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MANSFIELD — When Jillian Henry learned she was pregnant, she wasn’t afraid of losing herself — she was determined to bring her full self with her.
In this week’s episode of Better Together, she sits down with co-hosts Maddie Penwell and Brittany Schock to talk about navigating pregnancy, friendship, and advocacy as a first-time mom in her 30s.
Henry — director of marketing at the Renaissance Theatre and president of the board for Love On A Mission — reflects on the pressures of growing up in a small town, the decision to parent outside the church, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and families.
“I think growing up in a small town, I was under the impression that you had your first baby at like 22, and then you just disappeared,” she said.
“Instead of trying to make myself fit into worlds that I was not adapted well for, I just got OK with letting go of certain things.”
The conversation also touches on how strong female friendships shape identity, especially in transitional seasons. Henry shares the story of being in the delivery room with her best friend and what it taught her about trust, presence and the village it takes to raise each other.
“There’s a lot of conversation around building community for your kids, and I think it’s really important to build community for yourself, too,” she said.
“There is a lot of value in making sure people know they are seen and heard and cared for.”
Better Together is available wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes drop every Thursday.
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