Podcasts about mama bear dares

Recorded under the Mama Bear Dares name, Leslie and Tesi have the honor of sitting down with Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, the largest grassroots movement in America fighting for public safety measures that protect people from gun violence. The women talk about the moral imperative to DO SOMETHING to help the vulnerable among us and encourage listeners with a message of empowerment: You are more powerful than you realize, the world needs you, and it’s time to step up.

On Episode 300(!) of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi sit down and reflect on all things 2020. They promise no wisdom or advice, but rather engage in a discussion of highs, lows, and meandering middles. The laugh and cry (literally) and do what we all need to do when the moment offers itself: Sit down to discuss this big, brutiful life with a friend. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 299 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie talk through the run-off election in Georgia happening on January 5th. They discuss its importance and take a deep dive into the (bad) behavior exhibited by leadership and conspiracy theorists that has been highlighted in the run up to this special election. The lament the damaging language, the threats being made, and the lack of recourse on display. Finally, they talk through the ways that we can help to safeguard our society from normalizing such antics. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 298 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie sit down with Katie Fitzgerald from Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs that provides food and services to people all across the country. As VP and COO of the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, Katie explains the elevated need that so many Americans are facing due to COVID-19 and how her hunger relief organization is working towards a food-secure future for ALL. She provides incredible insight into the issue of food security and hunger in our country and what we can do to help. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode of 297 of the Mama Bear Dares podcast, Leslie and Tesi sit down with Cori Pembleton, the founder of The Flag is For All of Us. Cori, a woman with no history of activism but with huge talent and a critical perspective, felt that the American flag had been co-opted by people who in her view did not represent the America she loves. She believes this shift (whether subconscious or conscious) matters to our democracy and thus began a movement to educate and inspire. Listeners will be fascinated by her journey and will perhaps even feel encouraged to think about their own relationship with flag and all it symbolizes. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 296 of the Mama Bear Dares website, Tesi and Leslie sit down with professional ultra-runner, sports nutritionist, and climate activist Dr. Stephanie Howe. The women discuss the idea that when you live your life outdoors like Stephanie does, you witness the effects of climate change firsthand. It’s this observation that has led Dr. Howe to engage with climate change advocacy, in particular with the brands she partners with as well as the organization Protect Our Winters. Listeners will appreciate her knowledge, experiences, and how she creates a sense of urgency in the climate change conversation. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 295 of the Mama Bear Dares podcast, Leslie and Tesi discuss the ins and outs of Thanksgiving 2020 and the importance of representation. For the latter, they lean on what they learn in their conversation with the brilliant NY Times bestselling illustrator Holly Hatam. Holly talks about the importance of diversity in children’s books and her dedication to leaving no off the page. With a focus on gratitude, the women encourage listeners to acknowledge and celebrate the unique experience and history of all people. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 294 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie revisit their conversation with Lauren Ornelas, the founder of the Food Empowerment Project, an organization that seeks to create a more just and sustainable world by recognizing the power of one’s food choices. The women discuss farm worker rights, veganism, chocolate slavery, the lack of access to healthy foods, and how we can all make more informed choices that can ultimately prevent injustice against animals, people, and the environment. Now, more than ever, is a great time to learn about the importance of—and treatment of—farm and factory workers in America and Lauren is a phenomenal resource and impressive activist. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.  

On Episode 292 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie talk about the November 3rd election one last time. They discuss the emotional toll of the last four years of living in the US under the Trump administration, take another look at voter suppression and the nuts and bolts of an election in pandemic times, and try to answer the inevitable: Where do we go from here? It’s a shorter, lighter Mama Bear podcast than typical … because no one has the energy for heavy things right now. Listen, laugh, and cross all the fingers and toes. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 291 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie sit down with Alexis Adarolo and Zelnnetta Clark to talk about how their desire to help the Black community amidst Covid-19 went from a viral GoFundMe that raised over $200,000(!) to a nonprofit, Rebuild the Block, that works to redistribute wealth and knowledge to the Black community. The women share their passion, their knowledge, and their journey of giving grants and wide support to minority-owned businesses. Visit the Mama Bear Dares website for complete Show Notes.

On Episode 290 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, in light of the fast-approaching election, Tesi and Leslie re-visit their talk about voting rights and voter suppression. Deeply rooted in research and in honor of the passion, work, and incredible life of Congressman John Lewis, the women recall the history of suffrage and voter suppression in the United States and the ways in which we can advocate so that ALL people can exercise this constitutional right. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 289 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie re-visit a conversation they had with Shaniqua McClendon, Political Director for Crooked Media and brilliant Mama Bear. Shaniqua shares her experience as an intern in the Obama administration and as former staff for Senator Kay Hagan and Representative Alma Adams. Not only does she take listeners behind the scenes on Capitol Hill, but she talks about HOPE spurred on by the 2018 midterms and the difference between power for the sake of power versus power for the sake of progress. Finally, the women celebrate Shaniqua’s incredible work on Vote Save America and the road to the White House that will take us through November. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 287 of the Mama Bear Dares podcast, Leslie sits down with at-home expert Myquillyn Smith to talk about how we can be happier at home during a time in our life that the world requires us to be there more. The women discuss tips and tricks for making your home work for you, as well as the philosophy of physical space and hospitality. Ultimately, this episode is about beauty and the importance of working to find it in every aspect of life. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 286, Leslie and Tesi talk about the ongoing and widespread manipulation of Facebook and it’s role in proliferating real-life violence and real-life implications on elections across the globe. The research is alarming and the power and consequences that result from the influence of Facebook is undeniable. The women sift through research and land with great concern on a necessary conversation about how we might respond to the online behemoth’s impact on our lives and our democracy. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 285 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi have the privilege of sitting down with Rosemary Ketchum, a former community organizer in Wheeling, West Virginia, and now, the state’s first out transgender elected official. Rosemary talks about her election, the importance of voting (she won her seat by 15 votes!), and busting down doors to get a seat at the table. She’s also the associate director of the city’s local drop-in center for the National Alliance for Mental Illness. A fierce advocate for the marginalized, Rosemary’s story is wonderful, her wisdom is never-ending, and the conversation is full of energy and passion. For completete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website. 

On Episode 284 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi spend their time together talking about a massive subject: the school-to-prison pipeline. (Note: This episode was previously released in March 2020.) They use their mama bear impulse to try to understand why students of color, students with learning disabilities, or students with histories of poverty, abuse, or neglect are often isolated, punished, and “pushed out.” Much like their episode entitled “The Privilege Pipeline,” the women share stories of their own experience as parents in the public schools and sift through the research regarding the systems in place. The episode is informative as well as thought-provoking. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 283 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi talk to Leah Plunkett, a digital privacy expert, mom, advocate, author, and faculty associate at the Youth & Media team at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University. The women discuss Leah’s book (Sharenting: Why We Should THINK Before We Talk About Our Kids Online) and how we can keep kids safe in a world that’s digital in nature. The conversation ranges from digital baby monitors to social media to your kids’ school lunch account to virtual learning, and explores how laws in the United States have led to an “over-sharenting” problem that ultimately undermines our children—and, ultimately, how adults can make choices that restore the privacy and freedom that our kids deserve. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 281 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie sit down with Shaniqua McClendon, Political Director for Crooked Media and brilliant Mama Bear. Shaniqua shares her experience as an intern in the Obama administration and as former staff for Senator Kay Hagan and Representative Alma Adams. Not only does she take listeners behind the scenes on Capitol Hill, but she talks about HOPE spurred on by the 2018 midterms and the difference between power for the sake of power versus power for the sake of progress. Finally, the women celebrate Shaniqua’s incredible work on Vote Save America and the road to the White House that will take us through November. Check out complete Show Notes on the Mama Bear Dares website!

On Episode 280 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi sit down with Elena Hung, co-founder and director of Little Lobbyists, an incredible organization that seeks to protect and expand the rights of children who have complex medical needs and disabilities through advocacy, education, and outreach. Elena shares her journey of working WITH and on BEHALF of families with medically complex kids, about the power of story to change hearts and minds AND policy. She and her fellow advocates refuse to accept the policies and legislation being advanced by the current administration and Congress and seek to educate legislators by showing up in-person with their children (and their ventilators, oxygen tanks, feeding tubes, wheelchairs, and more!) so that everyone can see first-hand who is impacted by laws and programs like the ACA, Medicaid, ADA, and IDEA. Visit the Mama Bear Dares website for details.

On Episode 279 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi sit down with the creative force behind VOTE LIKE A MOTHER, Sara Berliner. Sara is working to rally parents and all people of conscience to get politically engaged and believes that parenthood can be a powerful lens for politics. The women discuss current events, the 2020 election, and the ways we can work to make a world that’s more just and equitable for all. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 278 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie talk about voting rights and voter suppression. Deeply rooted in research and in honor of the passion, work, and incredible life of Congressman John Lewis, the women recall the history of suffrage and voter suppression in the United States and the ways in which we can advocate so that ALL people can exercise this constitutional right. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 277 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie sits down with Rebecca Smith, the founder of Better Life Bags and author of A Better Life: Slowing Down to Get Ahead. They discuss the power and possibility of social entrepreneurism, living counter to a culture that values hustle and the bottom line, being true to ourselves, and the many ways in which we can show up for one another in solidarity and love. It’s an upbeat conversation about care, compassion, and using the ways we can use our talents and gifts for a better life for all. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 276 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi sit down with Kaitlin Koga, Chief of Staff of The Bail Project, a phenomenal organization that aims to prevent incarceration and the combat racial and economic disparities in the bail system. It’s a fascinating conversation about America’s cash-bail and it’s part in our country’s system of mass incarceration and racial inequality. The women discuss the criminalization of poverty, and policing…both it’s problems and the potential of a different approach. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 275 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie sit down with Tori Taylor, fierce Mama Bear and co-executive director of the incredible grassroots organization Swing Left. Swing Left helps volunteers find the most impactful ways to use their time, talent, and treasure to make sure this country progresses forward…without leaving anyone behind. They helped Democrats win the house in 2018 and they’ve got their sights set on not just the presidential race in 2020, but many other local races as well. The three women talk about the depths of gerrymandering, how to make change happen during a pandemic, and the real, tangible ways that each of us can get involved. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 272 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi sit down with Maya Millett, the extraordinary woman behind Race Women. The three women talk about history, about reverence and anger, and about the ways in which we are indebted to the strong women who came before us. Maya is an incredibly talented storyteller who insists on using her talents and experience to broaden our collective conversation and ultimately make change. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 271 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie encourage listeners to join Campaign Zero and educate themselves about #8CantWait, an initiative to immediately address police violence. They discuss each part of the initiative and continue to act as “crossing guards” for their listeners, using the podcast as starting point of education, but asking listeners to seek out BIPOC voices as we all continue to mature in our education and advocacy. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 270 of the Mama Bear Dares podcast, Leslie and Tesi have the honor of sitting down with Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, the largest grassroots movement in Americans fighting for public safety measures that protect people from gun violence. The women talk about the moral imperative to DO SOMETHING to help the vulnerable among us and encourage listeners with a message of empowerment: You are more powerful than you realize and the world needs you. Check out complete Show Notes on the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 269 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi discuss strategies to keep their stressed-out, pandemic-heavy, world-weary hearts from turning cold and black. They talk about what’s giving them life in this moment and the things that they should probably feel guilty about, but don’t. This playful and earnest episode revolves around the idea that, with some intention, we can exist as complex beings amidst a complex time…and even cultivate joy. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 268 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie sit down with Holiday Reinhorn, author and co-founder of LIDÈ Haiti, a community-based organization providing academic support and arts programs that EMPOWER and strengthen the resiliency of adolescent girls and differently abled youth who have been denied equal access to education. In this fantastic conversation Holiday reminds us of the transformative power of the arts and inspires us with her story, her wisdom, and her dedication to spreading creativity and love in this world. Listen in! For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 267 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie sit down with Lauren Ornelas, the founder of the Food Empowerment Project, an organization that seeks to create a more just and sustainable world by recognizing the power of one’s food choices. The women discuss farm worker rights, veganism, chocolate slavery, the lack of access to healthy foods, and how we can all make more informed choices that can ultimately prevent injustice against animals, people, and the environment. Now, more than ever, is a great time to learn about the importance of—and treatment of—farm and factory workers in America and Lauren is a phenomenal resource and impressive activist. For full Show Notes visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 266 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie talk about how systems, policies, and economic stimulus plans have repeatedly failed people of color, women, and minorities. They dive into the history of these harmful policies and talk about how in the midst of a global health pandemic and the consequential economic collapse, it’s the poor and marginalized who continue to lose. For complete Show Notes, head to the Mama Bear Dares website. 

On Episode 265 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi sit down with Jen Hatmaker, writer, speaker, activist and author of, most recently, Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire. The three discuss showing up in life as genuine, curious, brave, truth-tellers and change-makers. They celebrate putting in the internal work required to know and love yourself and how, even when the cost of high, living authentically brings freedom and joy. The conversation is filled with passion and laughter; you’ll come away inspired to own and live your truth in this complicated world! For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 264 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, sister/co-hosts Tesi and Leslie jump into the racial and economic disparities that COVID-19 is shining a great big spotlight on in the United States and around the world. As we begin to see more data and hear more about the racial and class discrimination this virus is highlighting in our society, the two women look at all of the symptoms and underlying conditions in Black communities, Latinx communities, and under-resourced and under-served communities that have led to this place: how black and brown people (women, in particular) are received in the healthcare system, the discrimination in everything from education to policing, and how the economics (the minimum wage, in particular) are all leading to a world where the most vulnerable of society are being disproportionately sickened by the Corona virus. Now, more than ever, the world needs compassionate, informed humans ready to do what they can, when they can. Find complete Show Notes on the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 262 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi takes listeners into the future, so to speak, with a special interview with Matt Thraxton, a friend who has lived through the worst of Covid-19 in Shanghai, China. He tells listeners what it was like for him to experience weeks in lockdown in China AND gives us hope that life can (and will) go back to some sort of normal. His observations are fascinating and his advice about living through this pandemic is honest and optimistic. After the interview, the sisters talk amongst themselves about where to find HOPE and offer practical steps for the Mama Bear who is eager to help. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 260 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie discuss the global health pandemic, the power of the mama bear spirit, and the importance of community and nurturing mental health during this time. The episode aims to bring cultural observation, personal response, and a bit of hope and inspiration to the Mama Bear community. Stay safe and stay home, Mama Bears! For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 259 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi have a conversation with Adrienne Martini, who holds a District 12 seat on the Otsego (New York) County Board and is the author of the book SOMEBODY’S GOTTA DO IT: Why Cursing at the News Won’t Save the Nation, but Your Name on a Local Ballot Can. The conversation with Adrienne is informative and inspiring…and so much fun. The women talk about the Covid-19 and the importance of local government response, about Adrienne’s run for office, and about how, as a middle-aged, cisgender, white woman, Adrienne focuses her privilege and her Mama Bear agency on policy and winning a seat in local government. The conversation is poignant, fun, and filled with hope and joy! Check out complete Show Notes on the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 258 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi sit down with the remarkable Rebecca Bender, a survivor of human trafficking and advocate for those still bound by this modern-day slave practice. Rebecca shares her incredible story of being coerced into prostitution, abused and controlled by her trafficker, and her eventual escape after nearly six years of terror. Today, Rebecca trains others on the topics of human trafficking and leadership and serves on the United States National Advisory Committee, Dept of Justice Human Trafficking Advisory Council. The conversation ranges from the realities of trafficking in the U.S. in 2020, grace and hope, the church’s role in loving people, and the legislation surrounding this crucial issue. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 257 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi spend their time together talking about a massive subject: the school-to-prison pipeline. They use their mama bear impulse to try to understand why students of color, students with learning disabilities, or students with histories of poverty, abuse, or neglect are often isolated, punished, and “pushed out.” Much like their episode entitled “The Privilege Pipeline,” the women share stories of their own experience as parents in the public schools and sift through the research regarding the systems in place. The episode is informative as well as thought-provoking. For links to research and complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 256 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie sit down with Monroe Alise to discuss the massive issue of homelessness in the United States. Monroe is a passionate advocate of the homeless through her work with the National Coalition for the Homeless and shares her hard-won wisdom with listeners. She shares her incredible story of resilience and her struggle with mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness throughout the course of her life as a black, trans woman and has incredible wisdom and experiences to offer listeners. The conversation is from-the-heart as well as informative and inspiring. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

Welcome to the PHIT Society Podcast, a place where we all phit. This week, we are chatting with Tesi Klipsch, a fitpro from Michigan and host of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, and we discuss navigating living with chronic pain and illness, using movement and meditation to heal, and how she redefined badassery to embrace herself in the now. You can find Tesi at Mama Bear Dares and @tesiklipsch. PHIT Soceity: Push Hard, Inspire Together.

On Episode 255 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie grab their mics in celebration of female friendship. As the season of love and GALentines comes to a close, this episode is a fight song for checking in, staying in touch, and loving each other in a sometimes-chaotic world. They talk about politics, misogeny, the Iowa caucus, parenting, health and healthcare, dancing with the universe, and more. At its heart, this episode is about talking to one another and encouraging others to do the same, because sometimes, in the midst of it all, you really just need to laugh (and maybe cry a little bit, too) with your gal pals. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 253 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi discuss the behemoth company and cultural influencer, Facebook. So many of us live with a love-hate relationship with this social media giant and have conflicted feelings about it’s place in our lives. Leslie and Tesi use this Mama Bear Mini to specifically dive into how Facebook has been a dangerous purveyor of disinformation and how the platform has been used to influence politics and elections and therefore life as we know it. Though there are many discussions to be had about our global culture and Facebook, today’s pod focuses on politics and aims to both educate and prompt listeners to examine their own relationship to social media. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 252, Tesi and Leslie sit down with the fabulous and passionate Andra Pool. Andra is a Mama Bear who works tirelessly on behalf of young adults through Greenhouse Scholars, an education nonprofit cultivating leaders to change low-income families and communities. Andra and the sister-hosts talk about secondary and post-secondary education in the United States and agree that now more than ever the world needs people like Andra and organizations like Greenhouse Scholars to break the cycle of poverty, level the playing field for all aspiring students, and ensure lasing, generational change to broadly impact low-income communities. The conversation is rooted in a shared belief in the power of education and the beauty of human potential. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 251 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, co-hosts and sisters Leslie and Tesi try to better understand the economy that, on one hand, so many tell us is booming while, on the other hand, we see the reality of the working poor. If the unemployment rate is at historic lows, then why are an estimated 41.4 percent of the total U.S. population considered poor or low-income? Leslie and Tesi take a deep dive into research and talk about the history of the minimum wage in our country, the arguments for and against raising a minimum wage, and the impact that a higher rate of pay would have on nearly 50% of American earners. It’s an interesting discussion, full of facts and anecdotes that all lead to one conclusion: The minimum wage is in desperate need of a mama bear. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 250 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi sit down with Rebecca Nagle, a queer, indigenous activist, writer, and speaker. Nagle is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and is one of the founders of FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture, an organization led by artists and activists who attempt to promote a culture of consent. She is also the host of the popular and fascinating podcast THIS LAND, which focuses on the 1839 assassination of a Cherokee leader and a 1999 murder case and how these two crimes provide a backbone to an upcoming 2019 Supreme Court decision that will determine the fate of five tribes and nearly half the land in Oklahoma. During this rich conversation, the three women talk about Nagle’s work with sexual abuse survivors, how she has used art to further tough conversations and make bold statements to shake the collective psyche out of the status quo, and how we have to think about poking holes in those huge systems that are at play in our culture. It’s a great conversation with an incredible guest! Listen in! (For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.)

On Episode 249 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie take a moment to reflect on some big moments, new obsessions, a few observations, and the Top Ten most listened to podcasts from the last year. It’s a fun conversation that will give listeners a taste of ten topics worth exploring, as well as a focused dare for the new year. For a list of episodes and complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website here.

On Episode 248 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie revisit a fascinating conversation with Grace Estripeaut, a mental detox expert and all-around fascinating woman. The three jump right in to discuss Grace’s story and life’s work. Grace helps listeners with stories and practical steps to guide them to a calmer life with more clarity. Grace shares tips on how to switch off your busy mind and decompress so you can actually sleep and start the next day refreshed, how to boost your energy and improve your mood, how to find SPACE in your life, and ways to fuel your tank, encourage your vision, and stay focused on what matters most -- regardless of what’s happening around you! Listeners will be blown away by this conversation. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 247 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi bring all of their holiday intensity to a discussion of the prevalence of food deserts across our nation. Too many Americans suffer due to the lack access to affordable, healthy food options because of the absence of grocery stores within convenient traveling distance, and too many of this country’s children are negatively affected by not just the geography but by the larger systemic issues that we face. Because of the inequity of systems in place, many activists prefer the words “food oppression” or “food apartheid” to describe the injustice, and after sifting through the research, Tesi and Leslie understand why. The sister-hosts discuss the magnitude of the problem, the implications of food oppression, and, finally, the solutions that are working and the ways in which an engaged Mama Bear might engage. It’s a big topic, to be sure, but it’s one worth your attention and care. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

On Episode 246 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Leslie and Tesi talk to the extraordinary Emily Tisch Sussman. Emily has been at the forefront of executing strategy for the progressive movement in the United States for more than a decade. She is a leading democratic political strategist who appears regularly on FOX News, CNN, HLN, and MSNBC and whose views are frequently featured in national news outlets including The New York Times, Newsweek, and Politico. Today, she spends time talking to Tesi and Leslie’s listeners about her life, her work, her hope, and her response to the world we find ourselves living in. Listeners will love her expertise and practical advice when it comes to all-things politics as we prepare for 2020. For complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

 On Episode 255 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie discuss fairtrade, the fast fashion industry, and what to avoid and what to embrace during this American holiday shopping season. The two women talk about what goes into a fairtrade label, what the fast fashion industry is doing to our earth and human beings, and why it matters. They encourage listeners to do their best, vote with their dollars, and look for all of the great, creative companies who are taking social responsibility in the production of their wares—in terms of the way they treat their workers and their environmental impact. It’s a fun and informative episode. Listen in! Visit the Mama Bear Dares website for complete Show Notes.