Welcome to Two Truths—a best-selling newsletter by health journalist Cassie Shortsleeve and Motherspeak creator Kelsey Haywood Lucas. Two Truthsexplores the many facets of maternal health and living well in today’s world. It’s been named a “best parenting Substack” by Motherly, recommended by The Skimm, and featured in Today, Fast Company, The Bump & more.
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When I first started putting together this week’s news round-up, I came across a troubling new report from UN Women: A global report of women across 119 countries found that almost half of the female journalists surveyed self-censored themselves on social media; 22% self-censored their reporting out of fear of threats, retaliation, or violence.
Today, women’s and maternal health content is regularly flagged, restricted, or shadowbanned across social media. We know that. We see it happen to our own posts all the time. Yet, seeing these new UN Women figures reminded me of the realities so many women in media around the world face—and just how important journalism by women, for women, is. We started Two Truths to create a home for the stories we felt weren’t being told, and we’re grateful that you have trusted us to deliver these pieces.
In just a few years’ time, Two Truths has…
broken big stories (see here about the first FDA-approved pill indicated for postpartum depression)
explained complicated mental health topics with insights from some of the top experts in the world (see here for a deep dive on postpartum psychosis)
broken through the noise on topics like fertility (see here for 13 things you really need to know)
brought you weekly(-ish) links to the products that are actually making life happier, healthier, and more joyful.
debated divisive topics in motherhood, like the phrase “sleep when the baby sleeps,” in detail with nuance
delivered feel-good news when times feel hard
provided endless tips on memory keeping and journaling in motherhood
and so much more!
We are committed to reporting on women’s and maternal health and writing stories about how to live well in today’s world. We also need your help to continue to do this work. So, here's what we need from you: Help us reach 1,000 paid subscribers and keep this work going.
Here’s what paid subscribers will get access to in this issue alone:
Details on a new maternal health study most people missed—and what it means for you. I brought this study directly into a conversation with a senior member of the administration while working with Chamber of Mothers last week.
More about the new UN Women report on female journalists.
How the class of antidepressant medications, SSRIs, could be messing with your sex drive (and don’t miss our piece here on what you need to know about SSRIs and pregnancy).
The pilot flying women across state lines to get abortions.
An underreported argument about the falling birth rate that challenges much of what’s out there right now.
An important listen on why a major women’s health condition was just renamed.
The ways in which the difficult people in your life are really harming your health.
Becoming a Two Truths paid subscriber means you get full access to every issue and exclusive access to important reporting or interviews with experts. It costs $5 a month or $50 a year, and directly funds our independent journalism, reporting, research, interviews, and, yes, the links and fun stuff, too.
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