<p>It's been a minute, and what a special episode to return to. </p><p>In this episode, I sit down with Catherine Pakaluk, author of <em>Hannah’s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth</em>. Her book gathers the stories of American women who have chosen to raise five or more children in an age where birth rates are in historic decline.</p><p>Together, we explore:</p><ul><li><p>Why some women embrace large families, and how it reshapes their identity, purpose, and sense of legacy.</p></li><li><p>How motherhood changes us—not just for a season, but as a lifelong transformation.</p></li><li><p>The role of faith, culture, and technology in shaping our choices about children.</p></li><li><p>What it means to move from maiden to mother, and how that transition requires letting go of the idea of “going back” to who we once were.</p></li><li><p>Why children are not only a private family decision but also a cultural inheritance and a gift to the wider community.</p></li><li><p>The overlooked wisdom and resilience that comes from spending years in the trenches of newborn life.</p></li></ul><p>We also talk about Catherine’s upcoming work interviewing fathers—offering new perspectives on family life, vocation, and what it means to raise children in today’s world.</p><p>This conversation is both countercultural and deeply hopeful, offering encouragement for mothers and families navigating their own choices in a culture that often overlooks the sacredness of children and the home. Read or listen to her book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hannahs-Children-Quietly-Defying-Dearth/dp/1684514576" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">here</a>. </p><p>If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. It helps this podcast reach more women who are seeking to reconnect with the cycles of life, motherhood, and the wisdom of the Great Mother.</p><p>shopgreatmother.com/shop</p>