This week, we listen in on a conversation between Dr. Alexandra Sacks, host of the new podcast Motherhood Sessions, and Anne. Anne never wanted to be a mom. For years, her family, friends, and husband all told her, "When the baby comes, you'll change your mind" — but the change never came. Anne's now the mother of a toddler, and she's still struggling with lingering doubts about motherhood.

You can listen to more episodes of Motherhood Sessions, on Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

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Topeka Sam and Holly Harris are two women on opposite sides of the political spectrum who’ve worked together to pass criminal justice reform. They both played a part in passing the First Step Act, which reduced mandatory minimums, made it easier for families to visit loved ones, and allowed people who’ve been incarcerated to leave jail early for good behavior. Stella, Topeka and Holly discussed how to get it done across the aisle, when it’s time to put family first, and more. 

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Nicole Cliffe and Daniel Mallory Ortberg met in the Hairpin comments section and quickly became long-distance friendship soulmates--they went on to start the website The Toast together. This week, they tell us about everything that's happened since they first bonded over Rebecca, answering questions like: How does a friendship change when one of you transitions? What about when one of you finds God? And who the fuck is Loretta? 

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Tamara Mellon is a fashion designer, businesswoman, and magazine editor. She founded the luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo in the 90s, and she walked away the company back in 2011. We talked with Tamara about starting her professional life over again in her forties, her path to sobriety, how she's come to peace with fractious family relationships, and much more. 

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Author Curtis Sittenfeld talks about what it means to sell out -- from short stories on Chipotle cups to brand-written tweets. And she reads her short story "Creative Differences," about the making of a viral ad campaign.

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Yasmeen Hassan is the Global Executive Director for Equality Now, an international non-profit that has successfully pushed governments around the world to pass laws protecting women from sexual exploitation and harmful cultural practices like genital mutilation. Stella and Yasmeen discussed how to get it done as a single mom, the importance of face to face communication, and growing up in Pakistan.

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Marriage: Why do we bother? Our theory is that it all comes down to a good story--so this week, we've got two couples with really good stories. First, she's Deaf and he's hearing. Second, a couple who met while he was serving 25 years in prison.

And... we want to hear from you! We're working on an episode about calling our moms -- because, at any given time, there's a decent chance we should probably call our moms. But what's the thing you really need to call you mom about, the call you've been putting off? Is there a confession you've been too afraid to make? A question you've always wanted to ask? Or an apology that's long overdue?

Psych yourself up by giving us a call and telling us about it. And, if you want us to help you out with your mom call, leave your name and number and we'll see what we can do. Our number is 413-247-4698.

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On this week’s show, Stacey Abrams tells us how she wound up $200,000 in debt, and Abigail Disney explains why no one should have a private jet. We're talking about the financial baggage we inherit from our parents—whether that means a trust fund, a mountain of medical bills, or a compulsive attraction to two-for-one deals.

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In 2014, Nora McInerny miscarried a child, lost her dad to cancer and her husband to a brain tumor, all within weeks of each other. Since then, she's written three books - her latest, No Happy Endings, was just released - and started a podcast called "Terrible, Thanks for Asking." Stella talked with Nora about how she got it done while her life was in turmoil, and how she gets it done now, as she balances her work and her new emotional life after grief.

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This week, we return to the dawn of sexual knowledge--a time when the first stirrings of horniness were paired with a total lack of useful information. Featuring AIM, purity rings, a nail polish bottle, Song of Solomon, and The Neverending Story.

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