Kids & FamilyParentingHealth & FitnessSexuality

The Longest Shortest Time

Hillary Frank | Realm

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 reacquainted, check out some of our classic episodes:

• #27 Rewriting Your Birth Story

• #88 W. Kamau Bell Asks His Mom About Sex

• The Accidental Gay Parents Series (#60, #62, #80, #81, #125, #211)

• #79 Terry Gross on Not Having Kids

• It's a Real Mother: A Series About Workplace Discrimination (#141, #142, #143, #145)

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English

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#261
Wednesday · 41 min
Ophira Eisenberg Was Nicer Before Motherhood
Becoming a parent can make you more nurturing... but it can also make you meaner. Stand-up comic Ophira Eisenberg confesses her not-so-nice tendencies, and shares tips on how to heckle your haters. … Recommendations from the archive We have a bunch of stories from comedian-moms! Check them out. • Sona Movsesian Feels Like the World’s Worst Mom • Negin Farsad Tackles Her Daughter’s Unanswerable Questions • Casey Wilson on Mothering Without a Mother • Lauren Lapkus Answers Kids’ Unanswerable Questions … Get Wedlocked! If you like stories about women unleashing bottled up rage, you’re gonna love my new audiobook! Wedlocked is a feminist thriller with lots of blood, gaslighting, marriage trouble, and gynecology. Preorder now! … More from Ophira • Watch Ophira’s new special—I Used to be Nicer—on her website • Check out Ophira’s special about deciding to have a kid: Inside Joke • Ophira’s podcast: Parenting Is a Joke • Ophira’s book: Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#75
September 16 · 27 min
LST FAVES: Outnumbered By Animals
What's it like to nurse piglets in one hand and your own baby in the other? Life on a farm, with baby. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on February 22, 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 Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#260
September 9 · 43 min
Sona Movsesian Feels Like the World's Worst Mom
Like many first-time parents, Sona Movsesian felt as if she was doing everything wrong. In this episode, she opens up about the challenges of conception and her C-section turning unexpectedly vivid — plus, how being Conan O’Brien’s personal assistant prepared her for raising toddlers. … Recommendations from the archive • More on the grueling reality of IVF: One Woman, 3 Kids, 15 Rounds of IVF • Another revealing C-Section story: A Childless Man Gets a C-Section • Our series about discrimination against working moms: It’s a Real Mother … Episode resources • Sona’s books: The World’s Worst Mom and The World’s Worst Assistant • Sona’s (and Conan O’Brien’s!) podcast: Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#79
August 26 · 38 min
LST FAVES: Terry Gross on Not Having Kids
Public radio icon Terry Gross talks about why she chose to never have children. And her recurring nightmare about a baby. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on April 19, 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 Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#259
August 19 · 44 min
The Sex Lives of College Kids
According to surveys, Gen Z is having less sex than previous generations. But why? Carter Sherman is here to explain. … Recommendations from the archive • More on Title IX’s rollback: Preventing Teens from Joining the Manosphere • Teaching consent to teens: How to Not (Accidentally) Raise a Rapist • When sex ed is left in the hands of gym teachers: The Staircase … More on Carter Sherman • Read Carter’s book: The Second Coming • Listen to her podcast from The Guardian: Stateside with Kai and Carter • Carter mentions Peggy Orenstein’s book in this episode: Girls & Sex … Carter’s recommended resources • For anyone who suspects that their Title IX rights may have been violated: National Women’s Law Center. • For combatting workplace sexual misconduct: Time’s Up Legal Defense Center • For organizing and supporting survivors of sexual assault: Advocates for Youth, and their initiative Know Your IX. Also, End Rape on Campus and RAINN. • For LGBTQ+ youth who may need mental health support and community, The Trevor Project offers a 24/7 hotline • For keeping up with the state of reproductive rights in the US: Autonomy News … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com … Cover image credit: Mustafa Mirza Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#84
August 12 · 40 min
LST FAVES: My Best Friend's Baby
Two friends try to figure out how to stay friends after one of them has a baby. The one without the baby hatches a secret plan. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on May 24, 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 Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#258
August 5 · 44 min
The Pressure to Be the Perfect Black Father
After a panic attack nearly made him lose control on the highway, Mark Anthony Neal continued to bottle up his anxiety and pretend everything was fine. Years later, when he secretly started therapy, he unpacked how the pressures of Black masculinity led him to a mental health crisis. … Recommendations from the archive • A scholar’s take on why “colorblindness” is dangerous: How to Not (Accidentally) Raise a Racist • More on the stigma around therapy in the Black community: When Are You Gonna Be Normal Again? • A Black mom on raising a passing son: How Will They Know I’m Black? … Episode resources • Mark Anthony Neal’s book: Save a Seat for Me: Notes on American Fatherhood … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#116
July 29 · 50 min
LST FAVES: How To Not (Accidentally) Raise A Racist
What's the best way for white parents to talk to their kids about race? We called in Dr. Brigitte Vittrup, who studies children's racial attitudes, to help us out—and to answer questions about cringeworthy moments with your own kids. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on March 8, 2017 and is a favorite from the archives. We hope you enjoy, and we’ll be back next week with a brand new episode. … Take advantage of your LST+ membership at longestshortesttime.com/club • Join the conversation for this episode! • Bond with other listeners! • Suggest a story idea! … • Follow us on Instagram • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#257
July 22 · 44 min
Jamilah Lemieux on Black Single Motherhood
Jamilah Lemieux’s greatest fear was becoming a single mom. When she found herself pregnant without a partner, she panicked and tried to convince her daughter’s father to get back together with her. But over time, she’s come to embrace single motherhood — and the unexpected joys of co-parenting. … Recommendations from the archive We have lots of stories about single parenthood! • For something funny: W. Kamau Bell Asks His Mom About Sex • For something political: The Political Power of Black Motherhood • For a story with a twist: Becoming a Single Dad While Trans … Episode resources • Jamila’s book: Black. Single. Mother. • Jamilah’s website: https://www.jamilahlemieux.com/ • Co-parenting book that Jamilah recommends: The 50/50 Solution … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com … Cover photo credit: Aria Askari Jocelynn Pedro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#88
July 15 · 43 min
LST FAVES: The Secret Life of a Deaf Superhero
Cece Bell lost her hearing at age four. In this interview, the Newbery-award-winning author and illustrator talks about how she's used her hearing aid for good ... and evil. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on June 7, 2016 and is a favorite from the archives. We hope you enjoy, and we’ll be back next week with a brand new episode. … Read the book Pick up a copy of Cece’s incredible graphic memoir El Deafo! … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#256
July 8 · 40 min
Even Sexperts Struggle with Intimacy in Motherhood
As curator of the Museum of Sex, Sarah Forbes was an expert on kinks and turn-ons. But motherhood taught her that sex is more complicated than attraction — and that something as unsexy as her partner changing a blowout diaper could get her in the mood. … Recommendations from the archive Check out our sex + parenthood series, which includes: • The Parents’ Guide to Doing It with Jane Marie and Dan Savage • The Parents’ Guide to Doing It with Dr. Hilda Hutchinson and Twanna Hines • The Parents’ Guide to Doing It with Esther Perel … More about Sarah Forbes • Sarah’s website: curatorforbes.com • Sarah’s book: Mama Sex … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com ... Cover photo credit: Rebecca Smeyne for Cosmopolitan Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 1 · 34 min
Getting Kids to Bed with Naturepedic's Arin Schultz
As the father of four boys, Arin Schultz treasures his sleep… and because he works at a mattress company, he spends most of his waking hours thinking about sleep. In this episode, sponsored by Naturepedic, Arin shares the company’s dramatic origin story, and some sleep hygiene tips he’s picked up along the way. … Recommendations from the archive We have more episodes about kids and sleep! • Start with our very first episode: Your Singing Really Interferes With My Going-To-Sleep Process • If you like that one, check out the follow-up four years later: Music Together-ish • In 2018, we hosted a call-in show at 2 a.m. for all the sleepless parents out there: You Up? … Episode resources • Thanks to Naturepedic for sponsoring this episode! You can find their products, and a store near you, at naturepedic.com. Plus, get 20% off with code LONGSHORT … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#255
June 24 · 42 min
Preventing Teens from Joining the Manosphere
Most consent education focuses on survivors, and rightly so. But that leaves perpetrators without resources to repair harm. Drew Davis, a die-hard feminist, aims to fix that with a new online tool. … Recommendations from the archive • Our first episode with SafeBAE: How to Not (Accidentally) Raise a Rapist • Hillary’s personal episode about sex ed and consent that relaunched LST: The Staircase … Episode resources • SafeBAE’s website: safebae.org • Try SafeBAE’s online tool: Vibe Check • SafeBAE’s guide for parents: Check Their Vibe … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#221
June 17 · 46 min
LST FAVES: How to Not (Accidentally) Raise a Rapist
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 also hear a cautionary tale about a time when Shael’s own daughter attempted to get justice for sexual assault survivors back when she was in high school. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on February 5, 2025 and is a favorite from the archives. We hope you enjoy, and we’ll be back next week with an exciting update on what SafeBAE is up to now… stay tuned! … Episode resources • Check out SafeBAE.org for info on consent ed for teens … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#254
June 10 · 39 min
Negin Farsad Tackles Her Daughter's Unanswerable Questions
In 2017, comedian Negin Farsad came on the show to tackle kids’ unanswerable questions. Now she’s a mom, wrestling with how to explain death, slavery, and war to her own child. Plus, a delightful episode crossover moment with another former guest. (Hint: hot firefighters!) … Recommendations from the archive Want to hear more comedians answer kids’ questions? Check out the whole series! • Kids Ask Negin Farsad Unanswerable Questions • Lauren Lapkus Answers Kids’ Unanswerable Questions • Kids Ask Chris Gethard Unanswerable Questions … Episode resources • Negin’s podcast: Fake the Nation • Negin’s book: How to Make White People Laugh • We recorded this episode at the women’s clothing company M.M.LaFleur in Manhattan. And they’ve got a special promo for you! You get 15% off first-time orders with the code LONGSHORT15 … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com … Cover photo credit: Joyce Zhang Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#111
June 3 · 35 min
LST FAVES: Kids Ask Negin Farsad Unanswerable Questions
Comedian Negin Farsad on esoteric allergies, the power of fire hydrants, and growing up Muslim... all in this edition of Kids' Unanswerable Questions. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on February 1, 2017 and is a favorite from the archives. Since then, Negin has become a mom — and next week we’ll be back with a new episode where she talks about how she navigates her own daughter’s unanswerable questions! … Episode resources • Kid-friendly versions of Negin’s answers are on our website. • Negin Farsad’s podcast: Fake the Nation … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#253
May 27 · 37 min
Building a Family After Childhood Trauma
Kate Casey grew up in a chaotic home, and as a child she struggled to understand the strange — and sometimes unsettling —choices her parents made. When it came time to start her own family, Kate decided to trade the bad kind of chaos for the good kind. … Recommendations from the archive • Want more family drama? Listen to Dani Shapiro’s Family Secret. • Does Family Size Matter? An only child explains why she wanted a large family. … Episode resources • Kate’s podcast: Reality Life With Kate Casey … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#105
May 20 · 30 min
LST FAVES: Uterus + Sperm + Uterus
We pick up where we left off with Kiely, Jenna, and their sperm donor Dominick. This time it's Jenna's turn to get pregnant. And, unlike last time, things do not go according to plan. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on November 30, 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 Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#252
May 13 · 34 min
Embracing Your Abortion Story
Renee Bracey Sherman and Regina Mahone proudly share their abortion stories, which led one of them to realize she wanted to be a mom and confirmed for the other that she didn’t. Plus: the problematic ways we talk about "readiness" for parenthood… and sex after abortion. … Recommendations from the archive • Listen to The Scarlet A, about one of the rare OBGYNs who provides abortions (and needed one herself) … More from Renee and Regina • Book: Liberating Abortion • Podcast: The A Files • Website: liberatingabortion.org … Get involved Renee and Regina say there’s a lot you can do to help improve abortion access in your community. Start by contacting your local clinic, abortion fund, or doula collective. These places are always looking for volunteers with a wide range of skills. … Renee and Regina’s recommended reading list • The Abortion Companion by Becca Rea-Tucker • Killers of Roe by Nancy Littlefield • Expecting Inequity by Khiara M. Bridges • Killing the Black Body by Dorothy Roberts • Relinquished by Gretchen Sission • A book about bodies for kids: Boobies by Nancy Vo *When you buy through these links, we receive a commission, so your purchase supports the show! … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#104
May 6 · 31 min
LST FAVES: Uterus + Sperm
How do you make a baby when you’ve got a uterus and your partner does, too? We hear how one family did it, in this two-parter. And how some of their plans… don’t go according to plan. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on November 23, 2016 and is a favorite from the archives. We hope you enjoy, and we’ll be back next week with a brand new episode. (And tune in the following week for the second part of this episode!) … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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