Podcasts about sybrina

If you identify as a high achiever, you've likely found yourself struggling against the demands your passions have started placing on your life. So how do you slow down when you're a high achiever? How do you give yourself space to recharge and bring back your creativity? Katy Murray joins me and Sybrina to discuss just that. Katy used to do photography full-time but found that she didn't like the isolation of it. Now she's started a Virtual Assistance firm and she has a full-time job that she loves. Plus she's a wife and mother. How does she do all of that and maintain boundaries and her excitement about all of her roles? By being extremely mindful about her time, tasks, and requirements. She's a multi-passionate person who refuses to limit herself to the status quo. Instead she carves out intentional time for work and breaks. She loves to work but she doesn't live to work. Listen in to hear all of her tips and tricks and then let me know which one was most impactful for you!Links and Resources:Use this link to get 50% off your first year of HoneyBook https://share.honeybook.com/jennbaysvaConnect with Katy:Katy Murray PhotographyGinger Biz PodcastInstagram @katyandco.vaInstagram @gingerbiz Connect with Success Beyond:Success Beyond@successbeyondInstagram@successbeyondpodcastFacebook | PicbabunGrab your Boundaries ResourcesEditable Welcome Packet TemplatePinterest Freebies

Elaina Janes, a portrait photographer based out of Kentucky, joins Jenn and Sybrina to share about the work-life balance she has created in her business.Photography started as a hobby for Elaina and bloomed into a booming business over the course of 5 years, causing her to quit her full-time job on a whim. The following five years of business saw Elaina thrown into a state of struggling to keep her head above water in the face of the hustle culture. The “dream” life that she had built ended up leaving her in a state of burnout and misery that had her looking for something to let go to give her some breathing room. And thus, she made the difficult decision to retire from wedding photography.Reducing her workload to portraits and a 4-day work week has given her the freedom and flexibility to enjoy her business, offer amazing service, and still be able to exist outside of her business and enjoy traveling with her husband. So what was her process, and how did she get there? Listen in to find out! Links and Resources:Connect with Elaina:Elaina Janes Photography - https://elainajanes.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/elainajanesphotoInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/elainajanes/Connect with Success Beyond the Lens:Success Beyond The Lens - https://successbeyondthelens.com/ @successbeyondthelens - https://www.instagram.com/successbeyondthelens/Instagram @successbeyondthelenspodcastPicbabun - https://picbabun.com/successbeyondthelenspodcast Grab your Boundaries Resources - https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5d6d09f19b5f4c0015d956e7

Have you ever considered using TikTok to grow your photography business? Heather Nixon, a boudoir photographer out of Dallas, Texas, joins Jenn and Sybrina to share how she used TikTok to build a thriving business as she was just getting started. Listen in to learn how you can do the same. Jenn has been following Heather for a while and absolutely loves her work. Literally, when she thinks of boudoir photography, Heather's work is what comes to mind. And it's all because Jenn found her on TikTok and loved the content she was creating. What was it that drew her in? Heather's personality. The beauty of TikTok is that you get to highlight your personality while also sharing amazing tips, tricks, and advice for your potential clients. So what kind of content should you be creating? Listen in to find out!Links and Resources:Connect with Heather Nixon:Heather Nixon PhotographyInstagram | Facebook | PinterestConnect with Success Beyond the Lens:Success Beyond The Lens@successbeyondthelensInstagram@successbeyondthelenspodcastFacebook | PicbabunGrab your Boundaries ResourcesEditable Welcome Packet Template

Something all small business owners worry about but few understand how to implement is a solid financial plan with retirement in mind. Jon Bebe is the founder of Collaborative Financial Group and passionate about helping small business owners plan for the future. Jon found his love of financial planning early on and saw a huge gap in the education and knowledge of small business owners. He was even told by some of the larger players that the reason they don't pursue small business owners is because the pay day is simply too low. Rather than leave this sector of the market to flounder, Jon started Collaborative Financial Group and now aims to educate and empower small business owners to start the financial planning conversation. It doesn't matter if you're making huge sums of money or just getting started, having a financial plan is beyond important. Thinking about retirement is beyond important. These things are a must for ALL business owners. And if you plan to someday offer retirement benefits as an employer, you need a trusted partner to help you set up the right kind of program for you and your employees. Listen in as Jon shares his brilliant financial insights as well as why he recommends you start the conversation sooner than later. If you've been thinking about retirement, worried about, stressed over it, then listen in and start asking questions!In This Episode:[02:09] Welcome to the show Jon! Listen in to learn about him and his business. [03:15] How did he start his business and get into working with small business owners? [07:06] Why are retirement and investment accounts important for small business owners? [09:47] When should small business owners consider retirement planning? [12:24] Is there a threshold you have to cross to provide retirement benefits to your team? [13:34] What kinds of retirement accounts are available to small business owners? [17:27] Learn the benefits of working with someone to help set up your business investment accounts and benefits programs.[21:30] Jon shares the driving light, or goal, of Collaborative Financial Group. [25:26] How does Jon work with his clients and how can you get in touch with him? [28:22] Jon's best advice is to just start the conversation. [29:36] Sybrina ends the show with a quick lightning round of questions. Links and Resources:Connect with Jon:Collaborative Financial GroupEmail | LinkedInConnect with Success Beyond the Lens:Success Beyond The Lens@successbeyondthelensInstagram@successbeyondthelenspodcast@jenn.baysFacebook | PicbabunGrab your Boundaries Resources

Hey y'all! Big changes are coming for Success Beyond the Lens! The company AND the podcast. The first of those changes is that the Success Beyond the Lens Podcast is getting a new host! Listen in to meet Sybrina and hear what's new on the horizon.  Sybrina joined Success Beyond the Lens way back in October of 2021. She was the very first full-time employee we brought on and NOW she's taking an even bigger role in the company!  Starting with season six, Sybrina will take over as host of the Success Beyond the Lens Podcast. I'm not going anywhere, but with her looking to grow and hone some new skills, it seemed like the perfect time to work on some side projects that I've been passionate about.  Namely, starting a brand new podcast to come alongside my coaching and consulting business that I started at the end of last year. More to come on that! But in the meantime, listen in, learn more about Sybrina, and get ready for season 6 of the podcast.  We're going to be digging deep into the financial and legal side of business and what you need to do, consider, and plan for as your business starts and grows. In This Episode: [02:43] The Success Beyond the Lens Podcast is getting a new host! Meet Sybrina! [05:00] Jenn and Sybrina share how they met and what led to Sybrina working in the business.  [07:51] Sybrina shares what she's most excited about in taking over the podcast.  [09:25] What are some of the areas Sybrina has grown so far?  [13:20] Which topics most intrigue Sybrina in the financial and legal space?  [14:44] Big updates for the Success Beyond the Lens podcast! [15:44] PLUS - Jenn is launching a new podcast.  [16:52] What are some of Sybrina's favorite business tools?  [19:56] Where would we go in Florida to hang out? Links and Resources: Animal Image Makers 2023 Conference - Use Code: SUCCESS2023 for $50 off registration! Connect with Success Beyond the Lens: Success Beyond The Lens @successbeyondthelens Instagram @successbeyondthelenspodcast @jenn.bays Facebook | Picbabun Grab your Boundaries Resources Editable Welcome Packet Template Pinterest Freebies Consultation Connection Call

This Throwback Thursday, in the wake of the recent horrific gun violence in Buffalo, Uvalde, and countless other cities across the country, I knew I needed to bring forward this special episode of the Mother's Quest Podcast with mother, activist, and co-founder of the Trayvon Martin Foundation, Sybrina Fulton.   The tragic news has felt all the more real because I recently returned from Sybrina Fulton's Circle of Mothers Healing Retreat in Florida. I volunteered as an Ambassador for the second time since the original recording of this episode, alongside my sister Caren Lettiere, bringing Democracy Clothing jeans for each of the 70 mothers who came to find solidarity and empowerment among others who also lost a child to gun violence.   Together, we witnessed their tears and heard their stories. There are no words to describe the heartache that stays with them. But what brought Caren and I hope is that we also witnessed their resilience and their power. So many like Sybrina, have found ways to turn pain into purpose. They shouldn't need to do this. Or be expected to do this. But they do anyway.   In honor of Circle of Mothers, Caren and the Democracy team have been inviting customers to add on donations to any purchase to the Trayvon Martin Foundation at their website to support the event. I also had the opportunity to write a blog post featuring Sybrina's story of impact on the Democracy blog, linked here.    I'm deeply committed to continuing to raise awareness and funds through a GoFundMe I set up years ago here. As we're all feeling helpless in the wake of continued violence, I encourage you to join me in listening to Sybrina's story, reading the post linked above, and investing in the mothers impacted most by grief. They are also closest to forging a solution.   Topics Discussed in this Episode:   • What Sybrina wishes everyone would know about approaching a conversation with a mother who has lost a child. • My then 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 is to open our hearts and to reach out to mothers, across differences, who have lost their children to let them know we care. • Why investing in mothers is the most powerful lever to impact gun control.   Original Episode Show Notes   Check out the full shownotes from the original episode here: Ep 55: From Grief to Advocacy and a Circle of Mothers with Trayvon Martin's Mother Sybrina Fulton   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/

On this episode I talk about how we have to redefine the way we think of the word strong, being labeled as a Strong Black Women can sometimes stop us from taking care of ourselves. We have to redefine the way we think of strong and realize that taking care of our physical, emotional, and mental health is not a sign of weakness.I am posting this episode knowing that I said Sandra Fulton instead of Sybrina Fulton, I was thinking of another black woman Sandra Bland and said Sandra instead of Sybrina, I didn't realize my mistake until after I ended recording but upon listening, I liked the episode, so I did not want to rerecord it. Sandra Bland is a black woman who we lost, and Sybrina Fulton is a mother who lost her son, both victims of racism.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/PositivelySuzie)

Episode Summary1. Dr. Atwaters loves math. She really loves and understands the tenets of it and knows how to apply it to life.2. She learned to be bold from her mother, who told her that she should apply to any college she wanted to. 3. She believes that being at GT introduced her to other people who were just like her and have become her network.4.  Her STEM story is also her life story. 5. She wants everyone to learn how to network. Having a strong network is a blessing and a good thing but is something you have to be intentional about who is in your network. 6. Liberation is key to her. Science serves liberation; theology serves liberation.Dr. Sybrina Atwaters BioSybrina Y. Atwaters is an interdisciplinary sociologist with research interests in sociology of technology (exploring knowledge production through virtual world technologies); and social inequality (examining patterns of inequality within science, engineering, and higher education).  Her broad experience includes collaborative research with the National Academies, Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Iowa State University, the Fund for Theological Education, and the Association of Theological Schools. She has presented her work at both national and international professional conferences.  Her research has been published by Spring International and John Hopkins University Press.Dr. Atwaters currently serves as Director, OMED: Educational Services, for Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Georgia Institute of Technology. She supervises several programs and grant initiatives under her purview, including the 9-time award-winning African American Male Initiative (AAMI); Challenge, OMED's signature 5-week summer academic intensive residential program; and Focus, an annual institute-wide diversity graduate recruitment program; and the Women of Color Initiative (WOCI), a city-wide collaborative with Georgia Tech, Spelman, Emory, and STEM Atlanta Women non-profit. Most recently she became affiliated faculty with the School of History and Sociology.Sybrina is a 3-time graduate from Georgia Institute of Technology, receiving her B.S. in electrical engineering and master's and Ph.D. in sociology of technology and science. She also earned her master's degrees from Emory University in Theological Studies and Georgia State University in Instructional Technology. Dr. Atwaters has over nine years of experience as a senior wireless design engineer, eight years in STEM diversity research and programming, and 15 years in higher education instruction.Dr. Atwaters serves on several boards, steering committees, task forces, and strategic planning working groups; including Georgia Million Women Mentors.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sybrina-atwaters-ph-d-63393b42Website: https://omed.gatech.edu Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/stemminginstilettos)

Welcome to Season Six of the Mother’s Quest Podcast and this special Mother’s Day episode, which shines a light on the untold stories and far-reaching impact of mothers and in particular Black mothers. For this episode, I had the honor of talking with Anna Malaika Tubbs, the brilliant biographer of the groundbreaking book The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation.In addition to being a mother to a 1 year old boy with another child on the way, Anna is an author, advocate, educator, scholar and Ph.D. candidate in Sociology at the University of Cambridge. Growing up abroad and influenced by her exposure to all kinds of cultures and beliefs, and by her own mother’s work advocating internationally for women’s and children’s rights, Anna uses an intersectional lens to advocate for women of color and to educate others. During her time as an undergraduate student at Stanford University, Anna took from what she’d seen in her parents’ work and began honing her own identity as an activist. As the First Partner of Stockton, CA, she co-authored the first-ever “Report on the Status of Women in Stockton” to guide future policy decisions with the experiences of diverse women in mind. She’s published articles featured in the Huffington Post, For Harriet, Darling Magazine and Blavity, on issues ranging from mass incarceration to the forced sterilization of Black women, as well as the importance of feminism, intersectionality, and inclusivity. Throughout all her work and writing, she draws on her personal experience and extensive research to examine and make relevant gender and race issues in the US, especially the pervasive erasure of Black women. In this incredible debut book, The Three Mothers, Anna celebrates Black motherhood by telling the story of the three women who raised and shaped some of America’s most pivotal civil rights heroes: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. Alberta King, Louise Little and Berdis Baldwin were all born at the beginning of the 20th century, all were forced to contend with the prejudices of Jim Crow as Black women, all forged their own unique paths, using their beliefs and talents to shape not only their children but those around them, and all three had to bury their children, two of them after losing their sons to gun violence. In these mothers and their stories, amidst the pain and grief, there also existed vibrancy, love and conviction. One of my biggest takeaways from my conversation with Anna is the importance of acknowledging the continued injustices that Black women endure today and that although Black women continue to experience tremendous grief, they also experience joy and they are not “a conquered victim," but are living through life as whole human beings. My Mother’s Day wish is that you will find time and space to slow down and truly listen to Anna’s insights about the mothers whose stories she so beautifully tells, that you will get and read her book The Three Mothers, and that you’ll join me in saying “yes” to Anna’s challenge. She asks that all of us advance our understanding of different forms of motherhood. Picking up books she says, especially those that focus on Black mothers and Black motherhood, can bring healing for everybody.   Much appreciation, P.S. Know someone who would love this conversation? Pay this forward to a friend who may be interested. This Episode is Dedicated by: 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  “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 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: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram Trayvon Martin Foundation   Give a Mother’s Day Gift: Help mothers heal from the loss of a loved one by supporting and donating to the Circle of Mothers, Sybrina’s weekend retreat for mothers who have lost a child to gun violence. You can support the cause here. Special thanks to Jill Daniel of Happy Women Dinners for introducing us to Anna and her work!    In This Episode We Talk About: Anna's commitment to fighting the erasure of Black women's stories. What inspired Anna to focus her first book on the mothers of sons of the Civil Rights Movement. How painful moments like George Floyd's murder, and joyful moments like Stacy Abram's organizing in Georgia, had Anna editing and adding more relevance right up until the book was published. Anna’s decision to focus on MLK Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin as the three famous sons, and their mothers, Alberta King, Louise Little, and Berdis Baldwin whose stories she would tell. The lessons revealed in Anna's book that all mothers can learn from across the E.P.I.C. guideposts. The importance of acknowledging that Black women are "not a conquered victim" but living through life as a whole human being. Anna's challenge for all mothers listening to expand our awareness through reading and her hope that this book will be seen as a celebration of Black womanhood.   This Episode's Challenge: Anna invites us to think about what we can all read to advance our understanding of different forms of motherhood. Picking up books that focus on Black mothers and Black motherhood can bring healing for everybody. The more we are informed, the more conscious we become.  Anna’s next recommendation after finishing her book: The Power of Purpose by Alicia Garza which begins with a powerful description of the impact of Alicia’s mother on her.    Learn More More About Anna: Anna Malaika Tubbs is an Author, advocate, educator, and a Ph.D. candidate in Sociology at the University of Cambridge. Anna grew up abroad in Dubai, Mexico, Sweden, Estonia, and Azerbaijan. Influenced by her exposure to all kinds of cultures and beliefs, Anna is inspired to bring people together through the celebration of difference. Motivated by her mother’s work advocating for women’s and children’s rights around the world, Anna uses an intersectional lens to advocate for women of color and educate others. During her time as an undergraduate student at Stanford University, Anna took from what she’d seen in her parents’ work and began honing her own identity as an activist. She served as the president of Stanford’s Black Student Union when she was only a sophomore and she was also the Executive Director of Stanford’s Alternative Spring Break. In these roles, she organized rallies and events focused on the concerns of the Black community, she fundraised money for women’s clinics in the Bay Area and grew her passion for advocacy and social justice. As the First Partner of Stockton, CA, she co-authored the first-ever “Report on the Status of Women in Stockton” to help guide future policy decisions with the experiences of diverse women in mind. Anna is also a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant who has worked with companies and individuals interested in progressing their DEI goals. Anna has published articles on issues ranging from mass incarceration to the forced sterilization of Black women, as well as the importance of feminism, intersectionality, and inclusivity. Her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, For Harriet, Darling Magazine, and Blavity. Her first book, titled The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation, is being published by Flatiron Books in February 2021.Grab a copy of Anna’s The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation HERE! Follow Anna: Twitter Instagram Anna Malaika Tubbs’ Website   Additional Resources: The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart by Alicia Garza Documentary: I Am Not Your Negro. Based on the unfinished manuscript by James Baldwin  Mother’s Quest Ep 55: From Grief to Advocacy and a Circle of Mothers with Trayvon Martin’s Mother Sybrina Fulton     Announcements: It’s Mother’s Quest May! Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you’ll seize this holiday as an opportunity to say “yes” to yourself. We’ve declared it Mother’s Quest May in our community and have so many wonderful things to share with you as the month progresses:  The podcast season launch with this episode My first publication the Mother’s Quest Inspiration Guide A self-guided version of the annual Mother’s Quest Manifesto Challenge  And a live virtual “Yes Day for Moms” that I’m co-facilitating with the amazing Graeme Seabrook.  Join the free Facebook Group and sign up for email updates at www.mothersquest.com to learn all the details and come along with us during this special month.     Acknowledgments: 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: Amanda Kruger Hill Graeme Seabrook Anne Armstrong Herve Clermont Samantha Arsenault Vickie Giambra Casey O'Roarty of Joyful Courage Kathie Moehlig or TransFamily Support Services Anne Ferguson of MamaFuel On the Move and etsuko Kubo Kate Amoo-Gottfried Nicole Lee Olivia Parr-Rud "Vince" of the While Black Podcast Sara Brannin-Mooser Lindsay Pera Julie Castro Abrams Alexia Vernon Brooke Markevicius Democracy Clothing 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 Samantha Arsenault Attica Locke   Support the Podcast If you’d like to make a contribution to Mother’s Quest to support Season Four 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/

Nearly all of us have experienced grief this year – whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the loss of normalcy. In this episode, Hillary talks with stand-up comedian Patton Oswalt and Sybrina Fulton, advocate and mother of Trayvon Martin, about finding purpose after a terrible loss.  Patton Oswalt is an award-winning stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. After the tragic death of his wife Michelle McNamara, he finished the book she was working on: I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: The Search for the Golden State Killer. The book was recently turned into an HBO documentary series of the same name. His newest stand-up special, I Love Everything, is out on Netflix. Sybrina Fulton is an advocate and the mother of Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed in 2012. Along with Trayvon’s father, Tracy Martin, Sybrina co-founded The Trayvon Martin Foundation to empower families who have lost children to gun violence. Sybrina recently campaigned for a seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission, ultimately losing by less than one percent. A full transcript is here.

One February afternoon, Sybrina Fulton got the call no mother should; her son, Trayvon Martin, was killed. It’s been eight years since Trayvon’s death, and Sybrina celebrates his legacy and the movement he inspired, and is open about the fact that she has not forgiven. You can get a copy of Katherine's book, The Gift of Forgiveness, wherever books are sold. Photo by Johanna Brinckman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this stirring episode, Sybrina Fulton opens up to Coach Mike about the traumatic journey she has taken since George Zimmerman, a neighbor vigilante shot and killed her 17-year-old son, Trayvon Martin. From this tragedy, which sparked the inception of the Black Lives Matter movement to her courageous decision to run for Miami Dade County Commissioner on August 18, Sybrina has refused to sit back and let this destroy or define her. She discusses everything from attending George Floyd’s funeral, racial profiling and why she is actually hopeful change is coming. If you have ever faced misfortune or experienced any sort of bigotry, this podcast will give you the tools to stay calm, remind you you’re not alone and help inspire and provide faith that the world is always evolving. Instagram.com/coachmikebayer Twitter.com/coachmikebayer Facebook.com/coachmikebayer Tiktok.com/@coachmikebayer Instagram.com/stage29podcasts Twitter.com/stage29podcasts Facebook.com/Stage29Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.  It costs $1500 to sponsor a grieving mother to attend Circle of Mothers. Michael and I have each pledged the first $3,000 to a GoFundMe campaign, each of us contributing $1500 to help a mother who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend.  Much appreciation,  Julie Neale   P.S. Know someone who you think would appreciate this special episode? 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.  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

Wow! A man named Bernard came and stole our Corn and took her all the way to Iowa! Oh whyyyowa!? Because she's a badass political organizer and Bernie knows what's up. So this episode we send Corn away with some: What the shit?! We talk about the human-shaped garbage pile responsible for the murder of Treyvon Martin. Trayvon's attacker has taken an indignant, loud, put-upon stance as he theatrically crisscrossed his way through the sewage spillway that is the FOX (and really all our modern media, right?) talking points, and their equally odious talking heads. Then things take a turn! A really good one! Treyvon Martin's mother is Sybrina Fulton, and she is running for Miami-Dade County Commission! She has persevered through unthinkable tragedy, to rise up as a leader for a community in crisis. Whether it is her work bringing the nascent Black Lives Matter movement to the forefront of our American consciousness, or the work she does within her own community, she's been the beating heart of a community movement. Well, now she's running for public office and we are all in! We want to raise $100,000 for Sybrina's campaign, and you can help! 1. First, sign up as a volunteer here: https://www.sybrinafulton.com/ 2. Then, Donate $20.20 to her campaign at the same link! 3. Then, Watch, Like, and Subscribe to her youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tfrbvhrc5E&lc=Ugwbt0Rg9YFrF-WzlQJ4AaABAg 4. Then, Look for Troy's comment at the link above, show your support! 5. Then, Follow Sybrina on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for real-time updates from the campaign. #TrayvonMartin #RestInPower #ImWithSybrina And so, so, so much more. It's a really podcasty podcast, so get it while it's hot. Intro Artist: Odoghan Title: Not Perfect License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Promoted by: https://www.tribeofnoise.com/viewMusic.php?fileID=18865 Adaptation: Reduced length to fit intro, adjusted audio levels Outro Artist: Liquid Title: Perfect Bastard License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Promoted by: https://www.tribeofnoise.com/viewMusic.php?fileID=16074 Adaptation: Reduced length to fit intro, adjusted audio levels Break Music Artist: JulesCanvas Title: Flashing Chicks & Neon Kicks License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Promoted by: https://www.tribeofnoise.com/viewMusic.php?fileID=20882 Adaptation: Reduced length to fit, adjusted audio levels Jingle Bells Sound Effects Artist: Razor5 Title: Jingle Bells Piano License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ Promoted by: https://freesound.org/s/452774/ Adaptation: Reduced length to fit intro, adjusted audio levels

This week’s episode 43 of Real Black News features activist, educator, and the cousin of Emmett Till, Dr. Edelia Carthan, discussing the fight to protect her father, the first black man to become mayor in Mississippi, Eddie Carthan. She discusses the conspiracy against her father connected to his relationship with Minister Farrakhan, her work with Rev. William Barber in Tula, Mississippi, the poorest city in the country where the average salary is $14,000, running for the house of representatives, and her work as the co-founder of the Take It Down confederate flag movement with actress Aunjanue Ellis. Co-founder of Oakland’s Barbequing While Black, Jhamel Robinson, joins the show to discuss this year’s second event. Entertainment journalist Ronda Racha Penrice joins “The Screen Grab” to discuss Uzo Aduba, Shirley Chisolm, Issa Rae, and The Red Line. Other topics include abortion in the Bible Belt, Venezuelan protesters, Trayvon Martin, and more. C

In honor of Mother’s Day 2019, I wanted to share this episode on the feed again with my sister Caren Lettiere, founder of Democracy Clothing, along with an updated discount code, 20Romy, to purchase Democracy jeans at 20% off (on Amazon.com) through May 24th. I also wanted to share an amazing update about the events that unfolded after we released this episode.  As you’ll hear in this conversation as it unfolds, Caren and I realized more and more how much our missions are aligned, but manifested in different ways. Caren helps empower women, many of them mothers, by helping them look and feel good on the outside and I empower mothers by helping them get clear and connected to their voice, their vision and their values on the inside.  We decided we wanted to work together and Caren brought me on to help Democracy with their brand messaging and to find ways to deepen their social impact. Because I was invited while recording an episode with Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, to be an ambassador at her Circle of Mothers healing retreat, I had this idea that Caren could come too and gift the mothers, who were all grieving the loss of a child to gun violence, with her Democracy jeans.  The weekend for the mothers was nothing short of transformative. That we anticipated. But, what surprised us was was that something like jeans, which might have been experienced as trivial, was in the words of many of these mothers "life-changing." After witnessing this, we wanted to support more of you with the 20% coupon to purchase the jeans, so you can look good, feel good and have the confidence to do good in Democracy jeans. As we did in the original episode, we’d also love to hear from you. Share your photos with the Mother’s Quest and Democracy Clothing hashtags and let us know about your “Democracy in Action” stories are unfolding.  Sending love to all the mothers, and those who mother, especially those who may be healing from the loss of a loved one.  Thinking of you on Mother’s Day!  Much appreciation, P.S. Know someone who would love this conversation? Click forward now to pay this forward to a friend who may be interested. Ep 56: Embrace Your Shape and Evolve Your Life with Democracy Clothing’s President Caren Lettiere Caren, ten years older than me and like a second mother in many ways, has been a guide, mentor and inspiration to me my whole life. She’s an ambitious, talented leader in the fashion industry and has managed to grow a $70 million dollar brand, Democracy Clothing, alongside a 27 year marriage and raising two of the loveliest young adults I know, my niece and nephew Nicole and Josh. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in political science, she took a different course and embarked on a career path in fashion, beginning in sales for a company called Rampage, and ultimately landing at Kellwood. There, she first filled a gap she noticed her daughter had for jeans and developed a brand to meet it called Jolt/Rewind. Soon after, she recognized an even greater underserved customer in the market, a dynamic, modern, multitasking mother like herself who loves fashion but got busy with life. Devoted to this ageless woman and aware that she doesn’t want to put an expiration date on her vitality, but could benefit from a little “engineering” when it comes to jeans, Caren launched Democracy Clothing. I loved this conversation with my sister and learned so much myself about how she grew the brand from her side hustle into the tremendously successful venture it is today. Family, magic, a positive mindset and a willingness to grow and evolve in community are just a few of the themes we explore in this episode. We cover everything from the important role that Caren’s husband David played in supporting her career to how they both championed their son Josh last year, when he received a cancer diagnosis and moved forward with his own positivity through three rounds of chemo and a clean bill of health. Caren also shares openly about her own health challenges and all the ways she has built community, at home and at work, to help her thrive. Finally, Caren gives us a special challenge. She asks us to follow and apply the 4 Pillars of Democracy Clothing:  to embrace who you are, enhance what you’ve got, elevate your taste level and evolve your personal style, in order to live a more whole and confident life. If this calls to you, we encourage you to purchase a pair, wear them with confidence doing something that really matters to you, and then take a photo and share your story with us on Instagram using the hashtags #democracyclothing and #mothersquest. We look forward to seeing and hearing your stories (then sharing them on Democracy’s Instastories) and learning about all the ways you are “rocking your walk,” as Caren likes to say… in your E.P.I.C. life. This Episode is Dedicated by: The team at Democracy, represented by Director of Sales Judy Owens. Democracy is a denim-based casual lifestyle brand devoted to the woman who grew up with fashion, but then got busy with life. Founded in 2010, on the principle of “Curve Equality,” which acknowledges that all shapes are not created equal, Democracy’s designers set out to create a jean that that would maximize a woman’s shape by fusing together, style, comfort and technology. Sales inquiries: democracy.sales@kellwood.com www.democracyclothing.com www.facebook.com/democracyjeans www.twitter.com/democracyjeans www.instagram.com/democracyclothing In This Episode We Talk About: The BuzzFeed Article that sparked this episode and revealed Mother’s Quest community member Nancy Netherland’s story of wearing Democracy jeans from Capital Hill to her daughter’s hospital bedside 3 Things Caren learned from our mother, growing up as a 60’s child Caren’s path to living an E.P.I.C. life through pursuing her love of fashion Moments that make me and Caren cry as she reflects on the impact of our mother and father and her husband on her life How Democracy Clothing started out as Caren’s side hustle, the unique woman who inspired the brand, and how her work family helped it succeed The one thing Caren always knew she was on a quest for Keys to honoring your kids as they become more independent Caren’s son Josh’s experience battling testicular cancer last year and how she and her husband David honored his choices What Caren’s Dr. told her she could NOT do if she wanted to avoid diabetes, how she reclaimed her health, and the special way she starts her mornings alongside her daughter Nicole The Four Pillars of Democracy Clothing and a special challenge and discount for the Mother’s Quest Community  Resources and Topics Mentioned: Democracy Clothing (Wit & Wisdom) Featured on BuzzFeed Kellwood Ep 10: Choosing Gratitude and Glitter with Nancy Netherland, who inspired this episode with her own powerful story of wearing Democracy jeans. What is Your Jean Story? – Video with Caren Explaining Her Jeans Democracy Clothing Ep 55: From Grief to Advocacy and a Circle of Mothers with Trayvon Martin’s Mother Sybrina Fulton Other Episodes with My Family Members: Ep 43: Love of Family and Pursuing our Fate ~A Father’s Day Special~ with David Lieberman EP34: Season Two Finale: The Power of Friendship and a 50 Year-Old Book Club with Fran Lieberman and Sandy Klasky Ep 18: YOLO (You Only Live Once) and other Milestone Reflectionswith Ryan Neale This Week’s Challenge: For this week’s challenge, Caren encourages us to take a moment and recognize that you are an extraordinary and dynamic woman. Learn to give yourself space to appreciate who you are and how you got to where you are now. Caren also asks us to follow and apply the 4 Pillars of Democracy to:  embrace who you are, enhance what you’ve got, elevate your taste level and evolve your personal style, in order to feel good about yourself and live a more whole and confident life. There’s also a special offer…if you want to explore those pillars in a pair of Democracy jeans yourself, here is the updated discount code, 20Romy, to purchase Democracy jeans at 20% off on Amazon.com through May 24th. We encourage you to purchase a pair, wear them with confidence doing something that really matters, and then take a photo and share your story with us using the hashtags #democracyclothing and #mothersquest. We look forward to seeing and hearing your stories and learning about all the ways you are “rocking your walk,” as Caren says…in your E.P.I.C. life. *Don’t forget to put #DemocracyClothing #MothersQuest as you share your Jeans story on Instagram and have an opportunity to have yours shared on Democracy’s Instastories. The code can be redeemed on multiple units of Democracy but only on one order per person. Code is valid through May 24th, 2019 or until supplies last. Learn More About Caren Lettierre: Caren is the founder and President of Democracy Clothing, the brand that she passionately created and launched in 2010 for Kellwood. After graduating from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Caren embarked on her non-traditional career path into fashion. She began in sales, launching the Rampage Clothing brand and their modern missy sub-brand CDC. After this, she embarked on her quest to fill the void in fashion for the dynamic, modern, multitasking woman. Through her empathetic lens, she embraces women of all shapes and sizes and is committed to providing them with the foundation and confidence as they pursue their E.P.I.C. life. Caren’s proudest accomplishment is the fulfilling family life that she built along the way with David, her husband of 27 years and their amazing kids Nicole and Josh. LinkedIn Announcements: Join the Manifesto Challenge Graeme and I have a vision one day for the creation and sharing of one million of these manifestos on social media using the hashtag #oneminutemommanifesto. Join us in the private Mother’s Quest Facebook Group, from May 13th to the 17th. Each day, I’ll share a reflective prompt to help you claim the next chapter in your life and I’ll host a different mother, including Graeme, who will share their stories and their #oneminutemommanifestos for inspiration.  Spark Your E.P.I.C. Year Anyone else feel like they need a spring reset to their year?  A few months ago, we declared February the new January and facilitated a Mother's Quest Workshop/Virtual Milestone Hike experience to help us all start again. Using photos from my favorite local hike, I took a small group on a virtual journey to: ✨Reflect on our last chapter (as we ascend)  ✨Decide what we want to release (using an image of a big bad bonfire!) and what we want to carry forward ✨Then, set intentions along the E.P.I.C. guideposts for our new chapter.  There’s a special planning sheet we created to guide you and help you document the whole process. 

Sybrina Fulton is the mother of slain teen Trayvon Martin, and Jasiri X is the co-founder of anti-violence artist collective 1Hood Media, but both are so much more than those descriptors suggest.   “He was my youngest boy,” says Sybrina of her son Trayvon, the unarmed 17-year-old who was followed and shot to death in 2012 by a neighborhood watch coordinator for “looking suspicious” in a Sanford, Fla., gated community. “He loved aviation, Skittles, babies and his family. He was a regular kid.”   Recording artist-activist Jasiri X, who also is a father, remembers the moment he first heard about Trayvon’s death. “I was used to police killing us, but at that moment it felt like anyone could kill us and get away with it,” he says. “It felt like open season on black men and boys.”   In this episode of “We Can Be,” Sybrina shares her moving journey from grieving mother to author (“Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin”) and activist (The Trayvon Martin Foundation).   Her story has helped to inspire millions – including Jasiri X who wrote a song titled “Trayvon” - to speak up against gun violence, “stand your ground” laws and racial profiling.   In the wake of the killing of unarmed Pittsburgh teenager Antwon Rose II, voices like those of Sybrina Fulton and Jasiri X are more vital than ever.   “I speak for and from Trayvon Martin,” says Sybrina of her son, whose death sparked the Black Lives Matter movement. “I stand for the other mothers who cannot.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Incidental music by James Royce and Isaiah Small. Guest image by Josh Franzos.

Welcome to this special bonus episode of The Mother’s Quest Podcast, an interview I had on my friend Anne Ferguson’s podcast – MamaFuel. In this conversation, Anne turns the tables on me, as she asks how the epic guideposts showed up in my life. I’m delighted to share this episode with you and use this as an opportunity to share some announcements and invitations for getting involved with Mother’s Quest in the new year.    I hope you enjoy this conversation I had on Anne’s Podcast.  I’m excited to be back in a few short weeks with the start of a new incredible season of conversations! Until then, seize the day, love your people, and honor your gifts. Much appreciation,  P.S. Be sure to check out the announcements below, including the news that TODAY is the last day to contribute to the GoFundMe campaign to support Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton’s Circle of Mothers. Hope you’ll join us! Show Notes from MamaFuel the Podcast From Anne Ferguson: OOOOhhh am I excited to share THIS ONE! My guest this week is Julie Neale, founder of the amazing Mother’s Quest podcast, coach and mama of two exceptional and amazing boys. She’s a sparkling soul whose podcast gave me the courage to start hosting these MamaFuel conversations. Julie and I cover a lot of ground, from raising differently-wired kids to discovering your strengths and the support you have in community. I turn the tables on Julie and ask her to walk us through the guideposts that she follows in her own life and asks all of her guests to talk about – I really valued the insight into how Julie is living her E.P.I.C. life, sparked to the max with joy and delight at leading other mothers in discovering their version of epic living.   Julie spoke movingly about her interview with Sybrina Fulton, whose son Trayvon died as a result of racial profiling and gun violence. Julie and her community are supporting Sybrina’s incredibly important initiative “Circle of Mothers” which allows mothers who have lost their children to gun violence to gather and heal in community. If you’d like to help send some of these grieving mothers to Sybrina’s retreat, click this link: www.mothersquest.com/circleofmothers. Every contribution helps. Julie’s hoping that her community will be able to raise $15,000 and they’re two-thirds of the way there. I’d love our community to help her get to her goal. Please click on the following link to hear Julie’s conversation with Sybrina Fulton and to find out more about their fundraising activities: http://mothersquest.com/ep55-sybrinafulton/ This is where you can listen to Julie’s episode with her son Ryan: http://mothersquest.com/ep-18-yolo-you-only-live-once-and-other-milestone-reflections-with-ryan-neale/ Julie’s conversation with Kristina Kuzmić is here: http://mothersquest.com/ep-11-flawed-with-truth-bomb-mom-kristina-kuzmic/ Listen to her conversation with Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin is here: http://mothersquest.com/ep-24-elizabeth-cronise-mclaughlin/ And to her chat with Debbie Reber of TILT Parenting here: http://mothersquest.com/ep26-debbie-reber/ In this episode we also mentioned Jonathan Fields and his Good Life Project quite a few times. Jonathan was our common link and his Camp Good Life Project is where Julie and I met in real life. Jonathan is the creator of so much goodness that I can’t encourage you enough to go to his page and drink it all in. Go: you’ll be so glad you did. Here’s where you can learn about Jonathan’s work and discover his incredible (and my all-time favourite) podcast: https://www.goodlifeproject.com and here’s where you can take your own Sparketype test: https://www.goodlifeproject.com/sparketest/ and start thinking and having conversations about what really sparks you. Announcements: Celebrate Int’l Women’s Day with a Contribution for Sybrina Fulton & her Circle of Mothers GoFundMe Closes TODAY!!! Today, on International Women’s Day, join us in contributing to the GoFundMe campaign to support an amazing woman, Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina MsCandy Fulton, and her Circle of Mothers healing retreat.  Already, it’s been amazing to see so many of you listen to the episode with Sybrina, contribute to the campaign, and invite others to do so too. With your support, we have raised over $10,000 of our $15,000 goal. I want to close the campaign out so that we can get the funds dispersed to the Trayvon Martin Foundation in time to help 10 mothers attend the healing retreat, for mothers who have lost a child to gun violence, this May. I hope you’ll listen if you haven’t and then take a look at the campaign and contribute in an amount meaningful to you. You can also help us spread the word. It would mean so much to mothers who are grieving if we can hit the goal and help them get to the event. Your donation is tax-deductible. Contribute here   https://www.gofundme.com/mq-circleofmoms Listen to the episode here  This intimate conversation with Sybrina Fulton, over a year in the making, was a unique opportunity to delve into her 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. Listen here – http://mothersquest.com/ep55-sybrinafulton/ Spark Your E.P.I.C. Year Anyone else not have your year start the way you hoped?  A few weeks ago, I declared February the new January and facilitated a Mother’s Quest Workshop/Virtual Milestone Hike experience to help us all start again. Using photos from my favorite local hike, I took a small group on a journey to: Reflect on our last chapter (as we ascend)  Decide what we want to release (using an image of a big bad bonfire!) and what we want to carry forward Then, set intentions along the E.P.I.C. guideposts for our new chapter.  There’s a special planning sheet we created to guide you and help you document the whole process.  Truthfully, we can start fresh any time we choose. If you decide you want to reset and begin again, today, this afternoon or this weekend, using this experience and worksheet to support you, reply to this email and I”ll get it to you. Mother’s Quest Circle APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR MARCH 2019!! If you’re on a quest to live an E.P.I.C. life, on the threshold of a new chapter, but you’ve been feeling challenged by the path ahead, and want to be in community on your journey, 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  If you’re looking to create big shifts in your life or impact in 2019, the Circle is a great way to make an investment in yourself and what matters most to you. Apply here. Watch out for Season Four Season Four is right around the corner! Until then, I invite you to subscribe if you haven’t already to catch up on any episodes you’ve missed. And would love to see you in the private Mothers’ Quest Facebook Group where we will continue to build community and connection. Visitwww.mothersquest.com/community to join. 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: Democracy Clothing 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/

OOOOhhh am I excited to share THIS ONE! My guest this week is Julie Neale, founder of the amazing Mother’s Quest podcast, coach and mama of two exceptional and amazing boys. She’s a sparkling soul whose podcast gave me the courage to start hosting these MamaFuel conversations. Julie and I cover a lot of ground, from raising differently-wired kids to discovering your strengths and the support you have in community. I turn the tables on Julie and ask her to walk us through the ways she's living her E.P.I.C. life, sparked to the max with joy and delight at leading other mothers in discovering their version of epic living. You'll want a pen and paper to note down each of the guideposts Julie talks about! Later in the interview Julie speaks spoke movingly about her interview with Sybrina Fulton, whose son Trayvon died as a result of racial profiling and gun violence. Julie and her community are supporting Sybrina’s incredibly important initiative “Circle of Mothers” which allows mothers who have lost their children to gun violence to gather and heal in community. I'd like to help and will be contributing to the fundraising campaign. If you’d like to join us in helping to send more mothers to Sybrina’s retreat, click this link: www.mothersquest.com/circleofmothers. Every contribution helps. Julie’s hoping that her community will be able to raise $15,000 and they’re two-thirds of the way there. I’d love our community to help her get to her goal. Here's where you can hear Julie’s conversation with Sybrina Fulton and to find out more about their fundraising activities: http://mothersquest.com/ep55-sybrinafulton/ For full show notes and links to everything we talked about during our conversation, head to https://thecenteredmamaproject.com/podcast/ep035julieneale/ And if you liked this conversation, then I'd love you to rate, review and SHARE it far and wide so we can support Julie's fundraising efforts for Sybrina Fulton and, by extension, contribute in some small way to supporting mamas whose hearts have been well and truly broken. Thank you, beauties, for participating if you can.

I’m thrilled to share this special finale episode of the Mother’s Quest podcast with my very own sister, Caren Lettiere. Caren, ten years older than me and like a second mother in many ways, has been a guide, mentor and inspiration to me my whole life. She’s an ambitious, talented leader in the fashion industry and has managed to grow a $70 million dollar brand, Democracy Clothing, alongside a 27 year marriage and raising two of the loveliest young adults I know, my niece and nephew Nicole and Josh. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in political science, she took a different course and embarked on a career path in fashion, beginning in sales for a company called Rampage, and ultimately landing at Kellwood. There, she first filled a gap she noticed her daughter had for jeans and developed a brand to meet it called Jolt/Rewind. Soon after, she recognized an even greater underserved customer in the market, a dynamic, modern, multitasking mother like herself who loves fashion but got busy with life. Devoted to this ageless woman and aware that she doesn’t want to put an expiration date on her vitality, but could benefit from a little “engineering” when it comes to jeans, Caren launched Democracy Clothing. I loved this conversation with my sister and learned so much myself about how she grew the brand from her side hustle into the tremendously successful venture it is today. Family, magic, a positive mindset and a willingness to grow and evolve in community are just a few of the themes we explore in this episode. We cover everything from the important role that Caren’s husband David played in supporting her career to how they both championed their son Josh last year, when he received a cancer diagnosis and moved forward with his own positivity through three rounds of chemo and a clean bill of health. Caren also shares openly about her own health challenges and all the ways she has built community, at home and at work, to help her thrive. Finally, Caren gives us a special challenge. She asks us to follow and apply the 4 Pillars of Democracy Clothing:  to embrace who you are, enhance what you’ve got, elevate your taste level and evolve your personal style, in order to live a more whole and confident life. There’s also a special offer just for us…if you want to explore those pillars in a pair of Democracy jeans yourself, she’s offering a special 10% discount code, 10DEMOCRACY, that you can use on Amazon.com through January 13th. If this calls to you, we encourage you to purchase a pair, wear them with confidence doing something that really matters to you, and then take a photo and share your story with us on Instagram using the hashtags #democracyclothing and #mothersquest. We look forward to seeing and hearing your stories (then sharing them on Democracy’s Instastories) and learning about all the ways you are “rocking your walk,” as Caren likes to say… in your E.P.I.C. life. Much appreciation, P.S. Know someone who you think would appreciate this special episode? Click forward and share this conversation! This Episode is Dedicated by: The team at Democracy, represented by Director of Sales Judy Owens. Democracy is a denim-based casual lifestyle brand devoted to the woman who grew up with fashion, but then got busy with life. Founded in 2010, on the principle of “Curve Equality,” which acknowledges that all shapes are not created equal, Democracy’s designers set out to create a jean that that would maximize a woman’s shape by fusing together, style, comfort and technology. Sales inquiries: democracy.sales@kellwood.com www.democracyclothing.com www.facebook.com/democracyjeans www.twitter.com/democracyjeans www.instagram.com/democracyclothing In This Episode We Talk About: The BuzzFeed Article that sparked this episode and revealed Mother’s Quest community member Nancy Netherland’s story of wearing Democracy jeans from Capital Hill to her daughter’s hospital bedside 3 Things Caren learned from our mother, growing up as a 60’s child Caren’s path to living an E.P.I.C. life through pursuing her love of fashion Moments that make me and Caren cry as she reflects on the impact of our mother and father and her husband on her life How Democracy Clothing started out as Caren’s side hustle, the unique woman who inspired the brand, and how her work family helped it succeed The one thing Caren always knew she was on a quest for Keys to honoring your kids as they become more independent Caren’s son Josh’s experience battling testicular cancer last year and how she and her husband David honored his choices What Caren’s Dr. told her she could NOT do if she wanted to avoid diabetes, how she reclaimed her health, and the special way she starts her mornings alongside her daughter Nicole The Four Pillars of Democracy Clothing and a special challenge and discount for the Mother’s Quest Community  Resources and Topics Mentioned: Democracy Clothing (Wit & Wisdom) Featured on BuzzFeed Kellwood Ep 10: Choosing Gratitude and Glitter with Nancy Netherland, who inspired this episode with her own powerful story of wearing Democracy jeans. What is Your Jean Story? – Video with Caren Explaining Her Jeans Democracy Clothing Other Episodes with My Family Members: Ep 43: Love of Family and Pursuing our Fate ~A Father’s Day Special~ with David Lieberman EP34: Season Two Finale: The Power of Friendship and a 50 Year-Old Book Club with Fran Lieberman and Sandy Klasky Ep 18: YOLO (You Only Live Once) and other Milestone Reflectionswith Ryan Neale This Week’s Challenge: For this week’s challenge, Caren encourages us to take a moment and recognize that you are an extraordinary and dynamic woman. Learn to give yourself space to appreciate who you are and how you got to where you are now. Caren also asks us to follow and apply the 4 Pillars of Democracy to:  embrace who you are, enhance what you’ve got, elevate your taste level and evolve your personal style, in order to feel good about yourself and live a more whole and confident life. There’s also a special offer…if you want to explore those pillars in a pair of Democracy jeans yourself, she’s offering a special 10% discount code, 10DEMOCRACY, that you can use on Amazon.com through January 13th. We encourage you to purchase a pair, wear them with confidence doing something that really matters, and then take a photo and share your story with us using the hashtags #democracyclothing and #mothersquest. We look forward to seeing and hearing your stories and learning about all the ways you are “rocking your walk,” as Caren says…in your E.P.I.C. life. *Don’t forget to put #DemocracyClothing #MothersQuest as you share your Jeans story on Instagram and have an opportunity to have yours shared on Democracy’s Instastories. The code can be redeemed on multiple units of Democracy but only on one order per person. Code is valid through 1/13/19 or until supplies last. Learn More About Caren Lettierre: Caren is the founder and President of Democracy Clothing, the brand that she passionately created and launched in 2010 for Kellwood. After graduating from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Caren embarked on her non-traditional career path into fashion. She began in sales, launching the Rampage Clothing brand and their modern missy sub-brand CDC. After this, she embarked on her quest to fill the void in fashion for the dynamic, modern, multitasking woman. Through her empathetic lens, she embraces women of all shapes and sizes and is committed to providing them with the foundation and confidence as they pursue their E.P.I.C. life. Caren’s proudest accomplishment is the fulfilling family life that she built along the way with David, her husband of 27 years and their amazing kids Nicole and Josh. LinkedIn 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 APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR FEBRUARY 2019!! 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.  Watch out for Season Four This is the last episode of Season Three of the Mother’s Quest Podcast. I’ll be taking some time off from podcasting during the holidays and start of the new year but will be back in February with an incredible Season Four. Until then, I invite you to subscribe if you haven’t already to catch up on any episodes you’ve missed. And would love to see you in the private Mothers’ Quest Facebook Group where we will continue to build community and connection. Visit www.mothersquest.com/community to join. 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: Democracy Clothing 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 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/

Being alone is not the same as being lonely.  So today we are going to talk about that difference and I’m going to give you some tips on how to be okay with being alone and how to get past feeling lonely.  Then later, we have two High 5’s today; Cardi B and Sybrina Fulton (mother of Trayvon Martin). And, i’ll do some shoutouts, including a very special shout out to a very special person, you know who you are! Plus, I have some updates on EmpowHER Your Vision Masterclass that  I’m really super excited about.   Follow Unicorns Talk Podcast FB/IG/Twitter: @unicornstalkpod   Follow Latrice Sampson Richards FB/IG: @latricesampsonrichards Twitter: @lsamrichards Web: www.latricesampsonrichards.com music by: www.bensound.com   Register for EmpowHER Your Vision Masterclass: www.latricesampsonrichards.com/empowheryourvision  

#TrayvonMartin's mother, @SybrinaFulton shares wonderful stories about him with #RickParty on @Hot105