The Amsterdam Mamas Podcast: Recent Episodes
Amsterdam Mamas
Providing information and support to International families in Amsterdam and across the Netherlands. Even in the city, it takes a village.
In this episode, we talk to Amsterdam cycling aficionado Henry Cutler, founder of WorkCycles, about biking in Amsterdam, including the surprising reason why scooters share the bike paths and why there can never be too many cyclists in Amsterdam. We also answer a listener question about bringing grandparents to live in the Netherlands, introduce our new co-host Nerissa, and say goodbye to Donna.
http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/sharing-bike-path-bikes-and-scooters-amsterdam
In this episode, we cover the Dutch secondary school system including the streaming procedure, CITO exam, and some particular aspects of the process that are unique to Amsterdam.
In this episode, we share an interview from the Hiraeth Podcast about migration and the search for home. Host Monica Perez Vega talks to guest Kristina about the different forms of migration she has experienced, including coming to the Netherlands as both a refugee and an expat.
Show Notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/around-world-search-home Hiraeth Magazine: http://hiraethmagazine.com/
In this episode, we shine a light on the experience of burnout in the Netherlands, and hear three perspectives on burnout from our community, including Amsterdam Mamas' director Emmy McCarthy's story.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-burnouts
In this episode, we discuss eating disorders and body image issues in teens, globally and in the Netherlands.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/teens-body-image-and-eating-disorders
In this episode, we talk to Eowyn Crisfield about the concept of language status and how it affects the outcomes of bilingual education.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/privilege-paradox-bilingual-education
In this episode, we talk to parenting coach, and former teacher and social worker, Alison Ochs about perfection and parenting. We explore the pitfalls, cultural taboos, and the reality of parenting while also being human. We also poke a little fun at our own imperfect podcast with a few totally legit listener emails.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/articles/so-youre-not-perfect-now-what
In this bonus segment, Katherine and Donna discuss some decluttering advice from a recent FB discussion, as well as the strangest thing you can recycle in Amsterdam.
In this episode, we talk to a stay-at-home dad and working mom about parenting and gender roles.
Show notes:
In this episode, we talk with an Amsterdam Mama of seven children to find out what it’s like to navigate city living with a larger-than-average family. We also discuss the decision to close the Village Card.
In this episode, we hear the story of two Amsterdam Papas and learn how they became the parents to twin boys through gestational surrogacy. We find out what their options were as gay (intended) fathers, how they decided on surrogacy, what decisions they had to make along the way, and what sort of legal issues they encountered after the birth. Their story spans three countries, involves a change.org petition, and required over 200 pages of legal documents. Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/pride-papahood-rainbow-family-story
In this episode, we interview two parents raising neurologically-atypical children in the Amsterdam Mamas community: Lucinda Juliani, founder of the Special Needs Families in the Netherlands support group, and Debbie Reber, founder of the TiLT Parenting podcast and website.
We touch on both their of their choices to move to the Netherlands, how they navigated their educational options, the needs they had and where it led them. The parenthood journey, it turns out, often takes us to unexpected destinations.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/when-parenting-takes-you-somewhere-different
In this episode, we talk to child psychologist Kate Berger from the Expat Kids Club about how to help children adjust to an international move. We also hear from four new arrivals to Amsterdam, to find out what it’s like to be in the midst of the adjustment. Finally, we learn about a new Amsterdam-based magazine exploring the theme of migration.
Show Notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/moving-internationally-kids-what-expect-and-how-help-them
In this episode, we talk to psychologist and Amsterdam Papa Stephen Davies about the changing role of fathers. We also explain how the OV-chipkaart system works and how to register your child to travel for free on NS trains.
Shown notes: www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/what-does-dad-do
this episode, we kick off our third season and introduce our new co-host, Katherine Perretta, as well as some new segments. We hand the mic over to our director, Emmy McCarthy, to talk about whatever she wants for five minutes or less -- and we find out her thoughts on her original "business plan" for Amsterdam Mamas, five years later. Finally, we kick off a listener question series, but this time co-host Donna Bardsley starts off with a question for our listeners: should she get her 13-year-old a smartphone?
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/amsterdam-mamas-five-years-old
Interested in being part of the Amsterdam Mamas Podcast? We're looking for families in our community to contribute to our next season!
Are you new to Amsterdam and looking for fun things to do with your children? Or have your children outgrown some of their old favorite spots? Maybe you’ve lived here for a long time but are curious about what other families do in their free time. Either way, we’ve got you covered!
On this final episode of season 2, we ask experts from our community and from our Amsterdam Mamas’ team about their favorite things to do in Amsterdam with kids.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/our-top-things-do-kids-amsterdam-season-2-episode-18
In this episode, we check in with our guest "Mohammed" from our EU refugee crisis episode (#2), 6 months after our initial interview, to see how he and his family are doing.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/update-mohammed-six-months-later
In this episode, we bring you the story of a mother who found herself trapped in a foreign country and a living nightmare, fighting for the right to go home with her children. Roz Osborne is the founder of GlobalARRK, a support group for parents stuck abroad. She sits down with host Donna Bardsley to share her experience.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/when-international-family-law-gets-messy
In this episode, we talk to Ian Curry-Sumner, a consultant in international family law, about one of our most frequently-asked questions: what documentation does a parent need to travel alone with their child across international borders?
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/solo-parent-travel-and-law
In this episode, we talk to Mischa Rus about the practical issues of school choice in Amsterdam, how the lottery and placement system has changed in recent years, and how the system currently stands.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/education-amsterdam-part-3-lotteries-and-school-choice
In part two of our education series, we explore new and interesting innovations in Amsterdam. We’re featuring two movers and shakers in the field of education, who also happen to members of the Amsterdam Mamas community. We talk with Jessika Lynch from TEDxAmsterdamEd, and then with Dylan Hyman about her new school, Spring High, opening in the Fall of this year.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/education-amsterdam-part-2-innovations-season-2-episode-13
In this multi-part series, we’re exploring topics related to education in Amsterdam and the Dutch system, with international families in mind.
In this episode, we talk to Annebet van Mameren from New2NL about how international parents can best navigate the Dutch education system. We’re also joined by Tatia Gruenbaum to talk about two of her initiatives: The Little English Library (in Breda) and Swap 20, a free book lending program for teachers (facilitated by the American Book Center in Amsterdam).
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/education-amsterdam-part-1-school-faqs-and-swap-20-season-2-episode-12
Host Donna Bardsley is joined by Mark Winstanley, artistic director of the Queen's English Theatre Company in Amsterdam. We talk about English accents, the theatre scene in Amsterdam, the history of the QETC, and their upcoming play One Man, Two Guvnors. Book your tickets today! www.Qetc.nl
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/one-man-two-guvnors-amsterdam-show-notes-season-2-episode-11
Conversations about healthcare in the Netherlands
In this episode, we discuss healthcare and giving birth in the Netherlands. Jolanda de Bie, a healthcare researcher, talks about three important aspects of Dutch healthcare: medical insurance, GP’s, and cultural expectations. Mari Gordon, a certified doula, goes over some common myths and misconceptions about giving birth in the Netherlands. We also hear from Amsterdam Mama Barbara Fine, about a surprising house visit.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/doctors-dr-martens-show-notes
In this episode, we talk to Bianca Isaincu from Child and Youth Finance International about the importance of talking to kids about money, best practices for pocket money, and what's happening during Global Money Week 2016.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/kids-and-money-show-notes-season-2-episode-9
In this episode, we talk to members of our community to find out what Amsterdam has to offer families, as well as maybe what it’s lacking.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/yes-amsterdam-kids-podcast
In this episode, Amsterdam Mama Jemyrr Gavino shares her story of experiencing domestic abuse as an international mother in the Netherlands, and how she bravely reached out for help from Amsterdam Mamas.
We discuss the obstacles she faced seeking resources and support as a non-Dutch speaker, statistics about domestic abuse in the Netherlands, and Jemyrr’s new foundation for English speaking victims of domestic abuse in the Netherlands, ARISE.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/it-takes-village-show-notes-season-1-episode-7
On this episode, we meet the Amsterdam Mamas team, learn more about The Village Card, and meet our first Volunteer of the Month.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/meet-amsterdam-mamas-team-show-notes-season-1-episode-6
We’re happy to partner with the Amsterdam Academy’s podcast, and bring you an interview from their launch episode: an interview with UVA sociology Professor Christian Broer on the effects of city noise on our well-being. Then we’ll share some audio clips from the AM Spooktacular Parade in Vondelpark recently, with a few hundred or so families, some of whom tried to answer the question: where are you from?
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/sounds-city-show-notes
In this episode we bring together the admin team of the Amsterdam Mamas Facebook group for a frank discussion about moderating a large online parenting group.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/how-grow-village-city-show-notes-season1-episode-4
A quickfire run-through or our most common questions, and offerings for families in Amsterdam.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/you-asked-we-answered-show-notes-season-1-episode-3
In this episode, we talk to a Syrian refugee about his journey to the Netherlands. We also interview Lucinda Sallis, an Amsterdam Mama's member with extensive experience in relief charities.
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/eu-refugee-crisis-show-notes
The Amsterdam Mamas from Facebook to website to podcast...
Find out:
How we started Why we decided to become a foundation When we didn’t get things right and what we did to change it Why 2014 was our hardest year Where we’re going in the future What people would be most surprised to learn about Amsterdam Mamas Why we love our volunteers so much What is our greatest achievement so far…
Show notes: http://www.amsterdam-mamas.nl/stories/launch-episode-show-notes-season-1-episode-1