Honestly I never make reviews, but couldn’t help to let you know how thankful I am for your podcast Season 1. As I was heading back to work after 7 years off to care for my kids while they were young, I found there wasn’t any dialogue out there for me now. I was no longer a “stay at home mom” but didn’t feel like I fit in the “working mom” category because I didn’t return right back to work. A friend recommend your podcast and I was so happy to hear another person articulate all the mixed emotions I was feeling. Thank you for making me feel less alone in the new path I was embarking on.

Season 2 Episode 1 Lucy is a really bad actress. That accent is so obviously fake. She can’t even keep it going for this podcast. So why isn’t Lucy in prison? If roles were reversed and the husband killed her, blacked out and suddenly speaks with a stupid, nonsensical inauthentic accent, he would be serving life in prison. Pick better topics. There are far worthier and more interesting stories to tell.

Will there be another season?

Abecassis is a generous soul and this is a wonderful show!

I was drawn in by the first word. She is a wonderful storyteller.

I

Really enjoyed this. Boy did I connect to season 1!!!!

I like Tally approach to the topics

Stick to story telling.

I have listened to each of Tally’s 3 seasons. Her work is compelling and makes you feel a part of her interviews/podcasts. Each season is totally different and each on its own is completely worth your time. She has a knack for tapping onto humanity on such a relatable basis.

Heard the tail end of an NPR interview with a comedian, Jason Weems, who died on stage. Had to look him up and then found a podcast about him. I really enjoyed the podcast and had to take the time to do a review so that others might find it too.

I am an avid podcast listener and the quality of this one inspired me to write a review—the choice of topics, the way they are narrowed down into interesting and unsettling and humane episodes. Bravo to the creators.

It’s 2019 and I’m new to the podcast scene... I started with Season 2 and now listening to Season 1 (so a bit backwards). I laughed out loud (as our household is very much like the one the man described) as the wife who does the yard work. He just described our next door neighbor to a tee! Fantastic! Keep up the good work and I’ll be spreading the word to my fellow working moms/friends. I am working part-time for now (which is fine/doable but also I assumed my transition back into my career full-time would be waaaaay easier—our son is five). This podcast is needed and is great listening! I somehow wandered onto your podcast and glad I did... it’s speaks directly to me. Thank you!

I started listening to Season 3 because I know and admire Jason Weems, both as a comic and a person. It was amazing to hear his story and his journey of recovery, reflection, and appreciation. Brought tears to my eyes. Once I started listening, I couldn’t stop. The episodes were well produced and the flow was organic. Thank you for sharing this touching story!

The first is about a mother going back to work after 6 years off having had 2 kids. She lives in Quebec where they get one year paid child leave after having a child. Boohoo poor her. Totally unrelatable to me.

It feels like it’s been two years between season two and three. However, this show has the most amazing storytelling. You forget the interviewer is there and get lost in the story. I’m so glad you guys are back! The first two seasons were amazing as well! Thank you for such a great show. Update- brilliant third season! Loved it!

Season 1 was so relatable - thank you Tally for keeping it real. I love where you transitioned in season 2 - very clever. I’m still listening and really enjoying.

I just finished season 2. Insightful, interesting and thought provoking. Looking forward to beginning season 3.

Just listened to season 2, then season 1. Well done & important. Every feeling the host has of having kids and becoming a “working mom” again brought back vivid memories. The good news is, there is no one way, no right way to do it. It’s only in hindsight that I know what I personally should have done. Also- the difference between raising child 1 and child 2...

The first two seasons were so wonderful and I couldn’t wait for the next one to come out! However, there really isn’t enough material and it drones on and on that he died. We get it. So far, in all of the clips played from the comedy shows, the audience isn’t even laughing. I am embarrassed for him to be honest. I don’t know why First Day Back changed its format, and more importantly, how they chose this particular person to follow. So boring. I have unsusbscribed but will consider subscribing again next season it hopes it will return to the amazing and heartfelt podcast it used to be.

I’m so happy I fell upon this podcast. Tally’s feelings about going back to work and being a mother I think are felt by many mothers and she does a great job chronicling the whole thing. Her voice is very soothing and she has a very cute sense of humor!

I started with season 2- it was so engaging. I would cry while I walked my dog. Now I just finished season 1 and I weep. I feel this story in my gut. Thank you. Also, your boys are magic and their voices might be my favorite part of the whole thing. How is Jack so articulate?? He’s right, what you do is “Fascinating”. Thanks again for this beautiful work.

I’m on episode 3 and I’ve cried at least 7 times. I was a stay at home mom for 13.5 years and I’ve been back to work for 6 months. It’s been hard on me and I relate so much to everything said here. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.

Hi. Full disclosure, I AM JASON WEEMS, the actual subject of Season 3, so this review may be a bit skewed 😂. I’m joking, it’s what I do for a living. Hell, I even DIED for it. In all seriousness, this podcast is phenomenal. Tally and I became instant friends when she began shadowing & documenting my story back in December of 2017. At that point I was only 7 months removed from the incident of dying from a severe/ sudden asthma attack on May 3, 2017 in Philly. Much of the trauma I endured from it was still fresh and just beneath the surface (and it still very much is). Talking with Tally & her producer Marc in such great length over the course of the following year was beyond instrumental with my mental health in dealing with dying & my recovery process. It gave me a constant sounding board which was invaluable. It was therapy without the co-pay & who doesn’t love FREE THERAPY ??? I’m so overjoyed that Season 3 is finally underway & that I get to share my story & testimony with you all. It was a long tough year getting through this while still juggling a full time comedy career, 3 small boys, marriage & everything in between, but it was all so worth it. Thank you Tally, Marc and the entire First Day Back team for making me Podcast Famous & telling my story in such a unique and masterful way. I love you all forever ❤️. Jason “Season 3” Weems PS- Thank You ALL for listening & taking this journey with me. The weight is a lot lighter with all of you carrying it with me. I hope you all enjoy. 🎧

Beautifully executed. Engaging and enthralling. I soak in every word Tally presents and feel enriched. Brilliant !!!!

Really enjoyed season 2, but skipped season 1 because the content didn’t resonate with me. Highly recommend this podcast.

Compelling storytelling- I listened to the entire season 2 in one go.

Thanks!

I just binged the second season. Lucy has surprising insight and a way of eloquently expressing what's in her mind.

What a great idea for a podcast! Storytelling from a different angle. I encourage the podcaster to continue with this new endeavor.

Poignant and authentic look into what it means to be a caretaker and a career driven woman. Slow paced and melodic, this podcast is such a lovely reflective podcast.

I feel like the story could be wrapped up in 2 hour long episodes. It's drawn out and feels like there isn't a fulfilled ending. It's just alright.

I was alerted to this series from "The Big Listen", and began with Season 2 (the current season). It was terrific. Thoughtul, engaging, interesting. Everything I want in a podcast. I just downloaded the first season (from 2015) and look forward to all 10 episodes.

Finished season 2 days ago and Lucie and her story hasn't left my mind since.

I only listened to Season 2, so I can't speak for the whole thing. Season 2 has an interesting subject and a story that will pull on your heartstrings. That's why I went with 4 stars, even though I wanted to give it a 3.5. However, the whole show moves slowly and felt like it pretty much ended where it began. I know that it's not a fictional story and that's out of their control, but it felt as though it only needed two or three episodes to get its points across. Also, I'm not a fan of the narrator's voice. It's nasally. That may seem shallow, by podcasts are an audio form of media and entertainment, so that's going to influence my opinion and how much I enjoy the experience. The score was done well and the editing was professional. I'm grateful to Lucy for sharing her painful experiences. It's a bitter reminder of the real dangers of alcoholism.

So refreshing to hear someone talk about this. There are impossible expectations put on women to be the best mom but also not be "just a mom". Each episode resonates more and more with my life as a mom/entrepreneur. Trying to have it all, but being in love with exactly where I am.

I didn't listen to season 1, and skipped to season 2. It was FANTASTIC. A very compelling and interesting story about a woman starting her life again after getting out of jail. The quality of this podcast is outstanding. I may go back and listen to season 1.

I love listening to this. I have children ages 25 and 28 and feel so close to what she is feeling. Great podcast. At some point I will share some insight from my experiences.

SO GOOD

Both seasons were thought-provoking and an inspiration. Thank you Tally for making this.

Just finished the second season and it was awesome!

I listened to the second season about Lucie reclaiming her life after her husband was shot and I loved it. Tally's narration style is great, and I liked the short episode lengths for a quick listen when I don't have time for a whole hour-long episode of something.

I quickly became addicted to this podcast! Even though I'm not a mother, I thoroughly enjoyed season one! Tally is thoughtful, honest, and empathetic in telling these stories. It's a lovely mix of documentary, insight, and story telling. Looking forward to many more seasons!

Tally has all the makings of a great podcast host: a unique perspective, an endearing story, and most importantly a pleasant voice! Each episode artfully covers the range of emotions each of us experience during our day to day struggles. Perfection!

Season 2 is a kindly, soft-touch story of a woman convicted of murder and her life post incarceration. Production value is high and effective. Then episode 5 happened. Exploitive and unnecessary. This was never a wrongful conviction or miscarriage of justice tale. She served her time and yet the opinions and speculations of busy-body neighbors the subject hadn't spoken to in decades, gets an entire episode. Yuck.

Great podcast!!!

I heard about this podcast at the beginning of season 2. But I quickly went back and listened to all of season 1 as well. Tally's story drew me in, and I love her style of storytelling!

This podcast goes straight to all the confusing, unsaid assumptions many of us have about motherhood, career, and identity, and shakes them out and examines them one by one. The author is patient, humane, and thoughtful, and listening to her feels like having a good talk with a really interesting friend.

I started with the second season and really liked the narrative of Lucie's re-entry into society. It provides a perspective that one doesn't normally think about. I then listened to the first season which took me by surprise a bit. It's honest, raw, and you can tell there was a learning curve in recording and producing. I recommend it to any new parents as it hits home on a lot of the complex issues of balancing parenthood and life outside of parenthood.

Season 2 was absolutely inspiring. I've never been through anything nearly as difficult as Lucie but her story gives me hope and I wish her and Alexandre and Sandra and everyone else in her life the best.