Real Moms Too

To conclude Black History Month, Real Moms Too interviewed one of their favorite local Facebook groups, BLaC, Black Lactation Circle of Central Ohio. In this episode, two of BLaC's founding leaders, Yolanda Owens and Kimberly Quachey, discuss the history behind black women breastfeeding, the importance of having a black breastfeeding group, and they debunk some myths and misconceptions about breastfeeding. This is a fun, relatable, and informative conversation for moms of all races and backgrounds. 

BLaC is an in-person and online community serving black pregnant and nursing mothers, birth workers, and health professionals within the Columbus Metropolitan area. The group aims to empower and support women to help them meet their breastfeeding goals.Not only has this BLaC impacted Alana and Xia’s breastfeeding journey, they have assisted and encouraged over 700 black moms through their journey as well! 

Tune in to learn how galactagogues, also known as milk boosters, can be problematic, why you may receive conflicting information from your pediatrician, and tips on how to start your own breastfeeding group.

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Black Lactation Circle of Central Ohio Facebook Page

RMT Facebook Page

RMT Instagram

In this episode, your favorite momfriends continue the conversation on Black History Month by discussing black doulas.  Often times, the idea of using a doula throughout a pregnancy, labor, and delivery seems more like a "luxury" rather than a necessity.  And within the black community, many families may not even consider using a doula because they do not know the significance of the role of a doula or the services they provide. For this reason, Real Moms Too interviewed Jessica Roach, co-founder and the CEO of Restoring Our Own Through Transformation (ROOTT). In episode 41, Jessica explains the history of black doulas, how to involve the whole family in the labor and delivery process, and teaches moms how to advocate for themselves throughout the pre and postnatal process.  Jessica reminds listeners that black doulas have been around for centuries and discusses the benefits of utilizing a doula service such as ROOTT.

More About our Guest:

Jessica M. Roach, LPN, MPH is the co-founder and CEO of Restoring Our Own Through Transformation, (ROOTT) a Non-Profit, Black Women led Reproductive Justice Organization focused on Maternal Child Health and Birthing Justice Columbus, Ohio. Her work has spanned over 20 years in areas such as clinical nursing, public health advocacy, and independent scholarship. Ms. Roach has a deeply experiential perspective in her research both personally and professionally, regarding the effects of stress related to structural determinants, and the social determinants created as consequence of those structures, with a focus on inter-generational and historical trauma as it relates to policy development. Ms. Roach currently serves as the co-lead of the care working group for the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and has been featured in Rewire, The Atlantic, Columbus Underground, and Columbus Alive. She has served as a full-spectrum doula, home birth midwife and assistant, consultant to various organizations and is the mother of three young women, one of which was a pre-term infant.

ROOTT Website:
https://www.roottrj.org/

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February is the month of love!  Some of us mamas are trying to get our sexy back and the rest of us are trying to figure out what the heck is wrong and why is my sex drive so out of wack.  Licensed Mental Health Therapist, Chante Meadows, helps moms and their partners understand what changes are occurring within our bodies after we’ve had a baby and she gives listeners amazing tips on how to increase your libido, if it has decreased at all.   

Chante explains that Sex isn’t just about Sex!  Real Moms Too listeners will learn that some mom’s libdo increases postpartum while other mom’s libido decreases!  There are so many factors that go into our sexual desires from mental triggers, chemical changes, to learning to love your new body!  Stop letting society tell you how to enjoy sex and open your mind to new ideas, tricks, and tips on communicating with your partner in this episode!  Chante charges our listeners with an intimate challenge to do with your Valentine.  So tune in so you can prepare a fun night for Valentine’s Day with your boo! 

More About Our Guest:

Chante Meadows is a speaker, trainer, licensed mental health therapist and owner of Meadows Counseling Group.  She specializes in people of color, women, college age, adults, and couples.  Defeating mental health stigma is her passion.  Chante works from a collaborative and person-centered approach to provide a safe space where her clients can tell their story, heal, make positive changes, and feel empowered.  Chante earned her Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University and completed her Sex Therapy Certification at University of Michigan.  Chante is a wife and mother of four boys. 

Meadows Counseling LLC Website

Meadows Counseling LLC Facebook Page

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To celebrate Black History Month, Real Moms Too interview Dr. Melissa Crum, artist, education consultant, diversity practitioner, and founder of Mosaic Education Network LLC. Dr. Crum shares with listeners how to have difficult conversations with children about skin color, discovering and learning in different environments, and the importance of helping children control their own narrative.  

“Parenthood is an experiment, but the hope is that our children love and understand who they are at the core,” said Dr. Crum.  She encourages parents to know that no matter what environment our children are in, what narrative society portrays about them and culture, with the right exposure and having courageous conversations, we can help empower our children. 

Dr. Melissa Crum’s Bio:

Dr. Melissa Crum is an artist, author, researcher, and founder of Mosaic Education Network, LLC. She leads a consulting company that infuses the arts, research, storytelling and critical thinking into professional development, community building and curriculum development. Dr. Crum works with her team of experts to act as engaging and collaborative resources to schools, nonprofits, and companies helping them gauge the collective impact of our unconscious bias on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals.

With her team, she facilitates and encourages thought-provoking conversations addressing difficult topics on supporting, interacting, and partnering with diverse communities. She works hard to help you become informed of and feel secure about using everyday practical applications of DEI strategies to positively impact your work and learning environment. To make this happen she creates a "brave space" where you can ask the tough questions, admit faults and celebrate successes. Her national and international experiences working with educators, museums, and businesses has allowed her to help you make social change from your desk, to your living room and beyond. 

You may have heard her amazing TedxTalk title, A Tale of Two Teachers, where Dr. Crum discusses cultural differences she experienced as a child and how she assists educators with their unconscious biases through an art-based professional development program.  

Credentials

• MBE/EDGE certified
• B.A. Visual Art Studies from the University of Florida
• Masters in African-American and African Studies from The Ohio State University 
• Ph.D in Art Administration, Education, and Policy from The Ohio State University

TedxTalk: A Tale of Two Teachers

https://youtu.be/sgtinODaW78 

Mosaic Education Network
https://www.mosaiceducationnetwork.com/about-us 

Instagram
@mosaic_education_network

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/MosaicEducationNetwork/

Scene On Radio Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scene-on-radio/id1036276968

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Some mothers have amazing ideas and businesses brewing in their minds, but between juggling motherhood and feeling inadequate, often times we do not even attempt to get started.  The moms who have mustered up enough confidence to at least start, are not quite sure how to market and brand themselves, so their amazing ideas go unnoticed.  In this episode, Real Moms Too interview their new momfriend, Jasmine Chanelle, owner of The J. Chanelle Group, LLC and host of the Mom2Mogul podcast.

As a personal brand coach for mompreneurs, Jasmine helps corporate moms launch online businesses so they can replace their income in order to leave their 9 to 5 and return home with their kids. When she is not working on branding projects, Jasmine inspires millennial moms to have it all, by sharing her life on YouTube and Instagram.  She is a wife and mom of three with more than 350,000 views on her YouTube channel, The Journey Continues. On the channel, she highlights what it takes to be a boss in her business and at home.  In 2016, Jasmine was recognized by the Black Pages South as a Top 20 Under 40 award recipient. She has been featured on various TV shows, podcasts and events. 

Jasmine leaves Real Moms Too listeners with three very important brand takeaways that she delves in deeper in this episode: Mindset, Messaging, and Method.  If you are hoping to better brand yourself or your business, this episode is for you!

Contact Jasmine Chanelle:

www.jasminechanelle.com

https://www.instagram.com/_jasminechanelle/

https://www.youtube.com/user/thejourneycontinue

Jasmine’s Faves:

Side Hustle Pro Podcast 

https://www.sidehustlepro.co/

The Big Leap, by Gay Hendricks

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level/dp/0061735361

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In the workplace, this is often the time of year when employers begin completing year-end reviews with their employees. Whether you are in the midst of a review with management or interviewing for a new job, like our co-host, Alana, you have to be prepared to negotiate the salary you believe you deserve. To help listeners walk into their annual review or interview with confidence and the skills to negotiate, Real Moms Too interviewed career and leadership development expert, Julia Rock, owner of Rock Career Development. Rock Career Development is a career solutions firm that empowers ambitious professionals to unlock and achieve their full career potential. 

Julia shares career advice that is transferable for any industry and any person listening. Having negotiation conversations can be scary, and being a woman and mother may add to the nervousness, but Julia encourages listeners to focus on the value you bring to the company, research the market, and have your receipts ready to help you earn top dollar within a company.  Tune in to episode 37 now and listen as your favorite momfriends learn all about how to negotiate in the workplace.

More About Julia Rock:
Julia C. Rock is the owner of Rock Career Development, a career solutions firm that empowers ambitious professionals to unlock and achieve their full career potential. Julia is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP), and a career and leadership development expert. 

Through her coaching, clients are able to secure dream positions while earning their worth and then some. Julia is passionate about helping others find and pursue their passions because she believes that if you can change your career, you can change your life.

Julia has also achieved corporate career success working for one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world. She is currently the Lead Controller for three major chemical plants in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, overseeing ~$1B in operating expenses. 

To date, Julia has been featured in several major publications, including Fortune Magazine, Business Insider, Monster, Blavity, and xoNecole. She is also a current contributor for xoNecole, informing women of color on how to level up in their careers. Julia also serves as a speaker, panelist, and workshop presenter for various professional, religious, and community organizations.
Contact Julia Rock:
Social Media: FB / IG / Twitter: @rockcareer
Website: www.RockCareer.com
Email Address: [email protected]

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We're halfway through the month of January and still fresh into the new year. Real Moms Too thinks this is the perfect time to help mamas get organized. Studies show that clutter can cause stress, anxiety, and the feeling of being overwhelmed. Your favorite momfriends want to help you avoid the stress and get rid of the mess! In episode 36, RMT equips moms with tips on how to tackle organizing and decluttering their homes, and also share tips on how to get the entire family involved in the process. Tune in to hear from your favorite momfriends as you not only prepare yourself, but your home in 2020!

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January is a great time to discuss financial goals for you and your family.  Thus, Real Moms Too devotes an entire episode to discuss how to create a spending plan, why having a plan is beneficial, and provide tips on how to save. Real Moms Too hopes listeners learn how budgeting and saving is not a means of limiting how to spend money, but provides freedom to accomplish goals and aspirations through having a plan.

In this episode, Alana and Xia share insight on how to create a spending plan and encourage moms by providing real life examples from their experiences. Real Moms Too believes creating a spending plan is attainable for everyone and is essential to beginning the financial journey to freedom!

Financial Resource Blogs:
https://www.daveramsey.com/blog/the-truth-about-budgeting
https://twocents.lifehacker.com/10-good-financial-rules-of-thumb-1668183707
https://clubthrifty.com/mint-com-alternatives/

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To kick-off the New Year and new decade the hosts of RMT interview Dr. Amber Thornton, a Clinical Psychologist and Personal Development Coach, to discuss tips for moms seeking to set realistic goals. We've all been there before, we begin the new year with the intention to tackle new goals and tasks and then life happens.  When you throw in all the things that come along with motherhood, the tasks can seem even more daunting. In episode 34, Dr. Thornton provides realistic tips to help Real Moms Set Personal Goals in 2020. It's time we prioritize ourselves for once. What better time to do that, than the start of a new decade!  Happy New Year Mamas!

About Dr. Thornton
Dr. Amber Thornton is a Clinical Psychologist and Personal Development Consultant. She is also a mom and wife who lives in Washington, DC.  Dr. Amber loves helping all women achieve their own personal and professional development goals. To learn more about her and her work visit, dramberthornton.com.

Dr. Amber Thornton Instagram Page:
https://www.instagram.com/dramberthornton/?hl=en

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As we approach the New Year and a new decade, Alana and Xia take a moment to pause and reflect on the last decade. In episode 33, your momfriends share where they were in life 10 years ago (2009-2010), and how they have evolved since then. They also discuss some of the lessons they learned throughout the last decade and how each of those lessons and decisions have molded them into the women they are today. Everyone has goals and dreams and sometimes it is good to reflect on how far you've really grown. Your momfriends hope their time of reflection and sharing their desires for the new decade help others moms to reflect and be encouraged for the future. Happy New Year from Real Moms Too Podcast!

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