Catholic Women Now
Every Child Deserves a Mom and Dad: Josh Wood of Them Before Us – 06/11/2026
Episode Summary
Josh Wood, Executive Director of Them Before Us, joins Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder to make the case that every child deserves to be raised by their married mother and father. Drawing on decades of social science research, Josh explains how cultural shifts around divorce, surrogacy, and same-sex marriage have quietly deprioritized children's needs in favor of adult desires. This conversation equips Catholic women with the language, research, and confidence to advocate for children in their communities and conversations.
Episode Notes
Julie Nelson and Chris Magruder welcome Josh Wood, Executive Director of Them Before Us, a nonprofit giving children a voice in cultural and legislative conversations that too often prioritize adult desires over kids' needs.
- What is Them Before Us? Founded in response to the 2012–2015 cultural shift around same-sex marriage, Them Before Us uses social science research to make the case that children consistently flourish best with their married, biological mother and father — and that every departure from that, whether through divorce, surrogacy, or same-sex households, carries real costs for kids that culture has been too quick to dismiss.
- Surrogacy vs. Adoption & the viral "Mama" video: Josh draws a sharp distinction between adoption, which tries to heal a child's loss, and surrogacy, which deliberately inflicts it. The conversation also unpacks a viral video of a baby raised by a same-sex couple instinctively crying out "Mama" — and what it reveals about children's biological and emotional needs.
- How you can help: Follow and share @ThemBeforeUs on social media, read the blog at thembeforus.substack.com, support their work financially, engage your legislators, and start close to home — model a strong, sacrificial marriage for the children already in your life.
Learn more at thembeforeus.com
Episode Contributors
Julie Nelson, Chris Magruder, Josh Wood
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