With Love, in our shared struggle: a conversation with Michelle Courtney Berry, an Ithaca based African American coach, businesswoman, and a formidable speaker and activist. We talk about activism while sheltering in place,  and self-care challenges, especially when doing anti-racist work. Then we get on our soapbox about the problems caused by the pressure to be “super mother” and how the mythology of the strong black superwoman affected her personal and professional life. We talk about how the discomfort of white women can be lethal to black men and women, and Michelle tells us the heartbreaking story of how racism lead to the stealing of an entire lake. 

Michelle Courtney Berry is certified NLP Master Coach and Practitioner for Health and Wellness as well as an author, speaker, trainer, actor, performing artist, playwright, poet, humorist, and nature lover who helps improve the quality of people’s lives by helping them manage stress, time, conflict, and competing priorities. Michelle is a former Alternate Acting Mayor and Alderperson for the City of Ithaca, a former White House TV reporter, and she's is a 2x TEDx and SXSW speaker who has opened for Maya Angelou and the Dalai Lama. She holds a graduate degree in Organizational Behavior and Risk Communication from Cornell University. She is the Founder and CEO of her consulting company Courtney Consulting Enterprises, LLC.

Visit Michelle's website here: https://www.michellecourtneyberry.com/

Watch Michelle's Facebook live video chat every Thursday: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.berry/videos/vb.805244867/10158312892684868/?type=3

The documentary about the story of Luxton Lake mentioned in the episode can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/fsG4YKsGpcE 

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Mothers of all ages and stages are welcome to join the Mama's Comfort Camp safe-space forums here: www.facebook.com/groups/mamas.comfort.camp/

Mother Up! and Mama's Comfort Camp are projects of the Center for Transformative Action, a Cornell University affiliate. www.centerfortransformativeaction.org

Our theme song: is “We are the Answer" by Grey Gary, you can find more of their terrific music at www.greygary.com

Visit us at www.MotherUp.org. Much love, hugs all around.

A conversation with the Ithaca #BlackLivesMatter activists and founders of the Mutual Aid Tompkins grassroots networks Phoebe Brown and Juliana Garcia, just before the Women's Rally for black lives in Ithaca, NY.  We've had some technical problems while recording, so in this episode, the story value is higher than the production value,

Mothers of all ages and stages are welcome to join the Mama's Comfort Camp safe-space forums here: www.facebook.com/groups/mamas.comfort.camp/

Mother Up! and Mama's Comfort Camp are projects of the Center for Transformative Action, a Cornell University affiliate. www.centerfortransformativeaction.org

Our theme song: is “We are the Answer" by Grey Gary, you can find more of their terrific music at www.greygary.com

Visit us at www.MotherUp.org.

Christa Núñez is an African American wife and mother, farmer, writer, educator, researcher, scholar and servant to communities. We discuss how Mama's Comfort Camp, our community of mothers from around the world is responding to the crisis of racial injustice, and of Christa’s work to bring literacy and access to farming and nature to children and farmers of color. We also talk about her Learning Farm and the fledgling Ubuntu Library and about the concept of ComFortitude, so central to both of our work. This lead us to a conversation about class and race and food deserts, and what’s wrong with unsolicited advice… 

This episode was recorded and edited in days of extreme racial injustice. We dedicate this episode to George Floyd, his family, especially his mother. And to all the black and brown people murdered in racist America and around the world.

Our contemplation break song:

THERE'S BEEN A COMMOTION

THERE'S BEEN A PROMOTION

I BELIEVE IN THE NOTION

CHORUS: HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE DIE...

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This podcast is hosted by Yael Daphna Saar, founder of Mama's Comfort Camp. 

Mothers of all ages and stages are welcome to join the Mama's Comfort Camp safespace forums here: www.facebook.com/groups/mamas.comfort.camp/ 

Mother Up! and Mama's Comfort Camp are projects of the Center for Transformative Action, a Cornell University affiliate. www.centerfortransformativeaction.org 

Our theme song: is “We are the Answer" by Grey Gary, you can find more of their terrific music at www.greygary.com 

Visit us at www.MotherUp.org.

In our first "official"  episode, Yael Saar, Founder of Mama's Comfort Camp and Mother Up! and Anke Wessels, Executive Director of Center for Transformative Action have a conversation about the changes of mindest, workplace standards, and economic conditions that could pave the way to a healthy society in which everyone is more likely to thrive.

This podcast is hosted by Yael Daphna Saar, founder of MCC. 

Mother Up! and Mama's Comfort Camp are projects of the Center for Transformative Action, a Cornell University affiliate. www.centerfortransformativeaction.org/

Our theme song: is “We are the Answer" by Grey Gary, you can find more of their terrific music at www.greygary.com 

You can learn more about the Mother Up! Initiative and our programs to amplify the voices of parents and caregivers at www.MotherUp.org.

In which Yael Saar, the founder of MCC is testing and practicing the podcasting thing with the help of Liz Hartman, an Ithaca mother of two young boys with a penchant for political activism. She’s here to encourage us to amplify the influence of parents on policymaking, by lending our support to political candidates committed to policies that support the needs of parents and children. We will cover how she got involved, what she actually does to support candidates she believes in, and how it all fits into her busy life as a mom of two boys during quarantine time. We will also cover what you need to know about absentee voting in NY state in the June 23rd primary. Link to the application: https://www.elections.ny.gov/votingabsentee.html

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this episode are individual and do not constitute an endorsement by MCC or Mother Up of any political candidate or party.  As a nonprofit project of the Center for Transformative Action, we can engage in voter education but we are prohibited from participating in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. We are grateful for Liz’s compliance with this prohibition, and I’m really impressed at how she managed to avoid naming candidates while sharing her motivation and her personal evolution, as well as giving us ideas for practical ways we can get involved too.

Mother Up! is a production of Mama's Comfort Camp, an emotional support network where moms of all ages and stages, from around the world and across the street, are seen, heard, and held. Our motto is: Moms don't need more advice, we need more support. Our safe-space forums are healing, transformative, and fertile ground for creative projects, like this podcast. All who identify as mothers are invited to join our lovingly moderated Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mamas.comfort.camp

This podcast is hosted by Yael Daphna Saar, founder of MCC.

In which Yael Daphna Saar, Founder of Mama's Comfort Camp and Mother Up!, Shows up despite not being quite ready, and how it is actually perfect, in a self-kindness sort of way.