083: Some big updates for this newsletter
Two Truths turns three! Find us in 'Fast Company' & more changes...
Welcome to Two Truths, a bestselling newsletter & media brand exploring the many truths of motherhood from journalists & maternal health advocates Cassie Shortsleeve & Kelsey Haywood Lucas of Motherspeak. Two Truths is rooted in the healing & affirming principle that two (or more) things can be true. It’s a “best parenting Substack” per Motherly and The Skimm says you should subscribe; also seen in Vox, The Bump, Popsugar & more.
For three years, we’ve been writing this newsletter in between deadlines and bedtimes; in the margins (of early mornings and post-bedtime send times—ever notice our 8:02 p.m. delivery?); over morning walks, lots of laughs, a serious conviction that women and moms deserve better, and the quiet belief that the messiness is what’s worth sharing.
So, as Two Truths has grown, we have some updates to share.
First…you’ll now find exclusive Two Truths reporting over on Fast Company.
We were recently invited to join Fast Company’s Creator Network (!)—a just-launched collective where independent journalists and newsletter writers share their writing and reporting with the mag. As some of the first journalists in the network, we join writers including Pete Pachal of Media CoPilot and Dr. Jessica Wilen of A Cup of Ambition. We are thrilled to bring the stories and voices of women and mothers to the publication’s wider audience.
“We’re happy to have the opportunity to collaborate with Two Truths, and offer our readers expert insight on the complexities of parenthood and how to navigate changing personal identity alongside professional lives,” says Maia McCann, Executive Digital Director of Fast Company.
You’ll find exclusive Two Truths content on Fast Company every few weeks. You can read our first story—an exclusive piece of our conversation with poet and author Loryn Brantz about her new book Poems of Parenting—here.
(You can also read our extended Q&A with Brantz for Two Truths here.)
If you found your way to Two Truths via Fast Company, welcome. We’re so glad you’re here.
Second, we’re updating our subscription options:
For three years, we’ve published Two Truths with the support of our partners—many that you know and love (Bobbie, Perelel, Thrive Market, Natural Cycles, Eucerin, Needed, and more)—and you.
As we say in every issue, our paid subscribers make this newsletter possible.
With your support, we have grown to over 7,000 readers, become a Substack best-seller, and earned media accolades from outlets including Motherly (which called us a “best parenting” newsletter) and The Skimm (which encouraged readers to subscribe and noted our knack for putting “groundbreaking news into context”).
As our community grows, so does our commitment to making this newsletter sustainable. Which is why, starting this month, most of our issues will be available to paid subscribers only.
If you’ve been moved by something we’ve written (our nostalgia issue, maybe?), ever forwarded an issue to a friend, or saved our words to re-read later, we’re asking you to upgrade your subscription.
Becoming a paid subscriber means you’ll get access to:
Deep dives on everything from maternal health to the politics of care
The links lists you love—whether that’s news roundups, product picks, or weekly reads
Our takes on cultural trends, societal shifts, and whatever's haunting the news
Exclusive Q&As with experts we trust—Shannon Watts, Pooja Lakshmin, Karen Kleiman, and more
More surprises we’re working on behind the scenes
Becoming a paid subscriber helps make this work more possible—funding our ideas and the words, stories, reports, answers, and more, you get in your inbox every week.
We know where you put your money matters; this platform has a lot of talented writers and newsletters to choose from. Paying for publication after publication adds up.
We also know that the work we are doing matters—and that to make this newsletter work, we must call it what it is: work. Doing that isn’t a bad thing or a good thing. It’s just a thing that is true.
For better or worse, we work in an industry where art, work, and life constantly blend. That is beautiful, that can be really hard, and that’s part of what makes this project so special. To keep going, we need your support.
Thanks for being here.
If you’re currently a free subscriber, upgrade here for just $5 a month (or try the free trial). Your upgraded subscription includes access to every issue (like links lists, trending news updates, reported deep dives, exclusive Q&As like this one, and more) plus access to our full archive of content, special giveaways, and other perks. Our paid supporters directly support independent journalism that centers maternal health — and make this newsletter possible.
If a paid subscription isn’t possible right now, we still want you here—and we’ll still provide free content for you to enjoy
Free subscribers will continue to receive one thoughtfully crafted issue a month. That might be…
a roundup of stories you need to read
a collection of things we’re loving
a new series we’ll be launching soon about noticing the good (because we simply need more of that right now)
And, of course, sponsored issues unlocked by our brand partners will always remain free—including a forthcoming deep dive for all recovering “good girls” or moms who have caught themselves in the unattainable quest for perfection, with insights from one of our favorite childhood and maternal health psychologists.
If you’re a brand and you’d like to support this newsletter while reaching our collective audience of 2+ million moms monthly, click here to learn more about our partnerships.
✨ Thanks for reading & thank you for supporting this work (done between naps, after bedtimes, and before school pickups). Hit the heart button to tell us you enjoyed this issue, share it on social media (don’t forget to tag @twotruthsmotherhood on IG), or forward it to a friend. We appreciate you. —Cassie and Kelsey
Want to sponsor an issue of Two Truths or learn about partnership opportunities?
Resources and Support For Maternal Mental Health
Emergency assistance is available 24/7 at 911
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA or 1-833-852-6262) provides access to a trained counselor 24/7 and is available in Spanish and English
Postpartum Support International provides educational resources on PMADs, free support groups, webinars, advanced trainings for providers, and more
Postpartum Support International’s provider directory includes a list of thousands of trained professionals organized by state
The Motherhood Center offers counseling, support groups, and webinars
The Postpartum Stress Center offers educational resources, counseling, a referral list of trained providers, and advanced training for providers
SUPPORT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WITH POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL (PSI). PSI is a global champion for perinatal mental health that connects individuals and families to the resources and support needed to give them the strongest and healthiest start possible. Visit postpartum.net for information on perinatal mental health disorders, access to 30+ free, online support groups, an online provider directory, the PSI HelpLine, local support coordinators, a perinatal mental health discussion tool, specialized support resources, and more. Call the PSI HelpLine toll-free at 1-800-944-4773 for basic information, support, and resources. Support via text message is also available at 800-944-4773 (English) and 971-203-2773 (Español). Remember: You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.