Woke Mommy Chatter

RESHARE: LIVING LIFE ABROAD - Aja Rutledge and Leaving America for Mexico

The day after Donald Trump was elected the first time, Aja Rutledge made a decision that would change her life. With her young son in tow, she left everything behind and crossed the border—not to another U.S. state, but to Mexico. In this episode, we sit down with Aja to talk about what it means to choose yourself, your peace, and your child's future when the world feels on fire. From systemic issues in the American education system to motherhood in exile, this is a story about the beauty of the unkown and discovering a peace and community somewhere you never thought you would. If you're not already signed up for our newsletter, head over to www.wokemommychatter.org and drop us your email. That's where we share updates, reflections, and more ways for us to stay connected. And if you're on Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, or TikTok, come find us there too. We're especially loving TikTok these days—it's where you'll see more of the real, unfiltered side of me and this work.

RESHARE: Brianne DeRose on Not Leaning In, But Not Leaning Out

This episode of Woke Mommy Chatter is a special one—first recorded back in 2018, before the pandemic, before the uprisings, before the global spotlight on the unique challenges of Black motherhood. We're resharing this conversation with Brianne DeRosa, because while so much has changed, the reflections and resonance still hold power. Listening now, in 2025, you might hear something different. The context has shifted, our language has grown, and our sense of urgency has sharpened. This episode is a time capsule, but it's also a mirror—reminding us of where we were and what we still must carry forward. If you're not already signed up for our newsletter, head over to www.wokemommychatter.org [https://www.wokemommychatter.org] and drop us your email. That's where we share updates, reflections, and more ways for us to stay connected. And if you're on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wokemommychatter], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/woke-mommy-chatter], Substack [https://wokemommychatter.substack.com], or TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wokemommychatter], come find us there too. We're especially loving TikTok these days—it's where you'll see more of the real, unfiltered side of me and this work.

RESHARE:Black Women and Mental Health: A Crisis Still Unspoken

In this emotional reshare from 2018, I sit down with Marsha Hibbert and Taina Mayberry to discuss the complexities of Black women's mental health. Though the conversation was recorded years ago, it still resonates today. As I reflect on what's changed and what hasn't, I share the early findings from my work as the founder of the Black Women's Institute for Health and the Voices Unheard survey. Black women and girls are experiencing high levels of mental distress and thoughts of self-harm. We are not okay, and we need to talk about it. This episode is a call to action to acknowledge our pain, care for ourselves and each other, and challenge the structures that are making us sick. If you're not already signed up for our newsletter, head over to www.wokemommychatter.org [https://www.wokemommychatter.org/] and drop us your email. That's where we share updates, reflections, and more ways for us to stay connected. And if you're on TikTok, [https://www.tiktok.com/@wokemommychatter] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wokemommychatter/?hl=en], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@wokemommychatter25], Substack, LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/woke-mommy-chatter-wmc/], come find us there too. We're especially loving TikTok these days—it's where you'll see more of the real, unfiltered side of me and this work.

RESHARE: Making Mom Friends: The Conversation That Started It All

We're resharing the very first episode of the podcast: "Making Mom Friends." In this conversation, we talk about the challenges, joys, and real-life struggles of finding your people when you become a mother. It's one of those episodes that still feels so relevant, and we're excited to bring it back for those who might have missed it or want to listen again. This episode is a little window into how Woke Mommy Chatter started, real talk, honest moments, and the importance of community for Black moms and caregivers. Whether you're new to the podcast or have been with us since the beginning, we hope this episode brings you connection and a little bit of that village feeling we all need. What's Next: We're taking a short break to plan for Season 6, but we'll be sharing these early episodes in the meantime. If you haven't already, sign up for our newsletter at www.wokemommychatter.org [https://www.wokemommychatter.org] to stay in the loop, and find us on TikTok, [https://www.tiktok.com/@wokemommychatter] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wokemommychatter/?hl=en], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@wokemommychatter25], Substack, LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/woke-mommy-chatter-wmc/]. Thank you for listening and for being part of this journey with us!

Gratitude and Replay: Wrapping Up Season 5

Hey everyone, I just wanted to say thank you for listening to Season 5. We're taking a little break right now, but we'll be resharing some of our favourite past episodes, so you can still tune in and hear some of those conversations and stories that mean so much to us. If you're not already signed up for our newsletter, head over to www.wokemommychatter.org [https://www.wokemommychatter.org] and drop us your email. That's where we share updates, reflections, and more ways for us to stay connected. And if you're on TikTok, [https://www.tiktok.com/@wokemommychatter] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wokemommychatter/?hl=en], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@wokemommychatter25], Substack, LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/woke-mommy-chatter-wmc/], come find us there too. We're especially loving TikTok these days—it's where you'll see more of the real, unfiltered side of me and this work. Also please like and subscribe to this podcast and leave a comment! Let us know your thoughts. Thank you for showing up and listening, for being part of this community. Stay tuned for the replays, and we can't wait to bring you even more in the next season. Sending love to you all.