Parenting is a Joke

In this episode, Ophira Eisenberg sits down with her longtime friend Erin Keating—former television executive, mom of teenage twins, and host of the podcast Hotter Than Ever—for a conversation that spans from IVF dolphin omens to teen fashion battles. Erin shares how a gamified approach to online dating led to meeting her now ex-husband (he was date #5 out of a planned 10), and how her determinati...

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg talks with powerhouse vocalist and soon-to-be mom Rachael Price—lead singer of Lake Street Dive—about performing while pregnant, planning a tour around a due date, and preparing to raise a baby on the road. Rachael shares what it was like touring with the band into her third trimester, including maternity Spanx, food poisoning that almost le...

In this snack-sized episode, Ophira Eisenberg reconnects with comedian, author, and How to Be a Better Human podcast host Chris Duffy for a rapid-fire chat covering the unexpected overlaps between parenting and comedy. Chris reflects on his years as a fifth-grade teacher, including a moment when a student earnestly asked—in front of the class—if having “huge balls” was a medical concern. The two s...

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedian, writer, and podcast host Chris Duffy to unpack the joys and absurdities of raising a toddler while maintaining a creative career. Chris shares how his “fun mom energy” has defined him since high school, his past life as a babysitter and fifth-grade teacher, and the surreal experience of writing jokes for Dan Rat...

In this snack-sized episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg is joined once again by author and podcast host Jo Piazza for a conversation that hits on the real logistics of being a working parent with no time for “manifesting” or gentle parenting platitudes. Jo explains how her background as a tabloid journalist trained her to write anywhere—including from the toilet while hiding from her...

On this episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg talks with bestselling author and Under the Influence podcast host Jo Piazza about parenting three young kids while juggling a prolific writing career. Jo shares the moment she realized she was pregnant (it involved an Elton John concert and tequila), why she can’t stand chickens, and how her latest thriller Everyone Is Lying to You takes ai...

In this snack-size episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg checks back in with comedian and new mom Vicky Kuperman for a hilarious and refreshingly real follow-up conversation about those chaotic first weeks of parenting. Vicky shares how hiring a night doula gave her an elusive eight-hour stretch of sleep and why postnatal support might be the difference between loving your baby and lovi...

In this summer edition of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg catches up with stand-up comic, filmmaker, and war-zone performer Jennifer Rawlings. Jennifer reflects on her years raising five kids while performing for U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Sarajevo—often leaving behind toddlers and pull-ups for flak vests and flatbed stages. She shares how her youngest son, now a film professional...

In this in-studio Parenting is a Joke fav episode, Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedian, Daily Show correspondent, and guest host Desi Lydic to talk parenting, performing, and prompter disasters. Desi recounts the surreal moment her Daily Show hosting debut began with a backwards teleprompter—and how the audience's reaction helped her recover instantly. They talk about raising thoughtful boys...

In this snack-sized episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg is joined again by Tracey Tee—comedian turned founder of Moms on Mushrooms (M.O.M.)—to talk about how microdosing psilocybin became the unexpected tool that helped her feel more present, emotionally resilient, and aligned as a parent. Tracey explains how her past work creating The Pump and Dump Show laid the groundwork for buildi...

Comedian Tracey Tee, co-creator of the hit touring show The Pump and Dump, returns with a whole new mission: helping moms heal with mushrooms. In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, she opens up to Ophira Eisenberg about how her decade-long comedy career and business collapsed overnight during the pandemic, leaving her physically and emotionally unmoored. She shares the long and grueling road she...

In this special snack episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg reconnects with comedian Liz Glazer to celebrate the release of Liz’s new stand-up special Do You Know Who I’m Not?—a follow-up to her acclaimed debut tackling the heartbreak of stillbirth. Liz shares what it’s like raising a two-year-old, obsessively documenting milestones like her daughter renaming bottles “babush,” and navig...

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, comedian and brand-new mom Vicky Kuperman joins Ophira Eisenberg just five weeks after giving birth—and no, she didn’t know she wanted kids until recently either. Vicky opens up about pivoting from a life focused solely on comedy to embracing IVF, sharing how her fourth and final covered cycle resulted in her daughter. She reveals she once had a miscarriage...

In this snack episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg catches up with comedian and dad Mike Cannon, who's juggling life with a kindergartener and a new baby. Mike talks honestly about how parenting the second time around comes with fewer toys, more perspective, and the realization that kids’ interests change faster than you can declutter. He recounts the chaotic beauty of raising a son wh...

This week on Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg welcomes comedian Mike Cannon for a Father’s Day–timed conversation packed with raw insight, humor, and real talk about parenting sensitive kids while holding onto your sanity and creative drive. Mike opens up about life with a kindergartner and a seven-month-old, reflecting on how jujitsu helped his son build emotional resilience—and how parentin...

In this quick-hit snack episode, Parenting is a Joke host Ophira Eisenberg reconnects with Deborah Goldstein, creator and host of the kids’ podcast The Big Fib, for a sharp and funny follow-up conversation about parenting, lying, and letting go. Deborah shares her experience raising two sons through the awkward "dumb liar" phase—like when one claimed he “found” a cow magnet stuck to a stranger’s c...

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg welcomes Deborah Goldstein, co-host of the hit kids' podcast The Big Fib and producer of the nationwide storytelling series Listen to Your Mother. Deborah shares what it’s like raising two "man children" with her wife in a North Jersey suburb full of fellow Brooklyn expats, where being a cis, lesbian, monogamous couple is almost boring by lo...

In this snack-sized episode of Parenting Is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg chats with comedy writer Rob Kutner about parenting teens, creative careers, and why his daughter called him and his wife “hippies.” Rob opens up about raising a 16-year-old navigating academic pressure, social anxiety, and her first heartbreak—with plenty of Gilmore Girls marathons to get through it. He shares how his 12-year-ol...

In this episode of Parenting Is a Joke, comedian and late-night writer Rob Kutner (The Daily Show, Conan, The Tonight Show) joins Ophira Eisenberg to talk parenting while producing comedy—and building epic Lego cities. Rob shares how his son’s rediscovered passion for Lego led to an IKEA-based organizing hack courtesy of his wife, complete with color-coded bins and DIY design books. He reflects on...

In this snack-sized episode, Denver comic Janae Burris returns to talk to Ophira about parenting logistics, chaos management, and the sticker shock of daycare in Colorado. She opens up about choosing to keep her toddler home with her—despite everyone around her insisting she needs a break—and how that decision slowly unraveled once the “fast and sticky” two-year-old phase kicked in. Janae shares t...

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, comedian and Denver arts staple Janae Burris joins Ophira Eisenberg to talk about becoming a mom at 41 after thinking parenthood had passed her by. She recounts the surreal moment she realized she was pregnant—just after performing at a comedy show—and how fear and humor carried her through a high-risk pregnancy. Janae reflects on her path from dropping out...

In this Parenting is a Joke Snack Episode, singer-songwriter Amy Millan shares hilarious and heartfelt stories about parenting a 14-year-old aspiring musical theater star and an 8-year-old who’s always one snack away from bedtime stalling. Amy reveals that her daughter's only use for a smartphone is belting out songs for hours, but that didn’t stop the teen from hitting her with a brutal “You didn...

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, singer-songwriter Amy Millan of Stars and Broken Social Scene opens up about the wild logistics of parenting on the road, from breastfeeding backstage to taking her toddlers on European tour buses. Amy shares what it was like to return to the stage just 12 weeks postpartum, how a Canadian grant system once forced her to pretend her childcare provider was a p...

In this snack-sized episode, Tara Clark of Modern Mom Probs returns to chat with Ophira Eisenberg about saying no (or more often, yes) to their kids, why the tween years might actually be the sweet spot of parenting, and how a learner-led school changed everything for her 12-year-old son. Tara opens up about resisting the urge to fast-forward conversations with her son—even when he's explaining ev...

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg sits down with parenting content creator, meme queen, and Modern Mom Probs founder Tara Clark for a dynamic, deeply relatable conversation about the evolution of modern motherhood. From Tara’s early days running Nickelodeon’s social media and literally being the voice of Dora the Explorer on Facebook, to launching a meme empire built on...