Since launching Thank You, Mama on International Women's Day 2020, I've had the privilege of speaking with extraordinary women from around the world—artists and scientists, CEOs and stay-at-home moms, bestselling authors, pop stars, retirees, and entrepreneurs—about their mothers, their legacies, and the lessons that shape who we become. Across 183 episodes, these conversations have shared deeply personal stories and hard-won wisdom, revealing how universal our experiences are as women, daughters, and sometimes mothers. They've reminded me that being a woman means belonging to a global sisterhood—one we too often forget to draw strength from—and they've changed me profoundly, making me more grounded, grateful, and connected.

That growing treasure chest of maternal wisdom has made it clear that it's time to begin work on the Thank You, Mama book, which will gather and share these lessons from mothers around the world. Writing it requires time, reflection, and the same care that has always guided the podcast. To make space for that work while continuing the show sustainably, Thank You, Mama will move to a seasonal format, with episodes released in two seasons each year—spring and fall—separated by intentional breaks. This shift allows the podcast and book to inform one another while keeping the conversations thoughtful and meaningful. Thank you, dear listeners, for being part of this journey and community. The next season of Thank You, Mama will launch later this spring, and I can't wait to share it with you.

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Originally published in 2021, I'm replaying this remarkable interview in solidarity with the courageous women of Iran and to offer you historical context for the protests unfolding today. Retired preschool teacher Mitra Jordan reflects on the life and legacy of her mother, Sattareh Farman Farmaian - widely regarded as the mother of social work in Iran and author of Daughter of Persia (highly recommended).

Sattareh was raised in a royal harem as one of 36 children born to the ruling prince of the Qajar dynasty. She earned a degree in sociology from the University of Southern California, worked for the United Nations in Iraq, and then returned to Iran to found the country's first school of social work. Under her leadership, the school flourished, training hundreds of social workers and launching programs in family planning, women's education, and orphan care, with strong support from Farah Diba, wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

In 1979, the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini forced Sattareh, at age 58, to abandon her life's work and flee Iran. She rebuilt her career in the United States, passing her exams and becoming a practicing social worker in Los Angeles.

Mitra shares the lessons her mother lived by: the importance of education and self-reliance, the courage to follow one's own path, the refusal to be defined by your circumstances, and the often-overlooked mental benefits of physical exercise.

You will find "Daughter of Persia" by Sattareh Farman Farmaian here.

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To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: info@thankyoumama.net

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Elodie Ferchaud is a co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Boundless Life, where she helps families slow-travel the world while ensuring their children receive a high-quality education.

A mother of four raising her children across borders, Elodie is building a global company while juggling school runs, bedtime negotiations, and night feeds. She speaks about her mother, Françoise, a music teacher who successfully balanced her passions and career with being a deeply present parent, and who showed extraordinary resilience through her battle with cancer, followed by the devastating loss of her son. Françoise taught Elodie to love life, maintain a positive outlook, accept change, trust in her own resilience, remain open to new experiences and cultures, and believe that a healthy balance between motherhood and a professional career is possible. Elodie also talks about how motherhood can be a superpower that can fuel your ambitions, and shares how she is managing life as a mother of four - including a 7-month-old baby - while growing an international business that takes her around the world.

To learn more about Elodie and Bountless Life, visit here.

Subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…" newsletter here.

To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: info@thankyoumama.net

For more about "Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net

Connect with Ana on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/

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