Summary of Fresh Air Episode: Doula & Novelist Leila Motley On The Nuance Of Young Parenthood
Introduction
In the July 9, 2025 episode of NPR's Fresh Air, host Tonya Moseley engages in a profound conversation with author and poet Leila Motley. Motley, acclaimed for her New York Times bestselling debut novel Night Crawling, returns with her latest work, The Girls Who Grew Big. The novel delves into the complexities of young motherhood amidst shifting reproductive rights in the United States. This summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key themes, insights, and Motley's personal experiences.
Leila Motley's Literary and Personal Background
Leila Motley, at just 19, garnered critical acclaim with her debut novel, Night Crawling. Beyond her accomplishments as a novelist, Motley has been an influential figure in poetry, serving as Oakland, California's youth poet laureate at 16. Her 2024 poetry collection, Woke Up No Light, explores themes of girlhood, reparations, and desire. Additionally, Motley co-wrote and starred in the documentary short When I Write It, showcased at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival. Her work often reflects her experiences and observations as a doula, a role she embraced to support young and Black parents.
Notable Quote:
"I am also a doula. And so I am kind of immersed in the world of pregnancy and birth and specifically work with young parents and with Black parents." ([04:50])
Exploring Young Motherhood and Reproductive Rights in The Girls Who Grew Big
Motley discusses how her novel centers on three young women navigating motherhood in a time when abortion access is increasingly restricted. Set in the fictional Florida town of Padua Beach, the narrative begins with Simone, a 16-year-old who gives birth in her boyfriend's truck. Motley emphasizes the cultural stigma surrounding teen pregnancy and aims to humanize young mothers by portraying their experiences without judgment.
Notable Quote:
"We've been taught that teen pregnancy is a moral issue, and I wanted us to question the idea that young parenthood is anything but a circumstance." ([03:30])
Impact of Shifting Abortion Laws on the Novel's Development
Motley reveals that the writing process of The Girls Who Grew Big coincided with significant changes in Florida's abortion legislation. As laws evolved from a 15-week ban to a 6-week restriction, Motley adapted her narrative to reflect these developments, highlighting the practical and emotional challenges young women face in accessing reproductive healthcare.
Notable Quote:
"When I started writing the book it was before Roe v. Wade was overturned. And then over the course of writing the book, the laws in Florida around abortion changed four times." ([08:05])
Character Development and the Representation of Diverse Young Mothers
The novel features three protagonists: Adela (16), Emory (18), and Simone (20). Motley explains her intention to showcase a spectrum of young mothers, each at different stages of their journey into parenthood. This approach illustrates the varying degrees of insight and preparation each character possesses, underscoring the diverse realities of young motherhood.
Notable Quote:
"I wanted us to understand how much can change for us between those ages. I know a lot changed for me between 16 and 20 and there is just so much growth that takes place." ([09:51])
Reading an Excerpt from Simone's Perspective
Motley reads a poignant excerpt from Simone, offering an intimate glimpse into her emotional landscape after an abortion. This passage underscores the lingering fears and the eventual sense of relief and acceptance that Simone experiences, highlighting the personal toll of such decisions.
Excerpt:
"You ever wondered what happens after you abort a baby?... But now it was really over. Life was a steady trickle by the dune lake and me and my babies was good." ([12:02])
Crafting Distinct Voices for Multiple Perspectives
To authentically portray the diverse experiences of her characters, Motley employed journaling techniques for each protagonist. This method enabled her to develop unique voices and perspectives, ensuring that each character's individuality was vividly represented despite their shared circumstances.
Notable Quote:
"I did a lot of work to kind of create their individuality. And a lot of that is how we see them interact with kind of the same scenario very differently." ([13:33])
Addressing Power Dynamics in Relationships
Motley delves into the portrayal of relationships between young girls and significantly older men in her novel. She emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding, given the inherent power imbalances and the vulnerability of young women in such dynamics.
Notable Quote:
"When we're 16, we don't understand the vast difference between 16 and 22, whereas by the time that we get to 22, we hopefully have a lot more perspective on how big of a gap there is." ([15:44])
From Night Crawling to The Girls Who Grew Big: Themes of Exploitation and Resilience
In discussing her debut novel, Motley explains that Night Crawling was inspired by real-life cases of young women in Oakland facing exploitation by authorities. This work serves as a foundation for her exploration of systemic injustices and personal resilience, themes that carry over into her current novel.
Notable Quote:
"I grew up with so many people who dated far above their age. And when you're a teenager, there really isn't as much perspective on that difference because you feel grown and in a lot of ways, like, you want to be independent." ([16:16])
Personal Experiences Shaping Her Writing
Motley shares her experiences with harassment and sexual violence during her youth in Oakland, which profoundly influenced her narratives. She underscores the pervasive nature of these issues and the importance of addressing them through her storytelling.
Notable Quote:
"I don't know a single Black girl specifically who hasn't experienced the same type of harassment and abuse and unsafe experience in the world." ([17:56])
Legacy of Resistance: Family and Community Influence
Drawing from her family's history, including her grandmother's involvement with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and connections with the Black Panthers, Motley highlights the influence of activism and resistance movements in shaping her worldview and literary themes.
Notable Quote:
"There's a legacy of that as well as art and writing." ([30:08])
Reading and Discussing "Love Poem to Oakland"
Motley performs her poem "Love Poem to Oakland," a heartfelt ode to her hometown that juxtaposes love with critical reflection on systemic issues. She elaborates on the poem's genesis, inspired by her visit to Detroit and her evolving relationship with Oakland.
Key Excerpt from Poem:
"Dear Oakland,... Where did all the color go? Where did all my sweat... Tell your kids that mama hasn't forgotten about you..." ([21:44])
Notable Quote:
"I started writing this poem about what it means to be from a place that is constantly changing and that doesn't always love you back." ([24:29])
Writing Process and the Journey to Publication
Motley discusses her disciplined writing routine developed from a young age, which allowed her to produce multiple manuscripts before her debut novel's success. She reflects on the transition from writing solely for herself to considering an audience, and the emotional impact of having her youthful work published and consumed publicly.
Notable Quote:
"I think that's something that all writers have to cope with is like, our work is a representation of the time in which we wrote it and once it comes out, it doesn't belong to us anymore." ([37:11])
Intentional Parenthood and Future Aspirations
Motley expresses her desire to experience parenthood intentionally, highlighting the profound responsibility and selflessness it entails. She emphasizes the unpredictable nature of parenting and the commitment required to nurture and support a child throughout their life.
Notable Quote:
"I want to be as ready for that as possible, while also knowing that we're never ready and we're never prepared and parenthood is unpredictable." ([38:52])
Conclusion
Leila Motley's interview on Fresh Air offers a deep dive into the intersection of young motherhood, reproductive rights, and personal resilience. Through her novels and poetry, Motley provides nuanced perspectives on the challenges faced by young women today, shaped by her own experiences as a doula and a member of a family with a rich legacy of activism. Her work not only sheds light on societal issues but also fosters empathy and understanding for marginalized voices.
Closing Quote:
"Being a mother is kind of the greatest equalizer for any and every parent. It is challenging and it pushes you to the limits of yourself." ([05:41])
Additional Information
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