The Longest Shortest Time

Ashley 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 follow her work, this is a side of Ashley Parker yo...

Ali 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 advocate for ourselves in a system stacked against bot...

Howie 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 confidently marched to it their whole lives. … Join L...

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 contains mature content, so probably not one to list...

Sex 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 parents! … Recent episodes about sex ed • #220 The Sta...

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 App • #209 Sperm Series: I Visit a Sperm Bank • #21...

Cyndie 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 had to find a new way forward. In this episode, Cy...

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 Shae...

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 out some of our classic episodes: • #27 Rewriting...

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 whole extra show in the LST universe. Listen to t...

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 Instagram Website: https://longestshortesttime.com/ Lear...

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 about middle school. UPDATE: The Longest Shortest Ti...

The 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: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad...

Busy 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 Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram...

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 Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about yo...

John 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 us on Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Le...

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 Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your...

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: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. V...

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

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, and Bona Floor Cleaners. Learn more about your ad...

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.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

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 ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad...

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices