Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Are boys destined to become incels, misogynists, and emotionally stunted? When it does happen is patriarchy to blame? Can parents do something to prevent toxic masculinity from ruining their sweet little angels? Can grown men reparent themselves to get back to who they were before society took control? In the wake of #MeToo, pregnant with her third son, this week's guest, Ruth Whippman, was thinking about all of this and much more. Have a seat and listen in to our conversation with Ruth about her new book, Boymom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity, which explores the role (and toll) of toxic masculinity as little boys become men. Ruth Whippman is a British journalist and cultural critic. A former BBC documentary director, she has written for The New York Times, Time magazine, New York magazine, The Guardian, HuffPost, and other publications. Fortune described her as one of the “25 sharpest minds” of the decade. She is also the author of BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood In the Age Of Impossible Masculinity. Where to find Ruth Whippnan:IG: @ruthwhippmanSubstack: I Blame SocietyWebsite: www.ruthwhippman.comSupport the showBe part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!What do most of us really know about car insurance? Why is it necessary, besides that it might be legally required? What choices are best for me, for my family, for my new driver? We get into all of this (and more) with guest Caroline Monsewicz. If you have a question for Caroline, scroll down for her contact information. (Don't forget to ask her about add-on uninsured/underinsured motorist and bodily injury insurance!)Caroline Monsewicz is a trial attorney with Tobin Injury Law in Atlanta, GA where she focuses on helping injured people seek justice through some of the most difficult times in their lives. With over a decade of experience in law, her areas of practice include personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, trucking collisions, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, and legal malpractice. Caroline is a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, WV, where she was a NCAA Division I goalkeeper for the Thundering Herd women's soccer team for four years. Determined to use her passion and commitment, Caroline attended and graduated from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, GA, where she was recognized as a Graduating Woman of Excellence and Dean's Award recipient for her service and leadership. When Caroline is not advising clients of their rights and how best to navigate complex legal issues, she can be found watching professional wrestling with her husband, Justin and her two cats, cooking, or playing Dungeons & Dragons with her friends. Where to find Caroline Monsewicz:Tobin Injury Law: https://www.tobininjurylaw.com/caroline-h-monsewicz/, 404-JUSTICE (404-587-8423)Email: caroline@tobininjurylaw.comDirect Dial: (678) 941-0109Support the showBe part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!We are beyond excited about Vice President Kamala Harris as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee! We share all of our feelings, hopes and dreams about the future of our country with Kamala Harris as our next president. Join the discussion and share your thoughts with us.Mentioned in this episode:YouTube: (1) Kamala Harris - YouTubeSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!We are all in relationship - with ourselves, family, friends, society. With that comes great joy and, sometimes, pain. How can we handle that pain in a way that doesn't add to the pain? How can we handle that pain so that we can show up for our loved ones in a way that is helpful rather than harmful? We delve into all of this and more with guest Celia Landman as we discuss her book When the Whole World Tips: Parenting Through Crisis with Mindfulness and Balance. Celia Landman is a mindfulness educator offering support to teens and adults. She draws from her range of experience working with folks impacted by trauma, addiction, and anxiety to create customized meditations, visualizations, and trainings that reconnect us to our wholeness.Where to find Celia Landman: Website: https://celialandman.comInstagram: @celiasacctSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!What happens when a racist goes to jail? In George Sedberry, Jr.'s case, he becomes vulnerable enough to listen and learn, and his life opens up. Then his mission to visit all 100+ HBCUs and tell the little-known history of Black Americans begins. After all, Black history is American history.Where to find The White George:TikTok: @whitegeorgeIG: @thewhitgeorge (no “e” on the whit)Apply to several HBCUs with only one application: https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/Support the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!The conversation around Christian patriarchy continues in this week's episode as Raquel and Jennifer discuss Tia Levings memoir A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy. Learn more about the movement that threatens to destroy our democracy and how Tia Levings escaped it and is now a shining example of how others can escape it as well.Where to find Tia Levings' work:Website: https://tialevings.comSubstack: @tialevings - The Anti-FundamentalistInstagram: @tialevingswriterSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!In this week's episode, Raquel and Jennifer talk to guest A'magine Goddard about the intersection of medical training and consent. A’magine Goddard has been teaching and speaking about feminism and sexuality for over two decades. As a queer sexuality educator, she wanted to impact people who were entering the field of medicine about sexuality and gender. She earned her master’s in Human Sexuality Education at New York University and studied film at New School University. She worked as a Gynecological Teaching Associate for 10 years in New York City and At Your Cervix is her first feature film.Where to find A'magine Goddard:Instagram: @atyourcervixmovie, @sexualempowermentWebsite: www.atyourcervixmovie.comSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Being a surrogate is a selfless and noble act but it's also complicated and emotional. Add in religious considerations pregnancy loss and everything is heightened almost beyond measure. In this week's episode, Raquel and Jennifer speak with guest Kelila Green Siciliano about her decision to become a surrogate and the journey that has grown from that decision. Kelila Green Siciliano is a mom, a surrogate, a pregnancy loss survivor, the founder of OursAndYRS: A Pregnancy Loss Survival Toolkit, a speaker, the host of the podcast, “Pushing Through Loss”, and a coach. Kelila speaks about her experience with surrogacy and pregnancy loss, creating her loss survival toolkit, and how she learned to use personal challenges to work with and not against her in order to help others feel empowered to activate their own inner strength warrior. Where to find Kelila:Website: https://www.kelilagreenspeaker.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oursandyrs/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelila.greenPodcast: Pushing Through LossSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!We're talking about anger in this week's episode. Given the state of the world it's no wonder that anger is a repeat topic of conversation. Listen in as we speak with guest Bronwyn Schweigerdt about anger and what it might be trying to tell us. Browyn Schweigerdt may be the most evocative psychotherapist you’ve ever heard. Instead of fixing peoples’ messes, her goal is to elicit feelings you’re most ashamed to have, such as hatred and betrayal. She knows that even though feelings are invisible, they don’t evaporate, but store away in our bodies when they’re disowned.Where to find Bronwyn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronwyn-schweigerdt-3124857/Podcast: https://angryattherightthings.podbean.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555715646671, https://www.facebook.com/bronwyn.schweigerdtSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!In this week's episode, Raquel and Jennifer speak with guest Cait West about her new book, Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy, which chronicles her upbringing in the world of ultra-conservative, high control, patriarchal religion. The discussion touches on how things started to shift for Cait, how she left, what her life is like now, and how she's helping others looking to break away.Cait West is a writer and editor based in Grand Rapids, MI. Her work has been published in The Revealer, Religion Dispatches, Fourth Genre, and Hawai’i Pacific Review, among others. As a survivor of Christian patriarchy movement, she serves on the editorial board for Tears of Eden, a nonprofit providing resources for survivors of spiritual abuse. Cait also cohosts the podcast Survivors Discuss. Where to find Cait West:Website: https://www.caitwest.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitwestwrites/Substack: https://caitwest.substack.com/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/caitwestwritesSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!What is natural hair? Why are we talking about it? Find out in this week's episode where Raquel and Jennifer dive into it with guest Lyzette Wanzer. Lyzette Wanzer’s work appears in over thirty literary journals and books. Her book, TRAUMA, TRESSES & TRUTH: Untangling Our Hair Through Personal Narratives (Chicago Review Press) appears on Library Journal’s 2022 Top 10 Best Social Sciences Books list and was a 2023 Black Women’s Studies Association Selection. Lyzette is a contributor to Lyric Essay as Resistance: Truth from the Margins (Wayne State University Press 2023), Civil Liberties United: Diverse Voices from the San Francisco Bay Area (Pease Press 2019), and the multi-award-winning The Chalk Circle: Intercultural Prizewinning Essays (Wyatt-MacKenzie 2012). A National Writers’ Union and Authors Guild member, Lyzette’s work has been supported with funding from Center for Cultural Innovation, San Francisco Arts Commission, California Arts Council, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Black Artist Foundry, The Awesome Foundation, and California Humanities, a National Endowment for the Humanities partner.Where to find Lyzette Wanzer:Website: www.lyzettewanzermfa.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lyzettewanzer/Mentioned in this episode:2024 TRAUMA, TRESSES & TRUTH: A Virtual Conference Interrogating Black Women's Natural Hair - https://shuffle.do/projects/trauma-tresses-truth-a-natural-hair-conferenceMuses & Melanin Fellowship for BIPOC Creative Writers - https://forms.gle/eP5KHEVD3S4AQY7h9The CROWN Act - The Official CROWN Act (thecrownact.com)Dove's CROWN Act campaign - www.dove.com/us/en/stories/campaigns/the-crown-act.htmlEpisode Photo by Jessica Felicio on UnsplashEpisode Photo by Jessica Felicio on UnsplashSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Many heartfelt thanks to everyone who supports the show!In this week's episode, Raquel and Jennifer celebrate their 3rd anniversary! Join in as they revisit the very first episode of the podcast, reminisce about their initial visions for the show, and share new dreams for Madness Cafe.Support the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Women are woefully underrepresented in politics in the United States. (https://www.statista.com/topics/10417/women-in-politics-in-the-us/#topicOverview) But there's one organization dedicated to changing that - EMILYs List, the nation's largest resource for women in politics.EMILYs List works to elect Democratic pro-choice women up and down the ballot and across the country with a goal of fighting for our rights and communities by recruiting and training candidates, building strong campaigns, researching the issues that impact women and families, and run one of the largest independent expenditure operations for Democrats.In this week's episode, Raquel and Jennifer speak with Christina Reynolds, Senior Vice President of Communications and Content, of EMILYs List. Christina joined EMILYs List after nearly two decades of experience as a communications and research strategist. A lifelong fighter for progressive causes, she has managed large-scale press operations from the campaign trail to the White House.Christina spent most of her career in campaigns and politics, serving as Deputy Communications Director at Hillary for America, White House Director of Media Affairs and Special Assistant to President Obama, Director of Rapid Response at Obama for America, Research & Policy Director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) during the 2006 midterms, senior roles in several presidential and Senate campaigns, and Deputy Research Director at the Democratic National Committee (DNC). She also worked in strategic communications and public affairs at the Global Strategy Group and the Glover Park Group.A proud Tar Heel and Marine brat, Christina studied journalism and political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also the co-author, with EMILYs List former President Stephanie Schriock, of Run to Win: Lessons in Leadership for Women Changing the World.Where to find EMILYs List:Website: EMILYs ListInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilys_list/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyslistX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/emilyslistYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/emilyslistLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emily's-listSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!This week Raquel and Jennifer speak with guest Afarin Ordubadi Bellisario about her novel Silenced Whispers which tells the story of a young Iranian woman's fight for freedom and love amid the struggle between tradition and modernity at the beginning of the 20th century. Historical fiction that holds lessons for today's society. Where to find Afarin Ordubadi Bellisario:Afarin's Website: www.afarin.netBook website: www.silencedwhispers.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/posts/afarin-bellisario-091115Facebook: www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2491778997662828&set=a.113842555456496Instagram: www.instagram.com/p/C3nj3TrO4IY/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/afarin_afarina/status/1760358357683077338Support the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!This week, Raquel and Jennifer speak with Julie Bee - an award-winning entrepreneur who’s been dubbed the “small business fixer” by her clients and peers. With over 15 years in the entrepreneurial field, Julie has solidified her reputation as a dynamic consultant, a riveting speaker, and a leader who sheds light on the darker side of business ownership. Having been celebrated by Fast Company and Forbes, Julie’s insights are in high demand across the industry. And, as of June 18, everyone can have greater access to Julie’s insights via her upcoming book Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success. Where to find Julie Bee:Website: https://www.thejuliebee.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejuliebee/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejuliebee_/X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/thejuliebeeYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejuliebeeSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!In this week's episode, Raquel and Jennifer speak with Patrice Scott, Jr., recent graduate in Film and Video Production at Grand Valley State University, about the collaborative journey of creating his short film Songs from the Sky, his college journey, and how art can bring people together. Ways to connect with Patrice:Website: Patrice ScottEmail: contact@patricescott.artInstagram: @patricesroomSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!What comes to mind when you hear the word "erotica"? This week's conversation with guest erotica author Rachel Kramer Bussel may change your mind. Or maybe it won't, but why not listen to the episode and see what comes up. Raquel and Jennifer talk to Rachel about her new book, Lap Dance Lust: A Collection of Erotic Stories, as well as the joys and benefits of erotica.Where to find Rachel Kramer Bussel:Newsletter: https://rachelkramerbussel.substack.com/Website: https://rachelkramerbussel.com/Erotica 101 consulting: https://www.eroticawriting101.com/FB: https://www.facebook.com/rachelkramerbusselauthorIG: @rachelkramerbusselX: @raquelitaSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

In this episode, Raquel and Jennifer talk to Dr. Amani Ballour about her experience of survival during Syria's civil war. Dr. Ballour is a distinguished Syrian pediatrician, activist and author. Her memoir, The Cave: A Secret Underground Hospital and One Woman’s Story of Survival in Syria depicts her experience running an underground hospital during the Syrian conflict, facing chemical attacks and her eventual displacement, and the critical issues faced by civilians in war zones, particularly women and children. The documentary about her experiences running the underground hospital was nominated for an Oscar in 2019. Dr. Ballour is recognized internationally for her advocacy for women's and children's rights, especially under the harrowing conditions of the Syrian civil war.Where to find Dr. Ballour:Instagram: @amani_ballourFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008268907883&mibextid=ZbWKwL X:  @AmaniBallour)Mentioned in this episode:The Cave: https://films.nationalgeographic.com/the-caveDoctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/International Committee of The Red Cross: https://www.icrc.org/enInternational Organization for Migration: https://www.iom.int/Syrian American Medical Society: https://www.sams-usa.net/The UN Refugee Agency: https://www.unhcr.org/us/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwl4yyBhAgEiwADSEjeDfBSvRRMioUxzMJ8leRvblv7U93G5vfbJ0yjpqEnqpuw09r9J-cwRoCq8wQAvD_BwESupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

In this week's episode, Raquel and Jennifer tackle the emotionally charged topic of white women's tears and their weaponization. It's a difficult, but necessary, conversation that needs to happen more often. Mentioned in, or consulted for, this episode:How White Women Use Tears as a Weapon | Awesomely LuvvieWhite Woman Tears: These Tears Taste Like Oppression | by Alexandria Bennett | MediumBlack Like Me: S3 Ep. 57: White Women's Tears and "White Fragility": An Interview With NY Times Best Selling Author and Anti-Racism Scholar Dr. Robin DiAngelo (libsyn.com)How white women use strategic tears to silence women of colour | Ruby Hamad | The GuardianWhen The 'White Tears' Just Keep Coming : Code Switch : NPRhttps://blackgirlinmaine.com/racial-and-cultural/weapon-of-lass-destruction-the-tears-of-a-white-woman/White Women’s Tears and the Men Who Love Them | by The Good Men Project | Co-existence | MediumThe Weapons of White Women's Tears | LinkedInThe Power of White Women’s Tears | LinkedInThe Damaging Tears of White Women | by Seanna Writes | The Startup | MediumHow the Karen Meme Confronts History of White Womanhood | TIMEPhoto by Danie Franco on UnsplashSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!

In this week's episode, Raquel and Jennifer speak with guest April Brenneman about her transformation from evangelical Christianity to a wider, inclusive, and liberated spirituality. They also discuss April's work as a Somatic Spiritual Companion and her enthusiastic embrace of The Wise Crone.April Brenneman is a Somatic Spiritual Companion, a Hatha Yoga teacher, and an Embodied Spirituality Teacher. Her passion is for wholeness and healing: physically, spiritually and emotionally. April understands that to be human is to be on a journey of continued growth and transformation. Her own spirituality can be described as Earth Spirituality and Embodied Christic Contemplation.Where to find April Brenneman:Email: thecontemplativspace@gmail.com, aprilann.brenneman@gmail.com Website: www.thecontemplativespace.com  IG: @thecontemplativespace, @aprilannlifeSupport the Show.Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com.Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen!Thanks!