Why Young People Are Saying No to Family — And How to Change It | Catherine Pakaluk (repost)

Why are fewer young people choosing marriage and children—and what can we learn from those who swim against the tide?

Economist and author Catherine Pakaluk joins us to share the story behind her groundbreaking book Hannah’s Children. From her personal journey as a young wife and mother of six overnight, to her research on the cultural and spiritual roots of declining birth rates, Catherine unpacks what it really means to see children as gifts rather than burdens. This conversation is raw, hopeful, and deeply countercultural—perfect for anyone wrestling with questions of calling, career, and family.

01:22 – Welcome and introduction to Catherine Pakaluk

02:22 – Why Hannah’s Children was written

04:22 – The birth rate crisis and cultural shifts in Gen Z

07:22 – Catherine’s personal story: marriage, family, and unexpected callings

13:22 – Balancing being a new wife and instant mother of six

18:22 – “Readiness” and why waiting for the “perfect moment” doesn’t work

23:22 – One child at a time: openness without numbers

25:22 – Money myths: why children aren’t “too expensive”

30:22 – The deeper reasons behind declining birth rates

37:22 – How faith and lived experience shape the desire for children