Going Through It

Chasten Buttigieg, a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ adoption and father, shares his transformative journey into parenthood. He discusses the emotional highs and lows of the adoption process, highlighting the challenges faced by him and his husband, Pete. Chasten reflects on the societal expectations for gay couples and the impact of marriage equality on their dreams of fatherhood. The joy of welcoming twins into their lives brings both chaos and love, illustrating the unpredictability of parenthood.

Austin Channing Brown, an activist and author, shares her journey of grappling with motherhood after seven years of marriage. She reflects on the tension between desire and fear in parenting decisions. The conversation dives into personal experiences with race and childhood trauma, emphasizing the complexities of family dynamics. Austin also discusses the joys and challenges of raising a child, highlighting the significance of communication in a supportive home. Ultimately, she reassures listeners about navigating the uncertainties of parenthood.

In this engaging discussion, writer Roxane Gay, known for her powerful explorations of freedom and choice, joins her wife Debbie to contemplate the challenges of parenthood. They share insights on the pressures surrounding family planning and emphasize the beauty of choice. Roxane reflects on the evolving role of mentorship and the diverse ways to experience motherhood beyond traditional norms. With personal anecdotes, they highlight the joys of nurturing connections, whether through familial ties or supportive relationships.

Ashley C. Ford is 36, married, and trying to decide: should she have kids? On the fourth season of Going Through It, Ashley talks to 13 noteworthy guests about how they made the choice and what creating family looks like for them.

Margaret Cho grew up watching Joan Rivers perform standup on TV. When Margaret became a comic herself, Joan supported her with words, actions, and jokes.

In a family filled with strong women, the spirit, wisdom and love of Tia Mowry’s grandmother endures.

When Fawzia Mirza was 18, her mom enlisted her to smuggle her mom’s favorite fruit, Pakistani mangoes, from Canada to the US. Now, as a queer Muslim fimmaker, she still values the mango as a way they still connect.

Any successful partnership—business, romantic, or creative—starts with a meaningful connection between 2 people. Partners is a podcast about the people whose journey together led to the creation of something extraordinary.

Cultural constraints kept Alexander Chee’s grandmother from pursuing Chinese Calligraphy until late in life. Alex created the Yi Dae Up Fellowship in her name to help give women writers of Asian descent the chance she didn’t get.

When Franklin Leonard found himself out of his big-wig Hollywood job, he wanted to mope. His mentor, the legendary Hollywood attorney Nina Shaw, wasn’t having it.