Woke Mommy Chatter- The Podcast

The first Woke Mommy Chatter podcast...The one where we talk about making mom friends with moms of other races, breaking down the glass wall between black women and living parallel lives with friends. 

I'm continuing my discussion with fellow woke moms Rochelle and Carla.  This week we are talking interracial relationships and identity from our perspective and experiences.

On episode 3 of the Woke Mommy Chatter podcast I am talking breastfeeding with Hadassah, author of the blog For Brown Moms and Afrykyan Moon, ownder of the Chocolate Milk Gear store and author of the Infinite Possibilities of a Black Woman blog.   We talk about the history of wet nursing and the real stigma that comes with black women using their breasts to feed babies that originated in slavery.  ‘That  “slavery sh*t” as one woman referred to it.   Be sure to visit www.wokemommychatter.com for links to their blogs and more information about black women and breastfeeding.

On this episode of Woke Mommy Chatter- The Podcast, we are continuing our conversation with black mom bloggers-  Hadassah, author of the blog For Brown Moms and Afrykyan Moon, owner of the Chocolate Milk Gear store and author of the Infinite Possibilities of a Black Woman blog.  In this episode we get real and talk about what it's like to be a black mom raising kids under Trump.    

Have you ever considered homeschooling your kid(s)....well these are the moms you'd want to talk to.  They are homeschooling pros.  On this episode I talk to Eva Greene Wilson a  Homeschooling Mom and Socamom.com blogger and Yolanda Newton a homeschooler and Director of Education Revolt.org. We talk about why homeschooling works for black kids, why they decided to homeschool and the challenges and great benefits that comes along with that decision. 

In this week's podcast we talk to Bellamy Shoffner a writer and photographer launching a new magazine called Hold The Line to ‘support people of color and LGBTQ+ communities,  people defying gender norms, working to combat  mental health stigma, and the abhorrent d uprising of white supremacy.’ Bellamy and I speak about  her magazine, advice on how to talk to your kids about racial tension, the power of words and why you should never touch a black child’s hair. You can find a link to Bellamy's magaine at www.wokemommychatter.com  

Kelly Greenawalt  a self described- ‘freckle-faced white mom of six kids including two beautiful black daughters is an author who as written a book that I love.  It’s called Princess Truly, and it is a must have. It is a beautiful affirming, inspiring book about a little girl who can do anything….Princess Truly. In this episode, we are talking representation, how the book came to be, why she wrote it, how kids react when she reads it to them in school and we touch on her busy life as a mom of six children. To learn more about the book and to find links to Kelly’s website visit: www.wokemommychatter.com.

Woke Mommy Chatter is signing off until next year!   If you've missed episodes, be sure to catch up.  Don't forget to subscribe and share the Woke Mommy Chatter podcast with other woke moms, dads, friends and family! Until next year- keep following www.wokemommychatter.com Join in the conversation on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wokemommy/ Or follow me on twitter: @wokemommy     

"Finding someone to express Black Love…loving your culture, your history, your skin, is truly something special." Destinii,  @BlaqLoveSoul Happy Valentines Day!   On this episode, I’m joined by Brandon and Destinii from the BlaqLove Instagram blog, we are celebrating the beauty of black love, talking through some of the challenges and digging deep on the meaning of BlaqLove.  Visit  www.wokemommychatter.com to read what Black Love means to me.  Join in the conversation on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wokemommy/ or @wokemommy on twitter. 

On this episode, I talk to the researcher of my family history....my sister, about doing her DNA test, what drives her to want to find out more about where we came from and who are people are and what some of the challenges are for Black people trying to trace their roots. 

Parenting a three year old is hard, parenting a three year old as a Black parent is an added layer of issues to address and deal with. From banishing Elsa from your house, to parenting in private for fear of condemnation, to trying to instill a sense of self-love and Black pride in your kids, we are discussing it all on this episode of the podcast.   Join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and share your threenager parenting horror story #WMCTHREE

What would it be like to just pack up and leave it all behind for a new country?  What would it be life to NOT have to have the dreaded Black parent 'talk' with your son?  What would it be like to live a life free of daily microaggressions and stress completely related to your race?  Aja Rutledge found out. The day after Donald Trump was elected president, she applied for a passport and soon, she packed up her son and her life and moved....to Mexico. This is her story. 

There's a silent struggle that many women, of all colours are facing today....the seemingly impossible search for work-life balance.  Brianne DeRosa is the author of the Red, Round or Green blog and in the first part of my conversation with her, we talk about her article written for Motherwell Magazine, On not leaning in, but not leaning out.

This episode I continue my discussion with Brianne DeRosa  author of the Red, Round or Green blog, about finding work life balance as a working mom, race, privilege and the fact that children never stop needing a parental presence.  Be sure to Brianne's article that started this conversation, written for Motherwell Magazine, On not leaning in, but not leaning out.

Black kids are struggling in school. This is a fact all across North America.  Canada is no exception.   For many there's chronic underachievement. In this episode, I chat with Trish, author of the Confessions of a Hustling Mama blog.  We begin and end by talking about the challenges of learning while Black, but we also talk about our own experiences of working and living as Black women.      

When the boy child called me ‘Blackie’ from the back of his car seat and then told me proudly that his friend from school told him that word was another word for Black people, I started down this path to unpacking what it means to be a Black parent to black children in this world.  Part of the village that keeps me sane is the Black Moms Connection, an online mecca for Black mothers. Tanya Hayles the founder, chats with me about black motherhood, the backlash to Black Moms Connections, Black Panther and much more.

Last year an elected school board official in Ontario, Canada, called Charline Grant the N-word. Then that official refused to resign and blamed 'old age' and 'dementia' for her use of the N-word.  Charline battled the school board until a resignation happened and then she took it upon herself to run for School Trustee.  She's a trail blazer, who is giving voice to the struggles that Black students and parents face on a daily basis in the education system.  This is her story, it's my story and it's the story of the Black experience in education and how we have to educate the system to work for us. We reference a few reports in this podcast that you should read. The first is a report by Dr. Carl James called Towards Race in Education.  If you are a teacher, if you are a Black parent, if you are someone interested in education or human rights...read this report.  You can't read it and not be appalled by what it says and the outcomes for Black students in Toronto, Canada. Another report to read is the Under Suspicion report, put out by the Ontario Human Rights Commission. It talks about racial profiling in general- but also spends time focusing on racial profiling in Education.   You can follow Charline Grant on twitter at:  @charlineGrant    

On this episode we are talking mental health and well being...for Black Women.  We are droping the 'strong Black Woman' stereotype and getting real about how we can take care of ourselves, put our well being first and just breath. I am joined by Marsha Hibbert, Social Worker and Psychotherapist.  http://composetherapy.ca/about/  And Taina Mayberry, Social Worker, Therapist and founder and creator of an organization called The Most Nurtured, a holistic wellness safe space for Black women. 

We are all winging it when it comes to parenting. At least that is what I tell myself.  This week, I am chatting with someone who isn't just winging it.  Samantha-Kemp Jackson is a parenting expert, mom of four, author of the  Multiple Mayhem Mamma blog and the Parenting Then and Now Podcast.   Her answers  to questions like, how do you talk to kids about consent, how do you manage public tantrums and how do you not get in an argument with a 5 year old are the things every parent needs to hear or be reminded of.  You're doing a great job, but grab a coffee or tea and a huge piece of cake and sit down and listen to Samantha as she answers your parenting questions with humor, sage advise and a practical confidence every parent needs! Don't forget to visit the woke mommy chatter podcast to help support the blog!  Your support means I can do more great shows, and you'll get a say in some of the episodes we cover ;)  You can support at: www.wokemommychatter.com  You can follow Samantha on Facebook, and Twitter.    

Deuces 2018!   On the last episode of the year, we are looking back at Hold The Line Magazine 1 year on, with Creator and  Editor in Chief extraordinaire Bellamy Shoffner.  Bellamy and I reflect on 2018, we talk about what it is to be Young-ish and creating content for the masses as Black mothers and the toll it takes on us and we chat about white allies.  Is allyship really a thing...and is it effective?     

"Hi Auntie"   We are talking, aunties in the Black community, particularly Aunties without children of their own, the role they play in the Black family, the complicated family dynamics, the toll that role takes on them and why Aunties are so important to the Black community.  This week, I am joined by Judie Powell, a friend and colleague who is an Auntie to 4 little and little-ish people, and Maria Daniel, my sister, who is an Auntie to two little people. 

Jeff Martin, Author, Police Officer, Father and Motivational Speaker chats about his new book, Brothers/Sisters from the 6: Role Models in my Community, the importance of giving back, wh he decided to be a police officer and why representation matters.  Jeff is doing amazing work. You can find him at:jeffadmartin.com You can follow him at:  IG/FB/Twitter : @jeffadmartin    You can purchase his book, proceeds of which go towards his Brothers from the 6 foundation on Amazon.   

There are so many stereotypes about Single Black Motherhood.  In this episode, Kim Williams, host of the Single Black Motherhood Podcast,gets real about Black Single Motherhood.  We chat about anti-Black sentiment around single mothers, the challenges and triumphs and we also chat about how stereotypes about Black Mothers, affect Black Fathers. A few articles mentioned in the podcast can be found here: https://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2016/10/25/please-dont-call-me-a-single-mother.html Black Dads Involved in Kids Lives  https://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-levs/no-most-black-kids-are-no_b_11109876.html   

In the Season 3 finale, I continue my chat with Kim Williams, host of the Single Black Motherhood Podcast,gets real about Black Single Motherhood.  We chat about the single Black Fathers she ha interviewed, some of her highs and lows as a single mom and her hopes for the future. A few articles mentioned in the podcast can be found here: https://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2016/10/25/please-dont-call-me-a-single-mother.html Black Dads Involved in Kids Lives  https://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-levs/no-most-black-kids-are-no_b_11109876.html   

I'm so excited to bring you Season 4 of the podcast. This is a mini epsiode.  Just an introduction to the season and a special chat with the little madam!  She drops some home truths on this woke mommy. I referenced the advocacy group I started with a number of amazing Black moms, - check out the website.  If you are interested in starting a chapter - connect with me!  Let's take this global!  www.parentsofblackchildren.org

This week, I am chatting to Nefertiti Austin. Author of Motherhood So White:  A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America.  Stay tuned at the end for a preview of part two of our conversation.  I also reference the group Parents of Black Children. You can learn more here: www.parentsofblackchildren.org  

This week, I am finishing up my chat with Nefertiti Austin, author of Motherhood So White:  A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America.     

BLACK LIVES MATTER 

Bellamy Shoffner is a social entrepreneur, writer, blogger living in Charlottesville.  Bellamy and I first connected for the podcast, a few years ago to discuss her magazine Hold The Line.  That first conversation has turned into annual check in’s- as we both navigate Black motherhood and social activism. In this conversation Bellamy and I chat about George Floyd, the protest his death have ignited, our frustration with sudden allyship- including the inclusive lessons teachers are now sending home and defunding the police.