Hi, I'm A Real Matriarch | Grit City Punk Episode 21 | Vinyl and Merch | Fall Shows
It has been an intensely overwhelming summer and fall, between back to school (I am a matriarch for real) and a family medical semi-emergency. I’m constantly reminded of how our society, the greater music industry included, fails to provide adequate support for mothers and caregivers, especially considering how essential our work is for the well being of said society, and how evolutionarily speaking no one person is meant to do so much alone. Every great thing that has happened could not have happened without the foundational work of mothers and caregivers, even if our own mother was absent…everything great anyone is able to accomplish could not have happened without a mother. I see side glances when I tell people I’m actively playing shows, touring even, and they wonder out loud…”who’s taking care of the kids?” People do not bother my cismale spouse with the same stupid questions when he talks about his passions. Do not forget the creative, fiercely loving power and influence we have, the next time you feel any kind of urge to say “but don’t you think you’re too old” or “aren’t you too busy with your kids” as if mothers are not allowed our own passions and creative endeavors.
And in the context of our current political landscape, I’m more determined than ever to write and make noise as a fucking mother. I talked a little bit about new material I’m working on in episode 21 of the Grit City Punk podcast, where Jeremy and I talked extensively about our love for Sonic Youth, the intersection of punk, politics, trauma, and parenting and I encourage you to listen. It was a heavy conversation but I enjoyed connecting with him about it all immensely.
As a mother, I look forward to playing more shows this fall in the Pacific Northwest! I felt some grief after my summer East Coast tour with Amy and Meagan, I felt so at home for every single show and yearned for that same feeling here in Washington, where I haven’t quite spent as much time with the local music communities here. That is about to change and in this time of division and tribalism, I’m so looking forward to connecting with more and more folks here, starting with Bremerton this coming Saturday. Visit the Shows page for all the dates! I’ll be selling awesome t-shirts designed by Saiyare Refaei and printed by Peter Tietjen of Relayer shirts (who also appears on Red Ship!).
Saiyare Refaei is a gifted artist and activist based here in Tacoma, and I’m so honored that they shared their talents in not just the t-shirt design but also the ‘Red Ship’ vinyl art! The vinyl is currently in production at the pressing plant and will come out January 25, 2026. If you pre-order, you'll likely get it well before then! Pre-ordering is available here on Bandcamp with a portion of these proceeds going to Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF). Ceasefire or not, the children of Palestine need our continued support. Thanks to everyone who purchased Mỹ Lai to Rafah on Bandcamp as I was able to make a donation to Doctors Without Borders with the sales thus far!
Here's a sneak peak of the beautiful vinyl art on Red Ship:
My first thought about building better everyday study habits is that the everyday experience deserves as much attention as the larger explanation. Small routines can help students begin work even when motivation is low. I would keep that thought nearby when looking for ideas about student study habits. I would be interested in a simple example, because it is often the ordinary details that make an idea memorable. What makes a study routine realistic enough to maintain throughout a school term?
What draws my attention to using digital tools in vocational learning is the possibility of making an unfamiliar subject feel closer to everyday life. Digital resources are most useful when they help students practise a recognisable workplace task. It also gives the phrase digital vocational education a clearer meaning than a label on its own. I am still thinking through the details, and a small example would help me picture how this works in practice. Which activities benefit from an online tool and which still need hands-on practice?
Considering making online counselling easier to approach, I keep coming back to the difference between knowing about an idea and putting it into practice. Knowing how a first conversation works can reduce uncertainty about asking for support. It gives me a more concrete starting point for thinking about online counselling information. A short discussion of an everyday example would make this easier for me to connect with, especially as someone still learning about the subject. What practical information should be available before someone books an online session?
I can see why making personal safety education age appropriate would invite discussion, since different people will bring different experiences to the same question. Clear language about boundaries makes an awkward subject easier to discuss respectfully. It also gives the phrase personal safety education a clearer meaning than a label on its own. I am more curious about the process than a polished result, because the steps in between are usually where questions appear. How can lessons about personal safety remain understandable at different ages?
The subject of learning through imaginative preschool play feels more interesting when there is room for a reader to stop and ask their own questions. Inventing a story together gives children room to experiment with language and ideas. It gives me a more concrete starting point for thinking about imaginative preschool play. I can imagine different answers depending on the situation, so I would want to understand the context before drawing conclusions. How can adults support imaginative play without deciding every detail?