Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!It's time for the next installment of our Banned Books Series! This month's book is The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. Published in 2018, The Poet X tells the story of a 15-year-old Dominican American girl finding her voice as she grows up and comes to terms with life, school, and family.Although The Poet X is classified as a Young Adult book there's more than enough substance for "not so young" adults to hold on to. Join us in the discussion and let us know what you thought of the book if you've already read it or let us know what has tempted you to pick it up if you haven't yet. About Elizabeth Acevedo:Elizabeth Acevedo was the 2022 Young People’s Poet Laureate and the New York Times-bestselling author of The Poet X, which won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, the Pura Belpré Award, the Carnegie medal, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and the Walter Award. She is also the author of With the Fire on High—which was named a best book of the year by the New York Public Library, NPR, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal—and Clap When You Land, which was a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor book and a Kirkus finalist.She holds a BA in Performing Arts from The George Washington University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland. Acevedo is also a National Poetry Slam Champion.Support the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!So much has happened in our lives since our last life episode that we decided to give y'all an update. Tune in to hear what's going on with us!Mentioned in this episode:Money Mindset Financial Coaching: website, podcast, Instagram, YouTubeMunk's Motors: websiteSupport the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!This week's guest Saoirse Nash shares her personal story of living with a long-time chronic UTI and the struggle to get the necessary testing and treatment. Saoirse is a director, content contributor and patient liaison at Live UTI Free Ltd., a globally recognized women's health research and education organization. Saoirse's work is focused on supporting women in accessing appropriate treatment and testing, particularly for pelvic and bladder health. Through her past and present health struggles Saoirse has become incredibly passionate about helping people improve and maintain their health holistically.  Saoirse also works as a health coach, massage therapist, and yoga instructor.Where to find Saoirse and Live UTI Free:Live UTI Free: https://liveutifree.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/@LiveUTIFreeSaoirse Nash: https://www.instagram.com/the.wholehealthcoach/Support the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Do you remember sex ed from your school days? Did you actually learn anything? Is sex ed even taught in schools anymore? If it is, its days are likely numbered in this political climate. It turns out lack of adequate, comprehensive sex education is universal. In this week's episode we talk to someone who is doing something about this in her community. Our guest, Amy Orr, is working to educate and empower young people to open up the conversation and break the stigma surrounding periods and to help alleviate period poverty in Ireland by supplying free reusable cloth pads to students through her Navigating Periods with Confidence program.Mentioned in this episode: Eco Femme, https://ecofemme.org/Where to find Amy Orr: Website: www.youme.ieInstagram: @youme.ieSupport the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!This month's selection is The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid. Published in 2022, The Last White Man is the fifth novel by the British Pakistani novelist and consultant Mohsin Hamid. Written as an extended allegory, it tells the story of an unnamed town in an unnamed country whose white inhabitants have all begun to change skin color from pale to brown. The novel explores themes of race and whiteness as constructs, loss and mourning, and conspiracy theories. The Last White Man is a thought-provoking and, sometimes, uncomfortable read, but it's definitely worth your time. We couldn't find out exactly why this particular book was banned but there are several obvious reasons why book banners might be keen on banning it. Read the book before passing judgement. It's slightly more than 200 pages so it's a quick read, but it'll stay with you long after the final page. Mentioned in this episode:  Velshi Banned Book Club: 'The Last White Man' by Mohsin Hamid - YouTubeSupport the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, poverty continues to be a seemingly unsolvable issue in the United States. But is it really unsolvable? This week's guest, Devon Gray, argues that poverty is a problem that can be solved. In this episode, we speak with Devon about possible solutions that could put an end to poverty. Devon Gray is the president of EPIC (End Poverty in California) which aims to end poverty in California by elevating the voices of people experiencing it, creating and implementing bold policies rooted in their needs, and advancing a state agenda focused on equal opportunity for all. Prior to joining EPIC, Devon was a director with Evergreen Strategy Group, where he advised gun violence prevention organizations on policy and strategy. Devon previously served in the Newsom Administration as Special Advisor to the Governor’s Chief of Staff and is an alumnus of national and statewide political campaigns. He is a graduate of Stanford Law School and the Stanford Graduate School of Education. Devon lives in Orange County where he serves as a delegate to the California Democratic Party.Mentioned in this episode:A Blueprint for a Just and Inclusive Economy - policy-paper.pdfWhere to find Devon Gray and EPIC:Instagram: @devonjgray @endpovertycaTwitter/X: @devongrayca @endpovertycaLinkedIn: @devonjgray @endpovertycaWebsite: endpovertyinca.orgSupport the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!In this episode we speak with guest Anika Pavel about her memoir Encounter with the Future, chronicling her journey from childhood in communist Czechoslovakia to her experience as an immigrant to her life now as a writer. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Every life tells a story, and Anika's is no exception. Tune in to hear for yourself!Where to find Anika Pavel's work:Website: www.anikapavel.comInstagram: @anika.pavelSupport the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!In this episode, we have the genuine pleasure of chatting with our Super Fan Susannah Cragwick! After all of the mutual admiration, we dove into Susannah's incredible story of redefining herself after growing up in a high control, conservative religious environment, adjusting to living in a foreign country where she doesn't yet speak the language, and discovering her true Goddess energy. Joy truly abounds in this discussion - you don't want to miss it!Susannah Cragwick is a writer, poet, artist, and crochet pattern designer from Butte, Montana. Her work focuses on themes of feminism, healing from religious trauma, setting boundaries, and processing and healing from perfectionism-based anxiety. Susannah writes weekly on Substack and also creates "Poetry and Patterns" collections that combine her poetry with crochet patterns she designs. Susannah now resides with her husband in Southeast Finland. Where to find Susannah's work:Instagram: @sjcragwickdesigns Substack: https://susannahcragwick.substack.com/Support the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Welcome to the 2nd installment of our Banned Books Series! This month's book is Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake, a 2003 novel that Atwood described as speculative fiction rather than pure science fiction because it doesn't deal with things we can't yet do but goes beyond the amount of realism she associates with novels. Oryx and Crake is one of the most-banned books by school officials in the U.S. due to its adult themes and occasional pornographic material. Tune in to our discussion and read the book for yourself - Oryx and Crake, in our opinion, is a very well-crafted story that is incredibly thought provoking. Support the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Given the amount of mis- and disinformation in the news it's increasingly important that we make smarter decisions about the news we consume and where we get it. But how do we do that? Our guest, journalist and anchor, Jasmine Styles talks to us about what we need to keep in mind when figuring out where to go for accurate information.Jasmine Styles has been helping write the first draft of history as a news anchor and reporter for more than a decade. She has primarily worked in the South but had a short stint in the Midwest. Jasmine has been in the eye of a hurricane, just behind yellow crime scene tape, and in the front row during historical moments. Jasmine is on the board of the largest minority journalism organization, the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and has served as president for 2 affiliate chapters.Through networking, mentorship, friendship, and her own experiences Jasmine has been able to get multiple perspectives on how news works, what needs to be fixed and what the future holds for the media.Jasmine is a Florida State University graduate and a Sunshine State native. She’s also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.Reputable accurate news sources recommended by Jasmine:NPR (National Public Radio)AP (Associated Press)BBC (British Broadcast Channel)Your local news outletsWhere to find Jasmine:Instagram: @_newsbaeTikTok: @_newsbaeYouTube: @jasminestylestvSupport the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Porn's influence is everywhere - just take a look around. But what is it like to work in the porn industry as a writer, to have a view behind the curtain. Robert Rosen's book Beaver Street: A History of Modern Pornography gives the reader a view that isn't often discussed. Tune in to hear about Robert's experiences behind the scenes. Robert Rosen is the author of the international bestseller Nowhere Man: The Final Days of John Lennon. Over the course of a controversial career, he has edited pornographic magazines and an underground newspaper; has written speeches for the Secretary of the Air Force; and has been awarded a Hugo Boss poetry prize. Where to connect with Robert Rosen:Website: https://www.robertrosennyc.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/851310265221196Instagram: @rrosen2727X/Twitter: @rrosen2727TThreads: @rrosen2727Support the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!In many ways, the country (and possibly the world) is trying to make sense of the 2024 election and what lies ahead. We’re doing the same. Join the postmortem and let us know how you’re processing Trump’s reelection. Support the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Welcome to the 1st installment of our Banned Books Series! In this episode, we discuss George M. Johnson's All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto. This is a beautiful and important book. Tune in to hear our reactions to and understanding of All Boys Aren't Blue. Afterwards, let us know your thoughts about the book.  George M. Johnson (they/them) is an Emmy nominated, award-winning, and bestselling Black nonbinary author and activist. They have written on race, gender, sex, and culture for Essence, the Advocate, BuzzFeed News, Teen Vogue, and more than forty other national publications. George has appeared on BuzzFeed’s AM2DM as well as on MSNBC. They are also a proud HBCU alum twice over and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Their debut memoir, All Boys Aren’t Blue, was a New York Times bestseller and garnered many accolades. It was the second-most banned book of 2022 in the United States, according to the American Library Association. For their work fighting book bans and challenges, the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) honored George with its Free Speech Defender Award, and TIME Magazine named them one of the “100 Next Most Influential People in the World.”Support the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Sometimes a poem or a piece of writing just speaks to you. In the first book of our Banned Book Series, All Boys Aren't Blue, George M. Johnson talks about Paul Laurence Dunbar's We Wear the Mask - a poem that has significant meaning for Raquel. Share with us a poem or piece of writing that has impacted you!Support the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Have you ever wondered why you react in certain ways or why you have particular feelings or aches and pains? It turns out that a lot of it is based in childhood. It's our subconscious blueprint. Although there are a number of helpful techniques to uncover our blueprint, one very helpful tool is rapid transformational therapy (RTT). Our guest this week, Chloe Jimenez-Peters, is a Transformational Hypnotherapist and Trauma Informed Coach who works with women worldwide to rapidly identify and transform the subconscious blueprint of PMDD and perimenopause symptoms so that they can expand into their full potential, thrive with purpose and have the fulfilling harmonious relationships they deserve. As a Narcissistic Abuse Specialist, Chloe also supports women in transforming the effects of toxic relationships, navigate the disentanglement and set them up for success. With a medical background and a deep understanding of the subconscious mind, Chloe helps clients uncover and heal root-cause traumas, freeing them from the painful manifestations and setting them up with the subconscious success blueprint for creating the abundant life of inner peace and purpose that is their birthright. Passionate about guiding women toward self-worth and fulfilment, Chloe works to rewire the mind and reshape the nervous system, paving the way for each client to experience the thriving, harmonious life their soul is calling them to expand into.Where to find Chloe Jimenez-Peters:Website: https://chloejimenezpeters.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloejimenezpeters/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChloeJimenezPeters/Book a FREE 15-minute discovery call: https://calendly.com/chloejimenez/15minSupport the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!Regardless of whether you are tuned in to popular "news", chances are pretty good that you've heard something about the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni saga. We dive in with our opinions about this debacle in this minisode. What are your thoughts about all of this?Mentioned in this episode:Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat BohannonSupport the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!In this week’s episode we’re telling y’all about one of the ways that we are striking back at Project 2025 - we’re doing  a banned book series in 2025! For each month of the coming year we’ll discuss a book that has been banned. In hopes that y’all will join us in this reading journey, the list of all of the books in the series below. January - All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. JohnsonFebruary - Oryx & Crake by Margaret AtwoodMarch - The Last White Man: A Novel by Mohsin HamidApril - The Poet X by Elizabeth AcevedoMay - Maus I and II by Art SpegelmanJune - Lawn Boy by Jonathan EvisonJuly - The Absolutely True Diary Of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman AlexieAugust - Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. JacksonSeptember - We Are the Ants by Shaun David HutchinsonOctober - Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse AndrewsNovember - Almost Perfect by Brian KatcherDecember - Dear Martin by Nic StoneSupport the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!We're trying something a bit different here at Madness Cafe - minisodes! These are a chance for us to pop in from time to time when we feel the urge to chat a little about a timely topic in the zeitgeist. Our very first minisode is about Black trad wives. We have opinions! (Shocker!) What do you think about Black trad wives? DM us on Instagram (@madnesscafepodcast) or email us (madnesscafepodcast@gmail.com) and let us know!Support the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!What is ethical non-monogamy? Is it the same as polyamory? Are we talking about swinging? We're talking about all that and more with Lauren Hayes, a relationship coach specializing in supporting ethically non-monogamous (ENM) couples, including swingers and the ENM-curious. You might be surprised about what you learn in this episode.Lauren Hayes, trained in both life and relationship coaching, helps couples navigate and engage the swinging and non-monogamous community in the healthiest of ways. Her approach aims to help couples build their ideal relationship, regardless of whether or how many others it includes. She also brings personal experience to her coaching having been married for nearly 20 years and ENM (swingers) for the last 6 years. She offers coaching and practical advice grounded in her own life as well as professional training - she goes by Swinging Lifestyle Coach.Where to find Lauren Hayes:Website: https://www.swinginglifestylecoach.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swinginglifestylecoachFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwingingLifestyleCoachYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVZR-9HggJ51NaJnXCnq0EwThe Examined Lives of the Secret Wives Podcast: https://pod.link/1767688018Support the showBe 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!

Join the conversation by letting us know what you think about the episode!How much do we really know about our parents, grandparents, and our family history? How do they fit into the backdrop of history as a whole? Susan Servais' mother Kathe Mueller Slonim gave her family the gift of her story in the book Escape From Dachau: A True Story of Survival, Courage, and A Daring Escape in the Face of Unthinkable Evil. This book is a memoir couched in history that reads like a novel. Tune in to hear our conversation with Susan about her truly amazing family and what we can learn from their experience. Susan Servais is the retired CEO of  a non-profit, the Massachusetts Health Council and the daughter of Kathe Mueller Slonim, the author of Escape from Dachau.Support the showBe 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!