Thank You, Mama

Lisa Friscia, Leadership Coach and founder of Franca Consulting, talks about her mother Franca who immigrated from Italy to America via Canada as a child, and later quit her corporate job to take care of her three daughters. Mama Franca teaches us to take care of people through details; to create a space where everyone is welcome and included; to respect those who have less; and to know your privilege and give back. Lisa talks about her own professional path from a teacher to the head of HR for a group of 25 schools, her dealing with burnout, and her decision to start her own consulting business. But one of the most interesting aspects of this conversation is the way Lisa connects self-care with work – she wonders if some of Franca's frustrations came from quitting her work in order to care for others, and if keeping her work would have actually been an act of self-care for ther mom. A very important food for thought for many women. To learn more about Lisa and her consultancy, please visit her website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Janice Malone is the founder and CEO of "Vivian's Door", an award-winning NPO assisting minority-owned entrepreneurs implement their ideas and grow their businesses. Janice is a mother of two who quit corporate America to become an entrepeneur in her early fifties, and subsequently found "Vivian's Door" in her early sixties. She talks about her American mother Pearlie who was a mother of 15 (yes, you read this right) and taught Janice to find solace in cooking; to lean on faith trusting that God will make way where we see none; to keep a clean house; and to have patience because life has a way of reshaping itself. Janice also talks about her inspiring professional journey and her new start in her 50s. She talks about being open to allowing God to work through you, about the magic that happens when we help others, and about how important it is to take care of ourselves – so we can be there for our children. "Vivian's Door" was named after Vivian Malone Jones, the first Black University of Alabama graduate. To learn more about "Vivian's Door" please visit their wesbite. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

In this beautiful Christmas special, we're learning from the most famous of all mothers: Mary, the Mother of God. My guest Christine Valters Paintner is the author of "Birthing the Holy: Wisdom from Mary to Nurture Creativity and Renewal". Christine has a PhD in Christian Spirituality, is an abbess and the author of over twenty books on spirituality. Christine tells us about her American mother Suzanne, a United Nations employee, who struggled with rheumatoid arthritis but turned her suffering into a gift for others as she earned an MA in social studies to became an advocate for people with disabilities. Suzanne teaches us to empower other people, to not be victims but turn challenges into gifts for others, and to embrace the power that comes with older age. In the second part of the episode, we talked about Holy Mary and her lessons: to show up in the world, to accept the calling to create, to embrace the power of the sacred feminine (such as the intuition, creativity, dreams, gestation), and to be a loving and present witness both in birth and death, positive and negative. Suzanne also talked about one of the most important lessons for most women: that we're not responsible for everything, and that sometimes, we also need to be taken care of. Finally, she talked about healing our ancestors by healing ourselves. And I invite you to think about Mary and her presence, and what she represents to you, during these holidays. I wish you, dear listeners, blessed holidays and a happy 2024! To learn more about Christine, please visit the Abbey of the Arts website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Einat Nathan is a mother of five, a parenting expert, a counselor, and the bestselling author of a parenting book called "My Everything", which got translated in 11 languages. Einat talks about her Israeli mother Miriam who died at a young age from Multiple Sclerosis. From Miriam, we learn about connecting to others and being able to rely on yourself; about beauty and importance of the whole spectrum of emotions; and about learning not to be a people pleaser. Einat openly talks about raising five children and having a career, about stillbirth, and raising an autistic child. From her, we learn one of the biggest and most freeing truths: that life is messy. And that it's good that way. To learn more about Einat, please visit her website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Jojo Mehta is a co-founder of "Stop Ecocide", the global campaign to make ecocide (destroying the environment) a crime at the International Criminal Court. Jojo shares lessons she had learned from her mother, singer and poet Jehanne Mehta, whose work is deeply connected to nature and her Celtic roots, but also lessons she had learned from Mother Earth. From Jehanne, we learn about grounding and finding joy in connecting with our land and planet Earth; about writing and love of language; and the fine balance of simultaneously liberating and supporting our children. From Mother Earth, we learn to recognize that we are part of a whole; that life is cyclical and comes in seasons; that we can regenerate if we allow ourselves time and peace; and that we need to keep a large perspective in mind, not get bogged down by little dramas. Jojo also talks about her inspiring work, tells us how to take action - and together, we celebrate a huge milestone: a day before our conversation, EU criminalized environmental damage "comparable to ecocide." You can learn more about Jojo and "Stop Ecocide", and take action here. To learn more about Jojo's mom Jehanne Mehta, please visit her website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Author of "The Baby on the Fire Escape: Creativity, Mothering and the Mind-Baby Problem", Julie Phillips, talks about what she learned through writing a book about the intimate struggles of brilliant 20th century artists as they tried to balance the demands of creative work with the demands of motherhood. Jullie's lesson: we can keep centered in our creative space even if we do it in little bits. Julie also shares her mom Kit's lessons on being curious and wanting to understand the world by naming things; connecting with loved ones by reading out loud; and the value of not parenting too much. Julie also talks about setting boundaries, and having to figure out the professional world by herself as her mother was a stay-at-home mom. To learn more about Julie's work, please visit her website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Beating all odds, as a young female student, in a country ruled by men, archeologist and writer Parveen Talpur single-handedly set wheels in motion for the establishment of the Department of Archeology at the University in Karachi, Pakistan. She went on to Cornell University, where she worked on decipherment of the ancient script from the Indus Valley Civilization, and publish a few books. Parveen tells us about her mother Zeib, who as a newly married woman lived in purdah (women's segregation). After giving birth to six children, Zeib moved with her family to the city, received education and started writing stories of the women in her village. Hear Parveen's inspiring sotry of determination, and Zeib's story of cher hange – relatively late in life - from a simple village girl to an open-minded city woman. In this beautiful and informative conversation, Parveen shares Zeib's lessons on determination; it never being too late for personal evolution; fighting for women's rights, whatever the circumstances; and the magic of storytelling. You can learn more about Parveen and her work on her website. To learn more about Parveen's writing retreat in Greece, please visit here. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Psychotherapist, coach and consultant, author of "Reinventing Supermom", co-host of "Motherhood Uncut" podcast, and founder of "Parent and Family wellness Center", Kate Kripke, talks about her family legacy of strong and successful women. Kate's great-great aunt Margaret Fuller was a pioneer in suffrage, the first American female war correspondent and the author of the first major feminist book in United States. Her mother Margaret was a groundbreaking lawyer, a leading expert in mediation and arbitration in New York in the '70s, who kept breaking glass ceilings. Kate tells us how her mother ran herself to the ground to achieve great things and be loved and accepted, never learning to give herself acceptance and self-love. We learn from her that as women, we can do and be anything we want to be; to give our children unconditional love by accepting all of their sides; and to be gentle with yourself, and question what is worth your self-sacrifice. Kate speaks about accepting that you are enough, and don't need to be perfect; about a definition of "fierce", which we concluded is a definition of "female"; and about anxieties of high-achieving mothers. To learn more about Kate and her work, please visit her website. You can follo Kate on Instagram. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Gerontologist, biohacker and advocate for women's health during the menopausal journey, Zora Benhamou, is also a host of "Hack my Age" podcast. Zora's motto is "Menopause is inevitable, but suffering is optional." Zora lost her Ukrainian mom Anastasia to breast cancer at the tender age of 23. She shares her mother's lessons on never forgetting where you come from; taking care of yourself by always looking your best, while also caring for your health; death being a solitary experience; and not caring what people think. Zora also talks about her work with menopause, about making healthy choices, about being a nomad and raising multi-cultural children, and wishing her mom taught her the importance of being financially independent. You can learn more about Zora on her website here, and listen to her podcast here. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Psychotherapist specialized in the "Mother Daughter Journey", and co-host of "Motherhood Uncut" podcast, Deb Rubin, talks about her American mom Lois. Lois is a mother of two who went back to school to earn her Bachelor's Degree once her daughters left for college – which beautifully teaches us that it's never too late to take the next step. We also learn from Lois to be true to ourselves and follow our unique paths, and to honor our emotions and give them room in order to not get stuck in them. Deb also shares many wisdoms she gained in her long experience as a therapist, especially with supporting mothers in raising adolescent daughters. Her most important tip: conscious listening instead of immediate problem solving! Because, as she explains, "we all want to be heard." To find out more about Deb and her work, visit her website here. You can listen to Deb's and Kate's podcast here. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Michelle Grosser is a former attorney and law professor turned mom, motherhood coach, and host of "The Calm Mom" podcast, in which she discusses high-impact habits, work-life rhythms, parenting, marriage, spirituality, and more. Michelle talks about her mom Nancy, who worked while raising five children, which resulted in burnout, and later she divorced her husband – only to fall in love with him again. From Nancy, we learn not to give all of us away until there's nothing left; that we have infinite worth just by our existence; and that we're more resilient than we think. Michelle also talks about parenting and staying calm; about the loss of identity we sometimes experience in motherhood; and the way our mothers' decisions influence our lives. To learn more about Michelle and her work, please visit her website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Sara Petersen is the author of "Momfluenced: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture". Her essays about feminism, domesticity, and motherhood have appeared in the New York Times, Harper's Bazaar, Washington Post, InStyle, Glamour, and elsewhere. Sara shares her American mom's lessons on connecting with the natural world, finding pleasure in small things in life, and keeping a sense of humor in difficult situations. Sara also talks about feminism, avoiding the empty-nester syndrome, the image of the ideal mother, and teaching our daughters that motherhood is a choice. You can learn more about Sara on her website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Kanwal L. Haq is a Medical Anthropologist specialized in Women's Health and author of "Taking Care of You: The Empowered Woman's Guide to Better Health". She talks about her Pakistani mom Zahida who has been struggling with a connective tissue disease for more than 20 years. Zahida's stuggle inspired Kanwal to dedicate her work to women's health. From Zahida, we learn that if you believe in something, you have everything you need inside of you to make your dreams true; that education and knowledge is something no one can take away from you; and the importance of community. But most importantly, we learn that by taking care of yourself, you take care of people you love. You can find Kanwal here: Website: www.takingcareofyoubook.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenshealthbook/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@womenshealthbook Twitter: https://twitter.com/womensbook To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Interior designer Fabiana Hoy talks about her Peruvian mother Maria del Rosario and shares many valuable lessons she learned from her, like having faith (Rosario hosts a weekly prayer group of 45 women, which Fabiana joins from South Africa by Zoom), being a present mom, the importance of having a tribe of women (having these friends is Rosario's way of self-care). She also teaches us to find beauty and good, even in the simplest situations, and to care for others. Fabiana also speaks about wishing her mother was able to have woman-to-woman conversations with her, and about accepting that a woman's life comes in various stages. To learn more about Fabiana, vist her website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Hilary Truong is a therapist for teen girls, and a mother-daughter relationship expert. She talks about her mother Nancy, who raised four children and turned her love for cooking into running a cooking school. From mom Nancy, we learn about empathy, caring for others, and connecting with the world around you; that it's possible to support your family by doing something you love; and that you always make it work out, always find a way. Hilary also talks about raising teenage daughters, about managing your children's social media and phone usage, and about learning to take care of yourself, not only of others. To learn more about Hilary and her work, please visite her website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Kanchan Koya, author of "Spice Spice Baby", combines her PhD in Molecular Biology from Harvard and her training from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to bring healing spices and their health benefits to kids and families everywhere. Kanchan talks about her Sindhi mother Shohba who taught her about the importance of self-care, and that self-care can be simple; to put her emphasis on education and career first, because "every donkey can get married."; to pay attention to detail and use this to slow down and be present; and to have fun with making herself look presentable. Kanchan also talks about learning to accept failure as a possibility, especially when we're trying new things; and accepting that sometimes, it's ok to relax and to do nothing. Kanchan talks about healing properties of spices and healthy nutrition, and about the challenge of collecting the courage to make a big change in your life. You can find Kanchan's recipe's on her website here. Or connect with her on Instagram here. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Zoryana Kushpler is an opera singer who performed with the Vienna Opera, Carnegie Hall, and Royal Albert Hall. She talks about her Ukrainian mom Ada (herself a pianist), and shares her lessons on resolving your problems by yourself, making decisions and sticking to them, previewing every situation a few steps ahead, finishing what you started, and thinking about what you're going to do in your 60s, 70s and 80s. Zoryana also talks about inheriting her intuition from her mom, and being grateful about her mom always focusing on Zoryana's career instead of pushing her to get married and have children. She also talks about their relationship being quite complex, and how she managed, with the help of books and therapy, to set healthy boundaries. To learn more about Zoryana, please visit her wesbite. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Cybersecurity Awareness Expert, Change Management Specialist, and Host of "Reinvention Rebels" (a podcast for women 50-90 years young ready to reinvent themselves), Wendy Battles, shares her American mom Elaine's lessons. Elaine started a new life after the divorce in in her 50's, and is teaching us to not let anything stop you from doing what you want, ge back to the community, appreciate little things, and value quality over quantity. Wendy also talks about navigating disappointments, learning from failures, the fine balance between quality and negative perfectionism, and about it never being too late to reinvent yourself. To learn more about Wendy and her podcast, please visit her website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Singer, musician, songwriter and author Judith Holofernes (of German band "Wir Sind Helden") talks about achieving – and then quitting - her dream life of a rock star in order to heal from burnout and reinvent herself. Judith shares the biggest lesson she learned on her fascinating journey, and also talks about growing up with her lesbian mom in a small town in Germany. Judith shares mama Cornelia's lessons on tolerance, openness, curiosity and willingness to learn, and keeping a wide view on politics and history. Judith also talks about motherhood, entertainment industry, writing, life in Berlin, and ADHD. You can visit Judith on her Patrion, or follow her on Instagram. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Creator and host of "Old Chicks Know Shit", Jennifer Arthurton, talks about her Irish mom Eilish, who left home at 17 to move to Germany, and later moved with her husband to the Caribbean, and then Canada. Eilish was always a free spirit, true to herself, never taking herself or any problem too seriously, experimenting with life, and believing in a power greater than us. Jennifer shares her lessons on believing in yourself, knowing that you can find a solution to every problem, being unapologetically yourself, and believing in a greater power. She also talks about lessons she learned from her guests, midlife women who live happy and fulfilled lives. You can find Jennifer and her podcast on her website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Author, professor and a former wildland firefighter Ruth Nolan, shares her American mom Beverly's lessons on being kind to people and teaching everyone with respect; choosing your attitude in life; being independent in voice, career, selfhood and financially; and it never being too late to explore life. Ruth also talks about why the struggle for independence often skips generations, why women can never stop fighting for their rights, and about the experience of being an empty nester after her daughter and her mother moved away. Learn more about Ruth here. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Illustrator Tijana Lukovic talks about her Serbian mom Ljiljana's lessons: How do we raise quirky children with acceptance, and nurture their authenticity? Does motherhood need to equate to self-sacrifice? Is me-time selfish? How do we raise resilient children? What is wrong with being overprotective mothers? How can we support our children through burnout and dark times? Tijana also speaks about how becoming a mother to a little girl inspired her beautiful illustrations of "sacred women" surrounded with nature and magic. You can see Tijana's work on her Instagram here. You can purchase her illustrations on her website here. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about the "Thank You, Mama" creative writing workshop in June 2023, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Attorney, former marine, financial expert, and author of "It's Not About the Money", Scarlett Cochran, talks about her Guyanese mom Carol and her lessons. We learn about the value of education, and how important it is to teach our children how to learn; about always continuing to reinvent yourself in your career; about the importance of having a partner who is your equal in many aspects – and how this will enable you both to be present in your parenting. And finally, through her complicated relationship with her own mother, Scarlett learned to create a relationship with her children based on trust, love and respect. Scarlett also talks about changing our relationship to money, and how to make right financial decisions. To learn more about Scarlett, please visit her website. To subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves" newsletter, please go here. To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Eva Feldman is a psychologist and psycho-educational influencer. On her Instagram feed @TooMuchEva, she shares wisdom and inspiration to help us analyze our inner life, including many of her Croatian mom Lada's lessons. In this beautiful episode, we learn from Lada that when someone throws you a ball, you don't need to catch it. To believe them when they say they're not good enough for you. That every panic attack is weaker than the one before, and that in order to manage it, you should dive into panic instead of fighting it. To beware of partners who put you on a pedestal. That you don't have to get married and have children to be a woman. That we can be great mothers, even if this wasn't modeled by our own mothers. Eva also talks about allowing ourselves sadness and other uncomfortable emotions. And about showing our children how to heal conflicts in partnerships. You can find Eva on Instagram under @TooMuchEva. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Nayomi Munaweera is the award-winning author of novels "Island of a Thousand Mirrors" and "What Lies Between Us". She has been named one of "Twelve Women of Color Writers You Need to Know" by Bustle Magazine and "One of the Asian American Women Writers Who are Going to Change the World" by Electric Literature. Nayomi talks about her Sri Lankan mom Upamali who first immigrated to Nigeria and then to the USA, where she founded and successfully ran Montessori schools. We learn about how important it is to hear our mother's (or anyone's) story, about divorce and finding new happiness in one's 60s, about the resilience of South Asian immigrants in the US, and about arranged marriages. Nayomi also talks about the civil war in Sri Lanka, about patriarchy and healing our mother-wound. She shares her enlightening experience with ayahuasca, which lead her not only to appreciate her mother but also to feel the urgency of honoring and healing Mother Earth. For more about Nayomi and her work, please visit her website. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Amanda Craig is a licensed marriage and family therapist in NYC and Connecticut, and the author of "Who Are You and What Have You Done With My Kid: Connect with Your Tween While They Are Still Listening." Amanda talks about creating an early emotional connection with our children, about why she wrote a book about parenting tweens, and about her American mom Sharon, a single mother who worked three jobs to provide for her two daughters. Amanda shares lessons she learned from her mother about substance use and parenting, education as source of independence and self-confidence, about taking care of your finances, and the importance of finding your purpose. You can find Amanda's book on Amazon. To connect with Amanda, you can find her on Instagram or LinkedIn. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Stay-at-home mom Arlyn Kostelac talks about her Philipino mom Felina's life and lessons. We learn about harsh circumstances of being a working-class woman in the Philippines, about loss, sexual abuse in families, domestic violence, and femicide. From mama Felina, we learn lessons on resilience and hard work, self-sacrifice for your children, and being resourceful and creative. We also learn that we are stronger than we think, that we shouldn't care too much about other people's opinions of us, about being content, and about the importance of friendships. Arlyn also talks about her decision to be a stay-at-home mom, and about wanting her family to live a simple and mindful life. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Doroteja Gradištanac, Head of the Austrian radio station "FM4", shares her Serbian mother Lola's lessons. Lola finished medical school while pregnant with Doroteja, and moved to Austria together with her husband and older son for a job in an Austrian hospital - and a better life for her family - leaving eight months old Dodo behind for two years. She went on to build a career as an anesthesiologist, create a new life in a foreign country, raise two children, and successfully battle cancer. From mama Lola, we learn to not blindly follow group pressure; to not feel guilty about getting help as a working mom; to work hard and not allow failure as an option; to not depend on a man; to create a family as a safe space; and to be there for yourself, and not dependent on the recognition of others. We also talk about feminism, about the value system in the Balkans vs. the US, about the long road to self-discovery, and about the importance of how women are pictured in the society. Dodo also talked about learneing from her grandmother and her aunt, acknowledging the huge importance of ancestorial wisdom. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

As a holiday special, instead of an episode, I'd like to give you a little gift in form of a guided meditation. Since I started meditating in 2000 as part of my tai-chi practice, meditation stayed my daily habit. It has helped me to stay sane and healthy through all these years marked by many challenges. If you've never meditated before, maybe I can motivate you to start. If meditation is part of your practice, maybe I can bring some new aspects to it. If you find my voice soothing, it's a bonus - and a special gift for Tiffany, my dear friend who asked me years ago to record myself talking to help her fall asleep. I hope this meditation will help you relax, center yourself, and feel re-energized. I wish you blissful holidays and a fantastic 2023, and I'm very excited about sharing more amazing women, their mothers, and lessons with you in the New Year. I am deeply grateful to you for sharing this journey with me. To contact me, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder http://www.tajder.com

Gayle Brandeis is the award-winning author of the memoir "The Art of Misdiagnosis: Surviving My Mother's Suicide", the novel in poems "Many Restless Concerns", as well as several novels, a poetry collection, and a writing guide. Her essay collection "Drawing Breath" will be released in 2023. Gayle's work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Salon, and more. In this episode, Gayle talks about healing from her mother's suicide, living with her delusions, and using writing to instigate change. From Gayle's mom Arlene, we learn about using art and creativity as a source of meaning and joy, listening to your intuition, and knowing that your voice can make a difference. We also learn about the importance of setting boundaries, and the art of navigating conflicts. Gayle mentions "American Foundation for Suicide Prevention" as one of the most important resources that helped her with her healing process. For more information, please visit their website. For more information on Gayle and her work, please visit following links: Gayle's website: http://gaylebrandeis.com Gayle's forthcoming book, Drawing Breath: Essays on Writing, The Body, and Loss from Overcup Books (February, 2023) An essay from the collection, "My Shadow son: A stranger insisted he was my child for more than a decade" Gayle's Twitter: https://twitter.com/gaylebrandeis To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Dana Rimawi is the CEO and founder of A'myn, a company that promotes social justice through rugs designed and hand-made by local artisans and refugees. She talks about her Palestinian mother Fairuz who was forced to leave her home in West Palestine in 1948 and has since lived in Jordan, Syria, USA and Saudi Arabia. Mama Fairuz teaches us about being adaptable and flexible, reinventing yourself at any age, being financially independent, thinking positive and visualizing, having faith, growing from any given situation, and always learning and working. We talked about the experience of being a refugee, and how it becomes a generational trauma. Dana speaks about learning to stand to your identity, as difficult as it can be in some situations, and preparing your children for the real world, and real people, out there. She shares her own journey of a Palestinian American born in Kansas, raised in Texas and currently based in Jordan, and talks about her work with refugees, something she also learned from her mom. You will find Dana's rugs on the A'myn webiste. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

A paramedic, and a sexual abuse awareness advocate, Regina V. Carrico, talks about their own experience as a sexual abuse survivor and what we are still missing in child sexual abuse prevention. Regina also talks about gender identity and being gender fluid. They share lessons they learned from their mom Bozena, a Polish nurse, on cultural appreciation and curiosity; love for learning; financial and practical independence, and gardening. Regina talks about wishing they learned from their mother how to take a break, how to love their body, how to be non-judgmental, and how to talk about their feelings. We learn about Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD or body dysmorphia) and the effects our criticism of our bodies has on our children, as well as the effect of being overly judgmental. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Professor of Business Administration at the University of Delaware and co-author of "Both/And Thinking", Dr. Wendy Smith, shares three of her Canadian mom Jewel's most important lessons: It's all about people, so create a community; focus on possibilities, not obstacles; and make time for fun in life. We also spoke about Wendy's work with strategic paradoxes, and how now, more than ever, we need to shift from either/or thinking to both/and thinking. Wendy discusses this "inclusive" way of thinking and shares a few tips on using it every day to grow from dilemmas (like balancing work and family) instead of shrinking from them. We learn about the history of paradox theory, and its connection to quantum physics, psychoanalysis, and spirituality. You can learn more about Wendy and "Both/And Thinking", and connect to her, here: Book Website: www.bothandthinking.net LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendykimsmith/ Twitter: @profwendysmith Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wendy-Smith-111141458290288 Instagram: @prof.wendysmith To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Relationship and Divorce Coach, Natasha Mahtani, shares her Sindhi Indian mom's lessons on giving children values and wings, having faith in something bigger than yourself, and the fine line between tolerance and enabling unaccaptable behavior. We also spoke about Sindhi Hindus and why they moved all around the world (Natasha was born in Liberia, West Africa), about breaking generational cycles, about semi-arranged marriages, and about our mothers learning self-care from us. To learn more about Natasha and her work, please visit her website. To follow her om social media, find her on Instagram. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Cathi Hanauer is the New York Times bestselling author of three novels and two essay anthologies, including the 2002 bestseller "The Bitch in the House" and the follow-up, "The Bitch is Back," which was an NPR "Best Book" of 2016. She's published articles, essays, and criticism in The New York Times, the Washington Post, Elle, O, Real Simple, and many other magazines, and is the founder, along with her husband, Dan Jones, of The New York Times "Modern Love" column. Cathi talks about her American mom Bette who got married at 20 and raised four children while making her controlling husband her priority. Cathi learned from Bette what she didn't want in her marriage; that instead of seeking perfection, you can let things go and concentrate on your priorities; to not be selfish; and to strive towards patience, acceptance, and empathy for others. Cathi also learned that sometimes, you must use lies to protect yourself or your children. And finally, a huge lesson: children can't fix their parents' marriage. For more about Cathi and her work, please visit her website. To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Deb Flashenberg is the founder and director of "Prenatal Yoga Center", the first of its kind in New York City. Deb shares how her American mom Harriet rebuilt her life, showing up for her children after her husband passed away in an accident and leaving her a widow at 55. We learn from Harriet about being in (but not wallowing in) dark times; making your friends into your family; allowing yourself to enjoy life; and resilience and hard work. We also hear a recipe for a joyous "3rd act"; what it was like being a child in the 1970's - and how our generation tries to be great parents by learning from these experiences. To learn more about Deb and her "Prenatal Yoga Center", please visit her website. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Elizabeth Yang is the CEO and founder of Yang Law Offices based in Los Angeles, and a best-selling author with a total of 6 books including "Social Marriage". Elizabeth shares her Taiwanese/Chinese mother Kelly's fascinating immigration story, and her lessons on being organized and setting goals; being independent and self-sufficient; the importance of learning and education; resilience; and the importance of learning languages. Elizabeth also spoke about creating your own mother figure, Transformational Training, The Secret, and manifesting. To learn more about Elizabeth, please visit her website. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Welcome to episode 100! Trade unionist Tanja Vicas, shares lessons she learned from her Austrian/Canadian mom Ingrid, a prison guard and parole officer. We learn about how amazing we women are; being true to yourself; taking a break when you need one; being honest; being true to yourself and not letting anyone define who you are; and importance of education and financial independence. Tanja also talks about the difficult times her parents faced as young Austrian immigrants in Canada, their resilience and hard work. She also describes her work at the Austrian Trade Union. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

CEO and business consultant specialized in sustainability, Thekla Wilkening, is a co-author of "Bio-Pizza Dilema". Thekla shares lessons she learned from her German mom Heidrun on being a bold woman; living consciously; having understanding and patience for people; and Immanuel Kant's Categorical Imperative (act the way you want others to act). We also talked about sustainability and about cultural differences. To learn more about Thekla, please visit her website. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Book author, journalist and editor Joanna Czechowska shares lessons she learned from her English mother Christine on being a good conversationalist; being thrifty, making things and never wasting anything; being strong-minded and never following the "herd"; loving literature and words; and loving music. Joanna also talks about her mother's Catholic faith sometimes being too strict, which made her learn that people, with their imperfections and frailty, are more important than dogma. Joanna also talks about her books "The Black Madonna of Derby" and "The Sweetest Enemy", based on the experiences of her childhood in a Polish community in the UK. To learn more about Joanna, please visit her website. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Karen C.L. Anderson, author of "Difficult Mothers, Adult Daughters", talks about her work with complicated mother-daughter relationships, and shares her American mom Cynthia's lessons on being bold, spirited, unexpected, and getting what you want; not being afraid of traveling by yourself; being adventurous with food and cooking; and hating one's body and shaming oneself. Karen talks about wishing her mother taught her that women have been socialized to believe that there's something wrong with them because it protects them in a culture that doesn't value women equally, and punishes women when they don't conform to the norms of said culture - the shame as borne of "protecting." To learn more about Karen, please visit her website. You can find Karen's book on Amazon. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Prehistoric archeologist, Dr. Katharina Rebay-Salisbury, talks about her research on motherhood in prehistory and about our romanticized idea of giving birth in the old times; how our bodies have changed through evolution; the history of birth complications and c-sections; and the identity change when becoming a mother. Katharina shares her Austrian mom Monika's lessons on juggling work and family; creating strong family ties; love of learning and travelling; but also struggling with not having time for friendships or relaxing. She also talks about how we, as senior women, must make the fusion of work and motherhood easier for the new generations. You can read more about Katharina and her work here. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net To connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatajder/ https://twitter.com/tajder

Witches, artists, activists, and perpetual students, Risa Dickens and Amy Torok are hosts and authors of "Missing Witches". "Missing Witches" is a labour of love, research, and web-weaving, dedicated to creating an intersectional, feminist history of ideas; and uncovering feminist and marginalized ideas about what is and what's possible; and helping to build communities of care with other magical beings. Amy and Risa talk about their Canadian moms Sheryl and Shiela and what they've learned from them: not to be a slave to social norms, to look at the beauty of the world, to be compassionate and non-judgmental, to not let your gender determine who you will be, to understand where people are coming from, and to tell the truth. They also talk about witches, the history of witch hunt, patriarchy, capitalism, and role models. To learn more about Risa and Amy, and "Missing Witches", please visit their website. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

Sarifa Moola-Nernæs, CEO of Ubuntu Coaching, is a Makhuwa woman, an African feminist, businesswoman, life coach and speaker with extensive experience in refugee services and social and economic inclusion. Sarifa talks about her South African mom Jamaila and her lessons on being grounded, being of service, and respecting and supporting others. Sarifa also talks about the Makhuwa matrilineal society, about the Ubuntu philosophy, and about learning to be fearless. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] You can find Sarifa on Instagram here. For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

Dr. Galit Atlas is an internationally renowned psychoanalyst. She is a clinical supervisor and psychoanalyst at a private practice in NYC, as well as a member of the faculty of the New York University postdoctoral program in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Galit has published numerous academic books and papers, and teaches and lectures throughout the US and internationally. Her newest book "Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients and the Legacy of Trauma" explores the ways our ancestors' experiences shape our lives. In this episode, Galit talks about her Syrian/Israeli mother Shoshi from whom she learned about the joy of food and hosting, to be brave and outgoing, and to work hard. We also discussed inherited trauma, motherhood, and learning to take care of yourself and to be alone. To learn more about Galit an dher book, please visit her website. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

Laura Davis is the author of six non-fiction books, including "The Courage to Heal: For Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse", "Becoming the Parent You Want to Be" and "I Thought We'd Never Speak Again: The Road from Estrangement to Reconciliation". Her ground-breaking books have been translated into 11 languages and sold more than 1.8 million copies. Laura shares her American mom Temme's lessons on valuing friendships, forgiving and learning to love someone who hurt you in the past, travelling the world, and cherishing community. We also talk about Laura's battle with cancer, her mother's reaction after Laura remembered she was sexually abused as a child, Temme's Alzheimer's, about learning deep intimacy with a partner, and allowing your children "psychic privacy" and emancipation. To learn more about Laura, her books and writing retreats, go to her website here. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

Psychology professor, neoclassical composer, and mom of three, Antonija Pacek, shares lessons she learned from her Croatian mama Slavica who grew up after WWII in very harsh circumstances, abandoned by her own mother. From Slavica, we learn that everything is possible and that we should believe in our dreams; to invest in education; to leave something behind; to have the courage to express our creativity; and to be kind, smile and give to others. Antonija also talks about leaving toxic relationships, and about learning to love ourselves, know ourselves, and be alone, so that we don't even enter those relationships. She shares how she escaped Croatia during the war at the age of 17, and supported herself throughout university to build a new life in Austria. With this episode, we honor all people who had to flee Ukraine and are now building new lives in new countries – all while dealing with their loss and trauma. To learn more about Antonija and listen to her music, visit her website here. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

A single mother of an autistic son, Alessandra Bester is the CEO and founder of NONO, a functional food company. She invented functional chocolate for her son who has autism, celiac, epilepsy and various allergies, and started NONO after other parents asked her to make some for their children with special needs. Alessandra shares her Polish mom Regina's lessons on caring for others without giving up oneself; moms taking care of themselves, so children don't feel like they must; the possibility of a happy new life after decades of challenges; the importance of addressing issues in the family; purposeful neglect; and surviving extreme circumstances by staying calm. At NONO, Alessandra employs people with autism, single mothers, and autistic women artists. And right now, instead of increasing prices due to inflation, she decreased prices to help with the increased cost of living. You can learn more about NONO here. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

Marcelle Little is an Executive Coach and a Holistic Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in trauma-integration and spiritual psychology. Marcelle's American mama Claudette nursed her husband during his battle with HIV and AIDS, and later fought her own battle with alcohol, which she did with the help of AA. Marcelle shares Claudette's lessons on loving with wisdom, without attachments and self-sacrifice; seeking support when needed; not allowing trauma to define you; and surrounding to the source. Marcelle also talks about compassion burnout, inherited family trauma, codependence, finding the right support, and soul psychology. You can learn more about Marcelle and her work on her wesbite. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

TV Presenter and Voice Coach, Jasmin Gonzales, just published her first book "We are the Daughters of the Witches You Couldn't Burn". Jasmin had a very difficult childhood, marked by physical and psychological abuse, alcoholism and mental disease. In this episode, she talks openly about her German mom Greta Marie, who suffered from manic depression, and shares lessons she learned from her. We learn about the importance of self-care, especially of taking care of one's mental health; about why it's important to follow your dreams, especially as a mother; and about asking for help being a sign of strength, not weakness. Jasmin also talks about the witch hunt, both throughout the history, and in current times. As you will hear, in spite of all the challenges Jasmin met in life, her optimism, strength and joy are contagious. You can learn more about Jasmin and her book on her website, or find her on social media. To contact Ana, please send your mail to: [email protected] For more about "Thank You, Mama" and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net