A few weeks ago, I hosted a screening of the documentary No Country for Mothers. Twenty people signed up. Three showed up.

At first, I was disappointed. But as I sat with it, I realized the empty chairs told a story of their own. Mothers are expected to show up for everyone else, yet when it's time to show up for mothers, too often the room is left empty.

In this episode of Finding the Upside, I share why this issue continues to pull me back into the conversation and why I signed on as an associate producer for this important film. From the lack of paid family leave and affordable childcare to the impossible expectations placed on working families, we're asking mothers to solve problems that were never theirs to solve alone.

This isn't about blaming women or debating which generation had it harder. It's about taking an honest look at the systems, policies, and cultural narratives that have shaped the motherhood experience in America—and asking what needs to change.

The upside? Once we see the problem clearly, we can stop carrying the shame that was never ours to carry. We can start having different conversations, creating different workplaces, supporting different policies, and showing up for one another in ways that move us forward together.

Because even a small room can start a conversation that matters. And this conversation is far from over.

VIDEO CREDIT: No Country for Mothers Trailer

Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

• [0:26] The Empty Chairs Were Part of the Story Too.

• [1:29] The Current Culture War: Girl Boss vs. Trad Wife

• [2:14] The System is Failing Mothers

• [4:48] WHY This Film Matters

Episode Show Notes

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