Once and Future Parent

When the power goes out mid-recording, the show must go on. We were half way through a recording session with Matthew, Mandy, and Mandy’s friend Megan, when Matthew’s power went out, taking all they had already recorded with it! But the show must go on, and Mandy and Megan continued their holiday conversation, diving into the realities of managing winter celebrations as a retail-owning parent, the...

Feeding children isn’t just about nutrition—it’s about navigating breastfeeding struggles, picky eaters, food allergies, and the endless debate over what’s “healthy enough.” Matthew, Mandy, and Pete are joined by special guest Mara Kaufman to explore the chaos and complexity of food decisions from infancy through adolescence, including the unexpected challenges that arise when your kid discovers D...

Fresh off a trip to Italy with his three-month-old, Matthew is riding high on new-parent vindication: his baby slept through both transatlantic flights while chaos reigned around him. But Pete and Mandy are quick to remind him that the easy travel window is fleeting—and they've got the battle scars to prove it. In this episode, the trio swaps stories from the parenting travel trenches: Mandy's sol...

Parenting tests your patience in ways nothing else can. When your toddler refuses to cooperate, when schedules fall apart, or when you're running on empty—how do you handle the frustration without losing yourself in it? In this episode, we explore the uncomfortable truth that parenting will frustrate you, and what it means to actually let go instead of just suppressing your feelings. What We Discu...

Halloween as a parent means navigating everything from costume choices to candy negotiations, while also managing your own memories of trick-or-treating past. But when does healthy caution cross into helicopter parenting? And how do modern safety concerns compare to the anxieties our parents faced? Matthew, Mandy, and Pete explore the evolution of Halloween traditions, from the Wild West days of u...

Mandy and Matthew complete their deep dive into Ron Howard’s Parenthood , focusing on the film’s most quietly devastating subplot: Frank Buckman’s relationship with his troubled youngest son, Larry. This conversation explores how the movie tackles parental favoritism, the limits of unconditional support, and the painful moment when a parent realizes they can’t fix their adult child—but might get a...

What happens to your sense of self when you become a parent? In this raw and reflective conversation, Mandy and Matthew share their experiences of identity transformation, relationship dynamics, and the profound disorientation that comes with a new baby, all through the prism of the classic 80’s movie: Parenthood . From the fantasy of parenting versus the reality of sleepless nights to the invisib...

The holidays bring joy, chaos, and complicated family dynamics. This episode tackles the real challenges parents face during the season: balancing traditions with your own family's needs, managing expectations from extended family, and deciding which holiday customs matter most to you. From religious observance to gift-giving philosophies, we explore how to create meaningful celebrations while set...

What does it mean to truly let go as a parent? In this episode, Matthew, Mandy, and Pete explore the delicate balance between protecting our children and giving them the freedom to grow. From toddler autonomy to teenagers navigating independence, the hosts share personal stories and practical wisdom about when to hold on and when to step back. Questions We Discussed How do we balance keeping kids...

The first month of parenthood is a crash course in bodily fluids, sleep deprivation, and existential wonder. Matthew checks in three weeks after bringing baby home, while Mandy navigates teenage driving, and Pete reflects on his adult child saving a life. The conversation spans burping cloths, feeding anxieties, and the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world one person at a time. In thi...

After weeks of careful planning, Matthew's baby arrived in the middle of the night—at a completely different hospital than expected. In this episode, Matthew shares their unfiltered birth story: the telltale signs Mary initially dismissed, the frantic drive across town, and their first days as a brand-new parent navigating meconium diapers and jaundice. In this episode, we discuss: How do you know...

Matthew's just days away from becoming a parent, while Mandy and Pete navigate the complex world of sharing beloved films and shows with their teens. From handling commercials and consent messaging in Bluey to the heartbreak of watching your kid zone out during your favorite childhood classic, this episode tackles the emotional minefield of introducing kids to the media you love—and accepting when...

What happens when your carefully crafted birth plan collides with medical reality—and your family's overwhelming enthusiasm? This episode explores the gap between Hollywood's dramatic 10-minute labor scenes and the actual days-long delivery process, while navigating the beautiful chaos of well-meaning relatives who can't contain their excitement. Matthew, Mandy, and Pete tackle the complexities of...

Navigating screen time as a parent feels like walking through a minefield – every choice comes with judgment, guilt, and conflicting expert advice. In this candid conversation, hosts Matthew Fox and Mandy Kaplan sit down with voice actor and dad Will Collier to tackle the daily battles of raising kids in our screen-saturated world. Topics Covered When should parents start worrying about their own...

Expectant parent Matthew Fox and seasoned parents Mandy Kaplan and Pete Wright dive deep into one of parenting's most personal decisions: naming your child. From family traditions to social media pressures, this episode explores how modern parents navigate the complex world of baby naming while sharing candid stories about their own experiences. Topics Covered Is baby clothing just an expensive ma...

Three expecting/experienced parents dive into the evolving world of baby showers, gender reveals, and how modern families are reshaping traditional parenting ceremonies. Matthew Fox, expecting his first child, joins veteran parents Pete Wright and Mandy Kaplan for an honest conversation about navigating family expectations while staying true to your values. The hosts explore the tension between ho...

Welcome to The Once & Future Parents, where three podcasters navigate the wild world of parenting from completely different stages of the journey. Matthew Fox is two months away from becoming a first-time parent at 47, Mandy Kaplan is raising a 15-year-old theater kid, and Pete Wright's adult children are out saving lives and helping the elderly. When does parental influence actually end, and...

Meet the hosts of The Once & Future Parent: Matthew Fox, a brand-new parent who is fully panicking in a calm and totally normal way; Mandy Kaplan, currently negotiating freedom, hormones, and homework with a high school sophomore like it's a hostage situation; and Pete Wright, who has entered the parenting phase where success means getting a text back from a cell phone he doesn’t own yet someh...