Pop Culture Hour: Are All Parents in Hell? What We Think Chappell Roan Got Right (and Wrong) About Motherhood

“Is Parenthood Hellish? Unpacking Chappell Roan’s Viral Comment” | Do You Want the Truth? with Sam Strom & New Cohost Zara Hanawalt

Welcome to the very first episode of Do You Want the Truth? – Pop Culture Hour! I’m Sam Strom, and I’m thrilled to kick off this new weekly series with Zara Hanawalt. You might remember her from a previous episode; Zara is a seasoned journalist, a twin mom, and a total powerhouse. Each week, we’ll be breaking down what’s happening in pop culture through a lens that centers moms, women, and the messy beauty of real life.

In this episode, we dive into the internet firestorm sparked by pop star Chappell Roan’s recent comment: "All the parents I know are in hell." We unpack what she meant (or didn’t mean), how people are reacting, and why it struck such a nerve - especially with moms. Zara and I don’t always agree, and that’s what makes this conversation so juicy. We talk about the nuances of parenting joy vs. burnout, cultural expectations of moms, and how privilege, societal structures, and TikTok trends are all colliding in this moment. If you’ve ever felt judged (or found yourself judging) how someone else does motherhood, this episode is for you.

💬 Join the Conversation

We want to hear from YOU! What do you think about Chappell Roan’s take on parenting? Do you agree, disagree, or land somewhere in the messy middle? Text us your thoughts or tag us on social media.

And don’t forget—if you loved this episode (or even just felt something!), please rate, follow, and leave a review. It helps us grow and keeps the truth-telling alive.

Until next time, —Sam & Zara 🖤

🕰️ Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Meet Zara Hanawalt! Our new cohost joins the pod and shares what to expect from our weekly pop culture breakdowns.

[0:44] – Zara unpacks her first reactions to Chappell Roan’s viral quote—and how it hit differently as a mom.

[2:31] – Why the internet’s reaction to moms responding joyfully is rubbing Zara the wrong way.

[4:42] – Sam shares her journey into motherhood—and how social media painted a misleading picture before she became a parent.

[7:13] – The reality of parenting in America: lack of support, cultural pressures, and why we need to talk policy.

[10:12] – “The light has gone from their eyes…” Is it burnout, depression, or a broken system?

[14:44] – Can we finally stop pretending it’s either #BossBabe or #TradWife? Sam and Zara call out the false binary.

[16:28] – The problem with framing motherhood as “the only path to joy”—and how it weaponizes choice.

[20:35] – We wrap with a call to conversation: Is parenthood hellish for you? Or is the narrative just out of control?

🔗 Links & Resources

• Follow Zara on Instagram: @zarahanawalt
• Follow us on Instagram: @doyouwantthetruthpod
• Listen to our previous episode with Eve Rodsky
• Learn more about the U.S. Surgeon General’s comments on parenting and mental health