This week, lonely host Amanda Stephens is joined by returning guest Michelle Chiang to talk about the Japanese politicians stirring the pot by... just being pregnant and taking medical leave? And also how we feel about this year's momentous July 4th as Americans abroad.

Read along with us!

Japaenese politicians and "matahara": 1. A Mayor Is Taking Maternity Leave in Japan. Some Men Are Furious. (Javier C. Hernández and Kiuko Notoya, The New York Times), 2. A mayor in Japan announced her maternity leave - and got the whole country talking (Kurumi Mori, BBC), 3. She’s Upending Japanese Politics With Two Words: ‘I’m Pregnant’ (Javier C. Hernández and Kiuko Notoya, The New York Times)

The Great American Fair: 1. The Great American State Fair Celebrates America, and Trump (Brent McDonald, Whitney Shefte, Caroline Kim and Ben Laffin, NYT videos), 2. Freedom 250 website, the official website of the fair