E103: Why We Need Big Families in a Shrinking World: w/ Dr. Catherine Pakaluk

Dr. Catherine Pakaluk, economist and author of Hannah’s Children, discusses why some American women still choose large families, what it means for the future of society, and the deeper meaning of parenthood in an age of demographic decline.Guest Bio: Dr. Catherine Pakaluk is an economist and associate professor at The Catholic University of America with a PhD from Harvard, known for her work on family, faith, and fertility.Topics Covered: The motivation behind Hannah’s Children and the “5% Club” of high-fertility womenWhat these women believe about children, purpose, and blessingsWhy pro-natal policies (like cash incentives) largely failEconomic consequences of a shrinking population and workforceHow children build resilience, empathy, and social skills through siblingsThe problem of overparenting and emotional fragility in small familiesReligious communities as key to sustaining fertilityPersonal reflections on parenting, sacrifice, and long-term meaningThe U.S. fiscal future: Social Security, taxes, and investor outlookUpcoming project: interviews with high-fertility fathers 📺Watch the full episode on YouTube➡️https://youtu.be/kVCWvNbLDAw 🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us. Thanks for listening!