Madness Cafe

Raquel Howard and Jennifer Bolanos
  • 5.0 (36)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A feminist current events/social commentary podcast where we discuss politics, health and wellness and women's rights issues.

  1. 233. Witchy Women with N.G. Avant

    6D AGO

    233. Witchy Women with N.G. Avant

    Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode! Our guest this week, N.G. Avant, is an award-winning indie author who made the leap into fiction after working in municipal politics. Her first series, Capital City, grew out of her experience in politics. She joins us to discuss her new book Nexus, which is the first book in her new series, Witchy Women. This series continues N.G,'s focus on strong female leads, resilience, and empowerment while weaving in themes of politics, justice, and magic. Women, their journeys, their friendships, and their resilience are at the heart of both series. Tune into the discussion to hear how writing has been a huge part of N.G.'s healing while shaping her voice and her process.  Where to find N.G. Avant:                                                                                       Website: ngavant.ca Instagram: @NGAvantAuthor Email: author@ngavant.ca Support the show Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com. Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen! Thanks!

    58 min
  2. 232. 7 Types of Rest: Sleep Alone Is Not Enough

    DEC 11

    232. 7 Types of Rest: Sleep Alone Is Not Enough

    Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode! Ah, rest - arguably most of us don't get enough of it. Did you know that sleep is only one way to rest? In fact, there are 7! Tune in to find out what the 7 types are and why they're important. Photo by Baptista Ime James on Unsplash Articles referenced for this episode: https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health/seven-rest-types https://ideas.ted.com/the-7-types-of-rest-that-every-person-needs/ https://www.verywellmind.com/types-of-rest-11794029 https://lynnfraserstillpoint.medium.com/grind-culture-016fce563d9a Support the show Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com. Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen! Thanks!

    1 hr
  3. 231. BANNED BOOKS SERIES: Dear Martin by Nic Stone

    DEC 4

    231. BANNED BOOKS SERIES: Dear Martin by Nic Stone

    Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode! Dear Martin by Nic Stone stands as the final book in our 2025 Banned Books Series. Dear Martin tells the story of a Black teenager trying to work through the effects of being racially profiled by the police. But that's only one part of the story; there's quite a bit packed into this concise, tightly written book. Tune in to hear our reactions to Nic Stone's brilliant and thought-provoking debut. We also share our reflections on how we have been affected by reading and discussing banned books.  Support the show Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com. Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen! Thanks!

    1h 2m
  4. 230. Come On Now?!! Did Liberal Feminism Ruin the Workplace?

    NOV 27

    230. Come On Now?!! Did Liberal Feminism Ruin the Workplace?

    Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode! By now, just about everyone has commented on the New York Times OpEd piece "Did Liberal Feminism Ruin the Workplace?". Well, now it's our turn. Tune in to hear our thoughts about the saga. Mentioned in this episode: - "Did Liberal Feminism Ruin the Workplace?" https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/opinion/women-workplace-feminism-conservative.html - "Women Didn't Ruin the Workplace. Capitalism Did." https://www.salon.com/2025/11/10/women-didnt-ruin-the-workplace-capitalism-did/ - "When the Headline Gets It Wrong" https://msmagazine.com/2025/11/08/conservative-feminism-new-york-times-headline-liberal-feminism-ruin-workplace/ - The New York Times' Cowardly War on Women" https://jessica.substack.com/p/ny-times-douthat-feminist-workplace - "Did the New York Times Ruin Opinions?" https://wkamaubell.substack.com/p/did-the-new-york-times-ruin-having?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&fbclid=IwY2xjawOUSPJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtQ0hLaGdnUXJtdHNIVkNpc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjyCl6vYg7QY3FnzD83X2N1FJJWKTnY91J3hfa9zuWoq2hfMSbKY7uSUzSS__aem_rMThy1r9Oma8gNg23uFQ0A&triedRedirect=true Support the show Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com. Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen! Thanks!

    57 min
  5. 229. BANNED BOOKS SERIES: Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

    NOV 20

    229. BANNED BOOKS SERIES: Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

    Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode! It's time for another installment of our Banned Books Series! This month we're discussing Almost Perfect, winner of the first Stonewall Award for Children's & Young Adult Literature, written by Brian Katcher. This book follows Logan, a high school senior, as he works through his feelings about his friendship and budding romance with an 18-year-old trans woman. This is a well-written book worth reading and discussing. Tune in to hear our conversation.  Support the show Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com. Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen! Thanks!

    53 min
  6. 228. "God wants us to be free and have the dignity of choice" with guest Rev. Erika Ferguson

    NOV 13

    228. "God wants us to be free and have the dignity of choice" with guest Rev. Erika Ferguson

    Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode! In this post-Roe world of fewer states with legalized access to abortion care women are forced to travel to get the healthcare that they need and want. Our guest this week, Rev. Erika Ferguson, founded an organization that helps women make that journey - Tubman Travel Project, a first-of-its-kind travel model for reproductive freedom travel. Tune in to this inspiring conversation to hear how Rev. Erika was fueled by her own experience as a teenager to pay it forward to help as many women and families as she can.  Where to find Rev. Erika Ferguson and the Tubman Travel Project: Website: www.tubmantravel.org  Instagram: @tubmantravel Facebook: facebook.com/tubmantravel Podcast: The Repro Report Support the show Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com. Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen! Thanks!

    1 hr
  7. 227. Vibrancy in Midlife with guest Carla Wainwright

    NOV 6

    227. Vibrancy in Midlife with guest Carla Wainwright

    Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode! So much of the popular lore around midlife leads us to believe that it's just a slog to endure. And, honestly, so many women in midlife feel like that's true. But it doesn't have to be this way. Our midlife years can be full of vibrancy, joy, passion and reinvention. How do we make that happen? Our guest Carla Wainwright knows how. Tune in to find out what she has to say about adding some joy and vibrancy to midlife. Carla Wainwright is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Sexual Awakening Facilitator, and Midlife Alchemist. She supports women 40+ to boost energy, balance hormones, and reconnect with their pleasure and vitality through a blend of metabolic health strategies, nervous system healing, and feminine embodiment practices.  With a background in biology, homeopathy, and over two decades of experience in the healing arts, Carla bridges science with sacred wisdom. She is especially passionate about helping women reframe midlife as a transformative rite of passage – a portal to deeper clarity, creative power, and authentic expression.  Where to find Carla Wainwright: Website: https://vibrancyreset.com/ Instagram: @carlawainwright Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlaWainwrightCreatrix/  Free Gift ~ Vibrancy Guide: https://vibrancyreset.com/ Support the show Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com. Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen! Thanks!

    58 min
  8. 226. Why We Need Restorative Justice with guest Leah Brown

    OCT 30

    226. Why We Need Restorative Justice with guest Leah Brown

    Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode! When someone is harmed, whether by an individual or a system, the harm is often holistic - meaning the effect of the harm is not contained to one area of that person's life. That said, it makes perfect sense that the justice and healing be holistic as well. But what does that look like? How is that put into practice? It starts with a new understanding of justice and a new type of justice system - one that is empathetic rather than punitive. That's where today's guest, Leah Brown, comes in. Tune into our conversation to hear more about restorative justice and how it can be utilized by individuals, organizations, systems, and societies. Leah Brown, a lawyer and accredited mediator, is the founder of The WayFinders Group, a change management consultancy, where she helps organizations navigate high-stakes transitions and institutional crises through restorative approaches. She's also the host of The Longest Day Podcast and the new podcast, Address the Harm.  Where to find Leah Brown: TikTok and Instagram: @leahtalks_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahbrown-frsa/ YouTube: @leahtbrownfrsa Websites: www.leahtalks.com, www.thewayfindersgroup.com, www.thelongestdaypodcast.com and www.addresstheharm.org  Support the show Be part of the conversation by sharing your thoughts about this episode, what you may have learned, how the conversation affected you. You can reach Raquel and Jennifer on IG @madnesscafepodcast or by email at madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com. Share the episode with a friend and have your own conversation. And don't forget to rate and review the show wherever you listen! Thanks!

    56 min
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5
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

A feminist current events/social commentary podcast where we discuss politics, health and wellness and women's rights issues.

Information

  • Creator
    Raquel Howard and Jennifer Bolanos
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    236
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Madness Cafe
  • Show Website
    Madness Cafe