Going Through It

When author and podcast host Nora McInerny found herself forming a blended family with a new partner not long after the death of her first husband, she had to leave behind any plans she thought she had.

As a young actor in Hollywood, Jenifer Lewis never planned on starting a family. But since then she's played some of the most influential mother roles on TV and in movies. Along the way she's found many different ways to mother.

In many ways, Drag Superstar Sasha Velour's Drag Mothers were her grandmas, who encouraged her exploration of drag at a young age. The lessons she learned from them inform her approach to mentoring other drag queens today.

ESPN host Elle Duncan planned her two pregnancies meticulously, just like she planned her career as a sports anchor. But, health complications with her second child forced her to confront the inescapable uncertainty of parenting.

When the desire to have kids never kicked in, sociologist Dr. Amy Blackstone thought there was something wrong with her. When she turned to her profession for answers, she learned that “maternal instinct” is largely a myth.

Comedian Negin Farsad's parents never pressured her to have kids. But when her dad told a story about her own birth that she'd never heard before, she felt a surprising sense of duty to continue her family's line in America.

For most of his life, Hank Green, the Internet's science teacher, didn't know how to hold a baby, let alone raise one. Now that he's a dad himself, it's the small moments that make him feel like a pro.

Content creator Jessica Rose built a brand around talking about motherhood online – specifically the parts she doesn't like about it. And she's come to realize that regretting parenthood doesn't necessarily make you a bad parent.

Sexologist Shan Boodram did not want a second child. So when she found out she was pregnant again and her feelings about it were not entirely positive, she had to reckon with the imperfect parts of herself.

Author Elizabeth Gilbert thought motherhood was inevitable. But one night at a friend's dinner party, she realized it didn't have to be that way… and that she'd have to make some big changes if she wanted to rewrite her future.

Chasten Buttigieg always wanted to be a father, but wasn't sure it was possible for him as a gay man. After his husband Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign ended, they embarked on another challenging journey: adoption.

After seven years of marriage, activist and author Austin Channing Brown was pretty sure she didn't want children. But a conversation with a friend made her wonder if she was following her desire… or her fear.

Writer Roxane Gay and her wife Debbie still haven't decided if they'll have children. But instead of feeling pressured by the choice (or by the clock), Roxane finds freedom in their options and sees many ways to parent.

Ashley C. Ford is 36, married, and trying to decide: should she have kids? On the fourth season of Going Through It, Ashley talks to 13 noteworthy guests about how they made the choice and what creating family looks like for them.

Margaret Cho grew up watching Joan Rivers perform standup on TV. When Margaret became a comic herself, Joan supported her with words, actions, and jokes.

In a family filled with strong women, the spirit, wisdom and love of Tia Mowry's grandmother endures.

When Fawzia Mirza was 18, her mom enlisted her to smuggle her mom's favorite fruit, Pakistani mangoes, from Canada to the US. Now, as a queer Muslim fimmaker, she still values the mango as a way they still connect.

Any successful partnership—business, romantic, or creative—starts with a meaningful connection between 2 people. Partners is a podcast about the people whose journey together led to the creation of something extraordinary.

Cultural constraints kept Alexander Chee's grandmother from pursuing Chinese Calligraphy until late in life. Alex created the Yi Dae Up Fellowship in her name to help give women writers of Asian descent the chance she didn't get.

When Franklin Leonard found himself out of his big-wig Hollywood job, he wanted to mope. His mentor, the legendary Hollywood attorney Nina Shaw, wasn't having it.

The late actor Michael K. Williams and Aunjanue Ellis's grandmother had one thing in common: neither needed words to tell Aunjanue how to follow her calling and be her truest self with confidence.

Zohran Mamdani's college road trip through East Africa with his dad and uncle was a blissful tour of his heritage. Then he got his report card back.

When Sasheer Zamata enrolled at her university, she didn't know where she was headed. A staging of a play by the school's brand-new theater professor helped her find her purpose, her identity, and the confidence to try anything.

At 15, all Melissa Proctor wanted was a job at the local mall. Instead, advice from her mother helped her make history as the Miami Heat's first ball girl.

As a teenager, Ijeoma Oluo thought male attention would validate her as a person worth knowing. A late night proclamation from a friend's older sister snapped her back to reality.

Chani Nicholas first learned of astrology and healing from her step-grandmother. Although they didn't remain close, Chani still honors her influence by trusting her own inner voice.

Being a leader in a field is hard. Being a leader in theoretical physics as a Black woman is a unique battle. When the weight of being one of the first became too heavy, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein turned to her mom for perspective.

When Randa Jarrar started her MFA program, she thought she was taking the next step on the path to success. That is until her professor, Leslie Marmon Silko, told her to drop out.

Lorena Borjas taught Chase Strangio many things over their decade of working together, including how to show up and fight for trans people in New York City. Her most important lesson? There's always something to celebrate.

When Kelly Marie Tran was in middle school, a simple question from her dad – an immigrant to the US from Vietnam – changed the way she understood class, race and success in America.

With new host Jenny Yang, Going Through It returns for its third season featuring 15 notable guests reflecting on what they learned from the elders who influenced them at just the right time.

In this special live episode, Tracy sits down with TV host Tamron Hall at Vulture Fest to discuss being fired from The Today Show. She also shares what it has been like to launch her new talk show and becoming a new mother.

Tracy sits down with actress Tika Sumpter to talk about the ups and downs that come with following your dreams. Tika shares the journey of being a waitress in New York City to becoming the actress she always dreamed of.

Tracy chats with Angela Davis, aka The Kitchenista, about how she pivoted to following her passion for cooking full time. Angela highlights the importance of focusing your time on the things you love.

Tracy talks with Emmy award-winning writer, screenwriter and actress Lena Waithe about the power of self-determination and recognizing that struggles are a normal part of our journey.

Tracy welcomes transgender activist Raquel Willis to discuss speaking up for yourself and standing in your truth. Raquel also shares how her life trajectory changed after learning of the passing of a young transgender girl.

Tracy is joined by Girlfriends creator, Mara Brock Akil to chat about betting on yourself. Mara also shares the moment she was ready to risk it all for a chance at earning it all.

Tracy chats with writer, podcaster, and educator Ashley C. Ford about how a toxic relationship temporarily halted the bigger visions she had for her life. Ashley also shares how self-love led to her biggest breakthrough.

Tracy talks with actress Meagan Good about her infamous fashion moment at the 2013 BET Awards. Meagan shares exactly what happened, the backlash she faced, and how she found strength in her faith despite the criticism.

Tracy is joined by New York Times culture writer and podcast host of Still Processing, Jenna Wortham. Jenna discusses how her dad’s illness propelled her to have more awareness for her own health and self-care.

Tracy sits down with Naj Austin, Founder and CEO of Ethel’s Club and Somewhere Good. Naj shares what prompted her to create Ethel’s Club and the questions she faced as a young, Black entrepreneur in the startup world.

Tracy chats with Essence Magazine’s Entertainment Director, Cori Murray, to talk about the lessons she learned working at the longstanding media company and the importance of supporting the multitudes of Black culture.

Tracy is joined by awarding-winning actress and performer, Danielle Brooks. The pair talk about the surprises in store for Danielle when she gave birth to her first child.

Tracy and Ilhan Omar, U.S. Representative from Minnesota’s 5th district, discuss Ilhan’s journey from Somalia to America and how she remains strong amid criticism on the public stage.