The Matriarchy

In this powerful conversation with Michigan PTA leaders Dr. Tonya Whitehead and Jenna McMechan, we explore how the PTA plays a vital role in strengthening public schools and supporting students, teachers, and families in our state - and across the nation. The discussion dives into the importance of education advocacy and how everyday leadership within parent-teacher organizations helps shape polic...

The news cycle is relentless, the doom-scrolling is real, and the overwhelm is… a lot. In this episode, we talk honestly about what’s been on our minds: how to stay engaged in democracy without losing our mental health in the process. How do we pay attention without being consumed by the chaos? And what does it actually look like to take our power back? We dig into the systems that got us here—fro...

Maternal health in the United States is in crisis — and improving maternal health must start with addressing the disparities facing Black mothers. Black maternal health outcomes remain significantly worse than those of other groups, with Black women experiencing higher maternal mortality rates and more severe complications. Postpartum depression, one of the most common complications of childbirth,...

In this powerful episode, forgotten stories of women and communities impacted by World War II in the Pacific are brought to light. From the tragedy of Chinese comfort women and systemic sexual slavery to the horrors of Unit 731 and the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong , the discussion explores hidden WWII Pacific war crimes that continue to shape the present. Through the work of Jenny Chan, Direct...

Meet  Kimber Bishop-Yanke , founder of  Kids Empowered on the Move . Kimber is taking action against homelessness and showing how everyday people—especially kids—can make a real difference in their own communities. In this inspiring podcast episode, we talk about empowering youth, helping people experiencing homelessness, and building stronger, more compassionate communities—one act of kindness at...

USAID is not charity —it saves lives and is essential to American safety and global security. In this episode, we feature an exclusive interview with a former USAID Foreign Service officer and explore how the U.S. Agency for International Development developed soft diplomacy to shape global affairs, promote stability, and counter rival powers. From humanitarian relief and disaster response to heal...

Enjoy an exclusive bonus - the director's cut of author and journalist Nora Neus' origin story! Hear the full story of how opportunity meets preparation with her incredible story behind how she landed an internship with CNN at the mere age of 20 and launched a career at the forefront of modern history through ethical journalism. #CNN #AndersonCooper #NoraNeus #ethicaljournalism #TheMatriar...

Journalist and author Nora Neus  joins the podcast to discuss frontline reporting, democracy, and ethical journalism. A former  CNN reporter , Neus has covered major world events including the  January 6th Insurrection , the  Charlottesville riots , the  Uvalde school shooting , and on-the-ground reporting in  Ukraine . Her new book,  24 Hours At The Capitol , is an oral history marking the five-y...

Join us for an insightful retrospective of our year of The Matriarchy! We have a lot on our minds to share with our audience - and some teasers about what to expect in the new year! The holidays can be both joyful and stressful. Here our hot takes on how to make the most of this time while not sacrificing your own mental health. Stay tuned for more adventures with The Matriarchy! Cheers to a year...

After 9/11, the world was fragile and bleak. Days went by where time stood still. We did not know how to react. And then the satire site The Onion did the unthinkable - made us laugh again. A small return to normal, or at least a "new normal". Our guest Lynn Harris recounts her experiences - and her interview with The Onion's writers.

In this episode with community activist Deanne Austin, we explore how transportation, education, and housing are deeply interconnected—and why equitable access to each is essential for thriving communities. We focus on how unreliable or limited transportation creates barriers to voting, schooling, employment, and basic services, making mobility not just a convenience but a basic civil right . Our...

Laughter may be the best medicine, but it also can be a catalyst for change. The patriarchy has long been entrenched, and reinforced, in our pop culture. Join us for a fascinating conversation about how to reframe - and shape - the world we want through comedy, tv, movies, and throughout the media. Award-winning journalist  and author Lynn Harris is the founder of the startup GOLD Comedy - a comed...

Food assistance isn’t just a policy issue — it’s about community. In Episode 13 of The Matriarchy Podcast, Rep. Brenda Carter and policy expert Julie Cassidy join us to explore how Michigan is supporting families amidst the food crisis created by cuts to SNAP benefits. We also dive into the powerful intersections between healthcare, food, and housing security. Because The Matriarchy is about takin...

The world can feel awfully heavy these days. The Matriarchy is taking a moment to reflect on what is on our mind - from the No Kings protests to the upcoming election to what the Matriarchy means to us now after a dozen episodes. So tell us, what's on your mind? Let us know in the comments.

When Tyra Moore had a baby at age 14, she didn't expect this reaction: love and acceptance. She knew one day she would pay it forward. Along with her husband Jajuan Moore, they founded A Girl Like Me Inc and have helped thousands of young women not only in their community but around the country - and across continents. The world may be full of darkness, but Tyra and Jajuan shine brightly. Hear...

They're back!! This is one conversation you won't want to miss. Listen to the adventures of four women who paddled through the Boundary Waters from Lake Superior to the Arctic Circle! Their inspiring journey garnered awareness for mining bans in the Boundary Waters. Welcome home, Hudson Bay Girls!

The Matriarchy goes global! Meet Elena Alvariño and Mónica Alvariño Blanes and enjoy our dynamic, cross cultural conversation with our Spanish friends. We delve into the role women play in society, explore our different education systems, compare social structures, and laugh - a lot! No subject is off limits. Join us for a celebration of women from around the world!

Our society shames us into thinking "we'll sleep when we're dead" - but what if lack of sleep is actually killing us? The Matriarchy examines the dire, and completely preventable, issue of chronic sleep deprivation in teens - and explores a surprisingly simple solution: healthy school start times.

Our schools, and especially our school libraries, have been under attack. Meet one librarian who is fighting back and a researcher who helps us all of join the fight to stand up for the freedom to read. Join The Matriarchy with Christine Beachler and Sara Hoeve and learn how to protect our First Amendment rights. #TheMatriarchy, #BannedBooks, #SaveOurSchools, #FreedomToLearn

It's no secret that schools have been underfunded for years, decades even, and especially in Michigan. Meet two women determined to change that. Rachelle Crow-Hercher, Director of Michigan Education Justice Coalition (MEJC) and Jamila Martin, co-Chair of Fund MI Future are launching a ballot proposal called "Invest In MI Kids" to tax the rich and fund our schools. Learn all about how...

As a society, we don't know how to talk about money. Many of us were actively discouraged - and were not even taught the basics about how to manage our personal finances. Joining us on this episode is Financial Planner Diane Young to help us navigate these sensitive conversations and helping us to explore our own relationship with money. Learn what women in particular need to know about our person...

We are living in divided, chaotic, and often anxious times. Joining us on this episode is Harper West, licensed psychotherapist and author. She helps us navigate with a focus on our mental health. It's an episode you won't want to miss. Share with your besties!

If you are worried about climate change, and want to DO something about it, we have a wonderful new episode of The Matriarchy for you! With a few simple changes, you can create a beautiful landscape with native wildlife right in your own backyard and help out the environment in the process. Check out Episode 3 of The Matriarchy: The Mother Tree with Marilyn Trent EnvisionTheMatriarchy.com #TheMatr...

Summary In this episode of The Matriarchy, hosts Lisa and Kath introduce the Hudson Bay Girls, a group of four young women embarking on a 1,200-mile canoe expedition from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay. These women aim to raise awareness about environmental issues affecting the Boundary Waters while inspiring more women to participate in outdoor recreation. They are partnering with Save the Boundary...

We are so excited to begin our adventure with you! Meet your hosts, Lisa and Kath. Our goal is to empower women with knowledge, spark curiosity, and inspire confident engagement with the world through accessible, factual, and thought-provoking content. We envision a joyful world where we take care of each other, celebrate our wins together, and create a hopeful future for all people.