Episode 64: Parenting, Presence, and Navigating Life with Hannah McCall

In this episode of the BLK + GRN podcast, we sit down with Hannah McCall to explore what it truly means to parent and lead with authenticity, presence, and self-awareness. Hannah dives deep into the challenges of navigating parenthood, creating safe spaces for children to express themselves, and modeling the values we want our kids to embody. From teaching kindness, empathy, and thoughtfulness through action to intentionally slowing down in a fast-paced world, Hannah shares insights that are as practical as they are transformative.

We also explore the art of unlearning societal pressures, the importance of protecting your peace, and how to build healthy emotional boundaries in all relationships. Hannah reflects on navigating traditions, like Christmas, while balancing different upbringing experiences in partnership. She also shares her perspective on larger societal dynamics, including the roles of Black women in leadership and the ongoing pursuit of equity and understanding in complex systems.

Callout Quote [00:30:31]: “If I want my sons to be kind, gentle, compassionate, thoughtful, intelligent—I have to do all those things myself so they can mimic them.”

Takeaways:

• Modeling the behaviors you want your children to learn is more powerful than telling them what to do.
  

• Creating safe spaces for dialogue within the family helps children reflect, express, and develop emotional intelligence.
  

• Learning to de-center yourself and protect your peace allows for healthier relationships and emotional freedom.
  

• Slowing down, creating mental space, and pausing before responding can unlock creativity and clarity.
  

• Unlearning societal pressures and embracing personal values opens the door to more authentic living.
  

• Navigating traditions in partnerships requires compromise, creativity, and communication.
  

• Recognizing the layers of societal bias and inequity can help cultivate understanding and resilience.
  

Highlights & Timestamps:

• [00:29:23] The importance of modeling the values you want your children to embody.
  

• [00:32:02] Giving children space to provide feedback about what they need and how you can improve.
  

• [00:34:16] Taking criticism without centering yourself.
  

• [00:36:26] Understanding the value of grades and societal pressures versus lived experience.
  

• [00:39:54] Creating family rituals and the “family seal” to navigate holiday traditions.
  

• [00:42:59] Protecting your peace and giving grace while setting boundaries.
  

• [00:46:19] Slowing down to pause and reflect before responding in all areas of life.
  

• [00:48:06] Finding clarity and creative flow by intentionally creating stillness.
  

• [00:50:26] Reflections on Black women in leadership and the societal burdens placed on them.
  

Quotes:

• [00:30:49] “He hasn’t seen me reading books, opening doors, saying sorry—he hasn’t seen me being all those things so that way he can mimic some.”
  

• [00:44:01] “It’s my choice whether I pick up the hurt someone else is sending my way.”
  

• [00:48:27] “I have so much to tell you—let’s go, I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
  

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