Posts by Cianna Reider

This week on the Well Woman Show, I interview Pamelya Herndon, an attorney and politician serving as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 28th district since 2021. She is a Howard University graduate and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law.

We discuss:

– Representative Pamela Herndon’s work and advocacy for justice, equality, and improving access to behavioral health and maternal healthcare, especially for women and people of color.

– Herndon’s personal background and how her family history and upbringing shaped her passion for social justice.

– Advice and insights Herndon shares on achieving success, balancing career and family, and the importance of following one’s passions.

Pamela also recommended the book: “A Black Women’s History of the United States” by Dana Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross.

She also mentioned the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee Meeting on November 19-22 – you can find out more here: https://www.nmlegis.gov/committee/Interim_Committee?CommitteeCode=LHHS

Remember:

Family Friendly NM Business Networking Oct 17 5:30-7:00

Join us on Thursday, October 17th and be inspired by leaders in the community!

Unlock Your Business Success: Be a part of the movement that prioritizes families and the economy in fresh and impactful ways.

Learn how to apply for the prestigious Family Friendly Business Award and elevate your workplace to new heights.

Network, have fun and uncover the path to recognition for your investments in both your business and your valued employees!

There is a business case for implementing family friendly workplace policies, this event is a perfect place to learn more.

Learn more

Also, 100 Women Albuquerque Oct 30 5:30-7:00

Once you donate, you become a member of 100 Women Albuquerque. Members suggest and vote on the nonprofit agencies that will receive funding. Each quarter five nonprofits are emailed out to the membership, they have three weeks to review and make their selection. The nonprofit with the majority of votes receives the funding. We keep a list of suggested nonprofits submitted from our members and all nonprofits are vetted.

Learn more

Don’t miss out on NMCSW’s Women’s Health Summit – New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women on November 8-9, 2024 at Isleta Resort & Casino.

Registration is limited so be sure to reserve your spot today.

Local women have shared their stories and the facts show that healthcare is a top concern here in New Mexico. As a result, this year’s Women’s Summit will focus on women’s health. Join the Commission on the Status of Women to hear incredible speakers, engage with other women, and attend panels exploring issues such as expanding access to care, women’s mental health, challenges for local medical providers, exploring community driven models of care, navigating healthcare resources, social determinants of health, and maternal mortality issues here in New Mexico.

Learn more

Hello Well Women! On the show today, I interview Genevieve Chavez Mitchell, local activist, global citizen, conscious investor, spiritual seeker and author of Sacred Money: The Power of Heart-Centered Finance. Genevieve’s background includes business and non-profit consulting, natural health care, and portfolio management. She is a proud mother and grandmother to her four sons and her four grandchildren. She co-authored the book Prayers to the Goddess: A Moon Cycle Devotion, with Anne Key. Genevieve is committed to a just, thriving, kind, regenerative Earth community. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

We discuss:

• Changing Your Money Story
• A Paradigm Shift From Me More Mine to Us We and the Earth
• Practical Tips to use your Money for a Better World
• Conscious consumerism

And much more

And happening next month, 100 Women Albuquerque will be meeting August 21st at 5:30pm in Albuquerque to amplify our impact and assist under-supported organizations. Come be inspired by the collective power of women. Join us to meet like-minded women committed to making a difference. Members can nominate local nonprofits and, promote a business or event during our meeting – I’ll be there facilitating the community sharing portion of the event and I’d love to see you there! Head over to 100WomenABQ.org for all the info and links.

I recently had the privilege of attending the White House Southwest Regional Business Briefing, where we heard directly from Biden-Harris Administration officials about the ongoing efforts to bolster our local economies through entrepreneurship and small business ownership. The discussions were rich with insights and resources aimed at supporting businesses, especially those committed to creating family-friendly workplaces.

At Family Friendly NM, our mission is to support businesses in thriving by fostering environments where families can flourish. We believe that when businesses adopt family-friendly policies, they not only enhance the well-being of their employees but also drive productivity, loyalty, and overall success. The White House briefing reaffirmed the importance of our mission and provided valuable resources to help us continue this crucial work.

At Family Friendly NM, we recognize that implementing family-friendly policies is a key driver of business success. Policies such as flexible working hours, paid family leave, and on-site or near site childcare not only support employees in balancing work and family life but also enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

During the briefing, I had the opportunity to ask two critical questions that are close to our hearts at Family Friendly NM:

1. Childcare for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs: I inquired about the availability and support for childcare solutions tailored to the unique needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs. The response was encouraging, highlighting that the SBA recognizes the importance of accessible childcare and is working to include this in their support programs. They emphasized that integrating childcare support is crucial for enabling entrepreneurs to focus on growing their businesses without sacrificing their families’ needs.
2. Family-Friendly Workplaces as a Strategy for Business Development: I also asked how the SBA is positioning family-friendly workplaces as a key strategy for supporting business development. While the SBA is doing incredible work in supporting small businesses, they have not yet fully integrated the messaging about the critical role family-friendly workplaces play in business development. This is where Family Friendly NM steps in. We will continue to be the voice advocating for the integration of family-friendly policies as a core business strategy, ensuring that the needs of both businesses and families are met.The White House briefing highlighted several policy priorities and resources that align perfectly with our goals at Family Friendly NM. Here are some of the key takeaways:
   1. Investing in America Agenda: This initiative focuses on strengthening local economies through investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and small business support. For businesses in New Mexico, there are specific state fact sheets available that outline opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small business owners.
   2. Small Business Administration (SBA) Resources: The SBA offers a wealth of resources designed to support small businesses. These include:
      • Digital Investing in America Small Business Hub: This hub provides detailed information on accessing grants, contracts, and other opportunities. It also includes free guides and examples of small businesses that have successfully secured funding.
      • Capital Access: SBA’s lending resources are invaluable for businesses looking to grow. Programs like the Lender Match Program can help businesses find competitive funding opportunities.
      • Government Contracting and Business Development: SBA programs aim to help small businesses win federal contracts, which can be a significant boost for growth and stability.
   3. Entrepreneurial Development: Access to training and counseling is crucial for business success. The SBA’s network includes Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, and the Association of Women’s Business Centers, all offering support tailored to the needs of small businesses.
   4. Disaster Recovery & Resilience: The SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience provides essential support to businesses affected by disasters, helping them recover and build resilience against future challenges.I’m grateful for the continued partnership with the White House and the SBA as we work towards creating more family-friendly workplaces across New Mexico and beyond. I encourage all business owners and leaders to explore the resources available and to consider how family-friendly policies can contribute to a thriving, resilient business environment.

      Read more at https://nmfamilyfriendlybusiness.org/building-a-thriving-family-friendly-workplace/

The Well Woman Show is thankful for support from Collective Action Strategies – a consulting firm that supports systemic change so that women and families thrive, and by the Well Woman Life Movement Challenge Quiz at

These two questions could change your life! – Well Woman Life

Hello Well Women! On the show today, I interview Katie Arnold. She is a longtime journalist and bestselling author of Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World (2024), which tells the story of a traumatic wilderness accident and her path to healing. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Running Home (2019). An elite ultra runner, she credits her joy and resilience in running to her deep Zen and writing practices. She leads Mountain and River Flow Camps throughout the Southwest, focusing on daily habits such as writing, wilderness, and meditation that cultivate presence and flow. Her stories have been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Outside Magazine, among many other national publications. She lives in Santa Fe with her husband and two teenage daughters.

We discuss:

• Katie Arnold’s new book “Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World”
• Aabout overcoming the limitations others placed on you
• Practices for connecting with one’s inner self and intuition, like movement, meditation, and writing
• Defining success and embracing one’s authentic gifts/talents

And much more

Katie recommended any and all books by Alice Munro

Learn more about Kate’s flow camps:

KATIE ARNOLD

Flow Camps are small, immersive retreats designed to bring us deeper into nature and our own imagination. Together in some of the most stunning landscapes in the West–rivers, mountains, deserts—we explore simple, pleasurable practices that help us cultivate more energy, flow, ease, and inspiration in our daily lives. These are “camps” in the best sense of the word: they allow us to step outside of our busy lives and into beautiful, remote places, and to experience the magic of moving and writing together in wilderness. We arrive as strangers and leave as friends.

The Well Woman Show is thankful for support from Collective Action Strategies – a consulting firm that supports systemic change so that women and families thrive, and by the Well Woman Life Movement Challenge Quiz at

These two questions could change your life! – Well Woman Life

Hello Well Women! On the show today, I Interview Elizabeth Bechard, Senior Policy Analyst for Moms Clean Air Force leading the organization’s work on climate change and mental health. She is author of Parenting in a Changing Climate: Tools for Cultivating Resilience, Taking Action, and Practicing Hope in the Face of Climate Change. Elizabeth also holds a Master’s of Science in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where her thesis research focused on climate change and parents’ mental health. Before joining Moms Clean Air Force, she worked as a health coach and clinical research coordinator. Elizabeth is a member of the Early Years Climate Action Task Force and lives in Vermont with her husband and twins.

On the show we discuss:

1. How parent-focused climate activism is important for mental health,
2. Effective ways for parents to support their kids’ mental health.
3. The EPA’s recent rules strengthening emissions protections for vehicles, and`
4. Her new book, Parenting in a Changing Climate: Tools for Cultivating Resilience, Taking Action, and Practicing Hope in the Face of Climate Change.

Also, The Well Woman Show is a proud media partner of the Work and Family Researchers Network conference happening on June 19-22, 2024 at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec Canada. You can hear our interview with conference chair Ellen Gallinsky at xxxx and coming up next month on the show, you can hear from Prof. Marcy Karin, a long time contributor to the Work and Family Researchers Network and she’ll be presenting there this year as well.

The 2024 conference theme is Big Questions in Work-Family, which will be part of a two-year agenda. These are the cutting-edge global questions that are not yet fully answered or recognized, including:

1. CHANGES IN WORK – What are the meanings of work at different life stages, for different groups, and in different kinds of jobs? How is work organized? What is the future of work and for whom?
2. CHANGES IN FAMILY LIFE – How are families and family experiences changing around the globe and what changes might we expect? For example, fertility rates are declining in high-income countries and there are reports of an epidemic of loneliness. What other changes are evident and what are the implications?
3. CHANGES IN WORK-LIFE INTERFACE: What theories, concepts, and measures best explain new and emerging intersections between work and family?
4. THE LIFE COURSE – How do changes in work and family impact children and their capacities to enter adult roles, for adults to successfully navigate transitions, and for older populations to age well?
5. SOLUTIONS AND PROMISING PRACTICES – What are the most promising solutions in policy and practice in the global north and south? What are the challenges and best opportunities for advancing equity and social justice?

The conference’s objective is to chart an agenda for the future of work-family research, policy and practice. And there will be numerous events to connect a global community of scholars with thought leaders in media, philanthropy, practice, policy, and social change. Find more information at wellwomanlife. com/radio [for show notes include wfrn.org)

The Well Woman Show is thankful for support from Collective Action Strategies – a consulting firm that supports systemic change so that women and families thrive, and by the Well Woman Life Movement Challenge Quiz at wellwomanlife.com/quiz