Role Mommy  

Today we speak with two amazing moms who are finding ways to pursue their passion while raising a family.  These singer/songwriters have overcome incredible obstacles and are living their dreams!  So how about taking a page from their playbook to see how you can jump start your personal passion and get motivated!

Joy Rose is the founder and Executive Director of Mamapalooza Inc., a company by Women, Promoting (M)others for cultural, social and economic benefit. Joy is the mother of four children and was inspired to affect social change, based on her experiences as a wife and mother in her suburban community after a profound illness. Diagnosed with lupus in 1994, she embarked on a journey through chemotherapy, dialysis and ultimately a kidney transplant, while noticing deep personal and cultural discontent. Emboldened by the battle with illness and committed to her children, she realized her own life was falling apart. With a passion to inspire through creativity, she set about forming a company that would initiate opportunities for mothers in the arts. In a male dominated business known for dismissing women based on physical attributes, age and lifestyle choices, Joy has courageously led a group of over 40 volunteer staff and over 1,000 members on a crusade to celebrate mothers in music and arts. Actually pioneering a new culture of mom-inspired performance, Mamapalooza Festivals currently take place on forty plus stages internationally. Joy is committed to creating a great company and a lasting legacy of empowerment and support, while redefining what it means to be a modern mother. She is also the founder and lead singer of the rock band, 'Housewives On Prozac' and continues her work for Lupus research, and as feminist activist in the arts.
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Live Loud!
Becoming Mothers of Unlimited Self-esteem

Mamapalooza, Inc. is: A company by Women, Promoting (M)others for cultural, social and economic benefit.

Dedicated to serving, promoting, celebrating, encouraging, inspiring and awakening ALL mothers through the media and performing fine arts.   Musicians, authors, comics, dancers, filmmakers, designers, craftswomen, educators, and community leaders coming together in a collaborative effort to highlight the challenges of motherhood in an ever-evolving personal, social, cultural, sexual and political landscape. 

Our mission is to empower, encourage and enlighten all women to claim their voice.  Establish a new art form that speaks to the unique and collective perspective of women who are mothers, while sharing this with the world. Act as a resource and lifestyle guide for mothers seeking support in mainstream and alternative settings. To support the choices mothers have made, and educate them financially, in order to support these choices.

Mamapalooza, Inc: Recognizes and honors the growing awareness of moms. Their personal stories, their power as both consumers and constituents, and their continuing need and desire to creatively express themselves.  

We recognize that art is a tool for social change. Mamapalooza encourages women to use their medium to build self esteem, break down stereotypes, create unity, encourage diversity, inspire individuality, and empower future generations.  

We recognize that art elevates the spirit in times of hardship and transition and brings joy to everyday life.  Our creations celebrate our humanity, define our experiences, and serve as healers and peacemakers. 

We recognize the vital importance to laying a new foundation for women who are mothers, and the impact this has on future generations. Mamapalooza is strongly committed to our youth, and is committed to changing the perception that children are a liability in the professional and performing arts world - they are often inspiration and foundation for our creative endeavors.

For those of you who listened to our show today or if you're just about to download it and listen on the run, we wanted to make you aware of a great promotion from Sittercity.com.

Consider this "Oprah After the Show" - except I'm not Oprah - I'm just a busy mom with two kids, a job, a husband and a cat who sometimes yaks on our rug...oh and now a Blog Talk Radio Host too! 

Anyway, Genevive Thiers, the founder of Sittercity.com is offering a special discount to Role Mommy listeners and subscribers!  If you use their site to try to locate a babysitter, you'll get 10% off your registration fee!  So act now and get a few hours of free babysitting...not too shabby!  Just enter Role Mommy into the promotion code and you'll be golden!  To visit Sittercity.com, Click Here.

We had a great chat today with television news anchor and new mom Meg Oliver who shared with us how she recently found a nanny, plus Tamara Pillblad, founder of Whereismybaby.com talked about how her company helps you keep track of your new caregiver through a GPS system that can be tucked away in a diaper bag or a stroller!  And Genevive Thiers, shared how Sittercity can help you find a great babysitter for your kids through their innovative website and maybe even line up a few sitters in the wings in case your #1 choice has alternate plans for the evening!

So if you have time, download the show and get the 411 on nannies and babysitters!

Coming up next Tuesday...our very first Mom of Reinvention Show featuring mom singer, songwriter and CMT music video finalist Sue Fabisch - who has written and performed several hilarious and best-selling songs including "I Am Walmart Woman!"  To watch Sue's billboard chart topping video, Click Here

 To return to our Role Mommy home page, click here!

"ROLE MOMMY ON THE RUN"

SHOW TITLE:  THE 411 ON NANNIES

Today's show focuses on everything you want to know about finding the perfect nanny... from searching for a great caregiver for your child, to the latest technology to keep your kids safe, to a new mom and television anchor who talks about her recent search for a full-time babysitter, Role Mommy gives you the 411 on nannies!  Guests include Meg Oliver, anchor of CBS News' Up to the Minute; Tamara Pillblad, Founder of Whereismybaby.com and Merry Pop-ins, LLC; and Genevive Thiers, founder of Sittercity.com.

Meg Oliver - TV Anchor & New Mom
Meg Oliver is the anchor of Up To the Minute, CBS News’ overnight broadcast.

Oliver has served as a freelance correspondent based in Washington, D.C., for CBS Newspath since May 2005. She has covered several major news stories, including the nomination of Chief Justice John Roberts, President George W. Bush's 2006 State of the Union address and the congressional hearings on the federal response to Hurricane Katrina.

Prior to that, Oliver had been the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. weekday anchor for KGPE-TV in Fresno, Calif. (2001-04). She was a reporter and anchor at WWJ/WKBD-TV in Detroit, Mich., (1998-2001), and a reporter at WTIC-TV in Hartford, Conn. (1997-98). Oliver served as a reporter for North West Cable News in its Seattle and Boise, Idaho, offices (1995-97). She began her journalism career as a reporter and anchor at KCFW-TV in Kalispell, Mont. (1993-95).

Oliver has earned eight Emmy nominations, including one for "Outstanding Anchor" and two for "Best Reporter." She received an Associated Press award for her reports on "The Storm of 1998," as well as three other Associated Press awards and two Society of Professional Journalists awards. Oliver also received a 2001 Michigan Association of Broadcasters award for a series on Airport Security after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Oliver was born in Birmingham, Mich. She was graduated from the University of Montana in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. Oliver and her husband have one daughter.

TAMARA PILBLAD, Founder of Whereismybaby.com & Merry Pop-ins, LLC.

Merry Pop-ins.LLC is a New York licensed and bonded Nanny Surveillance and Risk Assessment Company that provides Nanny Surveillance services in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island, including the Hamptons. The company was founded by two working parents: a retired New York City Police Captain who started his own security and investigative service and a New York attorney who served five years on active duty with the United States Army's Judge Advocate General's Corp.

As working parents, we have the right and obligation to know how and where our caregivers are spending time with our children. Under-regulated and unsupervised, the childcare industry does not have a spotless reputation. There are documented cases of neglect, physical and emotional abuse, and criminal activity by caregivers. There are also countless examples of misuse of time, inappropriate behavior and general dishonesty by caregivers whom parents trust and even recommend to others. Our mission is to provide you peace of mind by observing and recording your nanny's whereabouts and activities with your child. Whereismybaby.com provides easy to read maps that reveal the time, duration and location of your caregiver and child, written reports and surveillance videos. With this information, you can make informed decisions regarding your choice of caregiver.

Whereismybaby.com uses cutting-edge GPS technology in conjunction with traditional methods of covert surveillance to satisfy your natural curiosity and suspicions without unnecessarily damaging your family's relationship with your caregiver.

GENEVIVE THIERS, founder of Sittercity.com

Sittercity is a privately-owned corporation founded in 2001 and is a certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBE). The site was created from a combination of blisters and flyers. With 20,000 flyers, founder Genevieve Thiers spread the Sittercity message to over 12 major colleges in Boston on foot to gather an opening database of 600 babysitters (and many blisters) within three weeks. The rest is history! Parents love their service for the accessibility it gives them to talented, caring babysitters and nannies, and sitters love it for the range of jobs it provides. Sittercity.com sitters are over the age of 17, located nationwide, and often skilled in areas like pre-med, early childhood education, CPR, and first aid. Background checks are available on all consenting sitters.

Sittercity is More Than A Web Site

Sittercity is not just an online company. The company also offers:

• Offline SpeedSitting events, are a blast and are coming to a city near you!
•  Corporate Program which allows companies to purchase memberships for their employees at hugely reduced rates, and includes partners like RMS Investments, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and more.
• A children's CD, Sittercity Sings, featuring some of the best kids' songs out there.
• Sittercitizens, amazing Sittercity sitters engaged in community service projects, are highlighted at Sittercity Serves.