The Dilemma

Gina Rushton•dm.org.au

Should we become parents? The Dilemma is here to explore all of the questions that come up when we're asking the mother of all questions. In a series of funny, uncomfortable and inspiring conversations journalist Gina Rushton speaks to psychologists, political observers, activists, philosophers and fertility specialists who all share the load in carrying a dilemma that can feel all too heavy at a time of uncertainty.

Last refreshed: July 26th, 2025 at 2:33 PM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

BONUS EPISODE: How do friendships survive this decision?

In this extra special bonus episode, Gina is joined by one of her best friends Gyan Yankovich, author of Just Friends . They discuss how the question of parenthood can transform friendships for better or worse. Host: Gina Rushton Executive producer: Kara Jensen-Mackinnon Guests: Gyan Yankovich Extra reading: You can read Gyan’s book here , catch up on the viral essay by Allison P. Davis in The Cut here and find Gina’s books here . Money Power Freedom is a six-part series hosted by beloved late c...

Aug 12, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Episode seven: Has this all been a waste of time?

In the final episode The Dilemma, Gina talks to a philosopher and mother who isn’t convinced a pros and cons list can ever solve the question of parenthood. Stay subscribed to this channel as we’re not going anywhere! Host: Gina Rushton Executive producer: Kara Jensen-Mackinnon Guests: LA Paul , Chris Cheers Extra reading: This is the paper from Paul that changed Gina’s thinking and this is her book . You can find Gina’s book, where she writes deeper on this concept, here . You can find Chris’ b...

Aug 05, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Episode six: How do we hope better?

Many people are trying to make decisions about their futures while holding both hope and fear. In this episode of The Dilemma we’re talking about climate guilt, who should be panicking and whether you can make hope from scratch. Host: Gina Rushton Executive producer: Kara Jensen-Mackinnon Guests: Tom Whyman , Mary Annaïse Heglar Extra reading: Tom’s book Infinitely Full of Hope can be found here . Mary’s novel can be found here and her latest book, the one for children, can be found here . Gina,...

Jul 29, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Episode five: Is egg freezing an insurance policy?

In this week's episode of The Dilemma we are talking about fertility with two special guests. Sheree generously shares her personal story and Dr Tash tells us about the advice she gives patients. We talk about whether people are being pushed into egg freezing, what to do about time-wasting partners and what comes after the grief of infertility. Host: Gina Rushton Executive producer: Kara Jensen-Mackinnon Guests: Sheree Joseph , Dr Natasha Andreadis Extra reading: Sheree wrote about her experienc...

Jul 22, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Episode four: Why are we scared of raising boys?

You can’t consider parenthood without thinking about gender — your own, that of your partner and that of your potential child. This week on The Dilemma we’re talking about why some women don’t want to raise boys, why men don’t want to go to therapy and why there are so many memes about boyfriends as hapless children and girlfriends as tired mothers. Host: Gina Rushton Executive producer: Kara Jensen-Mackinnon Guests: Zac Seidler , Bridie Jabour Extra reading: You can find Bridie’s latest book he...

Jul 15, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Episode three: Who killed the girlboss?

If not kids then what? For many people the answer is a consuming career. Like many millennial women, Gina entered the workforce during the rise of the #girlboss and spent the next decade watching and experiencing the death of a dream in which a job could be an identity. This week on The Dilemma we explore what we internalise about what makes a good worker, what makes a good mother and what makes a good life. Host: Gina Rushton Executive producer: Kara Jensen-Mackinnon Guests: Gabrielle Moss , Am...

Jul 08, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Episode two: Can you bribe people into having kids?

People are having no children, fewer children or waiting longer to have children. What can politicians be doing to make people feel more confident in growing their families? And what does this have to do with reproductive rights? This episode of The Dilemma was made possible with the support of The Victorian Women’s Trust. For almost 40 years, the Victorian Women’s Trust has pushed for critical social change to support women, girls and gender-diverse people to thrive. But there’s so much more to...

Jul 01, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Episode one: The Dilemma

For journalist Gina Rushton, the question arrived as a sudden and unbearable cramp. Should I become a parent? In the debut episode of The Dilemma we explore why this question feels so complicated in 2024. This episode of The Dilemma was made possible with the support of The Victorian Women’s Trust, a feminist agency that has been amplifying women and their concerns for almost four decades now. To learn more, follow @VicWomensTrust on social media or head to their website . Host: Gina Rushton Exe...

Jun 24, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Hosted on Omny Studio

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android