Episode Details

Mother’s Day didn’t begin with flowers, cards, or brunch.

It began with war, grief, organizing, and resistance.

In this powerful episode of Rethinking Freedom, we uncover the true origins of Mother’s Day—from Ann Reeves Jarvis organizing mothers during the American Civil War, to Julia Ward Howe calling for mothers to unite against war, to Anna Jarvis fighting the commercialization of the very holiday she created.

But we don’t stop there.

This episode centers the global power of motherhood—from African traditions where Nneka means “Mother is greater”, to Indigenous systems where mothers held political authority, to modern-day movements led by mothers demanding justice for their children.

We explore:

👉 The radical history of Mother’s Day
👉 How capitalism transformed a movement into a marketplace
👉 The real cost of motherhood (economic, physical, emotional)
👉 Black, Brown, Indigenous, and global mothers who turned grief into activism
👉 A powerful “Support Mothers” action plan you can apply today

Featuring insights connected to The Joys of Motherhood and the lived realities of mothers across generations.

This is not just a celebration.

This is a reckoning.

✊🏾 FEATURED THEMES & FIGURES
Mamie Till-Mobley
Coretta Scott King
Betty Shabazz
Mothers of the Movement
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Black Mamas Matter Alliance
🔥 WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS

Because mothers are celebrated one day a year…

while the systems that burden them operate every day.

And if mothers are not supported…

are they truly free?

📻 LISTEN + FOLLOW

📅 Airs Mondays at 7 AM CST
📡 KRGN 98.5 FM | KVBM 104.7 FM
🎧 Available on all podcast platforms

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Let’s rethink freedom—together.

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