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In this episode sisters Astrid Ferguson and Astrid Ferguson interview Sarika Sake. Sarika is the founder of Sarika Group, a niche consultancy focusing on Sake and Face Yoga. So we learn all about Sake and its significance in the Japanese culture from the Sake guru herself.

Before she became a Sake Yogi, Sarika worked with the United Nations in Asia & Africa on women's empowerment and sustainable urban policy for a decade, after her Master of Science at the London School of Economics. 

Keeping the same focus on gender and sustainability, Sarika now shares her love for Sake and Face Yoga, with special attention to small-scale, sustainable breweries and women brewers. 

She has travelled to over 60 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe; Lived in 11 countries in 4 continents. She is a mother of two, and married to an Irishman. So if you want to expand your drinking options beyond beer or wine & curious about face yoga, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Follow Sarika to learn more about Sake and Face Yoga https://www.sarikagroup.org/

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In this episode sisters Astrid Ferguson and Alexandra Hodge speak to Zee Najarian who is a transformational speaker and an unshakable optimist. She teaches women how to live a life that is authentic to who they are. Zee has spent the past 15 years trying to get over the "there has to be more to life" feeling and after having different jobs, countless side gigs and getting multiple degrees, she now uses her experience and expertise to help others build a life that they love. Zee believes that living a life that you love doesn't mean you have to walk away from your current life and give up everything that you have. At the core of her teaching is how you can start living that life right now, from where you are, in whatever field you are in. 

We have Zee teach us the proper way of creating a vision board and guide us through the real significance of a vision board. We ask questions like how often should you create one? Is there a right way of creating a vision board? Does vision boards work? And Zee helps us through all of our blocks and reservations. Astrid even felt inspired to create her own, finally.

If you want to start working on your vision board and begin working on your dream life visit Zee Najarian at https://www.zeenajarian.com/dreamlife

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This week little sister Alexandra Hodge is joined by special guest Mobolaji (Mo) Ogunleye. Mobolaji was born in Brooklyn, New York but is from African decent. In this episode Alex and Mo banter over a variety of different topics. Alex and Mo discuss:

• Real Housewives of Atlanta Reality TV Star Porsha's scandal (girl it's juicy!)
• Marriage (do people respect marriages anymore?)
• and some of their views on polygamy (because quite frankly we don't get it).

Mobolaji also shares some information about her new and upcoming podcast called "Yours Truly ... No Rules" that is coming out soon! Mo hopes to break some of the stigma around African culture and help others live a carefree life. Her only rule on her podcast is there is no rules! To hear more about Mo's podcast or to catch up with Mo you can find her on Twitter and Instagram @eloquentlymo. You can also email her at [email protected].

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Stream Call Your Sister wherever you get your podcasts.
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In this episode we (Astrid Ferguson and Alexandra Hodge) discuss how the numbers affected in India are rising and vaccines are scarce. We share some of the key highlights shared in the New York Times.

• Casualties up to approximately 800,000 and rising
• Hospitals are running low on supplies
• Covid is becoming a third world country silent assassin

Meanwhile, in the US we are trying to go back to normal. Although, we have established that normal wasn't working and many are exhausted. As sisters it wouldn't be the real us if we didn't share some of our bold opinions and added some random thoughts. Along with all the info provided in this episode we are asking our listeners;

What are you doing for mothers day? Send us a message and let us know.

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In this episode we (Astrid Ferguson and Alexandra Hodge) speak with Marisol Quevedo Rerucha, an author of Beyond the Surface of Restorative Practices: Building a Culture of Equity, Connection and Healing, serves as the Chief of Strategy and Partnerships for the National Parents Union. As a former teacher, principal, and district leader she uses her voice to challenge systems of oppression and more importantly amplifies the voices of others. The impact of her passion, experience, work, and voice is felt beyond her own community as she serves in the following ways as: Director of Culture and Community for DBC Inc; Chair of UnidosUS National Institute for Latino School Leaders alumni council; as the Chief Financial Officer and Board Member of Youth Empowerments Finest; and as a partner consultant with nonprofit, for profit and educational systems.

We discuss things like what is a Chicano? We travel vicariously through Marisol the great city of San Diego California, including Chicano Park. We discuss the many traditional Mexican dishes that will leave you salivating. Obviously, we couldn't have an episode without speaking about diversity and inclusion in our current education systems. Marisol's extensive background and unwavering dedication to her community was the perfect guest to educate us on how much work is yet to be done. She shares with us many resources on this episode to educate ourselves on ways to have difficult conversation while still cultivating an environment that promotes inclusivity, especially, with intersectionality's that remain mute among many DEI spaces. Follow Marisol to learn more about her upcoming endeavors.


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Stream Call Your Sister wherever you get your podcasts.
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Follow us on our social media accounts:
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In this episode hosts Astrid Ferguson and Alexandra Hodge speak with Heiddi Zalamar the founder of HZ Coaching services, where she helps women who struggle with fear and deeply trusting themselves, build resilience so they can tackle life’s challenges with courage and confidence. After 14 years working with others and her own 20+ year healing journey, Heiddi has discovered joy and grounded confidence. She is the ringmaster of her own circus with her 20 year old and 6 year old boys. 

We discuss Latinidad and how Heiddi navigated being an introvert with two extraverted (Puerto Rican mother and Ecuadorian father) parents. She shares her struggle with finding, identifying and ultimately releasing her identity. Aside from speaking about triumphs and pitfalls of Latinidad, she shares her favorite recipes, songs, and singers. Be prepared to hear us drop some gems while navigating the kiddos. Find out more about Heiddi at www.HeiddiZalamar.com

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Stream Call Your Sister wherever you get your podcasts.
Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share—it helps more sisters find us!

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In this episode Astrid Ferguson and Alexandra Hodge tackle a few concerns about the COVID-19 Vaccine. We answer concerns about EUA versus FDA approval and what that means for us. We also discuss Alexandra's experience with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. We know that the biggest concern involving the Covid-19 vaccine is safety. So we do our best to discuss the main consensus as to why people are deciding to get the vaccine now.

In this episode we also discuss what work/life balance will look like after the pandemic and what we are doing differently. The pandemic showed us that having a hybrid work model can be beneficial to many and almost all jobs can be completed virtually. We also tackle Philadelphia's gun control and soaring violence. Little sister, Alex, resides in Philadelphia and this is raising her anxiety.

So we have an open sister heart to heart chat on all of these important topics that affect us both. Listen to the episode and be sure to add your concerns. We know there is much to be discussed.

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Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share—it helps more sisters find us!

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In this episode Astrid Ferguson and Alexandra Hodge discuss the topic most of us avoid, sexual assault. This year marks the 20th anniversary of sexual assault awareness month. Yes, it has only been 20 years since this topic has been publicly discussed.

The Violence Against Women's Act was signed in 1994 and it was a movement primarily pushed by women of color. Prior to this act, sexualt assualt and domestic abuse against women was not considered a crime. That is why we share in this episode the importance of knowing what is considered sexual assault, what is consent and how to have the sensitive conversation.

The most common question that is always asked to survivors is what were they doing. Have you ever wondered what survivors were doing prior to being sexually assaulted? If you have, see the statistics below so survivors are no longer asked this question when they are trying to articulate the details of sexual assault. 

• 48% were sleeping, or performing another activity at home
• 29% were traveling to and from work or school, or traveling to shop or run errands
• 12% were working
• 7% were attending school
• 5% were doing an unknown or other activity

We know! It's crazy! So listen to all the information shared from RAINN and Marshall University. If you think you have been sexually assaulted and want more information please click on the links below that we used to provide you with as much detailed information as possible.

Reference: https://www.rainn.org/statistics/scope-problem
Discuss Consent and what consent looks like (different statutes of limitations in different states) Keep in mind you can always change your mind your partner must be able to be ok with that.

After effects of sexual assault https://www.rainn.org/effects-sexual-violence

Resources:
Natonal Sexual Violence Resource Center: https://www.nsvrc.org/saam (they talk about creating safe spaces online as well)
Sexual Assault hotline: https://www.rainn.org/resources

Types of Sexual Assault Resource
https://www.marshall.edu/wcenter/sexual-assault/types-of-sexual-assault/

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In this episode we, Astrid Ferguson and Alexandra Hodge, speak with Jamila Tucker-Malero the founder of Autism R.E.C. a non-profit (Philadelphia, PA based) organization looking to provide community education programs, critical resources, recreational activities and support services to the families of autistic children (au-some parents). Jamila shares her own struggles as a parent of an autistic child and the limited resources provided to autism families in the Philadelphia area. Ultimately, leading her to catapult Autism R.E.C and disrupt the Autism family service space.

Jamila shares the many programs and events she has planned in the Philadelphia area for the entire month of April also known as world autism month. Jamila's hope is to gather more sponsorships to provide more programs and expand this much needed service. You all know we at Call Your Sister Podcast are strong advocates for Autism. Alexandra and Jamila both have autistic children who are extremely smart and share some of their candid experiences in this episode. Outside of Jamila's Autism R.E.C business she has also written a children's book, Jay Just Wants to Play a children's book to help other children play with children who look and behave differently than themselves. As well as helping her husband build his cleaning business run by both her husband and son, Jasir.

So go support, get involved, and donate to the great cause of Autism R.E.C. and follow them on instagram.

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Support the show

Stream Call Your Sister wherever you get your podcasts.
Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share—it helps more sisters find us!

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In this episode Astrid Ferguson and Alexandra Hodge discuss this famous quote from The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw:

"There is a saying: Mothers raise their daughters and love their sons."

Aside from some of our recent favorite series/movies, we discuss how we struggle with different aspects of religion and how this quote reminded us of our own upbringing. How there is so much shame and guilt placed on women to be perfect caregivers. The constant need for women to give first and receive second. However, boys are taught to just take and be dependent on a woman's love for physical necessities. The idea that women are to be submissive all the time but men are not. 

It is an imbalance in forming relationships if we allow it. This episode helps us dive into the stories of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies that really stood out to us. How we notice some of our own biases although we don't have daughters. It is definitely a topic for discussion. Also, asking ourselves; how has religion impacted us and the relationships we cultivate?

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Support the show

Stream Call Your Sister wherever you get your podcasts.
Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share—it helps more sisters find us!

Follow us on our social media accounts:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cys_podcast
Facebook: Call Your Sister Podcast
Twitter: @CYS_Pod
Email: [email protected]