The author of 'Hannah's Children', Catherine Pakaluk: on the case for big families & the role of faith and culture in shaping our choices about children

It's been a minute, and what a special episode to return to. In this episode, I sit down with Catherine Pakaluk, author of Hannah’s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth. 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. Together, we explore: Why some women embrace large families, and how it reshapes their identity, purpose, and sense of legacy. How motherhood changes us—not just for a season, but as a lifelong transformation. The role of faith, culture, and technology in shaping our choices about children. 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. Why children are not only a private family decision but also a cultural inheritance and a gift to the wider community. The overlooked wisdom and resilience that comes from spending years in the trenches of newborn life. 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. 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 here. 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. shopgreatmother.com/shop