MotherTongue: Reclaiming Motherhood from the Patriarchy

Akilah S. Richards is passionate about mindful partnerships and conscious parenting. She uses audio and written mediums to amplify the ways that unschooling in particular, is serving as healing grounds and liberation work for Black, non-Black Indigenous, and People of Color communities earthwide. Her celebrated unschooling podcast, Fare of the Free Child, and the numerous workshops and gatherings she has been part of, have garnered the attention of Forbes Magazine, The New York Times, Good Morning America, and most importantly, BIPOC families interested in living in more healthy, consent-based, intergenerational relationships. Her recent experiences within the intersection of privilege, parenting, and power are detailed in her latest book, Raising Free People: Unschooling as Liberation and Healing Work available through PM Press.

Check all things Akilah here   You will find her podcast, book, a Raising Free People deck, and even some cool merch all in one convenient spot. 

In this episode, I share my experience at The Revitalist, a ketamine clinic located in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Ketamine is a disassociative anesthetic with psychedelic properties that is being used for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD with incredible results.   While still not covered by many insurances and so therefore not easily accessible for low-income folks, it is headed in that direction and should be considered for any moms suffering from postpartum depression or anxiety.  To find out more about this innovative medicine, click here:  www.revitalistclinic.com.  They have 11 clinics around the country so there may be one near you.  If you're interested in setting up a discovery session with me to see how I might be able to help you shift out of burnout, depletion, depression, or chronic overwhelm, click here.  

It's been a while.  So long, in fact, that I am calling this the beginning of Season 2.  My first season got cut short abruptly and this episode is about what happened, why I dropped off, and where I've been.  I explore ideas around what it is to move at a sustainable pace, how we navigate the challenges of motherhood, including struggles with our mental health, including mindfulness practices and a very exciting new medicine that is transforming lives.  I also talk about the transformative power of birth and the developmental process of matrescence.  So grab a cup of tea, sit back, relax and listen...

Here is a link to learn more about the Buddhist mindfulness practice of RAIN that I mentioned in today's episode: https://www.tarabrach.com/rain/

In this episode, we discuss various aspects of motherhood including self-care, traditional postpartum womb steaming, sacred sexuality, and other programs offered by Chantal Blake.  Chantal Blake is a Womb Steaming Facilitator, Educator, and Project Manager.  Her combined training in Practical Nursing, Environmental Engineering, and Peristeam Hydrotherapy guides her holistic approach to wellness education that centers around self-care, sacred sexuality, and traditional womb steaming.

Chantal currently lives in Oman, where she unschools her two children and serves women through online consultations, workshops, summits, and courses.  You can find her on IG @honouredwomb and @bychantalblake or on her website at deeperfeminine.com. 

Today I am speaking with Karen Brody has taught the art of deep rest to thousands of women around the world and trained women to teach others in the art of rest primarily through a life-changing and life-saving yogic sleep tool: Yoga Nidra meditation.  She has taught at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, 1440 Multiversity, and many locations around the world.  You can learn more about yoga nidra and her offerings at www.daringtorest.com. 

In this episode, I feature an interview with Maureen Fura, producer and director of the revolutionary film, "Dark Side of the Full Moon", which was intended to increase awareness among providers about the epidemic of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders during the childbearing year.  Maureen suffered from perinatal OCD, which impassioned her to learn more and spread the word about what has become the MOST COMMON complication of pregnancy.  

For anyone wanting a screening for perinatal mood disorders, please email me at [email protected].  Also if you or someone you know is struggling with depression, anxiety, or OCD please check out Postpartum Support International at https://postpartum.net/ or call their HELP Line at 1-800-944-4773 and they can help you with finding proper support channels.  You don't have to suffer through this alone, help is available.

There's a lot of focus on creating a birth plan (which is important) but postpartum, which is a much bigger and longer, is often overlooked and underestimated. If you'd like to purchase my postpartum planning ebook, click ⁠here.⁠

In addition, if you are a mama with a baby 3 years of age or younger you are welcome to join my free monthly online Postpartum Mamas' Circle, where we gather for nourishment, support, and connection on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.  You can find out more details and register here. 

Struggling in pregnancy or motherhood? Or simply feel like something is missing? Set up a free discovery session with me and let's chat.

Welcome to Mothertonue!  In today's inaugural episode, I discuss the foundations and vision for this podcast, which is ultimately about changing our cultural norms around motherhood.  Our current maternal care crisis and the epidemic of perinatal mood disorders are explored as well as the big 'M' word, matrescence--what it is and why it's important.  I also share my personal story of becoming a mother and my experience with postpartum depression and anxiety. 

For more resources in support of matrescence, click here. If you'd like to purchase Map for a New Motherhood: The Busy Mama's Guide to More Time and Energy, about how you can transform your experience of motherhood from surviving to thriving, click here.