The Bodacious Optimist

In this episode of the Bodacious Optimist podcast, host Sascha Mayer interviews Corinne Botz, a visual artist and educator whose multidisciplinary work spans photography, writing, and filmmaking. The conversation centers around Botz’s project, “Milk Factory,” which includes a short film and a book about lactation rooms. Botz shares how the origins of the project were inspired by her personal experience as a new mother in a stark lactation room, and her subsequent effort to document public lactation spaces. The film gained attention when it was featured by Time Magazine, juxtaposed against the backdrop of the January 6th Capitol Riot. For Botz, this project has fostered a sense of community among mothers and increased her dedication to normalizing discussions around pumping and improving maternal support systems.

00:00 Introduction to Corinne Botz
02:48 The Milk Factory Project
04:25 Symbolism and Impact of the Congressional Lactation Room
06:08 Publishing with Time Magazine
08:30 The Upcoming Book on Lactation Spaces
10:39 Exploring Unique Lactation Spaces
12:45 The Nutshell Studies and Artistic Themes
14:25 Personal Background and Artistic Journey
17:21 Motherhood and Artistic Influence
21:38 Final Thoughts and Optimism


Mentioned in this episode:
Milk Factory by Corinne May Botz, a forthcoming hard cover book
Milk Factory Photography Series
Time Magazine - The Invisible Labor Inside America’s Lactation Rooms
Chauntel Norris, Alabama Prison Birth Project
The Milk Bank
The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death

What is The Bodacious Optimist?

Entrepreneur, mother, and cofounder of Mamava—the inventor of the freestanding lactation pod—Sascha Mayer introduces her newest baby: The Bodacious Optimist, a podcast dedicated to celebrating and learning from the people who have inspired and supported her entrepreneurial journey. They are designers and storytellers, business leaders and activists who have challenged the status quo and thrived. Bodacious Optimists believe that there are always solutions waiting to be unveiled.