Stories about the surprises and absurdities of raising other humans—and being raised by them. But you don’t need to be a parent to listen. Created and hosted by Hillary Frank. The Longest Shortest Time is back after a 5-year hiatus! New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Join LST+ for community, ad-free listening, and access to You Know What, our premium show featuring college students speaking candidly about sex, dating, and relationships. If you’re new to the show or want to get reacquai ...
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Hillary Frank | QCODE Podcasts
Does more sex make you “wider”? Is it bad to swallow sperm? How do you clean a sex toy? In the pilot episode of our spinoff show, YOU KNOW WHAT, college students answer anonymous questions from teens and young adults — with help from sex educator Shafia Zaloom. This episode is a pilot for a concept we very much want to keep making. As you can imagi…
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If pregnant people need to eat for two, why do so many of us puke morning, noon, and night? Our friends from Vox's Unexplainable investigate. Guests: Julia Longoria, host, Unexplainable; Marlena Fejzo, Ph.D., geneticist, and Research Director at the HER Foundation. For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable Contact Unexplainable:…
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Elise Hu on Sharks, Cheeseburgers, and Raising Kids Abroad
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38:25In this episode, Elise Hu gets personal. Tune in for her dad’s refugee story involving sharks, the unique challenges of parenting a tall girl, what she ate in childbirth, and a 3rd grade disappointment that shaped her career in journalism. … Recommendations from the archive #19 The Mortality of Motherhood #183 Postpartum House Arrest … Check out El…
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NPR’s Kelly McEvers compares and contrasts childbirth vs being a war correspondent. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on July 25, 2013, with an update on June 13, 2016, and is a favorite from the archives. We hope you enjoy, and we’ll be back next week with a brand new episode. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the…
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It's a Real Mother, Part 6: We've Solved It, Right?
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37:30Eight years after It’s a Real Mother, our series on discrimination against working moms, Brigid Schulte returns to share how we’ve conquered the motherhood penalty! Just kidding, it’s still alive and well. But there are some bright spots. We’ll talk about the highs, the lows, and simple things we can do to improve working conditions for moms — and …
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LST FAVES: It's A Real Mother, Part 2: Ideal Worker
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40:14Why do stock images of working moms look frazzled, while stock images of working dads just look like... guys at work? Author Brigid Schulte gets to the heart of why discrimination against working moms is so deeply embedded in our culture—and what we can do to change it. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on November 8, 2017 as a part of our critically …
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Eight years ago, Matt Katz came on the show after nervously revealing to his 5-year-old daughter that the man she thought was his biological father was not, in fact, his biological father. But Matt would later learn that the truth about his biological father was much more complicated than he even realized. As he followed the twists and turns of thi…
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Matt Katz is known for his fearless reporting on New Jersey governor Chris Christie. But when it comes to telling his 5-year-old daughter the truth about his dad... well, that freaks him out. In today’s show, he does exactly that. ⭐️ This episode originally aired on June 14, 2017. Since then, Matt has discovered even more secrets about his family h…
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Join us for a deep (and delightfully nerdy) dive into the misunderstood world of vaginas, where we’ll learn about orgasm-chasing royalty, clitoral wingspans, vagina lollipops, wandering wombs — and the research on female anatomy we still desperately need. Science writer Rachel Gross is our fearless guide. … Recommendations from the archive #27 Rewr…
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A game of got-yer-nose turns racial and a 6-year-old raps to her white mom about not getting her Blackness. Two stories of biracial kids schooling their mamas. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on Fri, 05 Jun 2015 and is a favorite from the archives. We hope you enjoy, and we’ll be back next week with a brand new episode. … Join LST+ for community and…
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Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig knew starting a family would be hard — but they didn’t expect the twists and scares that inspired them to write a movie. In this episode, they share the true, messy tale behind I Don’t Understand You, their horror-romcom starring Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells. … Recommendations from the archive #95 The True Histo…
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LST FAVES: The True History of a Child Chef & His Mom
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40:11Judah is 12. He makes a mean beef Wellington. Hear how he became a child chef, and how his mom had him when she was just a kid herself. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on September 7, 2016 and is a favorite from the archives. Find fun pictures of Judah and Kara at our website. We hope you enjoy, and we’ll be back next week with a brand new episode. …
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A Tech Writer's Eerie Bond with Her Fertility App
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35:37Amanda Hess writes about the internet for a living. So she didn’t expect to form an emotional bond with a fertility app during her pregnancy. But when Amanda’s pregnancy got complicated, her relationship with the app got complicated, too. … Recommendations from the archive We recently re-aired some favorite episodes from our ongoing Sex + Parenthoo…
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Did your high school health teacher ever try to teach you the risks of sex by making you carry around an egg and pretend it was a baby? These days, the pretending isn’t as much of a stretch. Lots of schools are opting to use robotic babies that cry throughout the day and night just like a real infant. In this episode, we follow two teenage girls ov…
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LST FAVES: The Parents' Guide to Affairs with Esther Perel
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45:22Most of us, at some point, will be touched by an affair—whether in our own relationships, or because one of our parents cheated, or because we are a trusted confidant. It’s a scary thing to think about, especially when kids are in the mix. Couples therapist Esther Perel joins us with advice on how to navigate affairs and how to keep them from happe…
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LST FAVES: W. Kamau Bell Asks His Mom About Sex
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42:19For most of his life, comedian W. Kamau Bell assumed his single mom never had sex after she made him. Today, he gets the real story. ⭐️ This episode originally aired on July 12, 2016 and is a favorite from the LST archives. It’s also part of our ongoing Sex & Parenthood series. We’ll be airing a few episodes from the series over the next few weeks,…
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When Sara Reardon’s friends discovered she had answers for all their (and their moms’) weird vagina questions, they called her “The Vagina Whisperer.” Sara embraced the nickname and, like a true superhero, put on her cape (ahem, vulva costume) and went on a mission to save leaky, dry, painful, and aging vaginas around the world with her pelvic floo…
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The Permanent Birth Control Option Doctors Rarely Mention
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36:17Anna North spent years reporting on reproductive health — so she was surprised when her doctor suggested a birth control method she’d never heard of. In this episode, Anna shares why she chose to end her potential for having kids while giving birth to one… and who else might want to consider this little-known procedure. … Recommended from the archi…
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Xyla Foxlin started flying as a teenager. By her twenties, she was piloting her own plane and building another from scratch. But when a private health crisis went public, she wound up in a battle with the FAA that could ground her for good. … Recommendations from the archive • #51 Real Teens, Fake Babies … Suicide and Crisis Lifeline • If you or so…
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This week, we’re bringing you something special: an episode from Add to Cart, a show we love hosted by Kulap Vilaysack and SuChin Pak. You might remember Kulap when she was a guest on our show back in 2018, where she bravely unpacked her childhood trauma and shared how it led to her documentary film. Add to Cart is a witty, subversive take on consu…
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Ashley Parker on Raising Girls While Covering the White House
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40:56Ashley Parker has covered some of the biggest political events of our time — but for years she’s been obsessed with a very different type of story: birth stories. In this episode, Ashley opens up about her own experiences with childbirth and pregnancy, raising three girls, and a mistake she made as a teenager involving a camera… and boobs. If you f…
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The Insidious Power of Men Over Motherhood
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45:15Ali Yarrow thought her childbirth experience would be hers to guide. Instead, she found it was guided by the American obstetrics system — a model that was designed by men. Ali documented what she uncovered in her eye-opening book, Birth Control, and joins us to share what she learned about maternal care in the U.S., how we got here, and how to advo…
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StoryCorps: The Birds, the Bees, and My Dad
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16:18Howie Gordon starred in over a hundred porn films in the 70s and 80s under the name Richard Pacheco. But his greatest role was as a father. At StoryCorps, he talked with his son Bobby Gordon about sex, shame, and dirty movies. This episode comes from StoryCorps's podcast season "My Way" - stories from people who found a rhythm all their own and con…
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When we last heard from CJ, they were struggling to figure out how to achieve their lifelong dream of becoming a dad. CJ now has a kid, but getting there was a total rollercoaster — including sperm mishaps, blatant discrimination, and an underground group of queer midwives in Athens. Buckle up, because this ride is a wild one! Note: this episode co…
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Sex-Positive Books for Tweens and Teens (And Parents!)
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43:44Sex ed in schools isn’t cutting it, and studies show that kids are turning to porn for answers. In this episode, Traci Thomas of The Stacks podcast joins us to suggest books that help tweens and teens navigate the complicated world of sex and relationships. We’ll cover fiction and nonfiction — plus a few picks to help spice up the sex lives of pare…
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Last time we heard from Andrea Silenzi, she was navigating the wild world of sperm shopping as a single woman in her mid-30s who wanted to become a mom. Five years later, Andrea’s back with an exciting update. Hint: she’s no longer single and no longer shopping. … Hear “The Single Lady’s Guide to Sperm Shopping” • #208 Sperm Series: I Download an A…
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Cyndie and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Year
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37:13Cyndie Spiegel built a career on optimism — inspiring audiences with messages of hope and writing a bestselling book about the benefits of positive thinking. But when 2020 hit, her world unraveled in ways she never saw coming. As she faced mounting struggles with family and health, the affirmations she once preached were no longer working, and she …
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Consent education in school is mostly insufficient or non-existent — even when it’s required by state law. An organization called SafeBAE is trying to change that by training teens to teach each other about consent. SafeBAE’s executive director Shael Norris talks about what works and what doesn’t when discussing this topic with young people. We’ll …
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We’re back after a 5-year hiatus! Hillary kicks us off with a story about her anxiety over her daughter’s first experience with unwanted male attention — and her subsequent misadventures in trying to get the girl’s school to teach consent. Artwork for this episode by Lindsay Stripling. … If you’re new to the show or want to get reacquainted, check …
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After a 5-year hiatus, The Longest Shortest Time is coming back! We're gonna talk about all things reproductive health: periods, birth control, consent, bodily autonomy, pregnancy, menopause, and so much more — but we can only create a sustainable show with your help. Please join our club, where you'll get to participate in our community AND hear a…
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It's been 2 years since LST ended and now Hillary has a new show! Here Lies Me is dramedy about middle school for teen and adult fans of PEN15 and Big Mouth. Listen to an excerpt (plus a special message from Hillary) right here! … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instag…
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Let's just say this one's inspired by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. *Note: there is some cursing in this episode — and some talk about the tooth fairy — so you might not want to listen with your kids.* This is the last episode of The Longest Shortest Time! But it isn't really goodbye. Hillary is cooking up something new, probably a project ab…
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Ina May's Guide, Completely Revised and Updated
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46:14The mother of modern midwifery returns to tell you (yes, YOU) that if you didn’t have a “natural birth,” you are not a failure. Heads up, this episode contains discussion of childbirth injuries and traumatic birth. ... Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website:…
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Busy Philipps Works the Postpartum Hollywood System
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43:14Busy Philipps has been working in Hollywood since she was 19 years old. She's always played by the rules when she's had to, but after she had kids, she started making her own rules—at work and at home. This episode contains graphic language and is not suitable for children. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the …
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A baby picked up by the police, the joy and terror of kale, and talking birth control in front of your dad. Three little treasures that we’ve been dying to share with you! This episode contains some uncensored curse words. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram We…
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John Hodgman On Being A Villain Without Really Trying
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39:42John Hodgman has made a career out of playing elitist villains on TV. He later realized he's been a villain in real life, too — including, sometimes, to his own children. This episode contains graphic language is not suitable for children. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow u…
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Our teen panel is back with more parenting advice! Wanna know when to give your kid a smartphone? Why mumble rap is cool? How to maintain a strong relationship with your child? Molly, Mason, and Quincy have the answers. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Websi…
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Author Brigid Schulte fills us in on the current state of working mom discrimination in the United States. And one brave listener shares a story that might just inspire you to fight for changes at your job. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website: longestsh…
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Bees, needles, vomit, and atomic bombs—cartoonist Raina Telgemeier was afraid of them ALL. Hear how she learned to manage her fears, and how she became a hero to children around the globe. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Lea…
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LST faves Trystan and Biff are back! We catch up with them about about parenthood, postpartum bodies, and if there are any more kids in their future. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com! Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram. This episode is brought to you by Bayer Crop Science, Teen Counseling, ThirdLove, Rothy’s, …
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In the final episode of our three-part series “The Single Lady’s Guide to Sperm Shopping,” your host Andrea Silenzi prepares to ask a friend to be her sperm donor. How will she decide who to pick? … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website: longestshortesttime…
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In the second of our three-part series “The Single Lady’s Guide to Sperm Shopping,” your host Andrea Silenzi heads to California Cryobank. Will she find her dream donor? … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your …
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In the first of our three-part series “The Single Lady’s Guide to Sperm Shopping,” your host Andrea Silenzi explores an exciting new path towards becoming a single parent. Will she find her sperm donor using… an app? … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website:…
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When cartoonist Cathy Guisewite turned 35, she told her parents she was never getting married and never having a kids. Hear what changed her mind. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap…
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When Tia found out she was pregnant, she wasn’t going to let that stop her from traveling abroad… in her third trimester. Hear why her birth story made international news. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about you…
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A summer romp through all the wild places a kid’s imagination can take them in nature, perfect for Boxcar Children, Ingalls Wilder-heads, and “My Side of the Mountain” super-fans. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more a…
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Breaking Cycles (and Chairs!) with Kulap Vilaysack
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33:54When comedian Kulap Vilaysack decided to resolve questions from her family history, she did it in the most extreme way possible: by directing a documentary about her own life. The film is called Origin Story, and to this day, Kulap’s still not sure if she should have made it. Heads up! This episode contains a discussion about physical and emotional…
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Jessica Rose Schrody makes parody raps about motherhood beloved by everyone from Viola Davis to Beyoncé’s Mom. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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Devale and Khadeen Ellis have always imagined their lives as a TV show. Specifically, a sitcom about millennial parenting that takes place in gentrified Brooklyn. But instead of waiting for their big shot, the Ellises started sharing their story online. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest univ…
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Artificial Wombs, Space Babies and Robot Nurses… Oh My!
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36:38What will the future look like for women, families and babies? Futures critic Rose Eveleth believe the future can be more equitable, fun and interesting than we ever dreamed it would be. But, in order to make that real, we have to start talking about it. … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest uni…
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