Longing to be Nurtured with Guest Co-Founder and CEO of Seed + Mill, Rachel Simons

I'm so glad you're here to take a listen to Rachel's stories of her grandmother's gardens in Zimbabwe and her life growing up in Australia.Throughout her life, Rachel has travelled and lived in London, Hong King and Tel Aviv. Now she lives in Manhattan and says she "pretty much lives for cooking and entertaining.  The history of food, it's culture and migration, as well as its ability to bring people together over a diverse and lively table is why I love what I do."  It's been ten years since she and her co-founders, Lisa Mendelson and Monica Molenaar, began Seed + Mill.As a little girl, Rachel's has fond memories of running through her grandparent's gardens in Zimbabwe, climbing avocado and mango trees. This was the beginning of her passion for what she enjoys today. What she began to understand as she got a little older was her grandparents experience immigrating to Africa from Prague, formerly referred to as the capital city of Czechoslovakia.  Today, Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic.  Her grandparents were Holocaust survivors and fled Prague in order to begin a new life. Jane ,Rachel's mother, was born and lived in Zimbabwe until she was about eighteen years old. Jane eventually fell in love, got married, moved to London then settled in Sydney, Australia with her husband. My guest shares wonderful stories of her mother, Jane.  "She was incredibly generous, passionate about many things, loved to share whatever she was interested in, whether with her family, or share with her friends and neighbors. Whatever she was excited about she loved to share with other people. She was a horticulturalist and a physical therapist." Jane also worked in obstetrics helping pregnant women and post-natal mothers.In looking back at Jane's childhood, "it was different from what it looked like from the outside. Her parents had been traumatized because of their experience as Holocaust survivors.  They were trying to rebuild their lives, but it had taken a toll on all of them. That experience, Rachel shares, "impacted mom's sense of identity."Jane was brave and resilient, according to Rachel. "She longed for nurture and really deep and meaningful relationships with people. She received and she gave that encouragement in equal measures."When asked if Rachel felt safe and secure in her home growing up, her response was, "I always felt safe and secure and felt lots of love from my mother. In lots of ways, in an unconscious and  unspoken way, I was always worried about her mental health. I could feel that generational trauma from my grandmother to my mother and now probably to me. And I am mindful of this to my own daughter."This is such a loving and beautiful story of women who loved one another unconditionally, yet there were barriers that couldn't be broken.Though Rachel's mother has passed away, Rachel says she speaks with her everyday. She visited her mother in Australia several time in her last remaining monthsand weeks.  As she was by her mother's bedside, she wrote her most recent cook book "Sesame."   She turned in her transcript for the book and the very next day, her mother passed away.Rachel is so proud of all that her mother did for she and her younger sister. "She was always committed and worked really hard. She filled her time and days and relationships to not feel her own pain."Thank you for being so open and honest Rachel.  It was an absolutely pleasure to meet your mum through your eyes and your heart.Contact Information:Instagram: seedandmillIf you're looking for information about Rachel's NEW Cookbook "Sesame" click on this link and then click on "cookbook" on the top left banner. WEBSITE: https://www.seedandmill.com/ [email protected] + Mill: We believe that food has the power to unify & foster connection between people & place while bringing joy. We're committed to quality, taste & inspiring our community to explore the world through food.  "Should Have Listened To My Mother" is an ongoing conversation about mothers/female role models and the roles they play in our lives. Jackie's guests are open and honest and answer the question, are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother and so much more. You'll be amazed at what the responses are.Gina Kunadian wrote this 5 Star review on Apple Podcast:SHLTMM TESTIMONIAL GINA KUNADIAN JUNE 18, 2024“A Heartfelt and Insightful Exploration of Maternal Love”Jackie Tantillo’s “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast is a treasure and it’s clear why it’s a 2023 People’s Choice Podcast Award Nominee. This show delves into the profound impact mother and maternal role models have on our lives through personal stories and reflections.Each episode offers a chance to learn how different individuals have been shaped by their mothers’ actions and words. Jackie skillfully guides these conversations, revealing why guests with similar backgrounds have forged different paths.This podcast is a collection of timeless stories that highlight the powerful role of maternal figures in our society. Whether your mother influenced you positively or you thrived despite challenges, this show resonates deeply.I highly recommend “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast for its insightful, heartfelt and enriching content.Gina Kunadian"Should Have Listened To My Mother" would not be possible without the generosity, sincerity and insight from my guests. In 2018/2019, in getting ready to launch my podcast, so many were willing to give their time and share their personal stories of their relationship with their mother, for better or worse and what they learned from that maternal relationship. Some of my guests include Nationally and Internationally recognized authors, Journalists, Columbia University Professors, Health Practitioners, Scientists, Artists, Attorneys, Baritone Singer, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist, Activists, Freighter Sea Captain, Film Production Manager, Professor of Writing Montclair State University, Attorney and family advocate @CUNY Law; NYC First Responder/NYC Firefighter, Child and Adult Special Needs Activist, Property Manager, Chefs, Self Help Advocates, therapists and so many more talented and insightful women and men.Jackie has worked in the broadcasting industry for over four decades. She has interviewed many fascinating people including musicians, celebrities, authors, activists, entrepreneurs, politicians and more.A big thank you goes to Ricky Soto, NYC based Graphic Designer, who created the logo for "Should Have Listened To My Mother".MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SHLTMM PODCAST:Link to website and show notes: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/ and https://www.jackietantillo.com/Or more demos of what's to come at https://soundcloud.com/jackie-tantillo Listen wherever you find podcasts: https://www.facebook.com/ShouldHaveListenedToMyMotherhttps://www.facebook.com/jackietantilloInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/shouldhavelistenedtomymother/https://www.instagram.com/jackietantillo7/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-tantillo/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ShouldHaveListenedToMyMother