S3 E3: How Neuroscience is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood with Chelsea Conaboy, author of Mother Brain

Ever wondered if the so-called "maternal instinct" is a scientific reality or a societal construct? Join guest host Monica Cardenas as she delves into the fascinating world of neuroscience with Chelsea Conaboy, author of Mother Brain: How Neuroscience is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood. Together, they explore the intricate changes in parents' brains and debunking myths surrounding motherhood. Chelsea makes the argument for how understanding the science behind parental brain changes can relieve pressure on new parents, foster patience, and promote equal participation in caregiving, breaking away from traditional gender roles. She envisions a narrative that embraces the transformative aspects of parenthood while acknowledging the complexities and challenges that come with it. Some topics we cover include: The historical context of maternal instinct, revealing its roots in moral and religious ideas How hormonal changes and caregiving experiences shape the parental brain, challenging the idea of innate caregiving Scientific research that shows similar neurobiological changes in fathers and non-gestational parents The role of women in science and their contribution to reshaping societal perceptions The need to recognize new parenthood as a developmental stage, calling for changes in healthcare, policies, and societal perspectives Transcription is available here Buy Mother Brain: How Neuroscience is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood -- Become a Patron for access to bonus content and to support the podcast, or buy me a (metaphorical) coffee Follow us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tik Tok | Youtube | LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of all things WOMAN We need more women’s stories in the world!. If you’ve enjoyed this episode,  please share, subscribe, rate and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts Explore The Story of Woman book recommendations in the US and the UK - purchases support the podcast AND local bookstores 🤩 www.thestoryofwomanpodcast.com

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Exploring our world through the female gaze, The Story of Woman podcast dives into everything from the economy and healthcare to politics, sexuality, climate justice, and beyond. Each episode dives deep into where we are today, how we got here, and what still needs to change to finally rewrite the story of mankind as the story of humankind. While earlier episodes focused on one-on-one interviews with diverse voices and perspectives, the podcast is now specializing in deep, immersive, narrative-driven investigations into the lived realities of women and marginalized genders. These stories bring listeners face-to-face with individuals who are confronting gender inequality head-on—championing transformative solutions in their communities and across the globe. To us, ‘woman’ means all those who presently identify as such - regardless of which body they were born with. This includes other marginalized genders such as those who identify as non-binary, gender fluid, or anywhere else on the spectrum of gender.