Singer, musician and writer, Orenda Fink is famous for being one half of the duo “Azure Ray”. Orenda just published her beautiful first memoir “The Witch’s Daughter: My Mother, Her Magic, and the Madness That Bound Us”, about her relationship with her mother suffering from borderline narcissistic personality, which made her fight with everyone, including her three daughters. Orenda tells us about her career in indie music, about writing her fascinating and deeply inspiring book, and about becoming a certified Jungian coach. From her mother, we learn that no one is all bad or all good; that art is a priceless form for catharsis and self-expression; and the power of magical thinking. Orenda also spoke about self-mothering, about individuation, about going No Contact with one’s family.

To learn more about Orenda and to order her book, please visit her website.

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For more about “Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

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Author of her family memoir “Once Our Lives”, Qin Sun Stubis, shares lessons she learned from her Chinese mom Yan. Yan was given away by her mother as a baby, and struggled keeping her four daughters from starvation while her husband was a political prisoner for 14 years. We learn about the history of China, and about the Chinese historical bias against female children (the worst version being female infanticide). Yan teaches us about the power of education to break generational patterns; that we’re much stronger than we can imagine; that we can find a way – even to survive – by being creative and not giving up. Qin also talks about her mother, like many mothers, not being able to teach her self-care and self-esteem. And she talks about the holy responsibility mothers have, and the power to transform next generations through connecting with their children.

To learn more about Qin and her book, please visite her website.

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To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: info@thankyoumama.net

To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here.

For more about “Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

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American activist, organizer, writer, TV producer, feminist, president of Soapbox, Inc., and a long-time consultant to the American feminist icon Gloria Steinem, Amy Richards, shares lessons she learned both from her mom, and from over 30 years of working closely with Gloria. Amy also gives us a brief history of feminism and explains why it’s just as important now as it ever was, and talks about the female shared experience. From her American mom Karen, we learn about tenacity; not getting caught in drama; that what makes you different can make you stronger; humbleness; showing up; and accepting help. From Gloria, we learn to live your values; that you can learn something from everyone; to be a good friend; and ask and work hard for things you want.

To learn more about Amy, please visit her website.

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To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: info@thankyoumama.net

To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here.

For more about “Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

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As the thrid Replay episode of Summer 2024, here's episode 86 with best-selling author, book critic and journalist, Meredith Maran, who shares a deeply inspiring story about how, after a lifetime of aversions and conflict, she and her mom Rita became friends when Meredith was 69 and Rita 93.

This story is a great reminder of how a crisis (in this case COVID) forces us to re-evaluate things and focus on what really matteres in life. We learn so much from these exceptional ladies: not to give up before a miracle; that no one is just good or evil (not even our mothers); that anger is like drinking poison; and that people do change – even at 93. Or 69.

To learn more about Meredith, visit her website.

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To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: info@thankyoumama.net

To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here.

For more about “Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

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The second episode in our Summer of 2024 Replay is episode 17 with the Molecular Biologist Dr. Özlem Yüce Petronczki. This is one of the very early interviews, but one that stayed deeply anchored in my heart for a few reasons: we learn how incredibly strong women are and how are able to beat all odds. We also learn how powerful gentle and loving support is in helping our children to achieve great things. But also: since my move back to Vienna, Özlem became a dear friend.

Özlem talks about her amazing Turkish mama Fatma who wasn’t allowed to go to school but lovingly pushed her daughters to complete their PhDs. Listen for her lessons on being open minded, honest, not judgmental, on women’s strength, courage, and overcoming boundaries and pushing your children to live up to their potential. You will also learn about Alevi culture, and lives of women in Turkey.

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To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: info@thankyoumama.net

To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here.

For more about “Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

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As the first epiosde for our summer 2024 replay, I'd like to share with you episode 17, in which I shared the most important lessons I learned from my mama Jagoda Kaloper. As I just turned 50 and shared with you 50 lessons I've learned in 50 years, I thought it might be interesting to hear which of these I've learned from my own mother.

My incredible mama Jagoda ("strawberry" in Croatian - thus the podcast design) was a celebrated actress and visual artist - but more importantly, she was a big "mensch" and an incredible (yet definitely not perfect) mama. Losing her in 2016 was the reason I started this podcast. I share the most important lessons I've learned from her about: passionately loving life; leaving a mark; being your own source of happiness; ageing gracefully; having it all by taking one step at the time; and being present and connected.

To learn more about Jagoda and her fantastic achievements, please visit her Wiki page.

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To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here.

For more about “Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

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In this special episode, Ana celebrates her 50th birthady with you! As this podcast is all about life-lessons, she recorded this episode in which she shares 50 lessons she has learned in 50 years. Learn about gratitude, mindfulness, meditation, courage, self-protection, burnout, self-care, ageing, breathing, evolving, celebrating, and so much more. If you’d like to find a transcript of the episode, please visit the blog section of Ana's website.

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To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here.

For more about “Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

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Family Medicine doctor and author of “Medicine and Miracles” and “From Mountains to Medicine”, Dr. Erica Elliott, shares the story of her breakdown in her early 20s which, under the guidance of a skilled psychotherapist, lead to finding her true self at this early age. This lead to another breakthrough: Erica found love and forgiveness for her Swiss mom who was a very harsh mother. This changed not only their relationships, but Erica’s parents’ marriage, the dynamics of the whole family, and even the new generations. Erica shares this inspiring story and other deep lessons she learned both from her mom and by herself. Most importantly: the magic of forgiving, that giving love is more satisfying than receiving love, and that you should never waste a bad experience.

To learn more about Erica please visit her website. You can order her books on Amazon.

Subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…” newsletter here.

To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: info@thankyoumama.net

To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here.

For more about “Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

Connect with Ana on social media:

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