To those of you who I know from various moments in life, thank you for opening this email. I recently moved my full subscriber list from Mailchimp to Substack, which is why you’re now receiving this. [To those of you who are like “who the heck is this person?” please feel free to delete/unsubscribe and I apologize for momentarily clogging your inbox.]
If you’re still with me, THANK YOU. In this new Substack space, I’m writing as a novelist, a mother, and a podcaster. The newsletter will be an exploration of what it means to be a caregiver-artist, as well as a place for me to share reading recommendations, the froth (ups/downs) of mothering three young kids, and any career-related news (e.g., YEAH!, we are in Season 3 of our podcast, Postpartum Production, and it is a very rewarding ride!).
So, without further ado, below is the latest podcast episode along with my musings on what Season 3 will — and won’t — be all about.
Hi listeners. It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. And sometimes I feel bad about that — shouldn’t I be doing more with this platform? Shouldn’t I be producing more podcasts? Shouldn’t I be liking more social media posts and sharing, sharing, sharing, more, more, more?
In our hustle culture it often feels like we can’t afford to do less. In navigating the dichotomy of art and commerce, I find myself grappling with the challenges posed by capitalist expectations, particularly in the context of parenting and creative work. The pressure to conform to a relentless schedule clashes with the innate rhythm of life, which is urging me to slow down.
So, that’s what we’ll be doing with Season 3. We’re going to take things slow. There may not be a newsletter or a podcast every week. There may not be social media updates daily. There will be pauses.
I’m reminded of my very long, infertile period of life when I was desperate to get pregnant. A yoga teacher told our class that you can't scratch the soil. I was thinking about this as I was sitting recently with my new passion fruit plant. I was just so desperate to scratch the soil; I wanted it to grow. I wanted to taste its fruits now. I couldn't wait.
But I'm needing to remind myself, and hopefully this resonates with you as well, that there's value and there's life in waiting.
Which leads me to the Season 3 theme of the Postpartum Production Podcast. We’re going to focus on the intersection of birth and creativity, emphasizing the importance of patience and recognizing the intricacies —and oftentimes, slowness — of growth in both art and life. (Season 1 featured conversations with caregiver-artists and Season 2 focused more deeply on research around caregiving and artistic practice; you can listen to both seasons here.)
I want Season 3 to bring more incredible voices and narratives to your ears. And it will. At its own pace. We’ll be talking to journalist Allison Yarrow, artist Ashley January, and dancer Ori Lenkinski, just to name a few of our thoughtful and thought-provoking guests. Season 3’s first episode will go live this spring, and we’ll be sure to let you know when it’s ready for you.
And hey, if you're reading this newsletter, I'm guessing you also have a lot of feelings (and much more well-formed thoughts on all these subjects) so I would really like to hear from you.
If you're out there, comment below: What motivates you to stay the course when external pressures push for increased productivity, even when your personal preference leans toward a more measured and deliberate pace?
Recommended reading on art, caregiving, and more:
I Can Buy Myself Flowers. I Can Plant Them, Too, by Katie Hawkins-Gaar for My Sweet Dumb Brain. “From self-care to community care.”
The Paradox of Stay-At-Home Parents, by Elliot Haspel for The Atlantic. “American society is largely built around the assumption that one parent will stay home. So why is there so little material support for homemakers?”
The Case For Spending Way More On Babies, by Annie Lowry for The Atlantic. “Here’s why America should give kids cash.”
There Is Joy and There Is Rage: The New Generation of Novelists Writing About Motherhood, by Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett for The Guardian. “From the shock and awe of labour to domestic isolation, a wave of recent novels captures the transformative nature of being a mother.”
The Lure Of Divorce, by Emily Gould for The Cut. “Seven years into my marriage, I hit a breaking point — and had to decide whether life would be better without my husband in it.”
A Simple Way To Build Intimacy: Reading Aloud, by Jancee Dunn for The New York Times. “Why adults should read aloud to one another, and a few recommendations to get you started.”
Private Equity Has Its Eyes On The Childcare Industry, by Adam Harris for The Atlantic. “As states and the federal government pour money into early education, how will they keep a public good from becoming a private cash cow?”
And lastly, I mention this article on the podcast: Late Bloomers, by Malcolm Gladwell for The New Yorker. It answers the question: Is early achievement the sole predictor of long-term accomplishment?
One organization you should know about: Homeless Prenatal Program
Founded in 1989, Homeless Prenatal Program is a nationally-recognized family resource center in San Francisco that empowers homeless and low-income families, particularly mothers motivated by pregnancy and parenthood, to find within themselves the strength and confidence they need to transform their lives.
HPP helps families become healthy, stable and self-sufficient. We focus on the social determinants of health, supporting both parents and children in order to strengthen the whole family. With services ranging from emergency support to intensive case management, the agency partners with parents to address family needs during the critical years from pregnancy through kindergarten.
Lastly, to catch-up on Seasons 1 and 2, listen on Spotify, Apple, our website, or wherever else you may get your podcasts.
It's great to hear from you, Kaitlin. So much here and in the episode resonated with me. I'm really looking forward to more of Season 3.
Excited for Season 3!