Did you know the woman who founded Mother's Day was eventually arrested for protesting its commercialization? That's just one of the fascinating revelations we explore in this thought-provoking episode about the $31.4 billion industry Mother's Day has become in America.

When Anna Jarvis created Mother's Day in 1908, she envisioned a heartfelt celebration honoring mothers' sacrifices, not the commercial juggernaut that now has Americans spending an average of $259 per person on gifts, special meals, jewelry, and flowers. We dive into the surprising history behind the holiday and question whether this level of commercialization aligns with what most mothers truly want from their children.

Through personal anecdotes and cultural observations, we contrast the extravagant spending on Mother's Day with the more modest Father's Day celebrations, examining what this disparity reveals about our societal values. We also discuss the concerning trend of using buy-now-pay-later services to fund Mother's Day gifts, asking if going into debt for mom really honors her life's work of trying to help her children achieve financial stability and success.

What truly matters more to most mothers – your presence or your presents? Join our conversation as we challenge listeners to rethink how they celebrate Mother's Day and consider what founder Anna Jarvis would think of today's celebrations. The most meaningful gift might just be showing mom that her sacrifices were worthwhile by living well and spending time together, rather than splurging on expensive tokens of appreciation she never asked for.