This episode also marks the finale of Season 1 and we answer questions about the challenges of family dynamics. You’ll hear questions from Wounded Not Broken, Solamente Uno?, and New Auntie, and advice from Momma B, the director of America’s first crisis hotline, a photographer chef, and a woman in the wilds of Wisconsin.

This episode’s advice and insight were provided by:

• Eve R. Meyer, MSW, MHSA has been Executive Director of San Francisco Suicide Prevention for over 20 years and is a frequent spokesperson on suicide issues. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago, and a Masters Degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan.
• Phyllis Grant is a Chef, photographer, and writer, and also a mother of two. You can read more stories (and recipes!) from Phyllis on her award-winning blog, Dash & Bella.
• Aunt Mary Ellen is a retired operating room nurse and the all-around best aunt! She is also the proud grandmother of eight! Isn’t she the best?

PRESS RELEASE—August 31, 2017; SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Advice for The Long Haul

All summer, we’ve been exploring what it means to make progress—professionally, personally, and creatively. But how do we make that progress last? Momma B is here to help with advice for the long haul of a creative project, the strategic planning of a fruitful career, and the balancing act between your work and personal life. This episode also includes solid advice from a rock-&-rolling engineer, an actress you’ll recognize from TV, and the founder of a start-up.

This episode’s advice and insight were provided by:

• Michaela Watkins, an actress, comedian and writer. She’s most excited for you to see her on the third season of Causal on Hulu. She has also appeared on TV in The New Adventures of Old Christine, Enlightened and Transparent as well as in the films, The Back-up Plan, Wanderlust,  and Enough Said. She was also a cast member on Saturday Night Live.
• Bryan Garza, an entertainer, engineer, and wonderful husband. He has been the singer of the indie-rock band, Scissors for Lefty, since 1999. In that time, his band was signed to Rough Trade Records (UK) and played over 500 shows, touring with The Arctic Monkeys, Erasure, Smashing Pumpkins, and Metric to name a few. He also worked as a quality engineer in biomedical industry before joining UCSF as an analyst and technology project coordinator. He now makes music with his wife as Love Jerks. 

PRESS RELEASE—July 27, 2017; SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Making Progress with Advice from Mom

Figuring out your personal process of progress can be tricky! Momma B is here to help with advice for taking feedback on your work, balancing your creative pursuits with your daily responsibilities, and playing well with others. This episode also includes solid advice from all-star guests like some Nashville songbirds, Whit Hill & Kira Small, a novelist currently on the NYT best seller list, Janelle Brown, and the one of NPR’s favorite duo, The Kitchen Sisters!

This episode’s advice and insight were provided by:

• The Kitchen Sisters, Davia Nelson & Nikki Silva; the producers of the duPont-Columbia and James Beard Award-winning series, Hidden Kitchens on NPR’s Morning Edition and two Peabody Award-winning NPR series, Lost & Found Sound and The Sonic Memorial Project.
• Janelle Brown, a New York Times bestselling author of the novels All We Ever Wanted Was Everything, This Is Where We Live, and currently on the NYT best seller list, Watch Me Disappear.
• Kira Small; a nationally touring singer-songwriter, recording artist, 2015 International Songwriting Competition Finalist, 2012 Independent Music Awards winner and former member of Berklee College of Music’s Voice Faculty. 
• Whit Hill; a Nashville-based singer-songwriter and a winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival's New Folk competition—one of folk music's greatest honors. 
• Hadley Davis Rierson; a Los Angeles-based writer for television (“Dawson’s Creek,” “Spin City,” “Scrubs”) and film (Disney’s “Ice Princess”), mother, wife and arts advocate. 
• Majo Molfino; a writer, speaker, women’s creative leadership coach and the host of Heroine
• Nathalie Arbel; a San Francisco-based writer and editor, currently working on a book called Data-Driven Marketing 

PRESS RELEASE—June 28, 2017; SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Start Something Big This Summer with Advice from Mom

Trying to start a big creative, professional, or personal project? Pittsburgh's favorite podmom, Momma B is ready with advice to help you kickstart your productive summer. This episode includes some solid advice from all-star guests like world-touring DJ Atish Mehta, New York Times illustrator Wendy MacNaughton, Zak and Shira from the Pregnant Pause podcast and Doree Shafrir, author of the novel Startup. Momma B even says a bad word! 

This episode’s advice and insight were provided by:

• Doree Shafrir is a Senior Tech Writer at BuzzFeed News and author of the novel, Startup. She and her husband make a podcast together called “Matt and Doree's Eggcellent Adventure: An IVF Journey.“

• Wendy MacNaughton is an illustrator and graphic journalist. 

• Atish Mehta is a DJ and an electronic musician, performing around the world. 

• Zak Rosen and Shira Heisler make a podcast called “Pregnant Pause with Zak & Shira.”

PRESS RELEASE—May 9, 2017; SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Advice From Mom (now with more moms!)

For this special Mother’s Day episode, we are going into mom-overload with listener questions about how to talk to your parent about their mental health, how to help little ones adjust to a culturally-different environment, and how to convince your partner that you two should adopt. Each question will be slathered in 3 doses of advice and we’ll be playing plenty of mother daughter pickleball, but this time, I’m not in San Francisco, many states apart from my mom. For this episode, I’m within hugging distance. And you know who else is? Some of my mom’s wise friends, who are also moms (and don’t worry, also skilled professionals). That’s right: we are IN the mothership.

This episode’s advice and insight were provided by:

• Dianna L. Ploof, EdD is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Co-Director of the Office of Faculty Development. Trained in organizational development and behavioral science, she also consults with organizations in areas such as leadership development, team building and conflict management. She would say her most important role has been as the mother of a now 26-year son. She also loves to do jigsaw puzzles with my mom!
• Rev. Mary Lynn Gras is a Christian minister and mother and grandmother, who loves to knit.
• Dr. Lani M.Ventura-Mustin is a chiropractor and mother of 3, who loves to kickbox.
• In our introduction, we interview Beth Dean, a product designer at Facebook, who works at the intersection of ethics and advertising. She is also an illustrator who creates weirdo comics, psychedelic posters and spooky toys.

PRESS RELEASE—April 27, 2017; SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Advice From Mom Provides A Road Map for Life’s Unexpected Detours

On April 27th, Advice from Mom releases its fifth episode, focused entirely on life detours. As spring comes into blossom, this episode is perfectly timed for the many life transitions and surprises that come up as 2017 emerges from winter and hits its stride.

The podcast provides empowering advice and a dash of motherly concern for anyone whose life has taken an unexpected turn. If you are struggling with a big decision or fearful of an impending change, this podcast is for you.

This month’s  expert guests include a detour-loving novelist, a newscaster-turned-fertility advocate, and a retired NASA engineer. This month Momma B and the experts take on three big questions: How do you cope with a life you never planned for? How do you embrace change? How do you know when it's time for a big life change?

About the Podcast

Advice from Mom is a cross-generational effort to answer life's big questions. The podcast is anchored by the advice of Momma B, a therapist based in Pittsburgh "on a one-woman mission to mother a mentally healthy world" and hosted by her daughter Rebecca. Each month, Momma B tackles a new subject with a variety of expert guests, while Rebecca simultaneously supports and prods her mother like only a daughter can. The affection between this mother-daughter pair shines through as they earnestly take on their listeners’ questions.

This episode’s second opinions are provided by:

• Eli Horowitz, the creator and director of the podcast, Homecoming from Gimlet Media. He is also the co-creator of The Silent History, a digital novel; The Clock Without a Face, a treasure-hunt mystery; and was the managing editor and then publisher of McSweeney’s.
• Suzanne Rico, a journalist, fertility advocate, and world traveler. She spent 8 years, as an anchorwoman on KCBS-TV, Los Angeles.
• Ronda L. Metcalf (back by popular demand), who works at UCSF, dispatching for Facilities Services.
• Jerome Bortman (yep, that's right!), spent his 35+ career working for The Navy, NASA, and The Department of Justice. He is a prostate cancer survivor, dedicated to raising cancer awareness with the Obediah Cole Foundation and saving Floridian fowl with Save Our Seabirds.  

About Advice from Mom

This podcast is founded on the belief that we need our mothers like we never have before. Not just our own mothers, but the mothers of the world. Once upon a time, advice from elders was easy to come by. Large families lived in one place and you knew all your neighbors. Now generations are divided by physical distance and an ever-widening technological gap. New ways of communicating leave older generations behind and divert our attention away from them.  Why ask your parents when you can Google it? Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire, so we’re digitizing good old-fashioned Advice from Mom. The podcast will continue through 2017, with each episode tackling a different subject. The next topic is creative pursuits. Anyone can submit a question at advicefrom.mom/request.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to offer diagnosis or treatment of any medical or psychological condition. All treatment decisions should be made in partnership with a health professional.

About Momma B, Elizabeth Skibinski-Bortman, PhD

For more than thirty years, Dr. Elizabeth Skibinski-Bortman has worked with individuals, families and corporate clients as a therapist, teacher and public speaker. Dr. Elizabeth, licensed psychologist and family therapist, approaches listeners’ concerns in the broader context of family, work and social environments. Guiding them through an assessment of their circumstance, she helps people understand the important roles that others play in their emotional lives and encourages them to explore their options so they can take action, change and grow.

Dr. Elizabeth has a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Learning & Development from the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her externship in family therapy at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic. She now lives in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, where she has her own private practice. In her free time, she enjoys playing Scrabble, Zumba, and a miniaturized tennis-like sport called Pickleball.

About The Host, Rebecca Garza-Bortman

Rebecca Garza-Bortman is a designer, musician, and host of the podcast, Advice from Mom, living in San Francisco. She has spent the past ten years working in San Francisco’s tech and music scenes. She led YouTube’s first visual redesign initiative before joining MasterClass as their first employee and designer. In addition to designing the platform’s user experience and brand, Rebecca worked on the company’s first three classes, where she was inspired by the practical wisdom of famous masters like Dustin Hoffman and Serena Williams. She helped the co-founders build their team to 30 employees before starting her own company, Wise Ones. Wise Ones collects diverse life advice and distributes it in personalized podcasts. Advice from Mom is the company’s first public podcast.

Rebecca is at just the right place in life to create this podcast: young enough to relate to twenty-somethings, but old enough to see herself in her mother’s shoes. As a woman contemplating motherhood herself, she can’t help but examine more closely society’s relationship to mothers. As a young person in a youth-obsessed culture, she has the power now to set a precedent and treat her elders as she hopes to be treated one day.

As a singer, Rebecca has fronted the indie bands My First Earthquake and Happy Fangs. She now makes music with her husband, Bryan Garza as Love, Jerks. In September 2015, Rebecca and Bryan performed their own rock opera wedding, featured in Entertainment Tonight, The New York Times, and GQ. She's a proud Pittsburgher and graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, School of Design with a minor in creative writing.

Press Contact

Jane P. Riccobono
Publicist, Wise Ones Advice Services
getadvicefrommom [at] gmail.com

Direct Links

Listen: http://www.advicefrom.mom/listen

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/advice-from-mom/id1185450856?mt=2

Imagery: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/10bir2cqex53cjo/AABVbi3xHeynfctO0BW5iqSba?dl=0

Past Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE—March 30, 2017; SAN FRANCISCO, CA

ADVICE FROM Mom delivers help for the heartbroken & a breakup workbook

On March 30th, Advice from Mom releases its fourth episode, focused entirely on dealing with and healing from romantic breakups. This episode is perfectly timed for the end of March because, as Facebook data scientist Lee Byron tells listeners, March is the month with the most breakups, culminating in April Fools Day, the day with the most breakups of the year. The podcast provides a much-needed dose of empowering advice and an affectionate kick in the pants for anyone who has experienced a breakup—whether it was after just a few dates or multiple years of a committed relationship.

In addition to advice, listeners can download an interactive workbook to use themselves or share with a heartbroken friend. The mother-daughter team behind the podcast felt that this topic required additional support, so for the first time they are branching into new forms of media to help their listeners. The workbook includes 20 introspective journaling prompts culled from Momma B’s thirty years of experience helping clients in her psychology practice. The workbook is a step-by-step guide to understanding post-breakup emotions, gaining new insights on past relationships, and cultivating an emotionally authentic future. The working title is (adorably) Baby Steps to Greatness. The workbook is available for free until April 10th. After that, the team will incorporate listener feedback into printed copies that will be available later in the month.

The episode is a collection of good-for-the-heart wisdom from a range of knowledgeable expert guests including the seasoned host of a radio dating show, an accomplished lifestyle blogger, and a matter-of-fact music producer. The episode is anchored by the advice of Momma B, a therapist from Pittsburgh "on a one-woman mission to mother a mentally healthy world." The show is hosted by her daughter Rebecca, who simultaneously supports and prods her mother like only a daughter can.

This episode’s second opinions are provided by:

• Lee Bryon, Facebook data scientist and creator of Information is Beautiful’s “Peak Break-Up Times on Facebook”
• Damona Hoffman, certified dating coach and host of "Dates & Mates" on UBN Radio
• David Katznelson, Grammy-nominated music producer and Executive Director of Reboot.  
• Gabrielle Moss, associate lifestyle editor at Bustle and author of GLOP: Non-Toxic, Expensive Ideas That Will Make You Look Ridiculous & Feel Pretentious.

PRESS RELEASE—February 28, 2017; SAN FRANCISCO, CA

ADVICE FROM MOM brings you Career Advice for Toxic Workplaces

On February 28, Advice from Mom releases its third episode, focused entirely on the emotional side of the workplace. At a moment when toxic work environments have entered the spotlight through stories like that of former Uber engineer Susan Fowler, this podcast provides a much-needed dose of empowering advice and a splash of motherly affection for anyone who has worked in a traumatic environment.

The episode is a collection of enlightened workplace wisdom from a range of colorful and heartfelt guests including a high-powered HR executive, an accomplished author, and a matter-of-fact acupuncturist. The episode is anchored by the advice of Momma B, a therapist from Pittsburgh "on a one-woman mission to mother a mentally healthy world." The show is hosted by her daughter Rebecca, who simultaneously supports and prods her mother like only a daughter can.

Advice from Mom is a cross-generational effort to explore life's big questions. Each month, Rebecca and Momma B tackle a new subject with a variety of expert guests. This month they take on three classic workplace woes: toxic work environments, losing your job, and feeling like you can’t be yourself at work.

The podcast host and designer, Rebecca Garza-Bortman and her mom, licensed psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Skibinski-Bortman, PhD, thoughtfully discuss the dilemmas that many people encounter while working. Momma B is the mom that even moms need sometimes. The affection between the two shines through as they earnestly take on their listeners’ questions.

This episode’s second opinions include Kelli Dragovich, SVP, People at Hired; Tim Federle, author of the Better Nate Than Ever series and Tequila Mockingbird; Tre Laughlin of All Systems Health; Sadia Harper of Collective Health; and Julie Mora-Blanco of Adobe.

PRESS RELEASE—January 26, 2017; SAN FRANCISCO, CA

ADVICE FROM MOM brings you self-actualized dating advice

Today Advice from Mom releases its second episode, focused entirely on dating. This episode is an amazing collection of romantic wisdom from a professional matchmaker, a dating podcaster, and a single mother who has seen it all. The episode is anchored by the advice of Momma B, a therapist mother from Pittsburgh "on a one-woman mission to mother a mentally healthy world". The show is hosted by her daughter Rebecca, who simultaneously supports and prods her mother, like only a daughter can.

This podcast provides a much-needed dose of motherly affection and advice for anyone in search of their soulmate or a better view on their own soul.

Advice from Mom is a cross-country advice podcast between a psychologist mom and her designer daughter. Each month, they tackle some of life's big questions with a variety of expert guests. This month they explore dating from three perspectives: providing advice for those who miss the puppy love of younger years, for those who feel misunderstood while dating, and for those who are looking to make a friendship into a romance.

The podcast host and producer, Rebecca Garza-Bortman and her mom, licensed psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Skibinski-Bortman, PhD, thoughtfully and warmly discuss problems that many people have in their search for love. She is the mom that everyone, even moms, need right now. The affection between the two shines through as they earnestly take on their listeners’ questions.

This episode’s second opinions include Lisa Podell, a former matchmaker for The Dating Ring, founder of Better Sessions, and Free Advice Girl and Charlie Beckerman, the creator of the podcast Serial Dater, one-half of Fashion It So, the Internet's premiere Star Trek: The Next Generation fashion blog, and writer for Bustle.com.

PRESS RELEASE—DECEMBER 22, 2016; SAN FRANCISCO, CA

NEW PODCAST, “ADVICE FROM MOM,” IS THE REMEDY FOR POLITICALLY-DIVIDED HOLIDAY HOUSEHOLDS

Today “Advice from Mom,” launches a new bonus episode, providing a much-needed dose of motherly affection when many people are headed home to difficult political conversations. Host Rebecca gets advice from two of her family's wise matriarchs, who voted very differently this election season. 

“Advice from Mom” is a cross-country advice podcast between a psychologist mom and her designer daughter. Each month, they tackle some of life's big questions with a variety of expert guests. This month they explore coping with a post-election world.

Walking through the streets of San Francisco the day after the election, Rebecca Garza-Bortman saw pain in the faces of her friends and neighbors and wanted to do something about it. All of a sudden she knew just what they needed. They needed her mom. So she put out a call to everyone she knew: “What are your post-election woes? I’ll ask my mom for advice and make a podcast for you.” The result is a podcast in which Garza-Bortman and her mom, licensed psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Skibinski-Bortman, PhD, thoughtfully and warmly discuss problems that many people are having this election season.

From the newly red state of Pennsylvania, Momma B gives maternal advice grounded in her work as a therapist and enlivened by her charm and eccentricity. She is the mom that everyone, even moms, need right now. Across the country in blue state California, Garza-Bortman challenges and pokes fun at her mom like only a daughter can. The affection between the two shines through as they earnestly take on their listeners’ questions.

Garza-Bortman also brings in voices from those within the political sphere for a second opinion. This episode’s second opinions come from former Obama staffer Arun Chaudhary, and former legislative staffer and political campaign manager Ahmad El Najar.

If you’ve been hurting since the election, this podcast is a hug for your ears. The podcast is available on iTunes and online at AdviceFrom.Mom.

PRESS RELEASE—DECEMBER 22, 2016; SAN FRANCISCO, CA

NEW PODCAST, “ADVICE FROM MOM,” IS THE REMEDY FOR POLITICALLY-DIVIDED HOLIDAY HOUSEHOLDS

Today “Advice from Mom,” launches a new bonus episode, providing a much-needed dose of motherly affection when many people are headed home to difficult political conversations. Host Rebecca gets advice from two of her family's wise matriarchs, who voted very differently this election season. 

“Advice from Mom” is a cross-country advice podcast between a psychologist mom and her designer daughter. Each month, they tackle some of life's big questions with a variety of expert guests. This month they explore coping with a post-election world.

Walking through the streets of San Francisco the day after the election, Rebecca Garza-Bortman saw pain in the faces of her friends and neighbors and wanted to do something about it. All of a sudden she knew just what they needed. They needed her mom. So she put out a call to everyone she knew: “What are your post-election woes? I’ll ask my mom for advice and make a podcast for you.” The result is a podcast in which Garza-Bortman and her mom, licensed psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Skibinski-Bortman, PhD, thoughtfully and warmly discuss problems that many people are having this election season.

From the newly red state of Pennsylvania, Momma B gives maternal advice grounded in her work as a therapist and enlivened by her charm and eccentricity. She is the mom that everyone, even moms, need right now. Across the country in blue state California, Garza-Bortman challenges and pokes fun at her mom like only a daughter can. The affection between the two shines through as they earnestly take on their listeners’ questions.

Garza-Bortman also brings in voices from those within the political sphere for a second opinion. This episode’s second opinions come from former Obama staffer Arun Chaudhary, and former legislative staffer and political campaign manager Ahmad El Najar.

If you’ve been hurting since the election, this podcast is a hug for your ears. The podcast is available on iTunes and online at AdviceFrom.Mom.

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The Breakup Workbook

Press Contact
Jane P. Riccobono
Publicist, Wise Ones
getadvicefrommom [at] gmail.com