Rebel Mothers

Interview with Dr. Katie B. Garner, Executive Director of the International Association of Maternal Action and Scholarship (IAMAS) to talk about mothering, motherhood, carework, the field of motherhood studies and the upcoming 2025 conference: (Re-)Producing Motherhood, Motherwork, and Mothering. 

Topics: 

• Submit abstracts for the 2025 IAMAS Conference HERE
• Apply or nominate an individual or group for the Making Opportunities for Mothers in Academia (MOMA) Award HERE
• The interdisciplinary nature of the field of motherhood studies
• The worth of a mother’s labor
• Carework, AI, technology 
• Motherhood and caregiving as part of identity politics
• The rhetoric of choice that surrounds motherhood 
• The motherhood wage gap

Resources:

• International Association of Maternal Action and Scholarship (IAMAS) website
• IAMAS on Facebook
• IAMAS on Instagram
• Dr. Katie B. Garner
• The “Nanny” Question in Feminism by Joan C. Tronto
• Creating Supportive Spaces for Pregnant and Parenting College Students: Contemporary Understandings of Title IX Edited By Catherine L. Riley, Katie B. Garner
• The motherhood wage penalty: A meta-analysis

Rebel Mothers will be taking a summer hiatus! Listen in to learn more about what Susie is working on during the break, including a new executive coaching certification program and enjoying more time with her kids.

Stay in touch! Visit Susie on Instagram at @susie.fishleder and sign up for her occasional email newsletter, Motherhood Musings.

Resources Mentioned:

• Gestalt International Study Center
• International Association of Maternal Action and Scholarship
• Susie Fishleder website

Today we explore the complexities of raising boys in a patriarchal society, diving deep into the origins of patriarchy, debunking common myths, and discussing its impact on both men and women.

Topics: 

• Introduction to patriarchy
• Definition and historical context of patriarchy 
• Evolution of patriarchal beliefs and their societal impact
• Arguments against patriarchy
• How patriarchy hurts men and boys
• Strategies for raising boys in a patriarchy

Resources:

• The Patriarchs: The Origins of Inequality by Angela Saini 
• Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity by Julia Serano
• For the Love of Men: From Toxic to a More Mindful Masculinity by Liz Plank

Note: Susie will be taking a summer break after this episode, but stay tuned for updates on her new project and more discussions on Rebel Mothers! To receive email updates, join her newsletter.

Matricentric feminism, which is a huge theme of the Rebel Mothers podcast, centers on the experiences, perspectives, and voices of mothers within the broader feminist movement. In this episode, Susie discusses the definition of matricentric feminism, its importance in academia, public policy, and motherhood, as well as its pioneers and contemporary scholars.

Topics: 

• Definition of matricentric feminism
• Importance in academia, public policy, and motherhood
• Lineage and pioneers of the movement: Adrienne Rich, Sara Ruddick, bell hooks, Riane Eisler, Silvia Federici, Andrea O’Reilly
• Challenges faced by mothers under patriarchy
• Exploration of motherhood within feminist discourse
• The intersection of race, class, and motherhood
• Critique of traditional notions of motherhood
• Advocacy for policy changes and workplace accommodations
• Redefining success and fulfillment for women
• Questioning and challenging biological essentialism
• Creating inclusive and empowering approaches to motherhood studies

Resources:

All of these books, and more, are available on my Bookshop* 

• "Matricentric Feminism: Theory, Activism, and Practice" by Andrea O’Reilly
• "Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution" by Adrienne Rich
• "Maternal Thinking: Toward a Politics of Peace" by Sara Ruddick
• "Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center" by bell hooks
• "The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future,” by Riane Eisler
• "Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation" by Silvia Federici
• Key facts about moms in the U.S. for Mother’s Day 
• Modern Parenthood | Pew Research Center
• How Parenting Today Is Different, and Harder - The New York Times

*Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click through and make a purchase.

Listen to the remarkable life and legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt, a true trailblazer of the 20th century. From her early challenges and insecurities to her groundbreaking activism and leadership as First Lady of the United States, Eleanor's impact on women and mothers continues to resonate today. Susie explores Eleanor's role as a champion for social justice, civil rights, and human rights, highlighting her efforts to create positive change and empower marginalized communities. Despite facing personal struggles, Eleanor's dedication to public service and her unwavering commitment to equality serve as an inspiration for women and mothers everywhere.

Topics: 

• Eleanor Roosevelt's early life and influences
• Her groundbreaking activism and leadership as First Lady
• Advocacy for social justice, civil rights, and women's empowerment
• Legacy and impact on women and mothers
• Challenges and complexities of her role as a wife and mother

Resources:

• The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt by Eleanor Roosevelt 
• No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II by Doris Kearns Goodwin
• https://web.archive.org/web/20130322023854/http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/1011.html
• The Sad Truth About Franklin And Eleanor Roosevelt's Marriage
• Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)
• Eleanor Roosevelt's Unprecedented Activism—From Inside the White House | HISTORY
• It's Up to the Women: Eleanor Roosevelt, Women’s Politics, and Human Rights 
• Franklin & Eleanor's Children | Grateful American Foundation

Why does wine and motherhood seem ubiquitous these days? In this thought-provoking episode, Susie dives into the complex intersection of alcohol, the patriarchy, and motherhood. Drawing on historical perspectives, societal norms, and personal anecdotes, she explores the evolution of women's relationship with alcohol, the rise of "mommy wine culture," and the detrimental effects of alcohol consumption on maternal well-being. Through discussions on Holly Whitaker's insights and personal reflections, Susie challenges traditional notions of alcoholism and offers empowering perspectives on reevaluating one's relationship with alcohol. Ultimately, she advocates for reframing societal norms and prioritizing the holistic health of women and mothers.

Topics: 

• Historical role of women in brewing and alcohol consumption
• Societal shifts leading to the stigmatization of female drinking
• Women's participation in the temperance movement and prohibition
• Rise of "mommy wine culture" and its impact on modern motherhood
• Examination of alcohol marketing targeted at women as a form of feminist rebellion
• Insights from Holly Whitaker's perspective on alcoholism and sobriety in the book Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed With Alcohol
• Personal anecdotes and reflections on Susie's journey with alcohol
• Strategies for examining and potentially altering one's relationship with alcohol

Resources:

• Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed With Alcohol by HOLLY WHITAKER
• Alcoholic beverages industry in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts | Statista
• Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Women's Health | CDC 
• Women and Alcohol
• Meme Girls: The Wine Mom Phenomenon Speaks Volumes
• Women Led the Temperance Charge – Prohibition: An Interactive History
• What’s Behind the Growth in Alcohol Consumption? - The New York Times

Organizations for people who want to quit drinking:

• Sober Mommies
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• SMART Recovery
• Women for Sobriety (WFS) 
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Susie replays a 2023 workshop called "The Motherhood Revolution." Learn more at https://www.susiefishleder.com/events 

Topics include:

• Establishing the difference between mothering and motherhood and the cultural systems that affect both
• Recognizing how the act of mothering is a path to self-actualization and empowerment…a practice that not only nourishes the mother, but elevates the entire family
• Understanding the difference between dominator and partnership family models…and how to move from one to the other

Let’s explore the historical and contemporary economic systems and their impact on motherhood! Starting with an overview of capitalism, socialism, and communism, Susie exposes the inherent flaws in these systems and proposes alternative paradigms like the gift economy and the sharing economy. Through an exploration of different economic models, she highlights the challenges and opportunities for mothers in various economic systems and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing human flourishing and caregiving in economic discourse.

Topics: 

• Overview of capitalism, socialism, and communism
• Impact of traditional economic systems on motherhood
• Introduction to alternative economic paradigms: the gift economy and the sharing economy
• Benefits and challenges of alternative economic systems for mothers
• Reimagining economics through the lens of human flourishing and caregiving
• Historical context of economic theories and their implications for gender and race equality
• Critique of mainstream economic models and their failure to prioritize caregiving and human development

Resources:

• Rebel Mothers Episode 6 Invisible Labor: The Mental Load
• The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
• Real Wealth of Nations by Riane Eisler
• The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State by Friedrich Engles

In the first of this two-part series on the economics of motherhood, Susie examines the cost of motherhood through the life story of a fictional mother in the United States, Emily, who faces the financial struggles and worries that many mothers face today. Stay tuned for next week when Susie explores some alternative economic systems and how those might shape motherhood.

Topics: 

• Introduction to the Economics of Motherhood
• Emily's Story: A Journey Through Motherhood and Economic Challenges
• Healthcare Expenses and Lack of Paid Maternity Leave
• The Impact of Childcare Costs
• Income Disparities and the Motherhood Penalty
• Retirement Savings and Social Security Benefits
• The Influence of the Baby Industrial Complex
• Analysis of Emily's Story: Highlighting Key Economic Factors
• Healthcare: Comparing US Costs to Other Countries
• Childcare: Availability, Affordability, and Quality of Care
• Income and Wage Disparities: Gender Wage Gap and Motherhood Penalty
• Retirement: Impact of Career Interruptions on Retirement Savings
• The Baby Industrial Complex: Pressure on Parents to Consume
• Reflections on Capitalism and Alternative Economic Systems
• Conclusion: Recognizing the Intersections of Motherhood and Economics

Resources:

• Rebel Mothers Episode 6 Invisible Labor: The Mental Load
• Global care chains, refugee crisis, and deskilling of workers | Exploring Economics
• Average Student Loan Debt By Year (Graduating Class) 
• Baby care market in the US - statistics & facts
• Fatherhood bonus - Wikipedia
• https://blog.dol.gov/2023/01/24/new-childcare-data-shows-prices-are-untenable-for-families
• Gender Pay Gap Statistics In [Year] – Forbes Advisor
• Article: "How the world’s falling birthrate is leading to economic catastrophe" 
• FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act)
• Kindergeld (Child Benefit) and Parental Allowance in Germany

Baby Box program in Finland Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes - BBC News

Today we discuss the life of Jenny Marx, wife of Karl Marx, whose influence on the socialist movement is often overshadowed. From her aristocratic upbringing to her pivotal role in shaping the ideas that would change the world, Jenny's journey is one of resilience, commitment, and unwavering dedication to the emancipation of the working class. We explore her early years, her relationship with Karl, and the challenges they faced together, including poverty, exile, and personal tragedies. Through it all, Jenny remained a steadfast supporter of Karl's work, and deeply in love with the man behind the ideas. Her legacy as a feminist and revolutionary thinker continues to inspire activism and resistance to this day.

Topics: 

• Early life and upbringing of Jenny von Westphalen
• Relationship with Karl Marx and their marriage
• Jenny's support for Karl's work and involvement in the socialist movement
• Challenges faced by the Marx family, including poverty, exile, and personal tragedies
• Jenny's role as a mother and activist

Resources:

• Love and Capital: Karl and Jenny Marx and the Birth of a Revolution, by Mary Gabriel 
• The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 and The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
• Capital: Critique of Political Economy, Volume I by Karl Marx