Best podcasts for parents
Podcasts are a parent’s godsend! Whether treating (or escaping!) for a solo or stroller walk, putting the speaker on while cleaning, or enjoying a distraction while prepping dinner, the variety is a blessing. One of the great things that came from the explosion of new podcasts in the last few years is that so many people created shows to speak to the people in the world they relate to most. And what is one of the things we need most as parents? Relating to other parents. We have enjoyed the comfort and escape podcasts have afforded us and have put together our list of best parenting podcasts for you to enjoy. So, sit back, push play, and relax. Or, keep your sanity with one of them on in the background.
Longest Shortest Time
https://longestshortesttime.com/episodes
“Stories about the surprises and absurdities of raising other humans—and being raised by them.” ~The Longest Shortest Time
The Longest Shortest time is a favorite among those of us who threw up our hands, rolled up our sleeves, and navigated the last three years. We consider it to be a classic, with episodes so timely and reassuring you can listen every day.
Although the podcast is no longer in production it is still lending a helping hand to parents from coast to coast.
Episode topics include:
-Midwifery
-Sperm donation
-Trans parents
-Best family vacation destinations
-Adoption
-Personal stories
-Much, much more!
Good Inside with Dr. Becky
https://www.goodinside.com/podcast/
Voted one of the Best Podcasts of 2021 by Apple, this podcast is your “how do I…” resource as a parent. Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist, mom of three, and founder of Good Inside. Her passion is providing parents with a new way of doing things.
From her website about why she created Good Inside:
“When I was first starting out, I practiced a popular behavior-first, reward-and-punishment model of parent coaching.
But after a while, something struck me: those methods feel awful — for kids and parents.
So I got to work, taking everything I know about attachment, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and internal family systems theory, and translated those ideas into a new method for working with parents.”
The Foundations of Good Inside are: “Strong leadership, parent-child connection, deep thoughts/practical strategies, bite-sized learning, and community.”
Episode topics include:
-The hardships of parenting
-Independent play
-Disciplining children
-Anger as a parent
-The childcare crisis
And many more! Dr. Becky began the show in 2020 and is 75 episodes in. If you want to take a deeper dive into the topics above she also offers workshops to learn more.
Motherhood in Black and White
This podcast is such a rainy day feel good. The description on their homepage describes Motherhood in Black and White as:
“Hosted by Gen X moms, Kaanji Irby and Tara Campbell. These two women- one Black and one White- come from different worlds, but have become close friends through their shared experiences as suburban ‘boy moms,’ working women in male-dominated workplaces, and their love of 90s hip-hop. Listen in as they chat with each other and connect with guests about parenting and pop culture and the tragedies and triumphs of motherhood with honesty, empathy and humor.”
The show delivers great information with a dash of humor that parents relate to best.
Episode topics include:
-Children and privacy
-favorite tv moms
-talking to kids about war
-Bad parenting advice
-Dating as a parent
The Double Shift
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-double-shift/id1450178017
The more we talk about improving things for American parents and families, the more likely it is to happen. The Double Shift is all about encouraging us to do that. Described by the creators as a “narrative show that challenges the status quo of motherhood in America,” it will get you revved up about creating change or find you looking at motherhood and society in a new way.
While production has stopped on the show, The Double Shift Movement is continuing, with a popular newsletter and “change laboratory.” Get involved here.
Episode topics include:
-The paid leave movement
-Motherhood struggles
-Balancing motherhood and career
-Politics of motherhood
-The history of the double shift
One Bad Mother
https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/one-bad-mother/
Us moms need a safe place these days as much as any. One Bad Mother seeks to provide that every time you push “play.” Provocative and relevant topics are explored by mother Biz Ellis, also a comedian, making each episode an escape from the chaos.
Episodes include:
-You Are Not a Shitty Parent! with Carla Naumburg
-If I’m Nonbinary, Can I Still Wear Sequins? with Abby Wambaugh
-How Do You Raise An Antiracist Child? with Ibram X. Kendi
-We May Need A Reminder That Parenting Is a Farce, with Laura Clery
-It’s Time to Be Mindful of Mindfulness Again, with Sarah Harmon
Cover ohoto by dusan jovic on Unsplash