Parenting is a Joke

In this special holiday snack-sized episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg shares listener-submitted stories of holiday mishaps and parenting disasters. From festive puke-filled car rides to Lego-set mix-ups, a ravioli catastrophe that spanned three floors and the perils of trying to be a supermom post-C-section, these tales will make you laugh, cringe, and feel less alone in the season's chaos. Ophira also reflects on her own unforgettable holiday moments, like her Jewish Santa revelation and a particularly sticky Boxing Day involving remotes and red Gatorade. It’s a celebration of parenting during the most “wonderful” time of the year!✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.Follow:Holly Ballentine: https://www.instagram.com/hollynotvalentineStacy Pederson: https://www.instagram.com/stacypedersonofficialEmily Winter: https://www.instagram.com/emilymcwinter/Andrea Marie:https://www.instagram.com/andreamariecomedyMoms Unhinged:https://www.instagram.com/momsunhingedcomedySee 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 week’s episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg revisits a festive favorite featuring Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson, the comedic duo behind the hit podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood. With six kids between them and years of experience making people laugh, Margaret and Amy open up about the chaos of raising children while building a thriving podcasting empire. They explore everything from evolving parenting styles—like the pitfalls of "boomer parenting" and the realities of "out-the-door parenting"—to why sometimes parenting feels like trying to keep a stubborn houseplant alive. Margaret and Amy also share their take on managing extracurriculars, handling picky eaters, and embracing the messy unpredictability of life as parents. From the hilarity of dealing with a kid's Big Nate-inspired sass to the bittersweet transition of launching kids into adulthood, this conversation is a heartfelt reminder that parenting is equal parts hard and rewarding, even if you only recognize that in hindsight.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 December tour stops: San Francisco Dec 24th, 25th, 26thFollow What Fresh Hell : https://www.instagram.com/whatfreshhellcast/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 lively, holiday-themed snack-sized episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg welcomes comedian and holiday advice-gatherer Emily Winter for a laugh-packed chat on surviving the festive season. From the chaos of cross-country travel to the psychological warfare of managing "Elf on the Shelf," this episode is full of relatable humor and practical insights. Hear crowd-sourced gems like why Santa shouldn’t get credit for the big gifts and why new parents should skip hosting altogether. Emily and Ophira also bond over the joy of practical, thoughtful presents—like cozy socks, pajamas, or even melatonin-laced edibles to unwind. Whether you're laughing at parenting fails or inspired by unconventional tips, this episode is the perfect bonbon-sized holiday treat🎄 Catch Emily Winter's comedy on stage with One Liner Madness and follow her @emilymcwinter. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 December tour stops: San Francisco Dec 24th, 25th, 26thFollow Emily Winter: https://www.instagram.com/emilymcwinter/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 as a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg welcomes Mike Pesca: journalist, host of podcasts The Gist and Funny You Should Mention, and father of two teenage boys. Mike demonstrates his hard-hitting journalism prowess in the episode, as he discusses sugar-fueled parenting, why Ophira almost choked on a grape, and letting your kid give a PowerPoint presentation to earn subway privileges. The conversation meanders from the evolution of entertainment, to media’s influence on teenage engagement, to comedy’s role in helping to navigate global issues to navigating ADHD, but is always peppered with laughs and anecdotes along the way. If you’re equally excited to hear about the future of journalism, gentle parenting, and Ophira’s childhood Disney revelation, this is probably the only place where you can find everything you want (and more!)✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 December tour stops: San Francisco Dec 24th, 25th, 26thFollow Mike Pesca: https://www.instagram.com/mike.pesca/ and https://x.com/pescami See 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

We’re back with a Parenting's a Joke festive, snack-sized bonus episode with comedian Megan Gailey! Megan, host of the Sports Bitches podcast, shares her hilarious take on parenting, from navigating her toddler’s obsession with sports figures to her ultimate dream holiday scenario straight out of a Hallmark movie, and yes, It involves Christmas sweaters and a whole lot of holiday spirit Megan opens up about her hilarious holiday disasters, including a puking incident at Benihana, and how she balances the chaos of parenting with a thriving comedy career. Plus, hear her thoughts on the ups and downs of the playground mom scene and the funny advice she gleefully ignored.🎄 Catch Megan’s comedy on stage and follow her @BetterMeganGailey. Don’t miss her Sports Bitches podcast for witty takes on the world of sports.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 December tour stops: Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Nashville, and Memphis!Follow Megan Gailey: https://www.instagram.com/bettermegangailey/See 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

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedian Megan Gailey to explore the realities of parenting in the male-dominated world of comedy, how women in comedy can’t escape scrutiny regarding their appearance and weight, and how it feels to deliver jokes while pregnant and also as a new mom. Megan opens up about how the pregnancy gave her a fresh perspective on her material and the challenges of fitting motherhood into an already packed schedule that includes going on the road. They trade absurd advice they’ve received as a new moms and the childhood questions that catch parents off guard. Plus, Megan as a sports lover, talks about how sports culture shaped her childhood and how she is dressing her little kid. The pressure to conform to traditional gender roles can be overwhelming. Plus we get a sneak-peak into how Megan and her family will be celebrating the holidays, and we can all agree that is one lucky kid!  🎄 Catch Megan’s comedy on stage and follow her @BetterMeganGailey. Don’t miss her Sports Bitches podcast for witty takes on the world of sports.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 December tour stops: Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Nashville, and Memphis!Follow Megan Gailey: https://www.instagram.com/bettermegangailey/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

Parenting's a Joke brings you an entertaining snack-sized bonus episode featuring Ryan Britt! Ryan, a writer and editor specializing in parenting media, spills the tea on kids’ shows like Bluey (spoiler: he’s not a fan) and his surprising love for My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. From breaking down what makes My Little Pony unexpectedly deep to sharing hilarious highlights from celebrity dad interviews—including Matthew McConaughey’s unique parenting “workouts”—this episode is a delight for parents and pop culture fans alike.Plus, hear Ryan’s thoughts on what kids’ media gets wrong, why escapism matters for parents, and his most memorable childhood Halloween costume (Spock, naturally). This snack is a whole bag of chips!🦄 Catch Ryan’s writing at Inverse, Den of Geek, and more, and pick up his books wherever you buy books.✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.📍 December tour stops: Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Nashville, and Memphis!Follow Ryan Britt: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.britt/See 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

In this episode, Ophira Eisenberg sits down with author, cultural critic, and father Ryan Britt for a fascinating conversation that blends geek culture, parenting, and life transitions. They reflect on their early days performing live at Moth storytelling shows in NYC and explore Ryan's journey as a writer of celebrated nonfiction books like Luke Skywalker Can't Read and Phasers on Stun.Ryan also shares his experience moving from New York to Maine to raise his daughter, deciding to homeschool, and discovering that the best way to fit in writing—or any creative project—is to let a little panic drive your schedule. Together, they dive into the impact of children's media, the importance of creativity in parenting, and the influence of sci-fi and fantasy on their lives. And here's a great takeaway: 7-year-olds love The Hobbit!Follow Ryan Britt: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.britt/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 holiday episode, we're serving up a fun, festive mix of Thanksgiving humor, life hacks, and wild stories with comedian and writer Emily Winter! Even her name is right on theme. From Thanksgiving drama to her accidental (but expertly planned) win on The Price is Right, this episode runs the gamut from antics to anxiety that is textbook holiday. Emily takes us on a wild ride through the aftermath of winning big, her family vacation in Grand Cayman, featuring mudslides and weed gummies.Throughout, Emily's wit and love for games shine, capturing how even the most surreal moments can become part of life's hustle. Follow Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilymcwinter/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

Host Ophira Eisenberg revisits one of her favorite interviews with two incredible comedians Joe List and Sarah Tollemache to talk about their marriage and the baby they are about to bring into this world! The conversation includes frank talk about fertility issues, the cost of treatment, the decision to go with an egg donor and how they envision their lives when this baby enters their world. Plus there are tons of laughs with these 3 comedians.Follow Joe List: https://www.instagram.com/joelistcomedy/Follow Sarah Tollemache https://www.instagram.com/stollemache/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