Thank You, Mama

Author and journalist Kristen Millares Young shares lessons she learned from her Cuban mom Carmen on how to break ground while having a community orientation, how to be adaptable and resilient and thrive in a new environment, and on novels being a way of studying the human mind. Kristen also talks about her new novel "Subduction", about the Makah Tribe featured in her novel, and about the challeng...

TV writer and producer Linda Burstyn talks about her Hungarian mom Vera, a Holocaust survivor. From Vera, we learn about hard work, intense loyalty, choosing your partner, being a feminist even when the circumstances don't allow it, and understanding that we're all one. Linda also talks about her research on female genital mutilation in the US, about the path to discovering your true passion, abou...

CEO and founder of "Qwaltec", a company specializing in mission operations and training for spacecrafts, Shawn Linam, talks about her American mother Carolyn's lessons on gender not being an excuse for any tasks needed to be done, diving into - and solving - problems (without complaining), and taking care of others. Shawn also talks about learning, about her career path in engineering, about being...

Laila Soudi, founder of various programs providing mental health care to refugees in the Middle East, talks about her Palestinian mom Sana (meaning "light" in Arabic). From Sana, we learn about: resilience; having courage to ask, to try new things, and to not blindly follow norms; and that life is short, so we shouldn't take it for granted. Laila also talks about her path from growing up in Jordan...

Celebrity yoga instructor and CEO of the global body wellness product line "Cuccio Somatology", Danielle Cuccio, shares lessons she learned from her American mom Robbie. 30 years ago, Roby and her husband started a small cosmetics business and turned it into a global success. We hear her lessons on projecting confidence, working hard, finding your passion, and taking time for self-care. "Thank You...

Art historian, author and soon-to-be Zen priestess, Traude Wild, shares her Austrian mom Christine's lessons on connecting with nature and spreading love, the importance of being grounded, trusting in life, and different ways of finding one's identity. In this deep and inspiring conversation, Traude also talks about "patchwork" lives, finding yourself, relationships, and art-meditation. To learn m...

Reena Friedman Watts, TV and podcast producer and host of "Better Call Daddy", shares her American mom Maureen's lessons on being strong and optimistic during hard times, being kind to your elders, encouraging your kids to find their talents, and the importance of having difficult conversations. Reena also talks about her mother's and her grandmother's successful battles with cancer, and about the...

Pianist and jewelry designer Marjan Majd is the mother of Tara, my guest in the pervious episode. Marjan shares lessons she learned from her Iranian mom Fahri on Bahai religion, focusing on the positive and the beautiful in life, and "Taarof" - old Persian art of etiquette. We also spoke about differences between European, Iranian and American cultures, about arranged marriages, teaching your chil...

Digital media producer and host of "Who Was She" podcast, Tara Jabbari, shares lessons she learned from her Iranian mom Marjan: don't let others make you doubt yourself; when in doubt dress up; buy quality, not quantity. Tara also tells us about Bahai faith, and about Lidia Zamenhof, whose father created Esperanto. This is a little experiment of talking to two generations of women, so next week, w...

Tracey Tee & Shayna Ferm, creators of widely popular "Pump and Dump" comedy show and newly launched "Band of Mothers" podcast, share lessons they learned from their American mothers: why you should always drink the champagne, never skimp on eye cream, never stop learning, give yourself R&R days, always make things nice, and give your children affectionate love. We also spoke about how important it...

Side hustle coach Emiko Rasmussen talks about her Japanese mom Kadzuko who taught her that teaching your children isn't about what you tell them but what you show them; to use positive reinforcement with your children, and not compare them (or yourself) with others; that women are able to juggle many tasks and still have a healthy social life; that you should always focus on the process, not on th...

Listen to this mini episode to celebrate International Women's Day and "Thank You, Mama" turning one. Ana shares with you the challenges of launching this podcast in the middle of a pandemic, while homeschooling – and talks about lessons she learned from her guests' mamas. She also shares some basic history of Intl. Women's Day; the news about a monthly dose of mama's inspiration; and invites you...

Ilona Dreyer is a 3rd generation German in Namibia, where she is running a textile business with her husband, and raising her two children. Ilona tells us about her mom Heidi from whom she learned to be diplomatic, to find a good side in everyone, to love her children equally, to give them unconditional love without spoiling them, to be thorough and efficient, and to always work with her partner a...

Brianne Davis, TV & Film actress (Desperate Housewives, True Blood, Nip Tuck) and author of "Secret Life of a Hollywood Sex & Love Addict", talks about her recovery from addiction, and about her mom Bonnie from whom she learned to be a strong woman and a breadwinner, to go after her dreams, and to admit to her child when she is wrong. She also talks about healthy relationships, teaching children a...

Biotech professionals and hosts of "Work in Progress" podcast, twins Dana and Angela Chou lost their Taiwanese mom Jen to breast cancer when they were only 17. In this joint interview, they share lessons they learned from her: to love your uniqueness, to be financially independent, to love yourself, and to learn from books. Dana and Angela also talk about the importance of having courage to walk a...

TV producer and host of "Diferente" Maribel Quezada Smith talks about her mom Lulu who immigrated from Mexico to the US and, in spite of not being allowed to attend college, built a million dollar business - to then graduate from college after her kids did. From Lulu, we learn how to properly use a credit card and not go into debt, that happiness isn't in the future but here and now, and how – and...

In this very inspiring and positive episode, HR Expert and author of "Choosing Hope: One Woman. Three Cancers." Munira Premji talks about her Tanzanian mom Zerakhanu. Munira shares Zera's beautiful lessons on gracefully accepting what is, loving life, curiosity and continuous learning, not letting difficulties in life affect you, and - exercise. Brimming with optimism and inspiration, Munira also...

Poet and storyteller Andrea Grant talks about being raised in the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses by a Native American father and a Welsh-Irish mother. While both Andrea and her father left the cult, and embraced their indigenous heritage, her mother returned to it after losing her 2nd husband. From mama Glenys, we learn about strength, independence, embracing your femininity, and social grace...

Retired preschool teacher Mitra Jordan talks about her Iranian mom Sattareh Farman Farmaian, the mother of social work in Iran and author of "Daughter of Persia". Sattareh grew up in a harem, received her university education in the USA, and returned to Iran to create the Teheran School of Social Work. She turned the school into a big success, providing the country with hundreds of social workers...

Actor, writer and coach, Courtney Bryant, talks about her American mom Shondra who recovered from a paralyzing stroke at 47. Courtney only started living with her mother at the age of 15 and they soon developed a co-dependent relationship.  Through this experience, Courtney learned many important lessons on forgiveness, setting boundaries, moving on, loving yourself unconditionally, faith and mani...

Mama, US Marine Corps combat veteran and Navy psychologist, Dr. Julienne Shin, talks about lessons she learned through her difficult relationship with her Filipino mom Corazon: about the impact of a mother's relationships with her child at a young age, about not holding on to your parents' pain, and about the importance of emotional intelligence. Julienne also shares some amazing things she learne...

Speech Pathologist Lena Livinsky talks about her Polish mom Weronika who moved to the US at the age of 45, and beat all odds for success by becoming a hair stylist and opening her salon. From Weronika, we learn that it's never too late for new beginnings, about courage, kindness, and the importance of not comparing yourself to others. From Lena, we learn about speech pathology and how it can help...

In this mini holiday episode, Ana is making two big exceptions, and welcoming a guest who is male and very young. Kai shares lessons he learned from his Croatian & Austrian mama – your host Ana – on the importance of imagination, being alive, cuddling, using chi, not fighting, appreciating your ancestors, and speaking different languages. Together, we're wishing you merry Christmas, happy holidays...

Integrated marketing professional Liz Prats tells a fascinating story of her parents' immigration from Cuba to the US, and shares lessons she learned from her mom Aida. Aida paused her MBA to concentrate on her family but then never graduated, so we learn the important lesson about not putting your career aspirations on hold, especially for a man. We also learn about the importance of education an...

Mom, NASA analyst and host of "Mommifaceted" (the community for moms of color juggling motherhood, career and real life)  Rachel Pierre talks about lessons she learned from her American mom Donna: for mothers, sacrifice comes in seasons; friendships and villages come in different forms; how to show your kids a passion for work; and how to not completely lose yourself in your children. To learn mor...