Mom Wars

Bethany sat down with Professor Matt Mehan, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Government at Hillsdale in DC about his new book, The American Book of Fables, that was released last month. We have a wide-ranging conversation about the importance of fables, homeschooling as the Founders might have, and the importance of literature for all ages.He's the author of three books including Mr. Mehan's Mildly Amusing Mythical Mammals, and The Handsome Little Cygnet.

Pediatrician Dr Ali Carine rejoins the show where we discuss and break down the new CDC vaccine schedule changes and the controversial updated food pyramid emphasizing meat and whole milk with reduced grains.The Moms and the Doctor are in.

Bethany is packing six kids for Greece and Israel, Kara has just imported sausage rolls via Belgium and sent her husband to Alaska on a whim, and somehow that all leads to… Grandma Jan and the daughters-in-law she tries to leave at home during her family vacay. The moms unpack the viral “grandma camp” reel, mother-in-law drama, and what it’s really like to be a boy mom watching your sons emotionally edge away.

In the latest episode of The Mom Wars, Bethany talks us through her weightloss journey with Zepbound, and the girls discuss the latest postpartum body discourse.

In this lively and intimate episode, Bethany Mandel and Kara Kennedy are joined by Arden Jamison, a woman she recently bonded with on a homeschooling apple-picking trip — the kind of instant connection that happens when you realize someone else also wrangles a throng of kids.The trio dives deep into faith, motherhood, and autonomy, exploring how religion shapes their choices around family and education. The conversation turns candid as they share personal experiences with home birthing, comparing the spiritual, practical, and political dimensions of bringing life into the world outside of institutions. Kara also gives a preview of her latest investigation into freebirthing groups, revealing a subculture that’s both radical and tenderly devoted to maternal sovereignty.

Second-generation homeschooling mom Caitlin Francis (@MrsCMFrancis on X) joins the program for a wide ranging discussion including what everybody is watching on television - with and without their husbands.

Melinda Strauss (@therealmelindastrauss) is a New York-based Jewish content creator and influencer with over 1.6 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. She is celebrated for her engaging and educational content, which explores Orthodox Judaism, kosher recipes, Jewish history, Antisemitism, and Zionism, while sharing insights into her everyday life. Through her blend of cultural practices and modern storytelling, Melinda provides followers with a fresh perspective on preserving tradition.Born and raised in Seattle, WA, Melinda has been blogging and sharing her love of cooking since 2011. Her debut cookbook Eat Jewish is set to release on September 2nd. Connect with Melinda on TikTok and Instagram @therealmelindastrauss or visit her website at melindastrauss.com.

This week Bethany and Kara are joined by Nicki Neily, the President of Defending Education. They discuss how the madness usually associated with higher ed has now filtered down in the world of K through 12 and what you can do about it.Neily is the President & Founder of Defending Education and Speech First, a national campus free speech organization, and has worked at the Independent Women’s Forum and the Cato Institute. She is the mother of two school age children. Follow her on X at @nickineily.