Catherine Ruth Pakaluk

Paidaxiology

Society EN ↓ 5 episodes

Hosted by Catherine Ruth Pakaluk, author of the acclaimed 2024 book Hannah’s Children, a page-turning account of American women choosing to have large families against the global trend to sub-replacement fertility. Paidaxiology—from the Greek *paidos* (of the child) and *axiology* (study of value)—economist and mother of eight Catherine Ruth Pakaluk continues the groundbreaking exploration begun in Hannah’s Children. Each episode features candid, thoughtful conversations with mothers whose families defy the norm in number and kind. Occasionally, special guests—demographers, philosophers, theol...

Author

Catherine Ruth Pakaluk

Episodes

Ep. 5 "Baby on the Front Porch" with Abigail Ahrens 03.03.2026 1:20:08

In this next episode of the Paidaxiology Podcast, we are excited to introduce Abigail Ahrens from Wisconsin. Abigail has been happily married to Jerry for 25 years this June, and together they have 14 children (4 of them are saints in heaven). Abigail loves gardening, crocheting, embroidery, knitting, hiking, playing board games, and relaxing with her family. She is proud grandma to 2 sweet grandb...

Ep. 4 "A Noble Ambition" with Marcella Burke 16.02.2026 1:19:53

In this episode of the Paidaxiology Podcast, we are joined by Marcella Burke, an attorney, former senior government official, law firm owner, and mother of four with a fifth on the way. She and her husband started an oil company with now over 80 wells, and she sits on a number of boards including the University of St Thomas in Houston. Yet above all, her best piece of mom advice is to be at least...

Ep. 3 "We Don't Have Children with Money" with Amber Dahl 02.02.2026 1:07:27

The Happiest Wives: The J-Curve in Women’s Marital Quality: https://ifstudies.org/blog/the-happiest-wives-the-j-curve-in-womens-marital-quality

Ep. 2 "Your Heart Doesn't Divide, it Just Grows" with Bethany Mandel 26.01.2026 1:11:45

Deseret Magazine, “Perspective: Modern motherhood has a major PR problem” https://www.deseret.com/2021/6/11/22528243/culture-winning-the-smear-campaign-against-pro-family-parenting-social-media-motherhood/ Deseret Magazine, “The joy of the big, messy family” https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2021/3/1/22303240/the-joy-of-the-big-messy-family-jim-gaffigan-catholic-mormon-kids/ To see more from Bethany...

Ep.1 "The Trust Worked" with Shaunda Penny 10.01.2026 1:24:27

Mary Harrington, Feminism Against Progress: https://www.regnery.com/9781684515264/feminism-against-progress/ Christopher West, The Theology of the Body for Beginners: https://www.amazon.com/Theology-Body-Beginners-Christopher-West/dp/1932645349 John Paul II, Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body: https://ascensionpress.com/products/man-and-woman-he-created-them-a-theology-of-the-bo...