Parenting is a Joke

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedian, YouTuber, and new dad Dave Neal to talk about the chaos of raising a newborn while managing a thriving comedy and podcasting career. Dave shares what it’s like producing The Rush Hour Podcast twice a day while navigating sleep deprivation, diaper blowouts, and his wife’s surprising decision to enter their baby in a beauty pageant—where he walked away as a state champion.The conversation delves into Dave’s unconventional childhood, growing up with a single mom who left his birth father while pregnant with him, and how a family intervention changed the course of their lives. Dave reflects on the challenges of relocating from LA to Nashville, the culture shock of suburban life, and the impact of moving away from a major comedy hub. He and Ophira also dive into the pressures of modern parenting, debating whether today’s kids are missing out on creativity due to constant screen time and discussing the generational shift from authoritarian to more communicative parenting styles. Plus, Dave reveals how the pandemic reshaped his career, his unexpected success on YouTube, and why comedians are like cockroaches—always finding a way to survive.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 March Shows are in NYC, CT, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.comFollow Dave Neal: https://www.instagram.com/dnealzSubscribe to his Youtube: https://youtu.be/0vUxVb3InIo?feature=sharedSee Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-upFollow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira:https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedian and photographer Christa Meola joins this snack-sized episode to share how a New York City leasing agent played matchmaker, setting her up with fellow comic Costaki Economopoulos, whom she later married—and then divorced. She talks about the unexpected perks of single parenting, how co-parenting shifts the mental load, and why her daughter’s obsession with her magician boyfriend is making her nervous. Christa also opens up about their post-divorce comedy tour, The Divorce Show, and how the audience Q&A proved some people completely missed the point. Plus, she and Ophira swap war stories about parenting through endless kid illnesses, enrolling kids in too many activities, and dealing with child-free friends who just don’t get it.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 March Shows are in NYC, CT, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.comFollow Christa Meola: https://www.instagram.com/christameola/See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-upFollow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira:https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Parenting is a Joke snack-sized episode, Ophira Eisenberg shares a parenting moment that perfectly sums up the emotional unavailability of every guy she ever dated—courtesy of her son’s fart noises. Then, she sits down for a bite-sized chat with social media strategist Katie Love to discuss parenting in the digital age. Katie opens up about the decision to share (or not share) her children on social media, the unexpected backlash her daughter received after a viral Santa moment, and how she maintains boundaries in a career that never truly clocks out. Plus, Ophira and Katie commiserate over online trolls, how female comedians and content creators get picked apart for their appearance more than their work, and why moms seem to get judged for parenting decisions no matter what they do. It’s a quick but packed conversation about the intersection of parenthood, digital culture, and surviving the comment section.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 February Shows are in NYC! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.comFollow Katie Love: https://www.instagram.com/katielovesocialSee Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-upFollow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira:https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg sits down with journalist-turned-entrepreneur Katie Love, founder of Love Social Media. Katie shares her journey from covering high-profile murder cases and presidential elections to building a successful social media agency that helps female founders stand out online. They dive into the challenges of balancing career ambitions with parenting, including Katie’s unique family dynamic—her husband is a stay-at-home dad. Together, they unpack societal expectations, gender biases, and people's surprising reactions to their roles, like the unsolicited praise Katie’s husband receives just for parenting or the judgmental comments she gets about “leaving” her family for work trips.They also discuss how motherhood alters everything—including what they can stomach on TV (Katie covered true crime for years but now avoids anything where a child is in danger). Plus, Katie shares how her social media expertise helped her navigate parenting in the digital age, from dealing with Instagram’s unrealistic portrayals of pregnancy to raising kids in an era where a middle school birthday party might feature a celebrity performance. Whether you’ve ever felt working-parent guilt, debated whether a second kid is worth it, or just wondered why airplane passengers act personally offended by the presence of babies, this episode has something for you.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 February Shows are in NYC! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.comFollow Katie Love: https://www.instagram.com/katielovesocialSee Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-upFollow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira:https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg serves up a delightful snack-sized episode featuring comedians Arthur Meyer and Stephanie Drake, creators of the Onion-style parody series ABC Parenting. From hilariously misguided advice to TikTok confusion, the trio explores the quirks of modern parenting and comedy. Stephanie shares the chaos of brainstorming topics for ABC Parenting—like deciphering the alphabet soup of preschool levels—and Arthur reflects on their attempts to mix parody and sincerity in an online world that’s often too literal.They dive into old-school parenting methods like soap-mouth threats and spanking, hilariously contrasting them with today’s diagnosis-heavy culture. Ophira reminisces about her own odd childhood experiments (Charlie perfume, anyone?) and reflects on the lingering sensory memories they left behind. Meanwhile, Arthur and Stephanie share stories about audience reactions, TikTok trolls, and the joy of parodying intense parenting.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 February Tour Stops - all in NYC. Go to ophiraeisenberg.com for detailsFollow Arthur Meyer: https://www.instagram.com/arthurmeyer13Follow Stepahine Drake: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniedrake1/See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-upFollow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira:https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Parenting is a Joke episode, Ophira Eisenberg revisits a fan-favorite conversation with comedian and long-time Late Night with Seth Meyers writer, Matt Goldich. Together, they dive into the hilarious chaos of balancing comedy careers, parenting two kids with wildly different personalities, and navigating the everyday absurdities of family life. Matt shares practical parenting advice, like why traveling with a baby is easier than you'd think, how he handles bedtime battles, and why he embraces being a "B-minus parent." Ophira recounts a funny exchange with her son about intelligence across life stages and reveals the comedic perks of being a stand-up mom. From summer camps and gender roles to karaoke favorites and surviving New York City parenting, this episode is packed with relatable humor and genuine insights. Plus, hear about Ophira and Matt’s upcoming co-headlining gig at QED in Astoria, where they mine the endless comedy gold of parenting.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 February Tour Stops all in NYC, go to my website for details!Follow Matt Goldich: https://www.instagram.com/mattgoldichSee Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-upFollow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira:https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this snack-sized episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg reconnects with comedian Doug Smith for a candid and comedic conversation about parenting, sobriety, and navigating life after leaving a strict Jehovah’s Witness upbringing. Doug opens up about his post-religion rebellious phase, his approach to parenting with fewer restrictions, and the lessons he’s learned while raising his spirited nine-year-old.They also discuss setting boundaries with kids, from screen time battles to endless dessert negotiations. Doug shares his journey to sobriety, reflecting on how it’s shaped his perspective as a father and comedian. Together, they laugh over parenting dilemmas, the absurdities of modern life, and why nostalgia-fueled movies like Back to the Future don’t quite land with today’s kids.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 February Tour Stops Feb 12th Loveland, CO, Feb 13 Rapid City, SDFollow Doug Smith: https://www.instagram.com/whodougsmithSee Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-upFollow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira:https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedian and Brooklyn neighbor Doug Smith to explore the chaos, laughter, and deep reflections that come with parenting while managing a creative career. Doug shares tales of raising his fearless nine-year-old son, who loves nature—and a terrarium full of cockroaches to prove it. They discuss the challenges of nurturing a city kid who thrives in the wild and how Doug’s upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness shaped his perspectives on parenting and comedy.The conversation takes a candid turn as Doug reveals what it was like knocking on doors as a child evangelist and reflects on leaving the faith and starting anew. Ophira and Doug also riff on the absurdity of parenting buzzwords, their mutual hatred of "glamping," and why growing up with older parents gave them a unique outlook on life. Expect moments of hilarity, heartfelt insights, and some surprising revelations about what it means to juggle creativity and family.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 February Tour Stops Feb 12th Loveland, CO, Feb 13 Rapid City, SDFollow Doug Smith: https://www.instagram.com/whodougsmithSee Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-upFollow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira:https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this snack-sized episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg reconnects with the talented Cat Greenleaf, former host of Talk Stoop and creator of the Soberness Podcast. They dive into Cat’s personal journey to sobriety and how it has influenced her parenting style and her broader perspective on life. Cat shares how losing her dream job led her to a period of healing by the ocean in Coney Island, where she rediscovered herself and even started a nonprofit to help others find restoration by the water.The conversation also explores the challenges and joys of creating a podcast that features raw, vulnerable stories from celebrities about their paths to sobriety. Cat explains how emotional honesty, recovery, and resilience have shaped her role as a mom and what she hopes her podcast can inspire in others. A quick but powerful chat that’s equal parts inspiring, thought-provoking, and funny.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 February Tour Stops Feb 12th Loveland, CO, Feb 13 Rapid City, SDFollow Cat Greenleaf: https://www.instagram.com/sobernesspodcast/See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-upFollow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira:https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg welcomes the brilliant Cat Greenleaf. Cat is celebrated for her iconic celebrity interview series Talk Stoop and now hosts the compelling Soberness Podcast. Together, they talk about the complexities of parenting teenagers and sobriety. Cat opens up about adopting her two sons, navigating the unique challenges of raising teenagers, and balancing a media career while fostering meaningful connections with her kids.The conversation also explores her journey to sobriety, the transformative impact of the 12-step program, and the surprising ways her experiences shaped her parenting style. Ophira and Cat bond over the absurdities of homework battles, technology struggles, and the constant evolution of their children’s personalities. From hilarious childhood memories of "Headlamp the King" to the bittersweet moments of growth, this episode offers heartfelt insights, laughs, and a reminder that none of us really have it all figured out.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 February Tour Stops Feb 12th Loveland, CO, Feb 13 Rapid City, SDFollow Cat Greenleaf: https://www.instagram.com/sobernesspodcast/See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-upFollow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira:https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices