Is it possible to raise a child without losing yourself—if you live in a country that actually supports parents? In this episode, we sit down with journalist and author Abigail Leonard to talk about her powerful new book Four Mothers, a narrative that follows four women across four countries through the highs and heartbreaks of their first year of motherhood. From Finland’s robust family leave to Japan’s intense cultural expectations, from a grieving new mom in Kenya to an American mother who steps away from the religious community that raised her, these stories reveal how deeply the system shapes our experience of becoming a parent. We dig into what Leonard learned by reporting across cultures, why so many mothers feel like they’re doing it alone, and what it might take to build a better way forward—wherever you are in the world. If you've ever wondered whether motherhood is universally hard or just made harder by policy, geography, and culture—this one’s for you. Get ⁠Four Mothers⁠ Here. Join our newsletter community here. Pre-order EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU here. Visit our lovely sponsors here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices