What We Have To Learn From Other Mothering Animals with Helen Jukes

May 12, 2025

Helen Jukes, a British author known for her work 'Mother / Animal,' joins to explore the fascinating connections between motherhood in the animal kingdom and human experiences. They discuss the diversity of maternal practices among species, challenging traditional notions of 'natural' motherhood. From the brutal realities of animal birthing to the emotional complexities of parenting, Jukes illustrates how nature can illuminate our own struggles and expectations. This insightful conversation redefines motherhood as an interconnected journey, urging a broader understanding of nurturing.

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INSIGHT

Breastfeeding as Collaboration

Breast milk contains tens of thousands of microorganisms working to make babies healthy.
Feeding infants is a collaborative act involving multiple species, not a solo human endeavor.

ANECDOTE

Empowering Ear Piercing Experience

Sarah's daughter pierced her ears at a piercing studio with a respectful piercer.
The experience included consent talks and music pauses, making it empowering for her child.

INSIGHT

Challenging Natural Motherhood

The concept of a 'natural' mother is limited and inaccurate across species.
Animal motherhood is diverse, wild, and far from the calm, passive ideal often portrayed.

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British author Helen Jukes joins us to talk about motherhood in the animal kingdom, and what human mothers can learn from mothers from other species. What is “natural” about motherhood, what is the true nature of motherhood across species? What can we learn by allowing ourselves to truly see and examine the many roles of the mother in nature? At one poetic and rigorous, Helen Jukes’ beautiful new book, Mother / Animal, is an illuminating exploration of her own matrescence through the lens of motherhood in the animal world.

Note: Helen’s book is not available in the U.S. yet, so Blackwell’s (a UK based bookseller) has made some signed copies of Mother / Animal by Helen Jukes available to our listeners via this link.

LINKS:

* Buy Mother/Animal

* Follow Helen Jukes on Instagram

* How To Catch A Mole by Marc Hamer

* The Quickening by Elizabeth Rush

* Revolutionary Mothering

* Anne Helen Peterson essay on What Makes Women Clean

* Amanda Hess on Mother of it All

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