HOST JACKIE TANTILLO - Generations Of Influential Women With Guests Singer Nadia Turner and Daughter Zareh Isa

Nadia Turner was the #8 finalist on the 4th season of American Idol (2005) and Zareh, also know as Za, was only four years old. In the spring of 2022  Zareh, then  21,  auditioned for AI and surprised her mother when she took her to the audition.  Zareh   performed “Bust Out Your Windows” by Jazmine Sullivan, which impressed the judges.

It was such a pleasure to have a conversation with both mother and daughter at the same time, to share stories of  Nadia's mom and grandmother as well as  Za's perspective of her mother and grandmother -we're talking about four generations of strong women.

Nadia says she's a very different parent today than she was in her 20's and a college student when Za was born. She's very grateful because she always new that her mother was going to be there to help her raised her two daughters.  Zareh  completely understands why her younger sister is being raised differently than she was. Zareh says that her mom was very strict when she was young but now she understands and appreciates why and respects her mother's decisions. It was, at times, overwhelming raising Zareh when Nadia was younger but now she's got a different attitude about raising her younger daughter, she  concentrates on the things that are important, the things that really matter. 

Rosita, Nadia's mother, originally from the island of St. Eustatius, was a single mom who worked 9-5 at an electric company. "There's never been a time when she didn't show up for me" reflects Nadia. Rosita was very supportive of her daughter, whether it was sports or a school activity, she was always there for her regardless if she truly understood her daughters passions or interests.  "I couldn't have done this thing called motherhood with out my mother, Rose," says Turner.

Nadia spent quite a bit of time with her maternal grandmother, Esme, Rosita's mother.  Nadia  remembers her grandmother as "being my Zen, my peace, always very quiet and calm." She continues "she was very religious and always humming her hymns, she never raised her voice and for some reason, that moved mountains for me." When Nadia was a child and she and her mother got into an argument,  Nadia recalls simply sitting quietly next to her grandmother and holding her hand which made everything feel alright.

There's so much more to learn about my two guests and the influential women that helped them become who they are today. Always so grateful for the mothers/grandmothers and female family members who preceded us to lay down the groundwork and straightened path to keep us moving forward.

When I asked Za if she stands a little taller because of these strong women in her life she responds, "my grandmother and mother are my biggest idols. I look up to them for everything they do. We are a family full of women. My grandmother is present no matter what's going on. I'm so grateful and definitely stand taller."

There's so much more to these two magnificent women. Hope you enjoy the conversation.

Thank you for sharing your stories Nadia and Zareh.

There are links below with more information regarding Zareh and Nadia Turner's latest music and singing  with the band 

'Nadia Turner and the Son Kings' and more.

Nadia Turner    https://www.nadiaturner.com/

https://linktr.ee/nadiaturner

Nadia Turner American Idol 2005   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7a7ug6Dkfs

Nadia Turner American Idol     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d4aWIM2j_c

Zareh American Idol 2022   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuEgF0rWR28

Zareh Instagram-styledbyzaza       https://www.instagram.com/p/BvuQ6CBHo23/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=c9062567-fbcc-47cd-bce8-bfbdee8c4142
 

"Should Have Listened To My Mother" is an ongoing conversation about mothers and the roles they play in our lives. And my guests answer the question, 'are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother'? You'll be amazed at what the responses are.

"Should Have Listened To My Mother" would not be possible without the generosity, sincerity and insight from my guests. In getting ready to launch my podcast, so many were willing to give their time and share their personal relationships with their mother.

Some of my guests include Baritone Singer Christopheren Nomura, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist Tim Wacker, Activist Kim Miller, Freighter Sea Captain Terry Viscount, Film Production Manager Peg Robinson, Professor of Writing Montclair State University Dr. Bridget Brown, Tammy Steckler, attorney and family advocate @CUNY Law; NYC First Responder/NYC Firefighter Mark Heingartner, Child and Adult Special Needs Activist, Maryellen Valyo Cole and Roger Evens, Property Manager in New Jersey and so many more talented and insightful women and men.

I've worked in the broadcasting industry for over four decades. I've interviewed so 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 my logo for "Should Have Listened To My Mother".

Check out my website for more background information: https://www.jackietantillo.com/

Or more demos of what's to come at https://soundcloud.com/jackie-tantillo

Find audio versions of the podcast here: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/60j14qCcks4AP3JUrWrc2M

Link to website and show notes: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/60j14qCcks4AP3JUrWrc2M

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