The Longest Shortest Time
Hillary Frank | Realm
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The Longest Shortest Time is a podcast about the surprises and absurdities of raising children and being raised by them. Hosted by Hillary Frank, the show features stories that appeal to both parents and non-parents. After a five-year hiatus, new episodes are released every other Wednesday. The podcast also offers a premium subscription with ad-free listening and access to a bonus show about college students discussing sex, dating, and relationships.
Episodes
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Jamilah Lemieux on Black Single Motherhood 22.07.2026 44mJamilah 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 -
LST FAVES: The Secret Life of a Deaf Superhero 15.07.2026 43mCece 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 -
Even Sexperts Struggle with Intimacy in Motherhood 08.07.2026 40mAs 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 -
Getting Kids to Bed with Naturepedic's Arin Schultz 01.07.2026 34mAs 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 -
Preventing Teens from Joining the Manosphere 24.06.2026 42mMost 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 -
LST FAVES: How to Not (Accidentally) Raise a Rapist 17.06.2026 46mConsent 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 -
Negin Farsad Tackles Her Daughter's Unanswerable Questions 10.06.2026 39mIn 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 -
LST FAVES: Kids Ask Negin Farsad Unanswerable Questions 03.06.2026 35mComedian 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 -
Building a Family After Childhood Trauma 27.05.2026 37mKate 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 -
LST FAVES: Uterus + Sperm + Uterus 20.05.2026 30mWe 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 -
Embracing Your Abortion Story 13.05.2026 34mRenee 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 -
LST FAVES: Uterus + Sperm 06.05.2026 31mHow 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 -
Managing Your Perimenopausal Rage 29.04.2026 40mFeeling enraged lately? Dr. Kameelah Phillips gives us the facts about perimenopausal mood swings — and gets personal about her own. (Red lipstick while listening is not mandatory, but highly encouraged!) … Disclaimer: Information presented by Dr. Phillips does not constitute medical advice or medical care. All medical concerns should be discussed with your healthcare professional. … Recommendations from the archive Check out the other episodes in our perimenopause series: • WTF Is Perimenopause? • Painful Sex and Elusive Orgasms in Perimenopause … Episode resources • Dr. Kameelah Phillips is the founder of Calla Women’s Health in New York City • Check out Dr. Phillips’s book, The Empowered Hysterectomy … • 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: Ginny Suss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Why Heated Rivalry Is SO HOT (it's not just the sex scenes) 27.04.2026 37mHave you been obsessing over Heated Rivalry? Us too. It feels like EVERYONE's been crazy about this show — yes, even the lesbians. So what makes this series SO HOT even for people who aren't gay men? Today, we bring you a special episode of one of our fave pods, Sex Ed with DB. Join DB for a fun and illuminating conversation about Heated Rivalry, BL, and yaoi, with guest Lina Dune! … Recommendations from the archive • Want more Heated Rivalry content? We discussed Lessons in Love from YA TV on an episode earlier this year! • We had DB on the show back in January for a fun and informative episode about Birth Control Troubles and Vibrator Triumphs. … Episode resources • DB’s guest on this episode is Lina Dune, a kink writer, content creator, host of the Ask A Sub podcast and fairy submother to all who seek her advice. She can be found writing about desire over on Substack at askasub.substack.com and on Instagram at @askasub2.0 … Sponsors (using our links 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 -
LST FAVES: Kicking Ass While Pregnant 22.04.2026 32mWhen Marvel asked Dennis Hopeless to create a new story for Spider-Woman, he knew he wanted her to be pregnant. In this episode, he explains why. And we hear from his wife Jessie, the real-life superhero behind Spider-Woman. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on February 29, 2016 and is a favorite from the archives. We hope you enjoy, and we’ll be back next week with a brand new episode. … Episode resources • Buy Mom tattoos designed by Jessie Hopeless for Mother’s Day! And check out all our other cool merch. • See panels from Dennis Hopeless’s Spider-Woman series on our website, including drawings of a pregnant Spider-Woman… … Sponsors (using our links 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 -
When Rumors Spread Like Wildfire About the Fire Commissioner 15.04.2026 41mLaura Kavanagh knew she would encounter challenges as the first female fire commissioner of the FDNY. But she didn’t anticipate the false rumors that she slept her way to the top — or the nastier rumors about her supposed pregnancy. Now, for the first time, she shares what was actually going on in her reproductive life when she ran the fire department. … Recommendations from the archive • Listen to Eggs Over Freezy for more about the process of freezing your eggs. • Curious about IVF? Check out One Woman, 3 Kids, 15 Rounds of IVF. … Episode resources • Laura Kavanagh wrote an op-ed for Fortune about her time as FDNY commissioner, and how to change the workplace for the better. … Sponsors (using our links 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 ... Cover photo credit: Guerin Blask for City and State Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
LST FAVES: Postpartum House Arrest 08.04.2026 43mAs an OBGYN, Jessica thought recovering from childbirth would be a breeze. She didn’t count on her own mother sabotaging her plans of postpartum bliss. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on December 19, 2018 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 -
Painful Sex and Elusive Orgasms in Perimenopause 01.04.2026 42mIf you've given birth, or you’re entering menopause, or you simply have a vagina... chances are, at some point, you’ve had painful or uncomfortable sex. Today, Dr. Lauren Streicher, OBGYN and menopause expert, gives us the inside info on sex and perimenopause. … Disclaimer: Information presented by Dr. Streicher does not constitute medical advice or medical care. All medical concerns should be discussed with your healthcare professional. … Recommendations from the archive • Listen to the first episode in our perimenopause series: WFT Is Perimenopause?• For more about pelvic floor therapy, listen to Healing After Childbirth.… Episode resources • Check out Dr. Streicher’s books Sex Rx and The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy.• You can also listen to her podcasts, Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information: The Menopause Podcast and Come Again. There’s a whole episode about Why Vibrators Work So Well on Come Again. Use code LONGSHORT for 30% off your subscription!• Watch Dr. Streicher’s videos about how to get a hands-free view of your vulva and how to apply lube properly. … • 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 -
Brian Can't Stop Fact-Checking His Mother-In-Law 30.03.2026 55mToday we bring you an episode from Proxy, the podcast that investigates your niche emotional conundrums. Listeners bring host Yowei Shaw the kinds of problems that don’t have easy answers, and then Yowei connects them with a stranger with relevant life experience, in the hope that they can help. In this episode, Yowei talks with her friend, journalist Brian Reed, who spends his professional life tracking down and confirming facts. The problem is… he can’t stop fact-checking his mother-in-law, even though he knows she has Alzheimer’s. If you like what you hear, you can find more episodes of Proxy wherever you listen. … • 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 -
LST FAVES: The Accidental Gay Parents 6 25.03.2026 38mTrystan and Biff are back! We catch up with them about parenthood, postpartum bodies, and if there are any more kids in their future. ⭐️ This episode originally ran on October 23, 2019 and is a favorite from the archives. We hope you enjoy, and we’ll be back next week with a brand new episode. … Check out the entire Accidental Gay Parents series! … • 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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