In a world where everyone seems connected, new mothers are often the most isolated. Michelle Kennedy, founder of the social network Peanut, is changing that narrative by building a digital lifeline for women entering motherhood.
A Personal Struggle Sparked a Global Movement
When Michelle Kennedy became a mother, she found herself in uncharted territory. The former executive at dating app Badoo and co-founder of Bumble was used to connecting people—but suddenly, she felt completely alone. None of her friends had children, and she had no one to ask for advice or support.
“I didn’t know what I was doing,” Kennedy admitted. “So I thought, can I use the same algorithms that match people for love to match mothers for friendship?”
That simple idea became Peanut, a platform launched in 2017 that now serves more than 5 million women worldwide. Designed to connect mothers, expectant mothers, and women trying to conceive, Peanut allows users to meet others in their area, join support groups, and share experiences about everything from sleepless nights to postpartum anxiety.
How Peanut Builds Connection in the Digital Age
While social media giants like Facebook and Reddit host vast parenting communities, Kennedy wanted something more personal and purposeful. Peanut lets users find others going through similar stages—pairing expecting mothers by due date or linking women whose children are the same age.
“In the very early days of having a baby, you’re not going anywhere,” Kennedy said. “You’re lucky to get out of the house. That’s when you feel your lowest. Having a way to connect with another person at 3 a.m. when you’re up feeding the baby is a lifeline.”
The app has also evolved into a pulse-check for broader social conversations about motherhood. When a topic starts trending on Peanut, it often signals a wider public dialogue yet to make headlines.
Some of the most active groups include discussions on postpartum hair loss, breastfeeding struggles, and even light-hearted topics like favorite TV shows. This diversity reflects what Kennedy calls “the full spectrum of womanhood.”
The Hidden Crisis of “Motherless” Mothers
A new report released by Peanut in partnership with The Motherless Mothers charity revealed a startling reality: 1 in 3 mothers in the United States begins motherhood without their own mother’s support—because of death, estrangement, illness, or distance.
These women are 5.4 times more likely to experience postnatal depression and four times more likely to face perinatal mental health conditions than the national average.
Adina Belloli, a London-based child and adolescent psychotherapist and co-founder of The Motherless Mothers, explained that maternal presence plays a powerful role in emotional stability.
“Becoming a mother is like adolescence—it’s a deep transformation of identity,” Belloli said. “Without your own mother, that transition can feel unmoored. You’re learning to mother without being mothered.”
According to the study, 85 percent of these mothers said pregnancy and early motherhood reopened their grief, while nearly 80 percent reported changes in how they saw themselves as mothers.
| Key Findings from Peanut’s Study | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Mothers entering motherhood without their own mom | 33% |
| Increased likelihood of postnatal depression | 5.4x |
| Reopened grief during pregnancy or early motherhood | 85% |
| Change in sense of identity as a mother | 80% |
Belloli emphasized that many of these women are misdiagnosed with depression when they are actually experiencing grief. “They’re navigating new waters without a compass,” she said. “But meaningful help starts with recognition. Compassionate listening and validation can make an enormous difference.”
From Startups to Social Impact
Despite Peanut’s growing success, Kennedy’s journey as a female tech founder has been far from easy. Less than 2 percent of venture capital funding goes to women-led startups, a statistic that reflects how few women hold decision-making positions in venture capital firms.
Kennedy said she often faces skepticism when pitching to male investors. “They’ll ask to speak with their wives or daughters before deciding,” she said. “It’s frustrating. Every person has a mother—how is this not something you understand?”
Still, she persisted. Kennedy stayed on the boards of Badoo and Bumble after leaving her executive roles to focus on Peanut, determined to create a platform “bespoke for women.” Her work is now seen as a cornerstone of a broader movement toward tech for emotional wellbeing, particularly among women navigating life’s biggest transitions.
Redefining What It Means to Have a Village
As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Kennedy believes it also takes one to raise a mother. Peanut is creating that village, one digital connection at a time.
With communities that span topics like fertility, pregnancy, and menopause, the app provides space for women to share not just struggles but triumphs too. Kennedy says that many users describe it as a “safe harbor” in the chaos of early motherhood.
“It’s about knowing you’re not alone,” she said. “Someone else out there is awake, tired, and trying their best too.”
While loneliness is often painted as an individual problem, the rise of platforms like Peanut shows that connection can be redesigned—and empathy can be scaled.
As global awareness of maternal mental health grows, Kennedy’s mission is resonating far beyond the digital space. Her message to new moms and aspiring founders alike remains simple: “Don’t wait for the perfect time. Just start.”
In the end, her journey proves that sometimes the best way to fix loneliness is to build the community you need yourself.
