ep89 - The Myths of Motherhood Explored with Chine McDonald

Christian Book Blurb

In this episode of the Christian Book Club podcast, host Matt McChlery speaks with author Chine McDonald about her book 'Unmaking Mary', which explores the complexities of motherhood through the lens of Mary, the mother of Jesus. They discuss the cultural myths surrounding motherhood, personal experiences, and the unrealistic ideals often portrayed in society. Chinny shares insights on how these narratives affect mothers today and offers advice on embracing imperfection and grace in the journey of motherhood.

Links

Buy a copy of Chine McDonald's book 'Unmaking Mary' from St Andrews Bookshop

Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery

Sponsor an episode of this podcast Click for Advertising info

Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com

Visit Chine McDonald's website chinemcdonald.com

With thanks to this episode's sponsors 'Gods Eye View' by Trevor Lurman PhD

Takeaways

• Motherhood transformed my understanding of God.
• Cultural narratives often misrepresent motherhood.
• Mary's representation in art is one-dimensional.
• The myths surrounding Mary add layers to her story.
• Personal experiences of motherhood can be challenging.
• Social media creates unrealistic motherhood ideals.
• The portrayal of pregnancy in media is often absurd.
• Embodiment is a crucial aspect of motherhood.
• Grace is essential in the journey of motherhood.
• We must strive to understand and listen to each other.

Sound Bites

• "Motherhood changed me as a person."
• "We put extra layers on a person."
• "We're not just souls, we're embodied."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:56 Exploring the Book 'Unmaking Mary'
04:24 The Myths Surrounding Mary
08:54 Personal Experiences of Motherhood
11:24 Cultural Reflections of Motherhood
17:41 Challenging the Ideal of Perfect Motherhood
19:56 Advice for Mothers and Conclusion