Bethany Mandel has been outspoken since I met her. She’s blunt, to the point and has a lot of strong opinions. She’s been able to make use of those as a freelance writer, publishing opinions on everything from vaccines to guns to privacy issues and more on impressive outlets like the New York Times, the Atlantic and the Washington Post. In today’s interview, we dig into the vaccine debate (she’s pro-vaxx) and a couple of other issues she’s written about.

She also fights fiercely for North Korean refugees and is a crunchy momma who’s into things like natural births and she dabbles in free-range parenting. Shortly after our interview, Bethany gave birth to her fourth baby. It wasn’t quite as exciting as the third, who was born in a car on the side of the road (full story in this episode!)

Bethany is always quick to help a friend and always seems up for doing things, even if it means packing up her whole crew and taking them on the road with her. That’s my kind of momma! She took a teary phone call from me weeks after the birth of my first child when I was struggling with breastfeeding — and offered up support and encouragement after hearing I was starting my journey as a stay-at-home mom. I’m still reaping the benefits of all the friends I made living in DC — and Bethany is one of those!

What we talked about:

* Ladybrains* That Sethany Show* The Chosen* Neurotribes* Ben Shapiro Show* Kids podcasts: Story Pirates, Wow in the World, Circle Round

Connect with Bethany:

* Facebook* Twitter* Instagram

Recent Episodes:

* The Rise of a CNN Superstar: S.E. Cupp is Unfiltered* Charlotte Pence on Living a Gracious Life* Homesteading Mama: Whitney Athayde on Natural, Home Births and Farm Life