Mom Rage

Amelia and Edan share some moments of mom rage toward their poor little kids. Then they grapple with the abortion bans, and, later, get into a discussion of "natural" childbirth. At 27:40, they interview journalist Dani McClain about her book, We Live for the We: The Political Power of Black Motherhood. Links to books/articles we mention Please consider supporting the show!

Amelia and Edan talk about writing: what's going on with their careers, what their work schedules look like now that they're parents, and what they love about writing. At about 28:30, they interview novelist Kristen Iskandrian about her book Motherest, raising her family in Alabama, and why she's drawn to Catholicism.  For books we mention, go here. Support the show!

Amelia and Edan celebrate the podcast's one year anniversary by talking about what they've loved and didn't love about this show. They also cover going to the doctor, yeast infections, and parents who don't vaccinate their kids. At about 33:00, they talk to short story writer Polly Rosenwaike about her book Look How Happy I'm Making You, writing as a mother, and why she and her kids' dad aren't married.

To celebrate Mother's Day, we listen to Labia Hotline calls answering this question: how did your mom help or fail you in the postpartum period--and beyond? At about 31:00, we talk to novelist and noted dad Rumaan Alam about writing female characters, adopting across race, and why he loves to cook meals days ahead of time.

Amelia enrolled Teddy in kindergarten, and Edan attended a meeting with Bean's teacher and principal. They also recount various spring break madness. At 22:00, they talk to therapist Dr. Jessica Zucker about her #IhadaMiscarriage campaign, her work with parents who have experienced pregnancy loss, and how her own personal experience with miscarriage has informed both her therapy practice and her parenting. Things we mention How to support the show

Amelia and Edan read some fiction and poetry that inspire them, and then they share some listener feedback on two favorite Mom Rage topics: climate change and gender. At about 26:30, they talk to Jae Trevits, the mama behind Made by Mama lactation cookies. Jae talks about the postpartum depression and anxiety that led her to create her business, the solace, community and direction that Buddhism provides her, and the unexpected(!) place she gave birth to her daughter. Support the show! Links to things we mention

Amelia and her mom had a nice chat about politics and Fox News (whaa?!). Edan is having a rough go of it, from pregnancy-related anxiety to trouble with Bean's school. At 25:10, they talk to author Molly Wizenberg and therapist Ash Choi. Molly and Ash discuss their "modern" queer family, parenting after divorce and/or as new lovers, navigating differing sex drives, and so much more. Go here for links to books and articles we discuss. Support the show!

Amelia and Edan listen to a Labia Hotline call about how to think about climate change, and what does--and doesn't--help save the planet. This leads them into a spirited discussion about what counts as activism, and how we might frame the narrative about climate change. At 26:45, they talk to therapist Elyse Springer, MA MFT, about perinatal healthcare, postpartum depression, anxiety and OCD, and what help and resources are out there for those in need.   PSI Helpline number: 1-800-944-4773 (Leave a message and someone will call you back!)   Links to articles/books we mention

Amelia doesn't want her mom's needlepointed Santa, and Edan delights in her own pregnant breasts. Then they discuss some recent criticism received about what is appropriate--or not--to share about their kids on the podcast. As an introduction to their interview with gender and sexuality professor Jane Ward (28:00), they talk about how they and their kids are thinking about gender identity these days. Books/etc. that we mention Support the show!

Edan talks about her choice to go with midwifery care for her third pregnancy. She shares what she's learned from other mothers--who birthed in all kinds of ways--about how much they paid for prenatal care and childbirth. Then, Amelia talks about a death memoir she liked, and about how she handled Isaac's (understandable) airport tantrum. At 33:00, they talk to actress and theatre teacher Meagan Prahl about her experiences being mixed race, from growing up in Cleveland to starting a family in LA.

Amelia is getting ready for a trip home to Pittsburgh with Isaac, and Edan has news about Bean's therapy assessment. They then play a Labia Hotline call about school choice in rural Texas. At 32:18, they interview commercial designer Cheri Messerli about the small changes she's made, over time, to be a better steward of Planet Earth, from changing her personal care products to starting a compost bin. Links to everything we mention. Support the show!

Amelia and Edan play listener voicemails about "Mommy Blogs," medicalized births, and the postpartum body. At 35:20, they talk to holistic nutritionist, period expert, and podcast host Amanda Laird about her new book: Heavy Flow: Breaking the Curse of Menstruation. Our website Support the show!

Edan and Amelia are both feeling the yoke of domesticity, which leads to a spirited discussion about Mommy Bloggers and any parenting-related content done by women for women. At 39:00, they talk to birth and postpartum doula Karla Leng about how her own birth experiences led her to be a witness and advocate for birthing people and their partners. She tells us about all the bullshit she's witnessed in Labor and Delivery, the power of the women she's worked with, and...what she does with your placenta.   For links to everything we talk about, go here. Support the show!

Edan and Amelia talk about a whole slew of topics: that poorly written New York Times article about helicopter parenting and what success means, an email Edan got about some charter school, Amelia missing gymnastics on Instagram, and Edan missing herself. As an introduction to their interview (at 31:25) with sleep consultants Robin and Jenn from Sleepy Cues, they share how they were raised to think about sleep and how they went about getting their kids to do it.

Amelia tried something new and Edan complains about her ongoing pregnancy-related nausea. Then they play movie critics, discussing Baby Boom and Tully, two very different movies about motherhood, made over three decades apart. At 34:00, they interview Rabia Ahmadi, Director of Family Services for Miry's List, who talks about immigrating to the States from Afghanistan. Episode links Support the show!

Amelia and Edan play voicemails from various listeners. Topics discussed include heterosexual sex, how to find community, going to therapy, and so much more. At 41:10, they interview Rachel Teixeira, who shares her experience with postpartum depression and her decision to start her blog, This Postpartum Life. For books/etc. that we mention, go here. Support the show!

Amelia's kids melted down in a big way at their annual doctor visit, and while Edan did rediscover her sex drive...there were some consequences. They then discuss what it might take for a mother to meet each of her child's individual needs. At 29:00, they interview Gilda Davidian, artist and co-founder of Treehouse, a family space that fosters connection through making art. She also talks about her feminist parenting group, Hey Baby, and how her first child's traumatic birth shaped her identity and her desire for community. www.momragepodcast.com

Amelia and Edan kick off the Mom Rage Book Club with a discussion of Camille T. Dungy's Guidebook to Relative Strangers, and even listen to a voicemail from the author herself! They then share some updates: Amelia went solo to the UCLA Gymnastics meet and Edan has lost her libido and isn't sure who she is anymore. At 37:00, they talk to Unnamed Mother, a mom of two little kids who shares the story of what it was like for her to get an abortion after an accidental pregnancy. Links to things we mention. Become a supporter!

Edan talks about the LA teachers' strike and her writing retreat. Amelia tells us how Isaac finally gave up his beloved binky and how she's started meditating. They then talk once more about philosopher Elizabeth Anderson's ideas of equality and feminism. At 26:45, they talk to lawyer and artist advocate Danielle Fredericks about her Russian immigrant parents and being a white woman in a mixed race marriage, raising a black son. Together we talk about the importance and value of inclusion, diversity and having these conversations. List of articles we mention: https://www.momragepodcast.com/books/

This week, Amelia and Edan talk about their intentions and resolutions for 2019, and their shared goal to stay off social media. Amelia talks more about her challenging visit with her mom, and Edan shares some big news. At 28:00, they interview novelist and writing teacher Kate Maruyama about what it's like being a mom to two teenagers. For books/articles we mention, go here. Support us!