My Mother Made Me

<p>In October 2024, Apple Podcasts <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/10/apple-podcasts-spotlights-narrative-series/">launched a new initiative to highlight narrative series</a>, including designating a new show every month as a Series Essential, celebrating the finest storytelling and the medium’s greatest achievements. <em>My Mother Made Me </em>is the March 2025 selection.</p><p>For this special occasion, we asked Jason to sit down with his mother to reflect on their experience of d

<p>We were delighted to premiere Radiotopia Presents: My Mother Made Me at <a href="https://tribecafilm.com/films/a-discussion-and-world-premiere-radiotopia-presents-my-mother-made-me-jason-reynolds-jad-abumrad-2022"><strong>the 2022 Tribeca Festiva</strong></a>l. And today we’re sharing a recording of that premiere — a discussion with creator <a href="https://www.jasonwritesbooks.com/"><strong>Jason Reynolds</strong></a> and audio trailblazer <a href="http://jadabumrad.com/"><strong>Jad Abumrad

<p>To wrap the series, my mother and I chat about humility, while hanging at one of our favorite places — the casino. We gamble, feast on a lunch of crab cakes, and dive into how she’s always wanted me to keep my feet on the ground, even after hitting the jackpot.  </p><p>My Mother Made Me is a production of <em>Radiotopia Presents</em>, and is written and narrated by Jason Reynolds with his mother, Isabell Reynolds. The series is produced by Mark Pagán and edited by Julie Shapiro, with producti

<p>Mom and I talk candidly about how she taught me to believe in a Higher Power, even though I didn’t like church so much. We get into her many spiritual practices, stroll around Costco (where all miracles happen) and I visit my older brother Allen, for a long overdue catch-up. </p><p><em>My Mother Made Me</em> is a production of <em>Radiotopia Presents</em>, and is written and narrated by Jason Reynolds, with his mother, Isabell Reynolds. The series is produced by Mark Pagán and edited by Julie

<p>Happy 76th Birthday, Ma! In this episode, we celebrate her birthday with lunch at her favorite restaurant, where we talk about life, death, and how gratitude for each day doesn’t always mean we should skip the special ones, like birthdays — no matter how badly I want to skip my own. Every time. </p><p><em>My Mother Made Me</em> is a production of <em>Radiotopia Presents</em>, and is written and narrated by Jason Reynolds, with his mother, Isabell Reynolds. The series is produced by Mark Pagán

<p>Hey, I’m Jason. But more importantly, meet my mother, Isabell. I’m not in the best mood for this introduction, because she raised me to be ambitious and selfless, which means she’s also raised me to be… overwhelmed. With life. But not to worry, my mother also knows exactly what to say to pull me out of a rut, which she does every Sunday, when I roll up to her house for our weekly visit.</p><p><em>My Mother Made Me</em> is a production of <em>Radiotopia Presents</em>, and is written and narrat

<p>Coming up next on <em>Radiotopia Presents: My Mother Made Me.</em></p><p><em>My Mother Made Me</em> is a series from <em>Radiotopia Presents</em>, where writer Jason Reynolds and his mother, Isabell, explore their shared history, how she raised him, and what they’re teaching each other. It’s a love letter to their connection, an homage to parent-child friendship, and a testament to how growth can be perpetual, despite age or circumstance. Across four episodes, Jason and Isabell go deep – into