Charissa Promes is a journalist, podcast host, coach, writer and mother of three. After more than ten years of experience as a performing dancer and six years in the media, she changed her life. Because when motherhood came to her she experienced uncertainty, mental challenges and social isolation. Therefore, she decided that she wanted to support and connect with others to experience a more beautiful beginning of motherhood. So Charissa founded mommy conversations where she brings together mothers to support each other. She also launched the podcast Top Mothers to go on a quest and look into the different forms of motherhood, discuss topics such as motherhood and career, love after having kids, selfcare and guilt. The podcast has become part of her own healing journey and has allowed her to reflect on her own motherhood journey. In this episode we talk openly about our own motherhood journeys, the complexities that come with it, love after kids, being a mother in a capitalist society. Talking to Charissa was wonderful, raw, honest. We vented, laughed and cherished each other and I want to thank Charissa for being so open.  This episode also underlines that reproductive work which includes raising kids, cleaning, cooking, caring for the elderly and sick is work!! Unfortunately though it is most of the time unpaid, or poorly paid, it is gendered and racialized, not acknowledged enough, given little value, exploited. However, reproductive work is labour, that comprises of life making activities and without those our society would not exist, would not flourish. Reproductive work is not women's work, it is not something that we do naturally, it is not something we are born with. It is unwaged work that is undervalued while provided society with the next generation of workers. So let that sink in and enjoy the episode wonderful people :) Host: Stella Saliari At Salt the Podcast my guests and I contest and deconstruct narratives, and passionately recreate with the aim to change systems and perceptions. We want to elevate a generation that is feminist, antiracist and empathetic. Our conversations flow into each other and leave room for the unexpected. Salt is love, community, solidarity, a collective, healing, creating. It is intersectional, full of stories, movement and change. It insists, evolves and transforms. It is a commitment. #saltthepodcast #motherhood #reproductivework #parenthood #memories #racism #selfcare #topmoeders #loveafterkids #childrearing #labouroflove #intersectionalfeminism #domesticwork Follow Salt @salt_thepodcast Subscribe to Salt The Podcast on Soundwise