Our 5-part "Shook By A Book" series continues today with US Congresswoman Katie Porter. (You might have seen her on TV; she's famous for pulling out whiteboards in hearings to make things simple and visual for the public.) She grew up a 4H kid in Iowa who ended up at boarding school in Massachusetts. In her first month on campus, she was assigned F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby which has helped frame her thinking ever since. Katie's take on class, insecurity and fairness is well worth a listen.

Special thanks to The Teagle Foundation for their generous support of this series.

This week's Thanks for Being Here features a letter from singer/songwriter Lisa Redfern to her unborn child, reflecting on her 12-year journey of trying to become a mother, her eventual acceptance of a different path, and finding love. Lisa shares her 2013 letter in full, detailing her dreams, heartbreaks, and how she found healing through becoming a stepmom to two boys.

Links to the two songs referenced by Lisa:

Waiting for You c. lisa redfern ASCAP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vyLyUtzeoE

Live Through the Questions c. lisa redfern ASCAP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy-hs9HWkuo

Lisa's website to learn more about her and check out her music: www.lisaredfern.com

In this special Go To, Kelly and Christy Turlington Burns sit down with Melinda French Gates to talk about the woman who raised her, Elaine, who taught her to set her own agenda and find a moment every day to really connect with the people who matter most.

Our About Your Mother series raises funds to support safe and respectful pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care in 9 countries through Every Mother Counts, founded in 2010 and led every day since by Christy Turlington Burns. Please join us with a donation here. Maternal health is a human right.

With special thanks to Tracy and David at Laughing Man Studios in Tribeca who support this series with pro bono studio time and superb coffee.

Got feedback? Have an idea? We love to hear from listeners. Write us anytime — hello@kellycorrigan.com - or sign up for our weekly list of takeaways here.

Check out Kelly's Tell Me More episode featuring Melinda French Gates.

Past episodes from the About Your Mother series:

Jennifer Garner

Amy Schumer

Bono

Cindy Crawford

Spike Lee

Edward Burns