conversation, including the first ever lightning round exploration of the E.P.I.C. Guideposts.

I look forward to hearing about the ways in which this episode will inspire you and invite you to join the Mother's Quest Facebook Group to share with us and participate in a special Q & A on Thursday, August 3rd at 11:30 am PST with activist, leadership specialist, and former NAACP Vice President Chandra Brooks. 

I left this conversation feeling more inspired than ever myself to step up and into the role of the New Heroine during these times. Moved by my experience with Elizabeth, I commit to daily political action, to stretch myself to have brave conversations and use my voice for change, to truly listen to others, and to consciously cultivate this Mother's Quest community I'm growing. 

This Week's Challenge:

Elizabeth asks us to think of ways we can stretch ourselves, outside of our comfort zone, to use our voice for good. And believe that we can change the world by making a difference even in one person's life. 

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Elizabeth's unique upbringing in progressive New Hope, Pennsylvania where 50% of the population was gay and there was a strong counter-culture. 
• The necessity of letting go of our anger, being willing to listen, and leading from a place of healing to hold a vision for and create the holistic society we seek.
• The feminine energy and ongoing cyclical nature of the New Heroine's Journey.
• The massive acceleration of purpose and mission brought about by our current political situation.
• Intersectionality within the Resistance and how women with privilege need to investigate our own internal biases so we can create a culture where everyone is safe regardless of our race, gender, sexual orientation or immigration status.
• Feedback for me on an initiative I'm exploring to raise awareness and funds for Black Lives Matter; the importance of listening and "bearing witness" for communities who have different experiences than ours.
• The profound moment of reconciliation at the Gaia Lead Conference that had everyone in tears.
• The importance of consciously cultivating the businesses, work-places and communities that represent all of us and how even the smallest gestures of reaching out can really make a difference.
• A lightning round version of how the E.P.I.C. guideposts are showing up in Elizabeth's life and the lessons she's learning along her heroic journey. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Gaia Women Lead Website
• RISE (Resist, Inspire, Speak, Empower): An Activist/Leader Bootcamp starting Oct. 15th to help us use our voice for change 
• #ResistanceLive
• Elizabeth's Speaking Tour Information & Tickets
• The Heroine's Journey
• Council on American-Islamic Relations
• The video I sent to Elizabeth before our podcast interview - Black parents explain to their kids how to deal with police
• The post that explains what happened when I committed to starting Mother's Quest Two Trapped Birds: Opening the Door for Mother's Quest
• Episode with Jenjii Hysten where we talk about her emotional Facebook live which first called me to "bear witness" regarding Black Lives Matter  Ep 07: Living Out Loud with Jenjii Hysten
• Episode with Women's March Organizer Paola Mendoza Ep 16: Rising Up with Paola Mendoza 
• Episode with Kathleen Shannon where we discuss blocking our time Ep 20: On Being Mom and Being Boss with Kathleen Shannon 
• Sally Yates, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Siskind - women who are new heroines in their own ways

Announcements

Q & A on Activism and Intersectionality - Let's continue this conversation inspired by Elizabeth's episode with a Q & A in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group with activist, former NAACP Vice President and leadership specialist Chandra Brooks , Thursday, August 3rd at 11:30 am PST. Click link to join the group. 

Visit the Website - If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Sign up! - Free 30 minute Discovery Session

I'm rolling out my new coaching offerings and having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you've had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I'd love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action.

I've been there, I'm still on the journey myself, and I'd love to bring all I've learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email at julie@mothersquest.com or sign up for a free discovery call by clicking this link if you're interested in learning more.

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Resistance Artist Jen Jenkins Dohner (you can find her work here, proceeds of which are all donated to specific causes), who provided this week's dedication to her mother Ginger Jenkins
• Genese Harris
• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party
• Liane Louie-Badua
• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast
• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go
• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton of The Together Show
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

---

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

---

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm excited to bring you this Episode #23 of the Mother's Quest Podcast. I'm just back from an amazing week at one of my most favorite places, UCLA's Bruin Woods Family Camp in Lake Arrowhead, where I felt like I had an amazing reset…a chance to unplug and notice some patterns from a fresh perspective.

It's so perfect then, that I came back to put the finishing touches on this episode with author of the Miracle Morning for Parents and Families, Lindsay McCarthy. I've been wanting to have Lindsay on the podcast for a while now; I knew I had a lot to learn from her about how to change my relationship with mornings, but I didn't realize our conversation would inspire a collaborative 30 day Mother's Quest Miracle Morning Challenge that will start Monday, July 17th.

Lindsay is a wife and homeschool mom of two kids. She is the co-author of The Miracle Morning for Parents and Families, has a facebook community of the same name, and is creator of GratefulParent.com where she blogs.

Lindsay and I have a lot in common in that neither of us could have imagined we would step into owning and sharing our voice and our story with others until fairly recently, she through her book and me through the podcast.

We go deep in this conversation about the epic journey that brought Lindsay from attending a conference where she met Miracle Morning author Hal Alred to essentially writing a manual for bringing the Miracle Morning practice to parents and families.

We talk about our mutual love of frameworks and acronyms and how she and her husband adapted the Miracle Morning's SAVERS to create their own acronym, CHARMS, which brings Creativity, Health, Affirmations, Reading, Meditation, and Service to her children every morning.

I love how Lindsay brings intentionality and mindfulness to her parenting and how she's living her own version of an E.P.I.C. life, one rooted in being an amazing mom and co-creating incredible learning experiences for her children. She helped me change my perception of what homeschooling can look like and realize that we are all like a homeschooling mom when we seek opportunities for our children to pursue their curiosity and passions.

I'm also impressed by how committed Lindsay is to this Miracle Morning practice which has dramatically changed her family's life and the lives of so many others through her book and group.

I'm thrilled I finally got a chance to talk with Lindsay and that together we will create this collaborative challenge. I have a strong feeling that this Miracle Morning practice will make a huge difference for me and I know I need some support and accountability to make it happen. I can't imagine a better guide than Lindsay and I hope you'll choose to come along with us.

This Week's Challenge:

Join us for the 30-Day Mother's Quest Miracle Morning Challenge. Sign up to follow us with daily prompts and reflections in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Lindsay's mother modeled creating opportunities for her children by setting up a field hockey team for her and other girls in their community.

• How attending Hal Elrod's One Life Fully Lived conference in 2014 provided an opportunity for Lindsay to create what became like an operating manual for her family

• The importance of having a morning practice.

• How the C.H.A.R.M.S. (Creativity, Health, Affirmations, Reading, Meditation, Service) framework works in their family and how it can be adapted for other families.

• Tips on "Habit Stacking" and adding mindfulness and purpose to everyday activities.

• Working with a spiritual coach to support self discovery.

• Slowing down to have the space to create what you truly want.

• How Lindsay came to homeschooling her children, how she accesses other resources outside of her home as part of that, and how we are all homeschoolers in some way with our children

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Miracle Morning for Parents and Families: How to Bring Out the Best in Your KIDS and Your SELF by Hal Elrod, Mike & Lindsay McCarthy

• The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM) by Hal Elrod

• One Life Fully Lived Conference

• Gobundance, the company and mastermind of Mike, Lindsay's husband

• Spirit Coach Training with Jenai Lane, Lindsay's spiritual coach

• Make Me App

• Grateful Parent, Lindsay's blog

• The Miracle Morning for PARENTS & FAMILIES Facebook Community

• The Miracle Morning Community

• 30-Day Mother's Quest Miracle Morning Challenge at the Facebook Group

Announcements

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me. You can also download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Sign up! – Free 30 minute Discovery Session

I'm rolling out my new coaching offerings and I've been having great conversations with women who are ready to live a more E.P.I.C. life and interested in coaching. If you've had a spark moment setting you on a new path or are at a crossroads but feel unsure, guilty or overwhelmed, I'd love to talk with you about how working with me could help light the way, get you clear about what you want, shift your mindset from fear to faith, and get you moving into action. I've been there, I'm still on the journey myself, and I'd love to bring all I've learned from a decade of coaching, 13 years of motherhood and all the lessons from my podcast guests to support you. Send me an email at julie@mothersquest.com or sign up for a free discovery call at mothersquest.com if you're interested in learning more.

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Tonya Rineer, founder of The Profit Party, who provided this week's dedication

• Liane Louie-Badua

• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast

• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go

• Niko Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions

• Erik Newton of The Together Show

• Claire Fry

• Divya Silbermann

• Rachel Winter

• Caren and Debbie Lieberman

• Cameron Miranda

• Fran and David Lieberman

• Debbie and Alan Goore

• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm excited to share this episode #22 with Kalika Yap, a serial entrepreneur, inventor, intentional mother, and business leader. She's received tremendous recognition for her accomplishments, including being honored by the Anti-Defamation League, serving as a panelist with Magic Johnson on an Urban Economic Forum hosted by the Obama White House, and currently leading as the President of Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Los Angeles Chapter.

Kalika is from more humble beginnings. She came from a big family born in the Philippines in the time of Martial Law that then moved to a low income community in Hawaii. Growing up, she had strong influences from her mother who is a teacher and her father who is an entrepreneur. Along with her husband, she now imparts these family influences or "Ohana" and a focus on "Core Values"  to her two daughters, 10 and 8 years old.

She's currently starting a company with her daughters, prompted by a school project, called Conscious Kids, a mindfulness resource for children. Believing that children have eyes all around and a unique perspective, she engages her daughters in defining the core values of their business and encourages them to explore their creativity.

Her current mission, through her branded commerce start-up, Orange and Bergamot, is to help 1 million businesses succeed and in turn create 1 million jobs by developing amazing brands. She shares about what helps her achieve ambitious goals like these while being present for her family: reaching out to others, being part of a tribe, being willing to ask for help, and developing "Keystone Habits," like meditation.

Ultimately, she believes that the destination is the journey, and that the purpose of her life is to find joy and happiness while serving others.

We covered a lot of ground in this interview and I felt like I filled my E.P.I.C. Life Toolkit with powerful strategies: to focus on values, develop keystone habits, and consciously choose a life of service. I left the conversation inspired by Kalika to pursue our entrepreneurial dreams and empower other women to do the same, all while being a present and intentional parent.

This Week's "Opportunity for Growth":
Embrace meditation as a "Keystone Habit" and see how it can change your life

Topics discussed in this episode:

• How Kalika's Relationship with her Mom grew stronger as she had kids of her own
• The Core Values in Kalika's home and her businesses
• Conscious Kids, a company she is starting with her children, that gives them an opportunity to explore their core values and creativity
• Her bold mission to help 1 million businesses succeed
• The problem of women feeling guilty for wanting to positively make an impact and not being willing to promote themselves
• "Keystone Habits" that lead to other essential habits
• Kalika's love of reading and learning and the books she thinks will most help us live our E.P.I.C. lives
• Look at life as a whole map or journey, and don't judge it by days

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Consciouskidsco.com
• Entrepreneurs' Organization
• Citrus Studios
• Dr. Marshall Goldsmith
• Simon Sinek TED Talk on the Golden Circle
• Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz
• Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards
• Mavens Media Group
• Podcast Movement 
• She Podcasts Facebook Group
• Transcendental Meditation
• Oprah & Deepak's Meditation Series
• Calm: Meditation App
• Vedic Meditation
• Unplug Meditation
• Meditation Short Courses at UCLA

Announcements

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me.

You can also explore the new coaching offerings, sign up for a complimentary discovery session, and download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets.

Guided Meditation and Q & A in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group
Look out for our upcoming Facebook Live guest, Kari Azuma of the Conscious Mother's Coalition, who will lead a Guided Meditation and Q & A in the Mother's Quest Facebook Group on the evening of Thursday, July 6th. This would be a great opportunity for practicing meditation as a keystone habit. Make sure to sign up to join the Facebook Group, if you're not yet a member, to get reminders and access.

Clarity Coaching (1.5 hr): E.P.I.C. Life Reflection and Strategy Session 

I'm particularly excited to invite you to participate in a signature clarity coaching offering called an E.P.I.C. Life Reflection and Strategy Session. If you've loved the interviews on the podcast and imagined what your own responses might be to my questions, this offering will give you that opportunity to go deep about the way in which the E.P.I.C. guideposts are showing up in your life, explore what you want more or less of in your life, and commit to key action steps.

We'll record our conversation for you to listen to again and I'll follow up by email to provide some accountability so you know you have a coach in your corner paying attention and cheering you on. Visit the work with me page at mothersquest.com to learn more and sign up.

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Liane Louie-Badua, who provided this week's dedication
• Cristin Downs
• Erin Kendall
• Niko Osoteo
• Erik Newton
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Sustainable Living Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

Welcome to this very special Father's Day edition of the Mother's Quest Podcast!

In honor of Father's Day, I'm so excited to bring you this conversation with a friend, former colleague, mindful father to two children, and a champion for underserved youth in Los Angeles --someone who I admire deeply-- Tony Brown.  

Tony Brown is the Executive Director of Heart of Los Angeles, also known as HOLA, where he has touched the lives of thousands of children, helping to break the cycle of poverty, and replacing it with opportunity.

We met when we were both just out of college, working together at HOLA, where we instantly became friends and felt we were part of a family. In a nurturing environment that really does feel like family, HOLA provides underserved youth near downtown LA with exceptional programs in academics, arts, and athletics, empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education, and strengthen their communities.

Tony has served as the executive director at HOLA since 2007 and has spearheaded incredible growth in the number of youth served, new buildings to house the programs, and relationships with world-class partners.

HOLA collaborates with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to furnish instruments and music instruction, with performances at major venues across California and abroad. Leading museums link HOLA with professional artists and exhibit student works, Bard College graduate students provide academic and music support, and the Los Angeles Lakers partner in sports programs.

For this work, Tony has received tremendous recognition, including a $200,000 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Innovation Award, accolades from the Center for Non-Profit Management and in 2014, he was featured as a TEDx Speaker.

In this episode, Tony shares how growing up in the 70's, in a community without other black families, shaped his character and helped him develop tremendous patience and understanding.

He tells us how his mother challenged him, pushed him to become independent at an early age, and to become his best. And how he feels he's on a quest himself to make the world a better place than how he found it, not only through his work at HOLA, but through expanding the understanding and world-view of his two young children.

We also talk about how difficult it is to sustain oneself amid the emotional and challenging work as an Executive Director and youth developer. And, how he learned the importance of literally "jumping back in the pool" to start playing water polo again, to relieve stress and reconnect with an essential part of himself he had begun to lose.

It was so wonderful to get a Dad's perspective on the podcast and to see how the same E.P.I.C. guideposts resonate for fathers as well.  

I left our conversation inspired by how Tony brings a sense of patience, that he's cultivated his whole life, to give young people at HOLA opportunities, the importance of "jumping back in the pool" to return to our true selves and the things that make us who we are, holding a big vision, and how we can do more together when we work in partnership.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Growing up in the 70's as the only black family in a white neighborhood

• Teaching his children philanthropy, being mindful of the environment, and to always think about how to make the world a better place not just for themselves but especially for others

• How HOLA gives youth opportunities to find their best selves and find their passion and some E.P.I.C. snapshot moments with young people that have come full circle

• Acknowledging that the work will always be there and the importance of giving yourself the time and outlets to turn it all off

• Recognizing that as parents we should not be "orbiting" around our children, but guiding them and giving them responsibility and independence while they follow our lead.

• How we can do so much more when we work toward our big visions together.

• The power of partnerships and Tony's challenge to us to reach into the community to create enriching after school opportunities for children who would otherwise not have access.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Heart of Los Angeles - HOLA provides underserved youth with exceptional programs in academics, arts and athletics within a nurturing environment, empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education and strengthen their communities.

• Tony's TEDx Talk: Putting Back What We Stripped Out

• Budget Philanthropist - The blog of 12 and 13 year old brothers Andrew and Jack Greff where they show that all that's required is a love of humankind and a desire to improve the welfare of others to be a philanthropist.

• Mother's Quest Podcast Episode #08 - Empathy, Acts of Kindness and Climbing Mountains with Erika Greff

• PACE Place - support for individuals and families as they reach their developmental potential.

Announcements

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to www.mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and our new "Mothers on a Quest" features), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me.

You can also explore the new coaching offerings, sign up for a complimentary discovery session, and download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets

Clarity Coaching (1.5 hr): E.P.I.C. Life Reflection and Strategy Session 

I'm particularly excited to invite you to participate in a signature clarity coaching offering called an E.P.I.C. Life Reflection and Strategy Session. If you've loved the interviews on the podcast and imagined what your own responses might be to my questions, this offering will give you that opportunity to go deep about the way in which the E.P.I.C. guideposts are showing up in your life, explore what you want more or less of in your life, and commit to key action steps.

We'll record our conversation for you to listen to again and I'll follow up by email to provide some accountability so you know you have a coach in your corner paying attention and cheering you on. Visit the work with me page at mothersquest.com to learn more and sign up.

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Cristin Downs of the Notable Woman Podcast, who provided this week's dedication

• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go

• Niko Osoteo

• Erik Newton

• Claire Fry

• Divya Silbermann

• Rachel Winter

• Caren and Debbie Lieberman

• Cameron Miranda

• Fran and David Lieberman

• Debbie and Alan Goore

• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

---

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

Hello and welcome to this episode #20 and the first in Season Two of the Mother's Quest Podcast! 

This week's guest, Kathleen Shannon, embodies the qualities of an independent, hard-working feminist. She also has this incredible generosity and openness and has impacted so many women, including myself, by sharing her experiences as a mother and an entrepreneur. 
 
Kathleen is the co-founder of Braid Creative & Consulting and the co-host of one of my favorites, the Being Boss podcast for creative entrepreneurs. Through her work at Braid Creative and Being Boss she has helped thousands of creative entrepreneurs from all over the world authentically brand and position themselves as creative experts, cultivate confidence in their business, and blend more of who they are into the work they do.

When she's not podcasting, writing a book, or shaping her next newsletter she's hanging with her husband Jeremy and their toddler Fox. 
 
In this episode, Kathleen reflects on the impact her mother's total adoration and acceptance had on her, giving her the freedom to be herself along with the secure foundation to be creative and explore.
 
We talk about the challenges of motherhood, the profound experience of her home birth, the sleep deprivation she experienced in her first year, and the tough decisions she's had to make to build her businesses and be fully present for her son
 
She also shares how she's learned to ask for help. Her fiercely independent attitude made it difficult for her to get support from her network. But learning to lean on her support network allows her to make a passionate & purposeful impact beyond her son and in turn allowed her son to learn to love other people and experience opportunities that she alone can't provide him.
 
Kathleen also shares how she invests in herself by prioritizing her health, creating white space, and owning her schedule. And, she gives us two challenges, the first to reach out to someone to care for our child and the second to spend some time with our calendars, designing our ideal week and noticing the gap between the ideal and the real. 

I loved connecting personally with Kathleen and left the conversation enriched by the spectrum between surrender and control, security and freedom and a sense of excitement for re-designing my time to allow for the full range of both. 
 
Topics discussed in this episode:

• Kathleen's unusual and early first memory
• How freedom within the context of security allowed Kathleen's creativity to thrive
• Kathleen's experience giving birth to Fox, which she says felt like seeing God, made her more connected to herself, and is the coolest thing she's ever done
• The impact of sleep deprivation and the importance of asking for help
• We don't have to be present for our kids 24/7 but we should be fully present in the moments that have the most meaning
• A recent example where Kathleen realized she's really making the difference she wants to make
• Creating balance, white space, community, and the impact of one on one conversations
• The conflict of creating comfort and stability for Kathleen's child while being creative and adventurous
• How putting relationships first and business second is what makes partnerships thrive
• Connecting the dots between being a mother and being a boss

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Being Boss Podcast
• Braid Creative
• Being Boss ClubHouse
• Being Boss and Being Mom Podcast Episode #8
• The Hero's Journey
• Attachment Parenting
• A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Mom - Is domestic life the enemy of creative work?
• Acuity Scheduling
• Google Calendar
• Mother's Quest Episode #12: Breaking Bread and Building Bridges with Saadia Ahmed
• Kathleen's Crafting Your Ideal Day Worksheet
• FREE E.P.I.C. Planning, Reflection and Craft Your Ideal Week Printable

Announcements

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and new weekly round-ups of "gems" I'm finding on my quest), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me.

You can also explore the new coaching offerings, sign up for a discovery session, and download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets 

Acknowledgements

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Erin Kendall of Fit Mom Go, who provided this week's dedication
• Niko Osoteo
• Erik Newton
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm excited to share this special Mother's Day episode of the Mother's Quest Podcast!

I originally envisioned this episode as a season one finale, with highlights from every episode of season one, but it ended up taking shape differently (even better in my opinion!) and became what will be an ongoing series that we're calling "E.P.I.C. Guideposts."

Living an E.P.I.C. life has become a guiding framework for Mother's Quest. So often as mothers, we invest so much of ourselves in our children and their dreams, that we let our own fade to the background. 

My mission with Mother's Quest is to become the hero of my journey and the author of my story while providing inspiration, coaching and community to help you do the same. 

EPIC captures this idea of creating a life filled with the things that matter most. It's also an acronym mnemonic for the guideposts that I believe help us live such a life while we're raising our children. 

So, for this episode, we decided to highlight moments from season one, selected from some of our listeners, that connect to each of the four guideposts. You'll hear what was special about the moment from the voice of one of our listeners and then hear the piece itself. 

E.P.I.C. Guideposts in this Mother's Day Episode 

ENGAGED - You are mindfully engaged with your children and family
Sunit Suchdev shares her reflection on my special episode with my son, Ep 18: YOLO (You Only Live Once) and other Milestone Reflections with Ryan Neale. In this episode, Ryan reflects back that in being "a little selfish" in creating Mother's Quest I've given him so much more than if I only focused on my children.

PASSIONATE - You are passionate & purposeful, making a difference beyond your family
Wendy Reina called in on the powerful impact that Ep 16: Rising Up with Paola Mendoza had on her. In this clip, Paola shares how her passion as a filmmaker and activist led to her role in creating the Women's March and how she teaches her son the responsibility of using your privilege to help others. 

INVESTED - You are invested in yourself
Lena Ayala-Velasquez shares her reflection on Ep 14: Breaking the Mold and Finding your Worth with Amanda Steinberg on the importance of taking risks and how the "cost" of taking a risk may actually be lower than the cost of not investing in ourselves. 

CONNECTED - You are connected to a strong support network so you are in community on the journey
Saadia Ahmed, one of our previous guests, highlighted her connection to Ep 07: Living Out Loud with Jenjii Hysten which highlights the importance of forging connections with one another based on our common humanity. I also share how this episode set in motion a series of events which were transformative for my whole family and led to an incredible E.P.I.C. life snapshot for Jenjii's family and my own.

If you're new to the podcast, this episode will be a great introduction to Mother's Quest and will hopefully spark you to go and listen to the 18 episodes that are waiting for you. 

And if you followed along the whole time, this episode should be a helpful reminder of some of the amazing moments and lessons.

I'd love for you to visit the website at www.mothersquest.com to explore new coaching offerings, blog posts and more. Read below for announcements about all the ways you can get and stay connected!

Looking forward to a fantastic Season Two with you beginning on June 1st. Happy Mother's Day!

xoxo,

P.S. Please help us spread the word and reach more mothers with these conversations by pressing send on this email and/or sharing our posts on social media

Announcements

If you haven't yet visited the website, head over to mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list (to get show notes delivered to your inbox and new weekly round-ups of "gems" I'm finding on my quest), click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me.

You can also explore the new coaching offerings, sign up for a discovery session, and download the FREE Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets 

Acknowledgements

Heart-felt appreciation for the women who shared their reflections on the E.P.I.C. Guidepost episodes - Sunit Suchdev, Wendy Reina,  Lena Ayala-Velasquez, and Saadia Ahmed.

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Niko & Rigette Osoteo of Bear Beat Productions
• Erik Newton
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

If you'd like to make a contribution to Mother's Quest to support Season Two of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution http://mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter/

 

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Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E),Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/

I'm so honored and excited to bring you this Episode #18 of the Mother's Quest Podcast with a very special guest, my own son Ryan Neale.

One of the great lessons I've learned is the importance of marking milestones and honoring endings so that you can thoughtfully open a new chapter.

As Ryan approaches his bar mitzvah in April, becoming a "Jewish adult" and entering his teens, we decided we would spend his thirteenth birthday together, going on a "milestone hike" 'and then recording an episode of the podcast at a recording studio in San Francisco.

It was a magical day of reflection, revelations for both of us, and a lot of laughter. I'm honored to bring highlights of all of that to you through this episode.

You'll hear Ryan share eloquently and honestly about his appreciation for the support that helped him conquer his developmental delays, how his own fears manifest in his life today, and how, in his next chapter, he wants to trust more and move through his fear. Because, he says, he wants to live with a YOLO (You Only Live Once) mindset.

Ryan reflects on snapshot moments from his life, about his deep love for his younger brother, his experience finding a group of friends and a school program where he could thrive, receiving the academic achievement award, and the moments he hopes he'll be able to look back on with pride at the next milestone.

Ryan also gets a turn to ask me his own questions and give me feedback. I had an opportunity to share the biggest lesson my mother gave me, to always appreciate every stage of life you're in when you're in it, and acknowledge what I wish I could change about myself.  

I also heard Ryan reflect back that in being "a little selfish" in creating Mother's Quest I've given him so much more than if I only focused on my children.

There's a game we play with Erik Newton (whose studio we recorded in) as our game show host, a lot of laughter and some comical out-takes that you'll want to stick around for at the very end.

I felt so blessed to create this experience with Ryan and to share it with you. I take with me the importance of marking these rites of passage thoughtfully with our children, what a privilege it is to be witness to the development of another human being as a mother, a reminder of how powerfully our children see and know us and help us grow, and what fun it can be to create new experiences together.

Ryan and I will never forget how we spent his thirteenth birthday together. We hope you'll leave this episode inspired to mark a milestone in your life, with your children, and make some life-long memories of your own.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Our meaningful and magical milestone hike through Laurelwood Park

• How you cannot see yourself fully through the mirror but can through your loved ones

• Life happens fast, appreciate every aspect of your life as you're in it because before you know it you'll be on to the next 

• Take life in small steps and the snapshot moments that Ryan most remembers from his 13 years

• Ryan's love for his brother Jacob and what Ryan said the day Jacob was born

• The impact living my E.P.I.C. life has had on Ryan

• How things that are scary can at the same time be beautiful and Ryan's commitment not to let his fears stop him from living his YOLO (You Only Live Once) life

• The pact Ryan and I made to help us with our biggest area of growth, our management of time

• Erik's takeaway: "Parenting is an opportunity to be vulnerable in a way that is unprecedented."

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Headstart, a special program for preschool aged children from low-income communities that provides access to early childhood education

• The GATE Program (Gifted And Talented Education Program) national links and background information. Ryan participates in our local school district's program.

• Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

• "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky

• Erik Newton, The Together Show

• Sports Illustrated Kid Reporter, a unique program Ryan has applied to which gives selected children ages 10 - 14 an opportunity to write and broadcast about sports

• UCLA Bruin Woods where I was a counselor in college and where we all go to "camp" each summer as a family

Announcements:

 I hope this conversation sparked something that will inspire you to mark a milestone in your E.P.I.C. life. If you live in the bay area and want to participate in a group milestone hike I will be leading this spring or if you want to sign up for a coaching session so I can help you mark a milestone wherever you are, send an email to julie@mothersquest.com and put milestone in the subject heading.

The season is coming to a close and will start up again in May. Please make sure you've subscribed, signed up for email updates at mothersquest.com and joined the Facebook group so we can keep in touch and you'll get notified when the next episode comes out.

Be Part of the Finale!!

I've extended the deadline for your submissions to be featured in the finale through April 6th and will release the finale later in April.

So, if you haven't yet called in, and there is a moment from the season that made a difference for you, please go to mothersquest.com, look for the purple phone icon, and leave me a message with your name, favorite moment from the podcast and how that moment impacted you. I would love to include your voice in the season finale.

Let's Stay in Touch

If you haven't yet visited the website, I want to invite you to head over to mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list to have show notes delivered to your inbox, click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me.

Finally, I invite you to schedule a free 15 minute planning session where I can help you bring more intention to your life using the Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets which you can download for FREE at www.mothersquest.com/reflectionsheets. Email me at julie@mothersquest.com to set a time.

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Erik Newton and The Together Show Podcast who dedicated this week's episode of the podcast
• Claire Fry
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

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Want to join the patrons above and help support more meaningful conversations such as these? Visit the Mother's Quest Patreon Page to become a regular patron or visit this link www.mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter to make a one-time donation.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

I'm honored to share this special Father's Day Episode featuring my very own father-in-law, David Neale. I started dating my husband Chris when I was only 19, so I realize David has been a source of inspiration and guidance in my life for over 30 years. How lucky I am to have had his example of leadership, impact, and joy for life to light my way for my entire adulthood! 

The inspiration for this episode was sparked several months ago at a big milestone birthday celebration David organized to honor his 80th year. That celebration was also the launch of a new fund he initiated through the San Jose Rotary, inspired by his experience as a grandparent to my two boys, Ryan who is autistic, and Jacob who navigates dyslexia, ADHD and dysgraphia. 

In this episode, we explore the stories and wisdom of David's life, including his childhood in England, his move to Montreal and then San Jose, CA, his impactful work as the founder and CEO of The Core Companies, and all the thoughtful ways he shows up as a grandfather. We also talk about the Youth Empowerment Neurodiversity Fund, which Ryan and I have had the honor of helping to shape, alongside David and other Rotary committee members. 

One of David's most significant contributions in leadership has come through his innovative thinking and outside-the-box solutions for redevelopment housing, including the creation of Art Ark, an innovative housing community for artists in San Jose, Willow Housing, a Veteran's housing project in Menlo Park, CA that includes access to critical support services, and most recently the Agrihood in Santa Clara, CA, a unique affordable housing project that includes retail and has an Urban Farm at its center.  

His achievements are many, but as David says, his success did not happen in a straight line. His life journey was filled with plot twists, pivots, and even a few failures. Through it all, with my mother-in-law Anne by his side, he continued to believe in himself and his dreams.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did and leave inspired as I am to keep persevering through challenges, opening ourselves to new perspectives and out-of-the-box thinking, and knowing that each setback may bring us closer to all we've ever wanted.  

About David Neale:

David Neale is a leader and visionary in real estate development, known for his commitment to community building and for his innovative approaches to affordable housing and redevelopment. A career that began in 1978 in Montreal brought David to San Jose, CA in the 1980s and led him to found The Core Companies in 1989. As CEO of The Core Companies, David has built a vibrant company and spearheaded transformative projects that have left a lasting imprint on the communities they serve.

Notable projects Core has completed with David at the helm include Art Ark, an innovative housing community for artists in San Jose, Willow Housing, a Veteran's housing project in Menlo Park, CA that includes access to critical support services, and most recently the Agrihood in Santa Clara, CA, a unique affordable housing project that includes retail and has an Urban Farm at its center.  

His leadership also extends into community engagement and education. David spent 16 years on the board of directors for the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and served as a founding member of the non-profit First Community Housing. His almost two decades of service on the San Jose Rotary recently led David to initiate a new Youth Empowerment Neurodiversity Fund, inspired by David's experience with two of his grandchildren who are neurodivergent.

Throughout his career, David exemplified a commitment to building projects that not only enhance the physical landscape but also uplift the lives of individuals and communities. His greatest accomplishment however is the family he has built with his wife of over 60 years, including his two children, and his four grandchildren. 

Connect with David:

• The Core Companies website 
• David's profile on LinkedIn
• San Jose Rotary Youth Empowerment Neurodiversity Fund Link to Donate (select the specific fund from the pull-down menu)

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

• David's childhood experiences in England and his mother's transition from a stay-at-home mom to small retail store business partner.
• The influence of David's father's ambition on his pursuit of independence and his adventures around the world.
• The political upheaval in Montreal during the 1970s that led David to pursue his fate and a life and career near San Jose, CA. 
• David's reflections on spending time with his grandchildren and mentoring them on life skills and overcoming challenges
• David's individual toasts at a recent family dinner, celebrating each grandchild's unique qualities and stages in life, one example of how he mindfully engages with them.
• David's efforts to understand and champion his neurodivergent grandsons, Ryan and Jacob, and his leadership in starting the Youth Neurodiversity Empowerment Fund through the San Jose Rotary.
• David's impactful career in building communities, particularly in affordable housing, including the creation of the artist housing project, Art Ark. Also why building housing communities requires more than just the physical structures. 
• Reflections on personal lessons learned, through many pivots and failures, and his advice for us about how to more fully live our E.P.I.C. lives. 

This Episode's Challenge: 

David invites us to embrace the understanding that life is not a straight line. He encourages us to adapt and pivot to new circumstances, recognizing that daily adjustments may be necessary. Despite the obstacles that may arise, David urges us to never give up on pursuing our goals and to engage in activities that we truly love. By cultivating a passion for what you do, he believes that success will naturally follow. David also emphasizes the importance of asking questions and maintaining an inquisitive mindset, as continuous learning is a fundamental aspect of personal growth. As we move through our own epic life journey, David's invitation is to embrace failures as valuable lessons and to persevere with unwavering determination, knowing that each setback brings you closer to your ultimate destination.

This Episode is dedicated by: 

Jacob Neale, David's youngest grandchild.

Jacob can also be heard in the recording for last year's Father's Day episode with Normal Sucks author and fellow dyslexic ADHDer Jonathan Mooney.

Listen to the episode here: https://mothersquest.com/different-is-not-deficient-with-normal-sucks-author-jonathan-mooney/

You Might Also Be Interested In These Father's Day Special Episodes

Here Comes the Sun: A Solocast on Death, Grief, and Love

Ep 75: A Call for Kinetic Partnership with While Black's Darius Hicks

Ep 44: A Family Legacy of Service and Leadership with California Assemblymember Rob Bonta

Mother's Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

As Mother's Quest approaches 100 episodes, we invite you to help us spread the word by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Help us reach 100 reviews to honor 100 episodes this Season Eight of the Mother's Quest Podcast!

You can also support the podcast by making a contribution or joining one of our memberships at our Patron Page on Ko-Fi.com. 

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest

 

I'm excited to bring you this conversation with Danielle Dutton, acclaimed Margaret the First author, whose own mother instilled an appreciation for reading and education early in her life. Danielle and I spent many family holidays together growing up because our mothers have been life-long friends. But, it's been years since I've spoken with Danielle and it was such a joy to hear about the E.P.I.C life she is living.

Danielle is the author of three books, most recently Margaret the First, based on the life of Margaret Cavendish, a 17th century Duchess who wrote and published poems, plays and other works during a time when "being a writer" was not an option for most women. 

In addition to being an author herself, Danielle also co-founded, with her husband, the independent press called Dorothy, a publishing project. The press came from her own desire to create more space for innovative works by female authors. It is named for her great aunt, a librarian who drove a bookmobile through the backroads of Southern California, delivering books to underserved desert communities. 

Born and raised in California, Danielle now lives in Missouri, where she teaches in the writing program at Washington University in St. Louis and enjoys time with her husband and eight year old son, both writers themselves.

Danielle and I talked about the small steps she took along the way in her life, from working in a book store in England to taking a writing class and then applying for her MFA on a whim, that brought her to where she is today.

She shares with honesty how she has moved through depression and anxiety and how she has become a kinder person since becoming a mother to her son, who she says is hilarious and her favorite person in the world.  

We also discuss the importance of a mindful daily practice. How Buddhist meditation has begun to transform the way she thinks about herself, helping her to go down the "right roads" in her thoughts. And she shares how the books she has authored came from both a mindset of patience and a commitment to daily writing.

I found Danielle to be totally delightful and was inspired by her honesty, her sincerity and this way in which she comes across at the same time relatable and brilliant.

I hope you will join me in exploring the resources she shared in Buddhist meditation and also in following through on her challenge to read more, read books we wouldn't normally read, and make time and space for a writing project of our own to emerge. 

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The impact Danielle's mother had on her life and on her own journey as a mother 
• The unique gifts her great aunt, a librarian, sent her as a child that planted seeds for Dorothy, the feminist press Danielle co-created
• Danielle's struggle with anxiety and depression and how mindfulness and meditation has helped her
• The various, but significant, shifts that Danielle has experienced to get to where she is today
• How her son is her favorite person and how becoming a mother has changed her
• The need Danielle saw in the cultural conversation of including more women writers and their voices in the literary world 
• Neuroplasticity, the brain's capacity to change and adapt
• How her press became part of Danielle's support network and why a community of self is also important

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Dorothy, a publishing project - Danielle's press
• Danielle's book, Margaret the First: A Novel
• The Wallcreeper by Nell Zink
• On Being with Krista Tippett, a podcast
• Tara Brach, a psychologist and proponent of Buddhist meditation
• Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill by Matthieu Ricard
• Modeh Ani Morning Prayer/Song (version by my cantor Elena Jagoda) that I sing each day after a short morning meditation
• A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf

Announcements:

If you haven't yet visited the website, I want to invite you to head over to mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list to have show notes delivered to your inbox, click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me.

Help me Create the Finale!! - I would love to hear your favorite moments from the podcast and how what you're learning impacts your E.P.I.C. life. I plan to highlight those moments from the different episodes, and your voices, in the season finale coming in early April. So do head over to mothersquest.com by March 31st and use the voice message tool to tell me who you are, your favorite moment, and the impact it's had on you.

Finally, I invite you to schedule a free 15 minute planning session where I can help you bring more intention to your life using the Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets which you can download for FREE at www.mothersquest.com/reflectionsheets. Email me at julie@mothersquest.com to set a time.

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

• Claire Fry who dedicated this week's episode of the podcast
• Divya Silbermann
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

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Want to join the patrons above and help support more meaningful conversations such as these? Visit the Mother's Quest Patreon Page to become a regular patron or visit this link www.mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter to make a one-time donation.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

The value of putting yourself in someone else's perspective, with compassion, is something that this week's guest, filmmaker and activist Paola Mendoza, consciously creates through her storytelling.

And, boldly moving forward through difficult times is something Paola talks passionately about-- as she reflects on how she moved from feelings of failure after the election and rose up, channelling those emotions into a passionate co-creation of the Women's March--what became the largest world-wide gathering in history.

In addition to being a key organizer and the Artistic Director of the Women's March on Washington, Paola is an acclaimed actress, director, screenwriter, and author.

She was recently named one of Filmmaker Magazine 25 New Faces of Independent Film for her body of work which includes Refinery 29, BROKEN TAIL LIGHT, FREE LIKE THE BIRDS, and Z for ZENDAYA. She made her narrative directorial debut with the film she wrote, starred in and co-directed about her mother, Entre Nos, which had its world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival and was awarded Honorable Mention.

Entre Nos told the deeply personal story of Paola, her brother, and her mother's journey as immigrants to the United States from Colombia and the challenges they experienced. It went on to win over twenty awards at film festivals from around the world and ultimately became the novel, The Ones Who Don't Stay.

Paola shares about the impact her mother had on her, what it was like to tell her mother's story, the role of art in building compassion, and what it means to step into activism from a place of love, and the things you stand for, but also for what you boldly stand against.

We spent time talking about moving past fear, sacrificing your privilege, and teaching your children to do the same in order to help others.

These were things Paola powerfully demonstrated just two days after we recorded this interview, when she was arrested for civil disobedience at the Day Without a Woman strike in New York City.

Paola is a strong force but also has a softness about her, which comes through as she talks about her relationship with her four year old son, Mateo, how time with him is part of her self-care, and how they spend what they call "Adventure Fridays" together. I heard about her solid partnership with fellow activist, entrepreneur and storyteller Michael Skolnik and about the E.P.I.C. snapshot moment Michael captured of Paola taking in all she created the day of the Women's March in D.C.

Looking back, I'm amazed that Paola was so present during her conversation with me given what she was in the midst of organizing just days later. I could tell she did so because she wanted me and those listening to know how important it is to take action based on our beliefs, that activism takes many shades and forms, and that with privilege comes tremendous responsibility to participate in our political system and stand for social justice.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The profound impact her mother had on Paola's life, and what it was like to tell her mother's courageous story as an immigrant to the U.S., in her film Entre Nos

• Paola's way of connecting with her son through "Adventure Fridays"

• The role of art and activism in growing compassion in other people

• The importance of emphasizing both what you stand for and also what you stand against

• With privilege comes responsibility, and how Paola hopes to teach her son to sacrifice his privilege to help other people

• Ultimately, it's not about falling or failing, it's about how you rise up and how Paola's metaphor of "running a relay" sustains her activism

• Paola's challenge to us to "participate"…to get involved in a local issue and attend a town hall meeting during the next congressional recess.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Entre Nos,  Paola stars in this film (which she also wrote and directed) based on her family's experiences of coming to the United States from Colombia

• The Ones Who Don't Stay, Paola's novel which came from the film Entre Nos

• This article where Paola talks about the Women's March being about what we are for

• Ep 06: Healthy and Happy with Dr. Elisa Song where we talk about "special time" with our children

• The Women's March

• Unity Principles of the Women's March

• A Day Without a Woman

• A Quote by Audre Lorde: "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." More About Audre Lorde & Audre Lorde's Work

• Indivisible, a website by former Congressional staffers who reveal best practices for making Congress listen

• Focus on our Goodness: A Framework for my Activism Inspired by my Four-year Old

• My recent solocast where I talk about wanting to step more into activism and why I reached out to Paola here

Announcements

If you haven't yet visited the website, I want to invite you to head over to mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list to have show notes delivered to your inbox, click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me.

Help me Create the Finale!! - I would love to hear which are your favorite moments from the podcast and how what you are hearing and learning is impacting your E.P.I.C. life. I plan to highlight those moments from the different episodes, and your voices, in the season finale coming in early April. So do head over to mothersquest.com and use the voice message tool to tell me who you are, your favorite moment, and the impact it has had on you. 

Finally, I invite you to schedule a free 15 minute planning session where I can help you bring more intention to your life using the Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets which you can download for FREE at www.mothersquest.com/reflectionsheets. Email me at julie@mothersquest.com to set a time. 

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial support:

• Divya Silbermann who dedicated this week's episode
• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Want to join the patrons above and help support more meaningful conversations such as these? Visit the Mother's Quest Patreon Page to become a regular patron or visit this link www.mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter to make a one-time donation.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com

I'm excited to share this Episode #15 with you-- a conversation with Karen Baker, a mentor of mine who played a pivotal role in connecting me to a career of service.

It's not surprising because connecting people to service is Karen's super power. Karen has been making matches her whole life, but she currently brings this gift to her role as the Chief Service Officer of CaliforniaVolunteers, where she serves under Governor Brown. Karen has 20 years of innovative leadership in all facets of the service and volunteering sector, including local and national non-profits and federal agencies. In 2008, she was appointed by Former California Governor Schwarzenegger to serve as the first-in-the-nation state cabinet Secretary of Service and Volunteering.

Karen is also an amazing mom to 2 children, Ella and Christopher, both adopted at birth by Karen and her husband. In our conversation, we talk about the ways in which Karen's parents and seven siblings inspired her to be of service to others, how she brings that service to her work at CaliforniaVolunteers, and how she has learned to put needs out there and watch as a community rises up to meet them, most recently experienced as Karen led efforts to respond to the Oroville Dam disaster.

We also talk about her experience parenting children with ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, how she using a morning playlist and thoughtful nighttime ritual in between the "madness in the middle," to ground herself and her children, and how she is learning to take time and find new ways to invest in herself and her relationships. 

It was a total joy for me to reconnect with my mentor Karen and I left the conversation so appreciative of the work she does in my state of California, reminded of the importance of using our superpowers to benefit others, and inspired to engage my own children in service. I hope you too find this conversation an inspiration to uncover and channel your family's superpowers to create a service legacy.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• How Karen used her superpower, helping people find their vocation and passion, to set me on my career path after college
• The lesson Karen's civically-minded parents imparted to her and her siblings of the duty  to people who have no one else to support them
• Book-ending your day between the "madness in the middle" with a  morning playlist and a thoughtful question before bedtime
• Moving from isolation to community when raising children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• The power of putting your needs out there and having faith that the right people will come into your work and life to fill those needs
• Living a life of service and utilizing your superpowers to give and receive positive energy and find solutions
• Karen's recent E.P.I.C. life moment when she was called by to respond to the Oroville Dam disaster and saw a community rise up to meet the needs

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Heart of Los Angeles Youth, the incredible organization that Karen connected me to that set me on my career path after college.
• CaliforniaVolunteers - addresses state and community challenges by investing in high impact service solutions, while leveraging public, private, and nonprofit partnerships and resources.
• AmeriCorps - provides thousands of Americans of all ages, abilities and backgrounds with intensive full- and part-time opportunities to serve their communities and build the capacity of grassroots organizations to meet local environmental, educational, public safety, or other human needs. http://www.californiavolunteers.org/index.php/AmeriCorps/
• Being Boss Podcast - Episode 79 - The Chalkboard Method
• Mother's Quest Podcast - Episode 14 with Amanda Steinberg of the DailyWorth
• E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets to help you start recording weekly intentions and daily gratitude.
• Democracy jeans, the E.P.I.C. jeans, created by my very own sister, that Karen Baker and I were both wearing when we sat down to do our interview

Announcements

If you haven't yet visited the website, I want to invite you to head over to mothersquest.com to explore some of the ways you can get more connected. At the site, you can sign up for our email list to have show notes delivered to your inbox, click the link to join the Facebook group and press record to leave a voice message for me.

I would love to hear which are your favorite moments from the podcast and how what you are hearing and learning is impacting your E.P.I.C. life. I plan to highlight those moments from the different episodes, and your voices, in the season finale coming in early April. So do head over to mothersquest.com and use the voice message tool to help me create an amazing season finale.

Finally, I invite you to schedule a free 15 minute planning session where I can help you bring more intention to your life using the Live Your E.P.I.C. Life Planning and Reflection Sheets which you can download for FREE at www.mothersquest.com/reflectionsheets.

A big THANK YOU to our "patrons" for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial support:

• Rachel Winter
• Caren and Debbie Lieberman
• Cameron Miranda
• Fran and David Lieberman
• Debbie and Alan Goore
• Jenise and Marianne of the Sustainable Living Podcast

Want to join the patrons above and help support more meaningful conversations such as these? Visit the Mother's Quest Patreon Page to become a regular patron or visit this link www.mothersquest.com/be-a-supporter to make a one-time donation.

If you would like to "dedicate" an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at julie@mothersquest.com