Parenting is a Joke

In this episode of A Parenting is a Joke Snack, host Ophira Eisenberg talks with Mike Pesca, a seasoned journalist, author, and host of The Gist, for a thoughtful conversation about parenting teens and the importance of quality time with kids. As a father of two teenage sons in New York City, Mike offers a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of raising teens in a fast-paced urban environment. He shares insights on how quality time with kids changes as they grow older, with a focus on meaningful moments like family meals, hanging out at home, and engaging in deeper conversations.They discuss how parenting strategies evolve over time, from managing curfews and boundaries to complex topics like toxic masculinity and politics. Mike sheds light on how today’s teens are processing these issues and how they engage with the world around them, offering a glimpse into the modern teenage experience. The conversation also covers the impact of the city environment on family life, where subway rides replace driving and moments of connection can be fleeting but valuable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Ophira Eisenberg is joined by Arthur Meyer and Stephanie Drake, the creative forces behind the satirical web series "ABC Parenting." They share how their personal parenting journeys in New York City and Los Angeles inspired their series, which offers hilariously bad advice that every parent can laugh at (and ignore). They also talk about how the show skewers the contradictory and often ridiculous advice parents face, offering comedic relief to frazzled moms and dads.Together, they all discuss whether parenting was easier in the past and the pros and cons of raising kids in big cities, including space constraints, sticky hands, and the odd beauty of neighborhood familiarity. Arthur recounts teaching his son phrases like “big fat turkey,” while Stephanie opens up about her unexpected transition to being a stay-at-home mom by default. They also workshop ideas on how to get kids to do chores and what works when managing tantrums. Luckily, creative work has helped them find humor in the chaos.✨ 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 9, Fort Collins CO, Feb 11 Denver CO, Feb 12th Boulder COFollow Arthur Meyer: https://www.instagram.com/arthurmeyer13Follow Stephanie 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

This week on Parenting Is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg chats with the ever-hilarious Sally Brooks, comedian and author of Going to Maine: All the Ways to Fail on the Appalachian Trail. Sally opens up about her grueling five-month hike and how those endless blisters and unpredictable trail moments mirror her parenting journey. Sally Brooks and Ophira swap stories about the guilt trips only kids can deliver—like Sally’s son asking, “Are there ever going to be three people in this house again?” after she leaves for a show, and the absurd world of parenting cliches, like the timeless wisdom of turning off lights because "we don't work for the electric company," and the generational quirks we inherit from our own parents.They also talk about Sally’s outdoor adventures, from dragging her son on hiking vacations he’d rather skip to dreaming of a future family trek on the Appalachian Trail (if he ever becomes a hiking enthusiast) and the brilliant art studio she constructed in her own backyard.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.Follow Sally Brooks: https://www.instagram.com/thesallybrooks/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

This week on Parenting Is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedian and author Sally Brooks to talk about her hilarious memoir, Going to Maine: All the Ways to Fail on the Appalachian Trail. Sally shares how her wild adventures as a road comic and five months of hiking the Appalachian Trail prepared her (kind of) for parenting. From blisters that wouldn’t heal to the surprise night she unknowingly conceived her child, Sally keeps it real with stories that are equal parts relatable and laugh-out-loud funny. They chat about parenting as an ever-changing trail, Skibbi Toilet toy chaos, and the absurd parallels between surviving nature and surviving parenthood.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 January tour stops: Seattle and Olympia Jan 21st & Jan 22ndFollow Sally Brooks: https://www.instagram.com/thesallybrooks/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 follow-up snack episode, Biz Ellis, co-host of One Bad Mother, joins Ophira Eisenberg for another hilarious and honest conversation about the realities of parenting and life’s never-ending chaos. Biz opens up about wrapping up her 12-year podcast journey, navigating grief, and what she might tackle next as her kids grow older. Together, they unpack why parenting in America feels harder than ever, the cultural disdain for kids, and the impossible demands on parents in a system designed to fail them.They also talk about the joys of housecleaning—or gleefully ignoring it—while Ophira dreams of living on a minimalist boat. Biz shares her tried-and-true approach to parenting wins, from managing Halloween meltdowns to embracing her son’s unconventional food choices. This candid chat is a mix of wisdom, wit, and the shared understanding that, despite the chaos, we’re all doing a great job.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 January tour stops: Seattle and Olympia Jan 21st & Jan 22ndFollow Biz Lawerence: https://www.instagram.com/onebadmothersSee 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 welcomes podcast pioneer Biz Ellis from the wildly popular One Bad Mother show! Biz shares her strategies for raising emotionally forward kids, from letting them slam doors to giving them ice to smash against walls. Meanwhile, Ophira reflects on her own parenting moments, like offering her son the chance to scream it out in the car and navigating impulse control challenges. Together, they explore the long game of emotional growth and why creative outlets for frustration can work wonders.They also discuss the dynamics of raising teens and tweens, with Biz dishing on her “yes and” relationship with her 15-year-old and the ups and downs of managing her emotionally intense fifth-grader. The pair also laugh about the absurdities of parenting culture, from outdated punishments to the joys of sweeping as a therapeutic activity. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 January tour stops: Seattle and Olympia Jan 21st & Jan 22ndFollow Biz Lawerence: https://www.instagram.com/onebadmothersSee 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, Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedy writers Wendy and Lizzie Molyneux, the creative forces behind Bob’s Burgers and The Great North. The sisters open up about the controlled chaos of parenting large families while balancing successful careers in animation. Wendy, a mom of four, and Lizzie, a mom of three, discuss household rules that almost work, from no iPads during the week to family dinners free of devices.The conversation takes a hilarious turn into the absurdities of modern parenting, including the inexplicable popularity of Skibbity Toilet videos and how kids find the weirdest ways to express themselves. They share how their childhood in a semi-feral but structured household shaped their humor and creative collaboration. The sisters also reflect on letting kids be their wonderfully bizarre selves while figuring out how to guide them through a screen-heavy world.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 January tour stops: Seattle and Olympia Jan 21st & Jan 22ndFollow Wendy Molyneux: https://www.instagram.com/thegreatnorthwendyFollow Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin: https://x.com/lizziemolyneux?s=21&t=jSf8B0HmwnlXV5P5Erva-ASee 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 Eisenberg: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, host Ophira Eisenberg is joined by Wendy and Lizzie Molyneux, the brilliant sister duo behind Bob’s Burgers and The Great North. The pair share their hilarious and heartfelt parenting journeys—Wendy as a mother of four and Lizzie with three kids spanning toddler to teen. They reflect on the joys and challenges of raising kids in Los Angeles while juggling a demanding career in television.From the realities of postpartum anxiety to negotiating with kids over Halloween costumes and talent shows, Wendy and Lizzie provide an honest look at life with big families. They also share how their childhood antics inspired their creative collaboration and why their experiences with family dynamics are at the heart of their writing for Bob’s Burgers and The Great North. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the making of hit TV shows and a chaotic yet comedic tribute to modern parenting.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 January tour stops: Seattle and Olympia Jan 21st & Jan 22ndFollow Wendy Molyneux: https://www.instagram.com/thegreatnorthwendyFollow Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin: https://x.com/lizziemolyneux?s=21&t=jSf8B0HmwnlXV5P5Erva-ASee Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/eventsSUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-upFollow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira Eisenberg: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

Ophira Eisenberg kicks off the new year with returning guest Ophira Edut, one-half of the AstroTwins and a seasoned astrologer. Together, they reveal the cosmic trends shaping 2025 and what they mean for parents. From Capricorn’s 16-year Pluto transformation to the emerging influence of Aquarius, they explore how planetary shifts mirror societal changes, including new trends in parenting, relationships, and work-life balance.Listeners also get a sneak peek at The AstroTwins’ 2025 Almanac, which forecasts everything from workplace innovation to family dynamics. The episode touches on the challenges of navigating technology with kids, the rise of multi-generational housing, and how to balance structure with creativity in parenting. For astrology enthusiasts and skeptics alike, this episode offers cosmic insights and practical advice for starting the year off right.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 January tour stops: Seattle and Olympia Jan 21st & Jan 22ndFollow Ophira Edut: https://www.instagram.com/astrotwins/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 Eisenberg: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

Parenting and comedy collide in this hilarious and heartfelt episode featuring UK comic Jen Brister. Known for her hit specials Waves and The Optimist and her book The Other Mother, Jen opens up about navigating life as a mom of twin boys while juggling a demanding comedy career. From her "put your shoes on" parenting anthem to the unique challenges of being a non-biological parent in a same-sex relationship, Jen’s candid insights are as thought-provoking as they are laugh-out-loud funny. Plus, she and Ophira dive into the societal expectations around motherhood, sharing the all-too-relatable frustrations of balancing it all.You’ll also hear Jen’s unfiltered take on parenting guilt, the unexpected lessons of FaceTime with kids, and why a well-planned tour can feel like a marathon. This episode delivers a perfect blend of comedy and connection for anyone curious about the realities of modern parenting and the comedic grind, and trying to survive your own morning routine, this conversation is packed with laughs and takeaways.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.Follow Jen Brister: https://www.instagram.com/jenbristercomedySee Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/eventsSUBSCRIBE 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