The Kettle with Meagan Francis

Have you ever wondered about the different paths available to becoming a historian - and how historians choose the topic areas that fuel their passions? In this episode I chat with author and consumer historian Jan Whitaker to explore a fascinating corner of American history: the rise of rural tea rooms in the early 20th century. These small, often women-run businesses offered a rare space for independence, entrepreneurship, and community during a time of rapid social change. We also take a closer look at what it takes to be a a “citizen historian”. Whether you’re curious about consumer culture, women’s history, or finding your own way into historical storytelling, this episode offers plenty to inspire. Sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy!episode links:* Jan’s book: Tea At The Blue Lantern Inn: A Social History of the Tea Room Craze In America* Jan's blog and websitenews:My book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next releases in audiobook on September 23!Most of my posts here are free, but behind the paywall you’ll find exclusive content and community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private chat area, and more. Click below to listen as well as join our peaceful, creative little haven! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.comThe idea of “prepping” often elicits eye-rolls. But you don’t have to be awaiting the apocalypse to find value in stocking your shelves. The truth is, a little pantry planning and preserving can help us ride out price spikes, lean times, and supply-chain issues so we can live (and eat!) well even when life is bumpy - not to mention, ensure that we have …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.comAfter a sad and stressful start to the month, I came home to a full house, stuffed fridge, bursting container garden, and some seriously disrupted routines. And while I once wouldn’t have recognized my all-over-the-place, can’t-focus-or-settle-down state of mind as a symptom that something wasn’t quite right, I now understand that this is how my brain and body react when I’m feeling overwhelmed. This podcast episode and accompanying blog post, exclusively for paying members of The Kettle, is all about overwhelm: how it shows up for me in my body and behavior, how I recognize what’s going on, and how I’ve learned to calm my nervous system and get things back on track when it’s all a little too much.Upgrade your subscription now to listen to the episode and see photos, links, and a written list of my tips for dealing with overwhelm. It’s also where you’ll find the links to community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private chat area, and more. Click below to listen as well as join our peaceful, creative little haven!

Hi friends. I usually publish my monthly Journal episode on the first of the month, but in the wake of a devastating loss in our family, I’m instead putting up a short (and, warning, hastily edited!) episode in the public feed. My sister-in-law, Jen, died on Tuesday, leaving behind her husband Adam (my stepbrother) and my niece and nephew Elia and Judah, just three and five.As family and friends mourn this loss and rally around the grieving father and children, I’ve been reflecting on what it looks like to care during times of loss and grief, and how the traditions around mourning (plus natural limitations around our perceived ability to act) used to create the structure and “what to do next” for us. Now, in a world where we are confronted with so many tragic stories and so many things we could potentially act on or advocate for, it can be hard to know where to focus our energy and what is truly “ours” to do. A death in the family is really driving home how important and impactful those small, localized, personal efforts can be. I’ll be back later this month with my Journal episode (for paying subscribers) and am sure I will have more to say about this loss as I process. In the meanwhile, if you feel so moved, you can make a donation to this GoFundMe set up to help Adam, Judah, and Elia navigate this terrible loss and rebuild their lives. Thank you, friends, and keep caring. Warmly,Meagan This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

Ever cringe at how much of your monthly budget goes to restaurants? Yeah, been there - and so has CJ, creator of the food and book blog, A Well-Read Tart and a self-described former “restaurant rover and takeout queen.” While CJ and I both know how easy it is for eating out to become the default solution for everything from boredom to overwhelm to lack of planning, over the past couple of years the so-so nutritional value of many restaurant meals, a desire to keep our budgets in check, and just one too many underwhelming and overpriced eating-out experiences have helped push us both toward a new default: eating almost all of our meals at home. In this episode, CJ shares how she and her husband transitioned away from relying on restaurants to preparing most of their own meals, how she overcame mindset hurdles, what her planning process looks like, and the small, satisfying ways she still treats herself without defaulting to a restaurant menu. Whether you’ve been wanting to cook more at home or are just curious about making a similar shift, the tips, encouragement, and resources in this episode might just get you on your way. Recipe site and cookbook recommendations from CJ | A Well-Read Tart: * How Sweet Eats* The Girl Who Ate Everything* Pastry Chef Online* Smitten Kitchen* Dessert for Two* Allrecipes.com* Taste of Home Cookbook * Taste of Home Website * The classic Betty Crocker Cookbook* The Betty Crocker websiteRecipes we talked about on the show: * Quick Chickpea Curry* Shrimp Turmeric Curry* Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad* Grilled Spiced Skirt Steak* Lemon Piccata Flounder with Herbed Couscous* Baked Flounder with Shrimp Stuffing* Loaded Turkey Nachos (for the homemade taco seasoning we talked about!)* Quick and Easy Black Bean Burgers With Peach Guacamole * CJ’s Easy Homemade Fruit and Nut Granola recipe* My “so good I eat it everyday” granola recipeI hope you loved listening to this episode as much as I loved making it. As a reminder, while these mid-month conversations are still totally free (and ad-free), my Journal episodes - which come out on the first of each month - are a benefit for paying subscribers to The Kettle. In future behind-the-paywall posts and episodes I’ll be sharing more tips on eating well at home as well as a peek at my experiment in small-space living - including adventures in baking sourdough bread in a tiny RV kitchen!Upgrade your membership now to make sure you don’t miss a thing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.comThe July journal episode of The Kettle is all about the idea of “smallness” and what that means to me right now. In the episode I share some specific ways I’m leaning into smaller-scale efforts in my real life and the results. From working on my new book (a fiction project!) a little at a time, to the small-but-oh-so-satisfying yield from my modest-sized container garden, to the small space I’m inhabiting right now in the 30+ year old RV Eric and I are using as our home base Up North, this episode is all about the beauty of small!Upgrade your subscription now to listen to the full episode, and see more episode photos and links, and if you’re a paying subscriber. http://meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

Can you remember the first time you had a really good cup of tea, or maybe a tea experience that left you feeling inspired intrigued, and wanting more? Today’s guest Henrietta Lovell, the founder of the Rare Tea Company and author of the laugh-out-loud funny, informative, and inspiring memoir, Infused: Adventures in Tea, has made an entire career (and life!) from drinking good tea, journeying to the places that grow it, and meeting the people who harvest and make it. In this episode of The Kettle podcast, Henrietta shares her journey in building the Rare Tea Company from the ground up, her unconventional approach to running a tea business, her thoughts about buying directly from tea farmers, using teabags vs. loose-leaf, why she avoids tea with flavorings and additives, and why buying quality tea is worth it. We also talk a little about the history of tea-drinking, how our own cultural expectations can shape the way we experience tea, and of course, how to brew the perfect cup (spoiler: it depends on your palate and preferences!) Some of my favorite teas from the Rare Tea Company:* Malawi Antlers tea - this is the very unique tea I’m drinking during the episode; it’s made up of the delicate stems, rather than the leaves, of the tea plant. Sweet stonefruit flavors in the first cup, becomes more complex the longer you infuse. * Rare English Breakfast black tea - Malty, rich, smooth; milk and sugar optional.* Nepali Gunpowder Green - gunpowder green teas are more toasty than grassy; if you’re on the fence about green tea, give this one a try. * Chinese Iron Goddess Oolong - midway between a black and green tea, this oolong is light, floral, and delicately sweet. Other links: Infused: Adventures in Tea - Henrietta’s memoirRichard Hart Bread: Intuitive Sourdough Baking, by Richard Hart (who makes an accidental appearance in the episode!) and Laurie Woolever, with Henrietta Lovell - nominated for a 2025 James Beard award (check the site after June 16 to see if they won!) I hope you loved listening to this episode as much as I loved making it. As a reminder, while these mid-month conversations are still totally free (and ad-free), from now on my Journal episodes - which come out on the first of each month - are a benefit for paying subscribers to The Kettle. Upgrade your membership now to make sure you don’t miss a thing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.comMonthly Journal episodes and the accompanying post, which includes links to our upcoming community events, are a benefit for paying members of The Kettle. As a reminder, annual memberships to The Kettle are on sale through June 5 - just $30/year. Happy June, friends. I don’t know about you, but over the last week, I feel like the world around me has just come…alive. Everywhere I look, leaves are leafing, buds are budding, and blooms are blooming.Our world can be a stressful and anxiety-inducing place right now - but then, it always has been, hasn’t it? It’s equally true that it’s wild and wonderful and full of life - and how lucky we are, to quote the musical Hamilton, to be alive right now. In this month’s Journal episode - now reserved for paying members of The Kettle - I’m focusing on little things that feel alive - and help ME feel alive - in the place and season we’re in. From getting my kitchen routines back on track after the disruption of my book launch, to watching my garden grow, to starting a new fiction project (which I’ll tell you all about in the episode,) there are so many ways my world just feels ALIVE in this particular moment of time. I can’t to share them with you in the June Journal episode of The Kettle podcast. Listen here or in your favorite podcast app!

Hello friend,Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve given eleven livestreamed interviews and three or four (or was it five?) podcast interviews. I’ve been on TV twice, done two in-person signing events and have two more coming this weekend. And my book has only been out for nine days. A launch is an exercise in stamina, and this one is hitting me pretty differently at 47 than it did when I wrote my last book as a wee lass of 34.Other things have changed since then, too; namely, how much I find myself leaning on the generosity of other writers and creators to help me get the word out.Between 2007-2011, when I wrote my other books, publicity looked pretty different. It was more about trying to hit up the big outlets and hoping you landed appearances on the Today show or Good Morning America; maybe an op-ed in the New York Times. Today, in the age of social media, podcasts, and Substack, publishers expect authors to lean much more heavily on our personal networks to spread the word. It’s wonderful that so many of my friends have bona fide mini-media-empires of their own, but it’s also a little wearying to have to work my way around my circle of friends, friendlies, and not-exactly-friends-but-we-met-at-a-conference-one-time acquaintances, hoping they’ll have interest in my book and time to read and share it.But over and over again, I’ve been blown away by the generosity I’ve encountered. Starting with Gretchen Rubin, KJ Dell'Antonia, Mary Laura Philpott, Ashlee Gadd and Sarah Powers, who all agreed to “blurb” (provide advance praise) for my book, even though four of the five of them do not also own a business with me (in fact, Mary Laura didn’t know me at all.) Christine Koh and Laura Vanderkam were among the first to offer to interview me for their podcasts. Fellow West Michigan author (and Jenna’s-Book-Club novelist) Bonnie Jo Campbell sent me the most gracious and encouraging email offering to connect me to bookstore owners in her area. And eleven Substackers agreed to interview me LIVE on release day (all the recordings are linked up in this post.) When I say that these acts were generous, I don’t only mean the generosity of another creator offering me access to their audience or knowledge. Of course that is generous, but that’s also the way this business works - we swap promo for content and contact for contact; in many ways these exchanges are reciprocal.But in this experience, the generosity ran deeper than the simple exchange of value. I’ve come away with the feeling that people really showed up for me and this book - not just by doing the expected I’ll-scratch-your-back-you-scratch-mine stuff, but by putting all their attention into our live conversations (not a single phoned-in interview in the lot), by cheering my launch on social and at in-person events, by reading my words with a generosity of spirit, and by continuing to go above and beyond in sharing it after our scheduled interviews were over (I mean, just look at the display of writerly generosity in this lovely post by Asha Dornfest:)I’ve had a lot of conversations recently with other friends (both writers and non-writers) that seem to always, in some way, circle back around to generosity: how good it feels to be generous, and yet how difficult it can feel to make space for generosity when we all feel busy and overstretched in a world where there is both so much need and so much distraction. How hard it is sometimes to tell the difference between genuine generosity, the kind that pours out of the overflow, and the kind of giving where we just drain ourselves dry in order to feel more worthy or “good.” After feeling so inspired by the outpouring of generosity I’ve received, I have been reflecting on this for the last few days. A few ideas have come to mind:1. It helps to make time and space for generosity. I like to think of myself as a generous person, but my best intentions can get the best of me. When I feel too busy or strapped for time, those generous acts I really want to make time for tend to slip through my fingers. I think somewhere in my subconscious I’ve held on to a belief that if generosity is scheduled or planned, that it somehow doesn’t “count” - that “true” generosity bubbles up spontaneously when a need arises. But for me, that kind of attitude just leaves a lot of good intentions unfulfilled, because when the urge strikes me to be generous, I am not always in a position to act on that urge. And by the time I can do something for the person I want to help, I’ve often gotten caught up in the next thing on my list, or I’ve literally forgotten. So the other day I thought: I wonder what it would look like if I actually set aside a chunk of time each week specifically to do things for others? Whether a small, simple thing, like sharing my writer friends’ work online - or something more resource-consuming, like volunteering time or donating money to a local nonprofit, what if I had a specific “container” for generous activity set aside on my calendar? I still won’t ever be able to do all the generous things I wish I could do, and I’ll probably miss opportunities here and there. But by approaching a block of time with that singularity of purpose, I am much more likely to not only actually remember to get those things done but to approach requests with a spirit of abundance, rather than the “I’d like to help, but where will I find the time?” feeling I’m prone to getting right now when faced with a need. Because I’ll already have time set aside, so it’ll just be a matter of filling it up. I’m thinking I’m going to make Wednesday afternoons that block of time for myself. Generous Wednesday has a nice ring to it, yes? 2. It can actually be generous to say “no.”Over the past few months I’ve done a lot - I mean, a lot - of outreach for my book, and as part of that, I’ve asked for a lot of favors: for blurbs, for reviews, for shares, for introductions, for access. And while I know that emails do slip through the cracks and certainly don’t blame anyone for a non-response (I know I’ve done this to others plenty of times myself) I have to say that I have a certain appreciation for a quick and definitive, “I’m sorry, but I just can’t.” Yes, the initial moment of rejection stings a bit, especially if it’s a person I really hoped would be interested in my book, but it’s better than following up into the void or vague suggestions of interest that never go anywhere…or worse big promises that disappear in a puff of smoke, as Amie McNee describes in this recent post: Everyone is telling everyone else how supportive they are of each other. Thy’re going to connect you, platform you, promote you, hire you. 99% of it never materialises.I have to admit that I felt both taken aback and extremely fortunate while reading her post, because while I’m not going to say I’ve never been let down, I have not experienced this en masse. It’s made me so grateful for the generosity folks have shown me, for the most part, in honestly summing up their own capacity and declining (or even just backing out with notice) when they can’t do something. I’m not sure I’m always as honest with myself and clear with others in this regard as I could be, so it’s also strengthened my resolve to show the same kind of generosity to others…even when that means saying “I’m so sorry, but I can’t.” 3. We can’t be generous to everyone at all times. These days we are so connected, aware of so much need, and often trying to please so many people at once (my personal Kryptonite.) I am so guilty of tying myself in knots to try to “be generous”, often offering more and more to people who aren’t even all that interested in what I have to give. But there will always, always be more demands on our time and attention than we can deliver on; there will always, always be more people we could give of ourselves to. So how do I balance my desire to give with my capacity, both as a human being and as a creative? I think the answer begins with simply trying to do less, but do it better. We live in a growth-oriented culture that glorifies “scale” and “optimization”, but reaching more and more people doesn’t actually do more good if it means spreading ourselves too thinly in the interim, running out of steam or burning out entirely.This is something I will be continuing to think about as I process my book launch experience, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear from you: What are some ways you’ve experienced generosity lately? What are ways you aim to show generosity to others? Speaking of generosity: I’ve been so grateful to those of you who’ve generously supported my work as paid subscribers, even as I’ve been so head-down in book writing and promotion that I haven’t offered you much value in return. In the spirit of reciprocity, I’m working on ways to right that imbalance now. My first step will be putting these monthly Journal episodes and posts behind the Substack paywall starting on June 1, as a special way to acknowledge paid subscribers. If you aren’t currently a paid member of The Kettle and enjoy these monthly reflections, you’ll want to upgrade your subscription now. I’m offering a deep discount through June 5: annual memberships are just $30/year, less than $3/mo!And if you'd like to hear some more of my reflections on generosity and how I intend to use this space to give back to my audience, listen to the podcast episode linked in this newsletter. In it, I share some specific ways I’ll be narrowing my focus so that I can create a better experience here for the people who’ve so generously supported my work with their dollars, as well as those who would like to going forward. If you’re interested a deeper connection with my content and the community we’re building here, now is a great time to upgrade your subscription. And if you cannot swing the cost to upgrade but are an invested reader/listener, email me at Meagan at meaganfrancis dot com and I’ll happily comp your subscription. And speaking of giv

How might the experience of forming and raising a family change if we felt more able to share honestly and openly about our struggles, joys, and everything in between? Today I’m talking with Rebecca N. Thompson, MD, a family physician and public health physician who specializes in women’s and children’s health—and the author of the new book Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love. In this episode, Rebecca shares the process of writing her book, in which she tells the stories of twenty-one mothers whose lives and experiences intersect with hers and one another’s. We discuss Rebecca’s experiences of navigating three complicated, life-threatening pregnancies and losses as a medical professional, how her bumpy path to creating a family inspired this collaborative storytelling project, and how the meanings of motherhood can evolve and change for each of us through the many seasons of our lives.episode links* Rebecca N. Thompson’s author website, which includes links to upcoming events* Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love by Rebecca N. ThompsonReminder: my book The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next is out May 6, and I’m offering free signed book plates for every pre-order! Email the receipt/confirmation with “Book Plate” in the subject line to meagan@meaganfrancis.com, and be sure to include your mailing address and any special directions (like if you want it made out to a specific person besides yourself.) I’ll be accepting those receipts until May 15 and mailing out the book plates later this month. And keep an eye out for an email on May 5 with my Virtual Book Tour lineup! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

When you think of your children growing up, do you view their leaving as the end of an era - or the beginning of something new? In this episode, renowned happiness expert, author, and podcaster Gretchen Rubin joins me to discuss her “open-door” approach to parenting young adults, her brand-new, instant-NYTimes-bestselling book Secrets of Adulthood, our midlife lady hobbies, the way we remember (and don’t remember) our kids’ childhoods, and even the possibility of new puppies. Episode links: Gretchen’s new book: Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths For Our Complex LivesHAPPIER with Gretchen Rubin - Gretchen’s podcast"Abandon the Empty Nest. Instead, Try the Open Door." Gretchen’s article in The Atlantic that inspired this conversationI’ll be featured in Gretchen’s “Five Things” newsletter on May 9. Sign up now so you don’t miss it! Pssst - my book release date is right around the corner, May 6! Pre-orders mean a lot to authors - I’d love if you’d order your copy today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

This spring a lot of figurative “seeds” that I planted long ago, like my upcoming book launch and an expansion of my brick-and-mortar business, are starting to bear fruit - just at the time I am also hoping to literally put seeds in the ground.Sometimes, a bounty of good (but energy-consuming) things comes at the same time we’re also trying to invest in the next thing, and we can’t always plan on a steady rhythm of planting and harvesting.In this episode of The Kettle podcast I share more of my thoughts about how to lean into busy seasons, whether they’re times of harvest, times of planting - or sometimes, both at once. related linksBevy, my tea + creative supplies shop, has a newsletter! If you love tea, are tea-curious, or just want a behind-the-scenes peek at what it’s like to own a brick-and-mortar shop, subscribe for free here.My book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next, is available for pre-order now! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

For most of us, getting groceries automatically equals “going to the supermarket.” But does that brightly-lit jumble of logos, packaging, and confusing nutrition labels have to be the only - or even the primary - way we fill our fridges and pantries? For the past few years, as I’ve been committed to sourcing more and more of my food locally and seasonally, it’s automatically led to me relying less and less on the supermarket - and I’ve learned a lot along the way. In this episode of The Kettle, I share some alternate ways I’m sourcing everything from fruits, veggies, grains, and beans to meat and dairy - as well as the surprising mindset shifts that have made this process easier. episode links:* Country Life Foods - this is where I buy bulk beans, grains, sweeteners, oils and more. Free delivery with minimum purchase size. Save 10% with my link!* Thrive Market - good for smaller portions of whole foods, supplements, cleaning supplies and more. I’ve bought everything from Safe Catch tuna and salmon to chia seeds from Thrive. My link gets you a free gift when you sign up.* The Guide to Getting Out of Supermarkets - an inspiring episode of The Ancestral Kitchen Podcast* Find a CSA (community-supported agriculture) near you* Loved this post by Sarah Cook: Biggest Grocery Store Scams* I’m currently reading The Secret Life of Groceries by Benjamin Lorr, and it’s blowing my mind. related links: My book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next, is available for pre-order now! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

Are you even a midlife lady if you don’t suddenly drop everything and start a garden? In today’s episode, I talk with Christine Koh about our shared adult-onset passion for herbal medicine and our attempts - with varying degrees of success - at growing things. Christine shares how her adventures in gardening and herbalism - part of what she jokingly calls her #gloriouswitch transformation - were a force for healing as she came out of a stressful stage of life, and now provide her with a grounded, embodied way to connect her with the physical world, community, and tradition.We also discuss some of the specific herbal remedies both Christine and I have experimented with, some gardening successes (and a failure or two) from last year, and what we’re hoping to do in our gardens and kitchens this spring and summer. It’s the perfect cozy late-winter chat to get you thinking about working with your hands, growing green things, and making healing remedies for your family and friends.NOTE: Christine and I are planning a LIVE broadcast for later this week! We’ll be sharing more about our garden plans for spring, plus doing a show-and-tell of some of our herbal medicine projects. More details coming - make sure you’re subscribed to my Substack so you don’t miss it. Links from this episode: Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee de la ForetMedicinal Herbs by Rosemary GladstarChristine’s Wellness BrewMy Journey to Becoming a Glorious Witch - Edit Your Life Better Homes & Gardens garden planner Morality, Politics, and How to Find Common Ground (with Dr. Kurt Gray) - Edit Your Life162 Things To Do Instead Of Doomscrolling - There’s Always A Story (Christine’s Substack)My private subscriber chat has been busy lately, with conversations about college-aged kids, creative goals, and more. Join us!We’re also kicking off a weekly co-create circle on February 25 which will only be available to paid subscribers. Join The Kettle now to RSVP. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe

More and more, people are talking about leaving social media for good. But how? It’s easy to feel trapped by these networks that have become so intertwined in every aspect of our lives, from shopping to socializing. In this episode of The Kettle, I catch up with my good friend and business partner Sarah Powers to discuss her decision to walk away from Instagram over a year ago, and how the exit impacted her: both the positive effects (a return to writing without self-consciousness; more engagement in her physical world) and more negative effects (turns out, she struggles with information FOMO.) We also discuss my new in-real-life tea business, and whether it’s necessary for small businesses to have a social media presence to thrive today. Episode Links:* Sarah's Substack, Home Again, and her series A Year Without Instagram: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3* This is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are by Melody Warnick* If You Could Live Anywhere: The Surprising Importance of Place In A Work-From-Anywhere World by Melody Warnick* The One Parenting Decision That Really Matters, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz for The Atlantic* A past podcast interview: Cozy, Creative Spaces with Sarah Powers * Sarah’s and my other podcast, The Mom Hour* Join The Kettle community to access a private chat with other members, including a new conversation based on this topic. * My most recent Substack post: What If Things Don’t Get Better? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com/subscribe