The Hearth Matters Podcast

Danielle Dreilinger is a journalist and the author of “The Secret History of Home Economics: How Trailblazing Women Harnessed the Power of Home and Changed the Way We Live.” In this episode, we discuss Danielle’s thoughtfully researched and engaging exploration of the history of Home Economics, which “restores a denigrated subject to its rightful importance, reminding us that everyone should learn how to cook a meal, balance their finances, and fight for a better world.” https://www.amazon.com/Secret-History-Home-Economics-Trailblazing/dp/1324004495

Stephen Shaw is a data scientist and the director and producer of “Birthgap - Childless World,” a documentary about declining birth rates and unplanned childlessness. In this episode, we unpack the data and the cultural norms that lead some women to delay motherhood until it’s too late and they become childless by circumstance. We also discuss how unplanned childlessness impacts men, would-be grandparents and society as a whole. Watch Part I of Birthgap on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/A6s8QlIGanA?si=uunV2B18j7KMDtpp Find Part II & Part III and follow Stephen Shaw’s work at birthgap.org

Lene Rachel Andersen is an economist, author, futurist, philosopher and Bildung activist. In this episode, we discuss the concepts of meta and polymodernity and why the educational model known as Bildung might be the key to helping young people better navigate life in the information age.  Interested in learning more? Lene warmly invites you to join the conversation "What it Means to Be Human" on September 21st – this virtual event is free of charge. Sign up here: https://www.globalbildung.net/what-it-means-to-be-human-2024-september-21/ Since 2005, Lene has written 20 books including The Nordic Secret (2017; new edition January 2024), Metamodernity (2019) (relaunched 2023 as Polymodernity) Bildung (2020), What is Bildung? (2021), and Libertism (2022) and she received two Danish democracy awards: Ebbe Kløvedal-Reich Democracy Baton (2007) and Døssing Prisen, the Danish librarians’ democracy prize (2012). Lene is a member of the Club of Rome, President of the Copenhagen based think tank Nordic Bildung, and co-founder of the Global Bildung Network. You can find her work here.

Tammy Peterson is a wife, mother, grandmother, podcaster and public figure who speaks on a wide variety of topics including personal development, mental health, feminism, relationships and parenting. In this episode, we discuss the skills and wisdom Tammy developed as a full-time householder, plus her commitment to using her platform to help young women–the next generation of mothers–navigate domestic life in the 21st century.  Follow Tammy Peterson on X @Tammy1Peterson and tune into The Tammy Peterson Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Erin celebrated her first Mother’s Day this month! Join Kathryn and a very pregnant Erin for a riff on her pregnancy just days before she went into labor.  Erin talks candidly about her struggle as a younger woman with body dysmorphia and how she’s dealt with her changing body before jumping into a colorful conversation about her birth classes, chestfeeders, vaginal seeding and other juicy topics with Kathryn.  Stay up to date with all of our work on Substack @ www.thehearthmatters.com

Happy Mother’s Day from Hearth Matters! In this episode, we discuss the National Mother of the Year Award with its 75th winner, Dianne Dain, and the special role that mothers and grandmothers play in caring for the next generation of our human species.  Dianne is a mother of four and grandmother of five who has worked with the United Nations and World Health Organization on initiatives related to motherhood, mentorship, innovation and leadership.  

Dixie Dillon Lane, Ph. D, is a historian, writer and homeschooling mother of four, as well as an Associate Editor at Hearth & Field journal. In this episode, we discuss the homeschooling experience and why more American parents are opting out of the public school system to teach their children in the home-based classroom.  Dixie’s current book project is a history of homeschooling in Los Angeles since 1950. Follow her on X @DixieDillonLane and on Substack at TheHollow.substack.com.

Shannon Hayes is a third generation farmer, mother of two and author of seven books, including Radical Homemakers (2014), The Grassfed Gourmet Cookbook (2015) and Redefining Rich  (2021). In this episode, we discuss what it means to put the “family" back in “family business” and the struggle, reward and deeper wealth that can be found in running an intergenerational enterprise.  Follow Shannon’s work at TheRadicalHomemaker.net and tune into her podcast, The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about Sap Bush Hollow Farm, including the cafe, honor store and more, visit http://www.sapbushfarmstore.com/

Lina Lyte Plioplyte is an Emmy-award winning cinematographer and storyteller whose latest documentary, Periodical, examines the science, mystery and politics of menstruation. In this episode, we discuss the cultural stigma around periods and menopause, promising advances in women’s health research and technology, and why menstruation education is so important to women’s health and happiness.   Periodical is now available for streaming on Peacock and Amazon Prime Video. Learn more about Lina's work at: https://www.lytefilms.com/accelerator

Jim Dalrymple II is a father and journalist who writes about families on his Substack called Nuclear Meltdown. He's also a contributor to the Institute for Family Studies and the Deseret News, and writes about housing for Inman. In this episode, we explore how we might recreate 21st century versions of agrarian era villages, the importance of the leadership role that ‘kinkeepers’ play in the domestic sphere, and how becoming a father changed Jim’s perspective on what matters in life.  Follow Jim on X @Dalrymple and subscribe to Nuclear Meltdown on Substack.

Catherine Pakaluk is a mother of eight children and Director of Social Research & Associate Professor at the Catholic University of America. In this episode, we explore Catherine's new book, Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth, which portrays the motivations, values and experiences of 55 college-educated women who’ve chosen to have five or more children. We also discuss how recentering life around family might lead to more personal fulfillment and a healthier society for everyone–religious and secular alike. Follow Catherine on X @CRPakaluk and read or listen to Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth –now available from your favorite book seller. 

Ivana Greco is a mother and attorney turned homemaker who also homeschools her children and writes for a number of publications, including her own Substack called The Homefront. In this episode we discuss Ivana’s affinity for the title ‘homemaker’ and the immeasurable value these individuals provide not only to their families, but to flourishing communities and their country in turn. We also talk about her proposed “G.I. Bill for Homemakers” and advice for new moms and families navigating the two-income trap.  Follow Ivana on X @IvanaDGreco and read more of her work at: The Homefront, Ivana’s Substack “Protecting the Home Front: Why We Need a “G.I. Bill” For Homemakers,” via Fairer Disputations

Mary Harrington is a columnist and contributing editor at UnHerd and runs her own Substack, Reactionary Feminist. She is the author of the widely acclaimed book, Feminism Against Progress, and is considered one of the most influential feminist thinkers in the West.   In this episode, we discuss Mary’s critique of industrial era feminist narratives and her call for a feminism that embraces interdependence and radical solidarity. We also discuss why abolishing Big Romance (but not Mr. Big) might lead to the happiness that can be found in an upcycled vintage social technology, a.k.a. marriage. Mary offers a fresh perspective on progress and the importance of preserving social bonds. Follow Mary Harrington on X ⁠@moveincircles and find more of her work at: reactionaryfeminist.substack.com unherd.com/author/mary-harrington ⁠⁠Feminism Against Progress⁠⁠

Happy International Women’s Day to those of us who work in the public sphere–looking at you, #girlboss! If you’re a full time householder, mother or #tradwife, you’ll apparently have to wait your turn until May when Mother’s Day rolls around.   Join Kathryn and Erin for a provocative riff on this year’s theme, “inclusion,” and why they think some feminists have taken this idea too far. www.thehearthmatters.com

Michal Schonbrun is a reproductive health educator, consultant, and trainer based in Israel who specializes in the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) of fertility awareness, breastfeeding, contraception and achieving pregnancy, sexuality, and holistic self-care. She works with diverse clients around the world, leading workshops and offering private consultations from home and online.  What should women know about their biological clock, subfertility, and the limitations of assisted reproductive technology? These are some of the topics we cover in this episode–the first of many conversations we hope to have about the very complex subjects of body literacy and fertility.     Recommended resources: fertility-wise.com Finding a fertility awareness educator - AFAP Henderson-Jack, Lisa. The Fifth Vital Sign, Fertility Friday Publishing, 2019 Weschler, Toni. Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 20th Anniversary Edition, Harper-Collins, 2015 Briden, Lara. Period Repair Manual, 2nd Edition, 2018 Romm, Aviva. Hormone Intelligence, HarperOne, 2021   https://www.vox.com/first-person/22370250/should-i-have-kids-a-baby-decide-start-family-parenthood-kids-childfree https://theconversation.com/should-i-have-children-why-societys-idealisation-of-motherhood-benefits-no-one-219935 https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/having-a-baby-after-age-35-how-aging-affects-fertility-and-pregnancy https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/having-a-baby-at-40#conception https://www.mhs.net/blog/2023/05/pregnancy-after-40 https://medium.com/@mhdempsey/whats-next-for-egg-freezing-69072524788b - 2017 Exposure to endocrine disruptors during adulthood: Consequences for female fertility, 2017 Effects of endocrine-disrupting compounds on female fertility, 2023 Health Benefits of normal periods Are irregular menstrual cycles associated with higher risk of premature mortality? (NEJM, 2020) Temporal trends in sperm count: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of samples collected globally in the 20th and 21st centuries, 2023.

Patrick Holden is the founder and CEO of the Sustainable Food Trust, and the U.S. Sustainable Food Alliance whose mission is to work internationally to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable food and farming systems. He was Director of the Soil Association, the leading British organic farming organization, from 1995 to 2010, where he played a central role in developing the UK organic market. Patrick is an advisor to the Former Prince of Wales Terra Carta initiative, which in 2021 launched the Terra Carta sustainability seal. He received a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to organic farming in 2005 and in 2022 was awarded an honorary doctorate for international work in sustainable agriculture from the University of Wales Trinity St David. Patrick trained in Biodynamic farming at Emerson College and recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Holden Farm Dairy, his family-owned mixed organic dairy holding in Wales that he still runs with his wife and children. 

Erika Bachiochi is a legal scholar and fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a senior fellow at the Abigail Adams Institute in Cambridge, MA, where she founded and directs the Wollstonecraft Project. In this episode, we discuss her latest book, The Rights of Women: Reclaiming a Lost Vision (Notre Dame Press), which looks at the philosophy of 18th century feminist Mary Wollstonecraft and why her ideas are so relevant for women today. We also talk about “Pursuing the Reunification of Home and Work,” an essay Erika published in American Compass, and practical ways to integrate career with family life in the 21st century.  Learn more about Erika’s work:  - The Rights of Women: Reclaiming a Lost Vision - The Wollstonecraft Project at the Abigail Adams Institute - Fairer Disputations  - American Compass article, “Pursuing the Reunification of Home and Work”  - New York Times article, “Opinion: What Makes a Fetus a Person” - New York Times article, “In Post-Roe World, These Conservatives Embrace a New Kind of Welfare” - Plough article, “The Justice Mothers Are Due”

Welcome to Part II of the Reunite Home & Work podcast series where we chat with the people who are making a living while making home. If you run a home-based business, or you're thinking about starting one, we’d love to share your story. Please get in touch at www.hearthmatters.com. Naëlle Yoshimura is a mother and chemistry teacher turned home based bakery owner who recently launched her Gluten Free DIYers blog that features innovative gluten free recipes. Naelle shares how she and her husband approached the Two Income Trap and what it’s like to make a living running a cottage food business while raising two young children.  Learn More: Glutenfreediyers.com Gluten Free DIYers Instagram Yoshi Sans Gluten Bakery Cottage Food Law California

Welcome to Part I of the Reunite Home & Work podcast series where we chat with the people who are making a living while making home. If you run a home-based business, or you're thinking about starting one, we’d love to share your story. Please get in touch at www.thehearthmatters.com. Nancy Chang, the owner of Purpose and Hope, makes delicious and healing soups right from her home kitchen. Inspired by her mother’s battle with cancer, Nancy shares her company’s origin story and the practical steps she took to lift it off during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Links: Purpose and Hope website Purpose and Hope Instagram AB626 in California MEHKO

Pronatalist.org co-founders Simone and Malcolm Collins are raising awareness about global demographic collapse and building an alliance of communities who believe in a pluralistic society where their children and culture can flourish into the future. To learn more about Simone & Malcolm's work: Visit pronatalist.org and find comprehensive resources for parents: ⁠⁠https://pronatalist.org/parent-resources/⁠⁠ Explore The Collins Institute: https://collinsinstitute.org/ Tune in and subscribe their podcast, Based Camp: https://www.youtube.com/@SimoneandMalcolm Read their bestselling The Pragmatist's Guide book series: https://www.amazon.com/Pragmatists-Guide-Life-Creating-Questions-ebook/dp/B079LRHPM7 Check out Simone's curated YouTube playlist, Vintage Guides to Life: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU_Z2-5kGLKuKm5Qv_SxlU4GAnFlrjYb3 Interested in learning more about falling birthrates around the world? We highly recommend the documentary, Birthgap. You can watch Part I here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6s8QlIGanA

Kathryn discusses the challenges of integrating sustainable food systems with modern market economies, focusing on the difficulties faced by homemakers and local food producers in maintaining economic viability. She highlights the high costs and regulatory hurdles that inflate prices and limit access to locally produced, nourishing foods. Erin touches on the potential of technology to connect communities and enable more efficient, localized food distribution models.

Kathryn and Erin discuss technology's role in family life. They explore the balance between the promise of AI and biotech and the challenges posed by social media on youth development, emphasizing the need for responsible tech management within homes to protect children and the pivotal role parents play in guiding their digital engagement.

In Part III of the Hearth Matters Chapbook Series, we present our big idea for how to reunite work and home in a neighbor to neighbor network that prioritizes human flourishing in a 21st century cottage economy model. You can also read and reference the image-rich version of this story on our Substack: ⁠www.thehearthmatters.com⁠ --- 02:03 The Market Economy and Women: A Brief History 03:02 Impact of the Market Economy on Women 04:27 Issues with Capitalism and the Market Economy 07:05 Drawing Inspiration from the Past and the Future, The Birth of an Idea 10:47 Reuniting Work and Home 11:17Introducing & Defining Domesteconomy 14:36 Related Terms: Localism, Micro Economy, Hyperlocal 15:49 Financial Projections and Benefits of the Domestic Economy 19:46 Neighbor-to-Neighbor Network: A Win-Win Approach 22:09 The Model in Action: Possibilities within the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Network 25:05 Comparison: Market Economy vs. Domesteconomy

Part II of the Hearth Matters Chapbook Series examines current feminist narratives and introduces householder feminism as a movement that champions householders and drives meaningful change in the domestic sphere. You can also read and reference the image-rich version of this story at ⁠www.thehearthmatters.com⁠. Next up: Part III, Domesteconomy, we present our big idea for how to reunite work and home in a neighbor to neighbor network  that prioritizes human flourishing in a 21st century cottage economy model. --- 00:00 Are feminist narratives out of touch with women? 01:18 Feminist narratives and human flourishing 03:00 Challenges of balancing career and motherhood 03:38 The undervaluing of household work 04:09 Unintended consequences of the sexual revolution 04:58 Men as allies in redefining gender roles 05:26 The need for practical solutions for women's issues 06:11 Quotes from feminists who value the domestic sphere 08:15 The need to find our way home 09:15 Introducing Householder Feminism 10:22 Why Householder instead of homemaker 12:09 The Householder Feminist Manifesto 18:48 A Message in a Bottle

Welcome to the audio version of The Hearth Matters Chapbook Series, where we question old narratives and offer up new stories and practical advice for how to re-value, re-think and reinvent home & hearth in the 21st century. You can also read and reference the image-rich version of this story on our Substack: ⁠www.thehearthmatters.com⁠ Part I, Hearthstory, explores this question: In our relentless pursuit of progress, have we inadvertently dimmed the flame and forgotten the pivotal role that home and hearth play in nourishing the human family? And if so, how do we find our way home?  Up next: Part II, Householder Feminism, examines current feminist narratives and introduces householder feminism as a movement that champions householders and drives meaningful change in the domestic sphere. In Part III, Domesteconomy, we present our big idea for how to reunite work and home in a neighbor to neighbor network  that prioritizes human flourishing in a 21st century cottage economy model. --- 01:18 The Best of Times and the Worst of Times 13:07 The Hearth Story and Our Backgrounds 25:58 Feminism and the Hearth 28:36 Who Tends the Hearth Flame Now? 30:00 How Do We Find Our Way Home?

Join us in candid and thought-provoking discussions about the significance of home life and its connection to human flourishing.  In our inaugural podcast, we share our origin story and our “why” for starting the Hearth Matters  nonprofit. We discuss our initiatives that aim to reunify work and home, and why improving the social and economic status of mothers and householders improves all of our lives.  In future episodes, we’ll be interviewing some of the best thinkers in the world as well as ordinary people, who, like us, are rethinking, revaluing and reinventing home and hearth.  We’re so happy you’re here!