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: 

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:

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: 

Resources:

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: 

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.

<...

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...

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

Topics include:

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: 

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: 

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...

Susie is on spring break with her family this week, so this quick update offers some upcoming episode ideas, including anger in motherhood, managing transitions, white mothers, maternal ambivalence, mothers and sex, and more.

What do YOU want to hear about on Rebel Mothers? Email susie@susiefishleder.com with ideas and suggestions

Maternal activism is a specific form of activism that is focused on addressing issues that impact mothers, children, and families within their communities and society at large. Susie breaks down why we don't usually hear this term used, the pros and cons of centering mothers in activism, and highlights the diverse forms of activism engaged in by mothers from different backgrounds. The episode emphasizes how maternal activism intertwines with broader social justice issues and challenges societal norms to advocate for mothers and their families.

Topics Covered

In this episode of Rebel Mothers, Susie takes the audience on a journey to explore the concept of motherhood as enlightenment. She reflects on her own experiences and the parallels between motherhood and spiritual traditions. Susie challenges the societal norms and beliefs around motherhood and presents it as a path to spiritual growth and awakening.

Topics: 

A mother’s love is often romanticized and idealized, but really, radical mother love is an opportunity to challenge traditional motherhood norms and dismantle larger systems of oppression. The discussion ranges from expanding the definition of motherhood beyond the normative mother and family to embracing the complexities of maternal ambivalence and the radical nature of mother love in uplifting and supporting all children and families.

Topics: 

Today we explore boundaries in motherhood: exploring how boundaries help create a sense of personal agency and autonomy, emphasizing their role in empowering women, and finding a balance between individualism and collective well-being. This episode highlights the challenges mothers face in setting boundaries with their children, and offers guidance on setting boundaries as a way to reclaim our time, energy, and purpose.

Topics: 

R...

In the second part of this two-part series, Susie focuses on rewriting birth narratives for peace, strength, and agency. Susie shares her personal journey of healing and empowerment after challenging birthing experiences, emphasizing the societal pressures of the myth of the perfect mother and its impact on maternal well-being. Drawing from Robbie Davis-Floyd's insights, the episode discusses the importance of self-reflection, body practices, and positive affirmations in the healing process. Susie also highlights the significance of support, both in sharing birth stories and engaging in practices that release stored emotions. 

Topics Included: 

In part one of this two-part series on matrescence, Susie explores the transformative concept of matrescence. Drawing on insights from Dr. Aurélie Athan and Robbie Davis-Floyd's "Birth as an American Rite of Passage," Susie unpacks the stages of matrescence, comparing it to adolescence and emphasizing the need for empathy and celebration in this unique journey. She draws parallels between the classic elements of a rite of passage and matrescence. She gives globally diverse examples of birthing rituals and sheds light on how hospital births in America have unintentionally adopted rituals that emphasize society’s patriarchal core values.

<...

Susie discusses the motherline (matrilineal ancestry) and the importance of women’s stories. Navigating through historical struggles, ancient goddess cultures, and societal shifts, Susie invites listeners to reclaim the stories of women that have been obscured, stolen, or silenced.    Join the journey of exploration and empowerment as we reimagine narratives and contribute to a paradigm shift in the broader motherhood revolution. 

Topics: 

This episode is an interview Susie did with Mexie from Total Liberation in the spring of 2023. Susie & Mexie discuss how capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy shape the institution of motherhood and harm people who take on the work of mothering. We end with discussing what a motherhood revolution could look like and how it would dovetail with a broader societal revolution.

Sources and Links

In this episode of Rebel Mothers, we explored Riane Eisler's paradigm-shifting concepts of dominator and partnership societies, applying them to the context of our own families. Eisler's model, rooted in historical evidence and cultural practices, offers a spectrum approach to understanding societal structures. Focusing on family and childhood relations within the dominator and partnership systems, we discussed actionable steps to nurture a partnership family, emphasizing democratic decision-making and equal partnerships. Eisler's work goes beyond critique, providing a blueprint for transformative change, with broader societal implications—shaping empathetic citizens, addressing racism, and preparing children for the demands of the 21st-century ec...

Merry Christmas! In this “Christmas Card” episode of Rebel Mothers, Susie celebrates the milestone of reaching the 10th episode. Reflecting on the journey so far, she shares the joys and challenges of podcasting and gratitude for the supportive messages and interactions from listeners. 

Topics Covered:

Resources Mentioned:

In this episode of Rebel Mothers, Susie explores the metaphor of seasons in motherhood, shedding light on how the different seasons—spring, summer, fall, and winter—correspond to various stages of a mother's journey. She focuses on the unique experiences and emotions experienced in the winter of motherhood, including the personal story of her own miscarriage, and offers relatable examples and insights. 

Topics: 

In this special Christmas episode, Susie explores the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, looking at her as a symbol of motherhood and what that means for modern mothers. We discuss her reverence in Christianity and Islam, her experience as a real-life mother, and her significance in various social justice issues, including interfaith cooperation, immigration reform, classism, feminism, and anti-racism. Mary's multifaceted role as both a symbol and a historical mother is examined, focusing on her empowerment and resilience in the face of adversity.

Topics Include:

Get your free PDF copy of the Mental Load in Parenting checklist!

In Part Two of this Invisible Labor series, Susie discusses the invisible and emotionally taxing work that mothers undertake in the realm of emotional labor. She debunks the misconception that emotional labor is gender-specific and explores how societal conditioning has led to mothers taking on this role, while also discussing ways to make it more manageable and equitable. 

Topics Include:

Get your free PDF copy of the Mental Load in Parenting checklist!

In Part One of this two-part series, Susie dive deep into a critical topic: The Mental Load of Motherhood. The mental load of motherhood is a hidden yet profound aspect of women's lives. It encompasses the cognitive labor of planning, organizing, and anticipating everything required to raise children and manage a household. This invisible labor, predominantly carried by women, has deep historical roots and serves as the underpinning of both patriarchy and the capitalist system.

In this episode, Susie highlights...

Susie talks about the phenomenon of “mom guilt,” especially as it shows up in the holidays. She discusses the nuances of mom guilt and distinguishes it from regular guilt. Plus she uncovers its roots in patriarchal norms, and discusses strategies for addressing and overcoming this complex emotion.

Topics:

Strategies for a...

Welcome to a special episode of Rebel Mothers where Susie does a deep dive into the extraordinary life of a REAL rebel mother: Coretta Scott King, a woman who defied expectations and used her motherhood as a source of strength in her fight for justice and equality. From the racially segregated Alabama of her youth to becoming an iconic civil rights leader and activist in her own right, Coretta is an inspiration for maternal activists everywhere. 

Topics Include:

Susie goes deep into a common topic that resonates with many mothers – the journey of losing, and rediscovering, one's identity in the context of motherhood. It's a story that many mothers share, but it's one that society doesn't often pause to truly understand, because it's more than just losing your identity: it means identifying the systematic inequalities that many mothers face.

Topics include:

Susie explores the significance of the language used to describe motherhood, and how our words shape societal expectations of what it means to be a mother. 

Topics include:

Welcome to the premiere episode of Rebel Mothers! In today’s episode, Susie gives more background context to who she is, why this podcast came to be in existence, and what you can expect in episodes to come.

Topics include:

Resources mentioned:

Be sure to subscribe to the show so you don't mi...

Motherhood has been used to oppress and exploit women for centuries. But it doesn’t have to be this way, and as mothers, we’re ready for a revolution. We love our kids, but we struggle with losing our identities, bearing the weight of motherhood without enough support, and striving to meet the impossible standards of what it means to be a ‘good’ mother. It’s time to openly discuss how motherhood is deeply affected by patriarchy, racism, and capitalism so that we can break free of these systems. As mothers, we know our work is valuable and has radical po...