Birth of a Parent

About Birth of a Parent

When a baby is born, a parent is born too. But what if that's more than a metaphor? Birth of a Parent explores the emerging science of how parenthood transforms the human mind. Host Michael Feigelson speaks with leading scientists, writers, and thinkers to investigate whether becoming a parent is one of life's most profound – and least understood – developmental stages. Winner of three golden Signal Awards 2026 🥇 By following the podcast, you support our message and never miss an episode. Production by Studio Becq, sound design and mixing by Felix Richel, theme by Daniel Galili. This podcast is part of the Early Childhood Matters (https://earlychildhoodmatters.online/) platform by the Van Leer Foundation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Early Childhood Matters with Michael Feigelson

Category

education · health & fitness · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Jul 2026

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

7 of 14 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Bonus - We’re Finalists, and We Need Your Vote!

   This episode announces "Birth of a Parent" as a finalist for multiple Lovie and Signal Awards, highlighting the podcast's recognition in the parenting and documentary space.

2. 

   23 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Ep. 12 - The Grandmother Hypothesis (with Alison Gopnik)

   Developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik discusses the Grandmother Hypothesis, revealing how grandparents' roles in human evolution shaped childhood and cooperative caregiving.

3. 

   16 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Ep. 11 - The Stories We're Missing (with Franklin Leonard)

   Host [Host Name] interviews Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List, exploring why parenthood's transformative stories remain largely untold.

4. 

   9 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Ep. 10 - The New Fatherhood Script (with Richard Reeves)

   Host Richard Reeves, founding president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, interviews guests about the evolving script of modern fatherhood and its profound impact on men's lives.

5. 

   2 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Ep. 9 - The Questions Without Answers (with Krista Tippett)

   Writer and On Being host Krista Tippett shares how motherhood cultivates wonder and transforms perception in this interview.

6. 

   26 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Ep. 8 - Is a Blade of Grass Enough? (with Nadina Galle)

   Ecological engineer Nadina Galle discusses how parenthood transforms our perception of urban nature and its profound impact on human well-being in this interview.

7. 

   19 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Ep. 7 - The World’s Best Managers (with Emily Oster)

   Host Michael is interviewing economist and data expert Emily Oster about applying management principles to parenting for better decision-making and leadership.

8. 

   12 Aug 2026

   Ep. 6 - The Illusion of Knowing (with Lulu Miller)

   Science journalist and Radiolab host Lulu Miller discusses the human drive for order and the liberating power of embracing uncertainty in this interview.

9. 

   5 Aug 2026

   Ep. 5 - The Rituals That Hold Us Together (with Dimitris Xygalatas)

   Host [Host Name] interviews anthropologist Dimitris Xygalatas about how rituals provide comfort and connection, especially during the uncertainties of parenthood.

10. 

    29 Jul 2026

    Ep. 4 - The Connected Mind (with Vicky Leong)

    Developmental neuroscientist Vicky Leong discusses how parents and children synchronize their minds, revealing insights into early learning and connection in this interview.

11. 

    22 Jul 2026

    Ep. 1 - A Human Metamorphosis (with Oren Harman)

    Historian of science Oren Harman interviews host [Host Name] exploring metamorphosis in nature and its surprising parallels to becoming a parent.

12. 

    22 Jul 2026

    Ep. 2 - The Mom Brain Revolution (with Susana Carmona)

    Neuroscientist Susana Carmona discusses how motherhood fundamentally reshapes the human brain, revealing new scientific insights into maternal neuroplasticity.

13. 

    22 Jul 2026

    Ep. 3 - The Dad Bod Theory (with Lee Gettler)

    Anthropologist Lee Gettler explains how fatherhood biologically reshapes men's bodies and hormones, offering insights into paternal biology.

14. 

    8 Jul 2026

    Trailer - Birth of a Parent

    Host Michael Feigelson interviews leading scientists and thinkers about how parenthood profoundly transforms the human mind, exploring this under-recognized developmental stage.

Who has been a guest on Birth of a Parent

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Alison Gopnik
• Franklin Leonard
• Richard Reeves
• Krista Tippett
• Nadina Galle

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

46 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

39 ratings

Contact Birth of a Parent

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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• 

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• 

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  Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting

Questions about Birth of a Parent