As many of my US listeners know tomorrow, November 6, 2018 is Election Day and Midterm elections, and we have the power to change and shift the paradigm of maternal and infant mortality in America with our vote.  In today’s episode I sit down with March of Dimes President Stacey D. Stewart to discuss their Blanket Change Campaign launched on October 10th, and why our vote matters in this election, why the maternal death rate is getting worse as technology advances, and how working together with March of Dimes gives all new moms a better chance to be there for their babies.

In today’s episode we are discussing the Cost of our Mental Health and therapy with licensed psychotherapist Dr. JaNae Taylor.  JaNaè is a licensed psychotherapist in Virginia Beach, VA, where she owns and operates, Taylor Counseling and Consulting Services. JaNaè works with Black men and women who are struggling with harmful self-evaluations. Therapy with JaNaè helps them create a more empowered and focused sense of self that is more aligned with their beliefs and values. JaNaè also provides consultations to Black Entrepreneurs, in every stage of the game, who are working to balance their mental health, Black identity, and successful businesses.  Minding My BLACK Business is a movement and podcast dedicated to the mental health of Black Entrepreneurs, led by Dr. JaNaè Taylor. The goal is to engage, inform, and support other Black Entrepreneurs as they manage the business of work!  In this episode Dr. JaNae and I talk about the cost of therapy and how & why Mental Health Awareness Month is important.

Today’s episode is a solo episode and its a Mother’s Day episode as Mother’s Day is this upcoming Sunday, May 13, 2018.  I share the letter I wrote in a recent blog post to Grieving Mothers and Sisters in Loss for Mother’s Day.  In this episode I am also recapping my weekend spent in NYC keynoting with a short clip of my keynote, and how it was meeting some of my listeners, and podcast guests in person.  I also talk about my first Mother’s Day experience after my loss and the importance of sisterhood in this episode.

In today’s episode we have Heather and Dimitri Wilson, who lost their daughter Kennedy to stillbirth, and they share how the 1st year has been since starting their Non-Profit Organization called Kennedy’s Angel Gowns in January 2017.   You may remember Heather,  she was my first guest on the Sisters in Loss Podcast and shared her stillbirth story of daughter Kennedy in Episode 2.  In this episode Heather and her husband Dimitri share how running a non profit centered around loss has effected their relationship, and now after 1 year and 4 months into starting their non profit and dealing with loss everyday how it has impacted them both.  We also talk about their 2nd Angel Ball that is taking place tomorrow, Saturday, April 28, 2018 and what they are looking to do to transform the Hampton Roads area.

This episode is brought to you by The Honey Pot Company.  Did you know that there was a black owned, plant based feminine care company?  The Honey Pot companies goal is to educate, support and provide women around the world with the tools and resources that promote feminine health and wellness.  I was first introduced to the Honey Pot company through a CurlBox body and received their 3 in 1 Sensitive Wipes.  I loved them so much I had to repurchase.  To learn more about the Honey Pot Company and to get a discount on products visit EricaMMcAfee.com/Honey for more information.