In this episode of the Bodacious Optimist podcast, host Sascha Mayer interviews Corinne Botz, a visual artist and educator whose multidisciplinary work spans photography, writing, and filmmaking. The conversation centers around Botz’s project, “Milk Factory,” which includes a short film and a book about lactation rooms. Botz shares how the origins of the project were inspired by her personal experience as a new mother in a stark lactation room, and her subsequent effort to document public lactation spaces. The film gained attention when it was featured by Time Magazine, juxtaposed against the backdrop of the January 6th Capitol Riot. For Botz, this project has fostered a sense of community among mothers and increased her dedication to normalizing discussions around pumping and improving maternal support systems.

00:00 Introduction to Corinne Botz

02:48 The Milk Factory Project

04:25 Symbolism and Impact of the Congressional Lactation Room

06:08 Publishing with Time Magazine

08:30 The Upcoming Book on Lactation Spaces

10:39 Exploring Unique Lactation Spaces

12:45 The Nutshell Studies and Artistic Themes

14:25 Personal Background and Artistic Journey

17:21 Motherhood and Artistic Influence

21:38 Final Thoughts and Optimism

Mentioned in this episode:
Milk Factory by Corinne May Botz, a forthcoming hard cover book
Milk Factory Photography Series
Time Magazine - The Invisible Labor Inside America’s Lactation Rooms
Chauntel Norris, Alabama Prison Birth Project
The Milk Bank
The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death