Mama Bear Dares

On Episode 268, Tesi and Leslie sit down with Holiday Reinhorn, author and co-founder of LIDÈ Haiti, a community-based organization providing academic support and arts programs that EMPOWERS adolescent girls and differently abled youth who have been denied equal access to education. In this fantastic conversation Holiday reminds us of the transformative power of the arts and inspires us with her story, her wisdom, and her dedication to spreading creativity and love in this world.

On Episode 267 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie sit down with Lauren Ornelas, the founder of the Food Empowerment Project, an organization that seeks to create a more just and sustainable world by recognizing the power of one’s food choices. The women discuss farm worker rights, veganism, chocolate slavery, the lack of access to healthy foods, and how we can all make more informed choices that can ultimately prevent injustice against animals, people, and the environment.

On Episode 266 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie talk about how systems, policies, and economic stimulus plans have repeatedly failed people of color, women, and minorities. They dive into the history of these harmful policies and talk about how in the midst of a global health pandemic and the consequential economic collapse, it’s the poor and marginalized who continue to lose. For complete Show Notes, head to the Mama Bear Dares website. 

On Episode 265 Leslie and Tesi sit down with Jen Hatmaker, writer, speaker, activist and author. The three discuss showing up in life as genuine, curious, brave, truth-tellers and change-makers. They celebrate putting in the internal work required to know and love yourself and how, even when the cost of high, living authentically brings freedom and joy. The conversation is filled with passion and laughter; you’ll come away inspired to own and live your truth in this complicated world!

On Episode 264 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie jump into the racial and economic disparities that COVID-19 is shining a great big spotlight on in the United States. As we begin to see more data and hear more about the racial and class discrimination this virus is highlighting in our society, the two women look at all of the symptoms and underlying conditions in Black communities, Latinx communities, and under-resourced and under-served communities that have led to this place.

On Episode 263 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie sit down with activist April Reign, the woman who propelled her hashtag “OscarsSoWhite” into a powerful movement challenging the lack of representation of marginalized communities in Hollywood … and beyond. The women discuss April’s work, using your influence and skill to fight for permanent systemic change, and why the posture of learning and how it’s essential to being a better advocate or ally.

On Episode 262 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi takes listeners into the future with a special interview with Matt Thraxton, a friend who has lived through the worst of Covid-19 in Shanghai, China. He tells listeners what it was like for him to experience weeks in lockdown in China AND gives us hope that life can (and will) go back to some sort of normal. For Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

Episode 261: The Bold World with Jodie Patterson

Episode 260: Mama Bear & the Global Health Pandemic

Episode 259: Stop Cursing the News & Run for Local Office! w/ Adrienne Martini

Episode 258: Human Trafficking with Rebecca Bender

Episode 257: The School-to-Prison Pipeline

Episode 256: Lead with Love with Monroe Alise

Episode 255: Lean Hard on Your Gal Pal

Episode 254: Phones, Games, Screens, & (Over)Use with Nadja Streiter