Mommymatters

“People need to shift the narrative in the family. It is not about the time you are spending but the energy you are giving. Wellness is about giving that energy.” - Cecile Edwards, M.Ed “I don’t need to wear all of the hats-all of the time because I am able to rely on other people in my corner that is helping me do those things.” - Katie Germain, Occupational Therapist It was a pleasure to have a conservation with Katie Germain! This is a little about Katie Germain: Katie is an occupational therapist with over 7 years of experience working with both adults and children. She is certified as a PMH-C and PCES. Katie is a partner at Strengthen Mama, an occupational therapy practice that provides in-home rehab for pregnancy and postpartum. She is a self-published author of The Honey Bees: Recharge Mommy Bee, a children's book that teaches kids why the mom needs rest. Katie is a wife and mother, to two little boys, and enjoys visiting upstate New York. Katie Germain discuss her business, Strengthen Mama, and the

What a pleasure to discuss this critical topic with the brilliant Turquoise Brewington!  A little about Turquoise: Turquoise Brewington is a recent graduate from Princeton University where she majored in the School of Public and International Affairs with certificates in African American Studies and Spanish. Her academic research was focused on improving maternal health outcomes and combating racial disparities particularly through perinatal workforce policy initiatives. Turquoise is currently a Maternal and Infant Health Intern with the Burke Foundation where she supports transformative investments to bolster and diversify the midwifery and doula professions. In the future, Turquoise plans to continue work in maternal health at the intersection of business, technology, and policy upon completing an MBA/MPH in the near future. In the current social and political climate around birth equity and maternal and child health many groups are looking for a solution and the research/data behind it may seem boring

Healthy Self-Esteem is something that parents have to learn and cultivate within themselves too.  In fact, we come face to face with this sometimes when we have children while rectifying our own childhood.  Once it is cultivated we become more clear about ways in which it enriches ours and our children.  In this episode Laurel Handfield, Owner of Happy Island Press, shares with us how she came to the conclusion that black girls need more representations of their beauty - both inner and outer.   We cover things like: Ways our parents unwittingly contribute to our self-esteem issues Ways we can cultivate healthy esteem in our children Why it is important to ensure we take care of ourselves and HOW to do so in a deep and enduring way These are just a few topics. Laurel also shares a free tool you can access to work to continuously build your own and your children's self-esteem in a fun and creative way. You can access the free book here: https://www.happyislandpress.com --- Support this po

For Black History Month I wanted to honor the lives and Legacies of Midwives.  Affectionately called Granny Midwives they are the predecessors to current birth and postpartum doulas as well as hospital based midwives.  They birthed and cared for moms, especially black and brown mothers in the rural areas of America when hospitals would not take them in because of the color of their skin.   It was an honor to interview Diamond Redden who comes from a legacy of these amazing women.  She continues to carry the torch as an Advanced Holistic Doula and Master Herbalist.  She is also a student Midwife.  Her mother and grandmother are still practicing midwives and have a legacy of "catching" a while street of children.  Her services can be accessed at www.mammissi.org.  For further reference and to learn more about Midwives in America and their awesome legacy and work, which is critical knowledge in understanding birth work, here are a few resources:  * Listen to Me Good:

This episode is dedicated to all of us moms who make resolutions each year to do something specific and may or may not complete it. I hope you never torture yourself into doing something but instead you create what you desire with grace and ease through reflection, intention setting and visualizations.   People make resolutions each year on January 1st and by January 31st, have abandoned these altogether. I am not here to judge, just to ask, when are we going to stop being on this rollercoaster of self-betrayal and instead embrace envisioning and inspired actions?  I've learned through trial and error that we do not have to force or fight ourselves to make what we desire manifest. You desire it because it is yours to have. Let's talk about that #mommymagic we all have and learn to embrace it a little more. *Grab your intention setting journal here.  Drop a comment on some things you've manifested through intention setting and visualization. Connect with me ---> IG: @mommyevolve; FB: @mo

The conversation with Julia was free flowing and powerful.  We touch on healing/understanding generational stories, the power of questions, what generational wellness can be and how to approach it.  Grief is discussed in a myriad of ways that allows us to transform the way we assist others and also ask for assistance.  We discuss the layers of grief and Julia shares powerful tools and nuances around grief for black women and self-care.  Julia Mallory is a writer, teaching artist, and cultural worker. She is a six-time author, including two children’s books. Her latest book, Survivor's Guilt is a multi-genre meditation on generational grief. In addition, she is the founder of the creative literary arts brand, Black Mermaids, serves as the Senior Poetry Editor for Raising Mothers, and hosts the Stop Shrinking Socialcast. She can be found on Instagram at  @thejuliamallory or at www.thejuliamallory.com and blackmermaids.com. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mommymatters/supp

******Trigger Warning!********  This is a sensitive topic about violence against women and should be listened to with care.  To educate and empower during this month - Domestic Violence Awareness Month - I wanted to discuss and shed light on this under spoken topic.  I was blessed to have the opportunity to speak with a survivor Lorina. Lorina was courageous and graceful in discussing this topic and gives copious details.  Lorina Coleman is a licensed esthetician and beauty educator with extensive knowledge in skin care, make up, nutrition, eyelash extensions and a resounding passion for the overall health and wellness of the skin and the body. She is a diligent and passionate beauty service provider that delivers above average service to each and every client.There is beauty in wellness. I’ve been in business over 15 years and naturally evolved into wellness and holistic healing. The esthetic is a reflection of the internal.MTM Solutions LLC is a solution based business that offers beauty

Evolved parenting, conscious parenting, breaking generational curses - whatever you want to call it - many are looking for new ways to engage and interact with their children. Come to think of it, we might call it trauma informed parenting.  In this episode I share a recent experience I had with my daughter and some tips for practicing a more conscious way of parenting. Many of these tips are centered on releasing the conditioning you as a parent has developed through your experiences as a child. There is hope! Consider yourself the CEO of new ways of being and growing for yourself, your family and society.  Sign up for my newsletter, buy my book "Mama Reclaim Yourself...." or view and purchase services here: bit.ly/evolvingself  See you next episode.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mommymatters/support

I came into information about this some weeks ago and thought it would be an interesting topic to broach. My personal experience didn't have these words to describe but I do understand it as I experienced it about 3 years after giving birth. Depression of any kind can happen due to a multitude of environmental, physiological, psychological and relational factors. Have you or anyone you know experienced this? Please share a testimony or observation. #parentalmentalhealth #maternalmentalhealth #communitycare #selfcare #empowerher #advocacy #education --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mommymatters/support

In this episode we discuss a few Indigenous and postpartum ways.  What are some considerations among families with competing cultures and things that might be done or expected in that time?  What is your cultural ritual around pregnancy and childbirth?  What are some things you'd keep or not? In this episode I reference Indigemama business as well as thee following herbs: Stinging Nettle Red Raspberry Cersey Tuna Bitter tobacco boiled cobweb Love Bush for baby gripe Vervine for baby and mom if either have a cold inside Old woman bitters I would love for you to share some of your perinatal and postpartum ways. I would love for you to share.  DISCLAIMER: This episode is to share knowledge and information not to diagnose, treat or recommend any thing. Please consult with your doctor or herbalist and of course trust your path for wellness.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mommymatters/support

In this episode Perinatal and postpartum mental health is defined and broken down with tips on how to improve wellness over all. We discuss: Baby Blues, Postpartum depression and anxiety, postpartum psychosis and paternal depression as well. Advocacy for health care provider knowledge and support is crucial to closing the gap between perinatal care and postpartum mental wellness. Quality of life is linked to mental health and wellness - we can not ignore this central piece.  Let's educate and empower ourselves on this topic. I hope you enjoy! email me with questions: momevolve@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mommymatters/support

In this months episode Cecile discusses the definition of a self-care plan and how to lean in to creating a powerful plan and what some her self-care plans include.  Visit bit.ly/signupmom to join the Mommy Friends collective bit.ly/momappointments for your self-care plans momevolve@gmail.com for inquiries about this episode, workshops, speaking engagements and more! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mommymatters/support

Postpartum care is an area I am passionate about for so many reasons. If you know my story, you know that my postpartum was rough - to say the least. In this episode we discuss the importance of mental, emotional, spiritual and nutritional wellness and how they connect. We also discuss the multi-layered factors that cause women to be obsessed with weight and their bodies even immediately after having a baby.  Many insights are shared that illuminate wellness not just for mom and baby but for the family generationally and dives into ways everyone can be supported during the joyous but stressful fourth trimester.  Jaren's expertise and experience with both eating disorders and postpartum nutrition adds to the MommyMatters corpus of information to continue our conversation about holistic motherhood.  Jaren's BIO: Jaren is a Registered Dietician and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who serves as an expert in women's health.  While continuing to serve in the field of e

Did you know that by the third week in January most people have abandoned their New Year Resolutions? They fall to the wayside.  In this episode we discuss that perhaps this is because most of us aren't getting to the bottom of what we truly desire, only the outcome that we see as what we 'should' want, be, do or have.  This episode urges you to get to the bottom of what you truly desire and to understand that this is about the feelings and interactions you will have on a daily basis, not just the achieving of the big goal. You may find you don't even desire that goal anymore once you get to the bottom of it all.   We also discuss generational intentions and what that has looked like for me and my daughter over the past few years.  See - resolutions/intentions require REFLECTION, MINDFULNESS and SELF-CARE.  There is no getting around it.  Listen in and leave your comments and questions.  Ciao for now. See you next month! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mommyma

In this episode we discuss to discuss why the diet mentality keeps you from loving your full self, how to break the diet mentality, guiding healthy eating habits in your children, the error in "snap back" mentality and so much more!  It is important to me that while staying healthy we love ourselves and attach ourselves to our greatness. Self-Love is Self-Care and we can not hate the place we were that gave us greater realizations for our connectedness and ability to evolve. As we are continuously evolving. It is always my hope that these episodes help you to evolve and learn yourself a little deeper each day.  About our Guest: Kiara, Food Freedom & Body Acceptance Coach Kiara Raye is an Anti-Diet Coach For Foodies and also an ex yo-yo dieter and former food addict who transformed her life by completely healing her relationship with food and her body. Now, she specializes in teaching other women how to liberate themselves from the diet mentality and re-educate them on how their body was naturall

What a powerful conversation! I feel like every person needs to hear and understand how their inner guide is the best guide and that you get no awards for trying to save everyone. NONE! In fact, you can't save everyone, we all have our paths. Being SUPERWOMAN could delay your own path, which is the higher level of service to self, the divine and others.  An educator turned full-time entrepreneur, basketball mom, gymnastics mom, twin mom, mother of seven children (yes, you read that right), Tanai still finds time to inspire moms to travel the world. In 2013, Tanai moved her then three children to Abu Dhabi to build her “American dream” outside of America. While abroad, her children were able to learn Arabic, excelled in school and sports, had a live-in nanny, and traveled the world. Since returning to the US in 2016, she has continued to maintain the goal of granting her children a new passport stamp every 100 days. In 2019, Tanai got married and grew her family from four to seven people to love and in 20

Finding Calm is a global need for mothers and their children. This step by step guide given by the phenomenal owner or Black Mom's Guide to Calm is what every mother needs right now to center herself and therefore everyone around her.  Jamie discussed very practical ways to infuse C.A.L.M into your daily routine.  About Jamie: As the founder of Black Mom's Guide to Calm, Jamie Fleming works with mamas (and women) who are tired of being burned out, stressed out, and worn out and are ready to do something about it. She teaches them how to create calm in the chaos of their daily lives. Jamie's love of meditation and yoga was sparked after giving birth to her daughter, Nailah, in 2013. Her mission is to teach women how to overcome their overwhelm and find inner peace and calm. How to find Jamie: IG @blackmomcalm websites: blackmomcalmshop.com, blackmomsguidetocalm.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mommymatters/support

This episode gets raw about intergenerational transference, self-awareness to destroy cycles and motherhood as a gateway to healing and self-discovery.  We discuss the power of self-care and define it in multi-layered ways so that you can access it at anytime.  GUEST BIO: Kerri Hummingbird, Soul Guide, inspires people to lead their lives wide awake with an authenticity, passion and purpose that positively impacts others. She catalyzes mind-shifts that transform life challenges into gifts of wisdom with her Reinvent Yourself programs for individual and group mentoring. She is the international best-selling author of "The Second Wave: Transcending the Human Drama" and the award-winning best-selling book "Awakening To Me: One Woman’s Journey To Self Love" which describes the early years of her spiritual awakening. She has served as a social activist, leader, and philanthropist for over three decades. She is the Founder of the Skills Not Pills Movement and Host of Soul Nectar Show. Host of Soul Ne

Me: what made you want to make Mac n cheese? Nubia: because I saw a video on tic toc and it looked good Me: did you see a video on there about turning assignments in on time too? Nubia: *blank stare* and

I love the conversations around abundance! Yes - this is about abundance. In the mind and spirit! The conversations around single motherhood are shifting and I love that empowered stances are taking the forefront.  In my mind - if anyone can build wealth as she sees fit - it is someone as resourceful as a single mom. The key is to use your resources, inside and out.  This was a fun convo (not without glitches though) Danielle learned how critical a healthy relationship with money was shortly after her divorce and one-income home reality hit her.  Follow Danielle Robinson on IG @single_mom_money and Youtube - Single Mom Money. There is a wealth of information here! Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes with Mommy Matters --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mommymatters/support