Grandma Magic: A podcast from the Grandmother Collective

In this episode we talk to Rochelle Jackson, a community organizer in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Rochelle has spent the last 30 years working with the Juvenile Protective Association, or JPA, a Chicago-based non-profit focused on developing the wellbeing of all children in the city. For the last year, Rochelle has been working with JPA to pilot their grandmother’s project which has introduced grandmother-led programming for elementary-aged girls in two North Lawndale schools. When she’s not working, she’s fighting for resources in her neighborhood , especially in strengthening the transportation network to serve its diverse needs. Listen as Rochelle shares her experiences with us.

On this episode of the Grandma Magic podcast, we are joined by Joan Holliday, a retired public health nurse. For over three decades, Joan has been dedicated to building an inclusive and welcoming community in her town. She generously shares her insights and secrets to fostering unity through an event called Bridging the Community, and other community building ideas. Get ready to be inspired as Joan lays the foundation for creating positive change. 

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Rana Dajani, who tells about her changemaking journey to found the award winning, Jordanian-based non-profit, We Love Reading. Tune in to hear how Rana started her organization and what she's discovered about the process of deciding how to make change. Inspired by matriarchal figures, Rana hopes to impart the same values and wisdom as she embarks on a new grandmother journey.

In our first Grandma Magic podcast episode, we talk to Paola Gianturco, a photojournalist and author. She started in business, addressing the glass ceiling, and has since dedicated 25 years to publishing untold stories of women leaders. Her books cover topics like empowering traditional handicrafts for economic development and showcasing women's leadership in climate change. One of her notable works is the 2012 book Grandmother Power, highlighting the roles of grandmothers in societies worldwide, featuring members of The Grandmother Collective.

Launching in May 2023, the Grandma Magic podcast will bring inspiring stories from grandmothers and older women around the world who are driving change and teaching us about the perseverance and endurance that comes with wisdom, time and experience.