The Matriarchy

The Matriarchy Ep. 23: The Power of the PTA: Strengthening Public Schools — A Conversation with Michigan PTA Leaders on Advocacy and the Unpaid Labor of Women

In this powerful conversation with Michigan PTA leaders Dr. Tonya Whitehead and Jenna McMechan, we explore how the PTA plays a vital role in strengthening public schools and supporting students, teachers, and families in our state - and across the nation. The discussion dives into the importance of education advocacy and how everyday leadership within parent-teacher organizations helps shape policy, resources, and school communities. We also examine the often unseen reality of women’s unpaid labor—work that sustains schools, families, and communities but is too often overlooked or undervalued. From organizing, caregiving, volunteering, and advocacy, women continue to be the backbone of educational systems. While the PTA is a volunteer-driven organization, educators are paid, often not enough, and continue to work many unpaid hours and contribute to their classrooms without being compensated.  This episode highlights the intersection of advocacy, equity, and community leadership, offering insight into how collective action through the PTA can drive meaningful change in public education. Tune in for an inspiring look at the power of voices coming together to strengthen schools and uplift students, families, and educators alike. #Matriarchy #PTA #MichiganPTA #PublicSchools #EducationAdvocacy #WomenInLeadership #UnpaidLabor #ParentAdvocacy #EducationEquity #WomenWhoLead #SchoolCommunities #StrongerSchools #AdvocacyMatters #InvisibleLabor #CommunityLeadership #EducationPodcast * PTA and strengthening public schools * Education advocacy and policy change * Women’s unpaid labor in schools and communities * Parent and caregiver leadership in education * Gender equity in education systems * Volunteerism and invisible labor in schools * Michigan public education system insights * Grassroots advocacy in education * School funding and community engagement * Women’s leadership in civic and educational spaces * Building stronger school communities * Emotional and structural labor in parenting and education * PTA impact on student success * Guests: Michigan PTA President Dr. Tonya Whitehead Michigan PTA President-Elect Jenna McMechan

The Matriarchy Ep. 22: What's On Our Mind - Democracy, Doomscrolling, and a Little Love for Costco

The news cycle is relentless, the doom-scrolling is real, and the overwhelm is… a lot. In this episode, we talk honestly about what’s been on our minds: how to stay engaged in democracy without losing our mental health in the process. How do we pay attention without being consumed by the chaos? And what does it actually look like to take our power back? We dig into the systems that got us here—from the tidal wave of money in politics unleashed by Citizens United v. FEC to the outsized political influence of billionaires and mega-donors shaping policy from behind the scenes. Campaign finance reform isn’t just a policy conversation—it’s about accountability, representation, and whether democracy can function when wealth speaks louder than voters. But this episode isn’t just about institutions. It’s also about the personal and cultural dynamics underneath it all. We talk about the invisible, unpaid labor that women and caregivers carry, how codependency and control show up in our politics and our personal lives, and why centering children, women, and caretakers might actually point the way toward a healthier democracy. Along the way, we wrestle with the emotional toll of staying informed in the age of constant alerts, breaking news, and algorithm-driven outrage—and share the ways we try to keep ourselves grounded. It’s a conversation about power, responsibility, burnout - and hope. About remembering that democracy isn’t something happening “out there”—it’s something we practice in how we care for each other. And because every heavy conversation deserves a little levity, we end with our deep appreciation for one of life’s true modern miracles: Costco. A modern corporate Matriarchy with bulk snacks, cheap hot dogs, and a reminder that sometimes the best community gathering place is the sample aisle. #Democracy #CampaignFinanceReform #CitizensUnited #MoneyInPolitics #PoliticalAccountability #DemocracyReform #CivicEngagement #PoliticalPodcast #NewsOverload #Doomscrolling #MentalHealthMatters #PoliticsAndMentalHealth #StayInformed #WomenAndCaregivers #UnpaidLabor #CaregiverBurnout #WomenInPolitics #PowerAndControl #SystemicChange #SocialCommentary #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastCommunity #CostcoLove #CostcoRun

The Matriarchy Ep 21: Caring for the Whole Mother - Postpartum Depression, Maternal Health, and Equity

Maternal health in the United States is in crisis — and improving maternal health must start with addressing the disparities facing Black mothers. Black maternal health outcomes remain significantly worse than those of other groups, with Black women experiencing higher maternal mortality rates and more severe complications. Postpartum depression, one of the most common complications of childbirth, is a critical and often overlooked part of this maternal health emergency. In this episode, we explore how postpartum depression and maternal mental health directly influence maternal health outcomes from pregnancy through the first year after birth. Untreated postpartum depression doesn’t just affect mood — it impacts physical recovery, chronic stress, bonding, breastfeeding, and long-term maternal health. When maternal mental health is ignored, overall maternal health suffers. Dr. Karen Sheffield-Abdullah, a maternal health researcher and co-investigator for the MomGenes study, shares how new research is advancing more personalized approaches to postpartum depression care. We discuss how genetics, lived experience, stress, and structural inequities intersect — especially in Black maternal health — and why culturally responsive research is essential to improving maternal health outcomes for all communities. We break down what postpartum depression (PPD) is, how it differs from the “baby blues,” and the early warning signs to watch for in the first 2–6 weeks postpartum. We also examine how systemic barriers in screening, diagnosis, and access to care disproportionately affect Black maternal health and contribute to preventable maternal mortality in the United States. You’ll gain practical, evidence-based tools to support maternal mental health, including stress regulation strategies, mindfulness practices, and actionable ways partners, families, doulas, and clinicians can better support maternal health during pregnancy and the fourth trimester. If you care about reducing postpartum depression, strengthening maternal health, and advancing Black maternal health equity, this episode offers insight, solutions, and a clear call to improve outcomes for mothers across the United States. Postpartum depression * Maternal health * Maternal mental health * Black maternal health * Maternal mortality United States * Perinatal mental health * Pregnancy mental health * Postpartum recovery * Fourth trimester * Women’s health #BrookeShields

The Matriarchy Ep 20: WWII Pacific War Crimes - The Untold Stories of Women

In this powerful episode, forgotten stories of women and communities impacted by World War II in the Pacific are brought to light. From the tragedy of Chinese comfort women and systemic sexual slavery to the horrors of Unit 731 and the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, the discussion explores hidden WWII Pacific war crimes that continue to shape the present. Through the work of Jenny Chan, Director of Pacific Atrocities Education, more than one million pages of declassified documents from the U.S. National Archives have been carefully reviewed and scanned, uncovering new evidence about overlooked war crimes in the Pacific Theater of World War II. This extensive research has resulted in several books focused on underrepresented histories, including violence against women, human experimentation, and civilian suffering during WWII. The episode examines why these untold narratives matter today, how historical memory influences modern conversations about justice and accountability, and what can be learned from survivors’ experiences. With experience hosting discussions featuring guests such as bestselling author James Bradley, this conversation highlights how thoughtful dialogue about World War II history can inspire education, awareness, and meaningful change. Listeners interested in WWII history, Pacific Theater war crimes, women’s history, human rights, and historical justice will gain deeper insight into stories that demand to be remembered. World War II Pacific Theater Pacific War Crimes Comfort Women Unit 731 Women in WWII Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong Human Rights History WWII Atrocities

The Matriarchy Ep 19: From Compassion to Action - Kids Empowered On The Move Helping the Homeless with Kimber Bishop-Yanke

Meet Kimber Bishop-Yanke, founder of Kids Empowered on the Move. Kimber is taking action against homelessness and showing how everyday people—especially kids—can make a real difference in their own communities. In this inspiring podcast episode, we talk about empowering youth, helping people experiencing homelessness, and building stronger, more compassionate communities—one act of kindness at a time. 🎧 Whether you’re a parent, educator, community leader, or someone looking to create positive change, this conversation will leave you motivated and ready to take action. 👉 Listen now and get inspired to lead with heart and purpose. Kids Empowered on the Move, Kimber Bishop-Yanke, youth empowerment, kids helping the homeless, homelessness awareness, community impact, social good, nonprofit leadership, women founders, women rising, matriarchy, youth activism, helping the community, compassion in action, inspiring podcasts