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We're starting a new, periodic series on the show about envisioning matriarchy. This episode is such a great way to start this series. Our guest this week, Sam Cross, literally wrote a book about it - Manifesting Matriarcy. In this episode, we talk about what matriarchy really is, how it can show up now in our daily lives, and what we can do to help bring it about for all of us. 

Sam Cross is a spiritual teacher and artist. She channels the information she receives through her creative work, and she also helps other purpose-based creatives channel their work. As she sees it, "creativity" is the divine light we can all access. Sam's work centers around gender, purpose, soul embodiment, and understanding what we're really talking about when we use words like "divine feminine" and "matriarchy."

Where to find Sam Cross:

Instagram: @crosssam

TikTok: @cross.sam

Books: The Art of Being Light, my handwritten illustrated memoir (2025, digital and on Amazon) AND   Manifesting Matriarchy, another handwritten journey (2026, digital)

Course: The Grounded Creator

Podcast: Let's Get Metaphysical

Substack: Queerituality

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It's time for another installment of our Banned Books Series! This time we're discussing Zakiya Dalila Harris' debut novel, The Other Black Girl. Tune in to hear our conversation about the book and what it says about the lack of diverse representation in the publishing industry, tokenism, and what it means to be the "other Black girl".

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Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at [email protected].

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In this episode, guest Jen Gallagher of Jen Gallagher Counseling LLC joins the show to talk anger and rage in midlife women. In her work as a limited licensed psychologist, owner of Jen Gallagher Counseling LLC, a certified menopause mental health provider and a recovering 'nice girl’, Jen focuses her practice on midlife women and their rage. Tune in to this conversation to learn more about rage and anger and their rightful place in the experiences of midlife women. 

Where to find Jen Gallagher:

Website: https://www.jengallaghercounseling.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-gallagher-ma-llp-mmhpc-473355409/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midliferagetherapy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585676378977

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Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at [email protected].

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The topic of this minisode is Pink Pill Ideology. Not quite sure what that is - here's the link to the Instagram post that inspired this conversation: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZaBSGMq29F/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Has your social media feed been infiltrated by Pink Pill Ideology? Or your real life? We'd love to hear about your experience!

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Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at [email protected].

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What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “well read”? Books written by a bunch of dead white men probably comes to mind. Thankfully, Glory Edim’s anthology Well-Read Black Girl turns that on its head by focusing on literature written by Black women. Tune in to hear our thoughts.

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Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at [email protected].

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Big changes are coming to Madness Cafe! We go into detail about what, when, and why in this episode.

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Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at [email protected].

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Erica Baccus and her husband John were faced with the emotionally fraught decision of whether (and then how and when) to end John’s life when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Erica’s book A Promise Kept chronicles their love story and Erica’s promise to honor John’s wish to die with dignity. Death is a topic that our society doesn’t handle well; hopefully our discussion and Erica and John’s journey can help.

Where to find Erica Baccus and her book:

Website: http://ericabaccus.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericabaccus/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erica.baccus/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-baccus-82a60/

Mentioned in this episode: 

In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss by Amy Bloom - www.amybloom.com/books/in-love

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Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at [email protected].

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The next book in our Banned Books Series is Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. In it, Bechdel dives into her relationship with her father, their sexuality, and his death - all illustrated by the author. Each picture holds true to the adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words“. 

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Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at [email protected].

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You’ve seen us cry many times, but this episode feels different. The world is truly complicated and problematic at times - especially now. But, what do we do about it? This is our cry for help.

Photo by The New York Public Library on Unsplash

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Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at [email protected].

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Narcissism, for good or bad, is a bit of a hot topic right now. But, what do we really know about narcissism? Dr. Susan E. Schwartz comes back to talk to us about narcissism (and love) from the perspective of Jungian analysis. 

More about Susan E. Schwartz, PhD: Dr. Schwartz has trained in Switzerland as a Jungian analyst. A member of the International Association of Analytical Psychology, (IAAP) and a presenter at conferences, workshops and on YouTube, she has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters. 

Where to find Dr. Schwartz:

Website: www.susanshwartzphd.com

Support the show

Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at [email protected].

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