Today we discuss how motherhood and child-free women are culturally discussed and pitted against one another, referencing podcasts, a journalistic series and Emma Gannon's new novel, Olive, along the way. We also answer an Ask The High Low from a woman whose partner wants children, but she's worried about how pregnancy, birth and motherhood may affect her mental health. Also today, we talk about a candid interview with Thandie Newton, where the actor reflects on a 30 year career often rife with micro-aggressions and misogyny, Nick Hornby's new novel and recommend two social and mentorship networks: City Girl Network and The Black Agents and Editors Group, for people of African descent working in publishing or media. E-mail [email protected] Tweet @thehighlowshow Shop thehighlowshop.com - 100% of profits go to charity, 50% to Show Racism The Red Card and 50% to Women's Aid Links Reading Olive by Emma Gannon Just Like You by Nick Hornby  Thandie Newton interview by E Alex Jung for Vulture https://www.vulture.com/article/thandie-newton-in-conversation.html Michaela Cole interview by E Alex Jung for Vulture https://www.vulture.com/article/michaela-coel-i-may-destroy-you.html 'Am I willing to risk my mental health to have a baby?' by Bella Mackie for The Sunday Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bella-mackie-am-i-willing-to-risk-my-mental-health-to-have-a-baby-36pvzdl50 Guardian US series on being child-free https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/series/childfree Listening/ watching Helen Mirren on WTF with Marc Maron Sian Harries and Grace Dent are ambivalent about motherhood https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09jd32d Networks, petitions and mentorship City Girls Network https://citygirlnetwork.com The Black Agents and Editors Group https://blackagentsandeditors.com Sign the petition to protect free hospital parking for NHS staff https://www.change.org/p/uk-parliament-free-parking-at-work-for-all-nhs-staff?recruiter=60114810&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=11bcc65d09ce4da697c7beddfbe0a4f7&recruited_by_id=2c992f50-ed5e-0130-e2cf-3c764e044346   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.