How to (Not) Have It All

In this episode of A Special Place In Hell, the girls/women make some perfunctory remarks about the death of Queen Elizabeth, with Sarah praising the television series The Crown and Meghan explaining why her favorite royal is Camilla Parker Bowles. They then reflect on last week’s conversation with their first ever guest, Kmele Foster of The Fifth Column podcast. Kmele, who met his wife when they were teenagers, had some fascinating things to say about the benefits of finding your mate early in life. Is he onto something? It is better to pair up with someone you meet when you’re very young, like Sarah did? Or are you better waiting until you’re older and have mastered the art of eating over the sink, like Meghan did? Sarah also wonders why so few famous second wave feminists were mothers and the girls/women discuss Selfish, Shallow & Self-Absorbed, the 2015 anthology that Meghan edited about choosing not to have children — and also why Meghan hates the term “childfree.” Finally, they wonder whether Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In had any basis in reality whatever and whether Elon Musk’s apparent quest to populate the world with his seed presents a good opportunity for single women wishing to have children. Bonus Content for paid subscribers includes responses to reader comments, a brief discussion of the contradictions of atheist communities, and Meghan’s challenges with creating her new community, The Unspeakeasy. It is also (damningly) revealed that Sarah has never heard of The Love Boat. Subscribe now to get access to the longer episodes, and to our lovely comment community! Relevant links: * Selfish Shallow & Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers On The Decision Not To Have Kids* Meghan’s other podcast, The Unspeakable. This week’s guest is Louise Perry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com