
The Longest Shortest Time
Stories about the surprises and absurdities of raising other humans—and being raised by them. But you don’t need to be a parent to listen. Created and hosted by Hillary Frank.The Longest Shortest Time is back after a 5-year hiatus! New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Join LST+ for community, ad-free listening, and access to You Know What, our premium show featuring college students speaking candidly about sex, dating, and relationships.If you’re new to the show or want to get reacquainted, check out some of our classic episodes:• #27 Rewriting Your Birth Story• #88 W. Kamau Bell Asks His Mom About Sex• The Accidental Gay Parents Series (#60, #62, #80, #81, #125, #211)• #79 Terry Gross on Not Having Kids• It's a Real Mother: A Series About Workplace Discrimination (#141, #142, #143, #145)
Latest episodes

6 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 48min
How to Not (Accidentally) Raise a Rapist
Shael Norris, executive director of SafeBAE, and her daughter Ayla Mansman, a college student and passionate activist, discuss the critical need for effective consent education in schools. They emphasize the gaps in policies and share personal stories highlighting the challenges of advocating for sexual assault survivors. Ayla recounts her efforts to create change in her high school through initiatives like a Consent Summit, illustrating the importance of youth activism. Together, they explore innovative strategies for teaching consent and preventing sexual violence among teens.

Jan 22, 2025 • 38min
The Staircase
We’re back after a 5-year hiatus! Hillary kicks us off with a story about her anxiety over her daughter’s first experience with unwanted male attention — and her subsequent misadventures in trying to get the girl’s school to teach consent.Artwork for this episode by Lindsay Stripling.…If you’re new to the show or want to get reacquainted, check out some of our classic episodes:• #27 Rewriting Your Birth Story• #88 W. Kamau Bell Asks His Mom About Sex• The Accidental Gay Parents Series (#60, #62, #80, #81, #125, #211)…Sex Ed + Consent Resources• SafeBAE• Scarleteen• SIECUS (Sex Ed for Social Change): Sex Ed Profiles by State• Sex, Teens, and Everything in Between• You Know, Sex• Mr. Health Teacher...Sponsors (using our links supports the show!)• Quince: 365-day returns + free shipping at quince.com/LONGSHORT• Acorns Early: 1st month free at acornsearly.com/LONGSHORT• Rocket Money: rocketmoney.com/LONGSHORT…Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe!Follow us on InstagramWebsite: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 16, 2024 • 7min
Help Bring Back The Longest Shortest Time!
After a 5-year hiatus, The Longest Shortest Time is coming back! We're gonna talk about all things reproductive health: periods, birth control, consent, bodily autonomy, pregnancy, menopause, and so much more — but we can only create a sustainable show with your help. Please join our club, where you'll get to participate in our community AND hear a whole extra show in the LST universe. Listen to this trailer for more info and to hear what Hillary's daughter sounds like now, as a teen (!)...Follow us on InstagramWebsite: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 3, 2021 • 32min
Introducing Here Lies Me
It's been 2 years since LST ended and now Hillary has a new show! Here Lies Me is dramedy about middle school for teen and adult fans of PEN15 and Big Mouth. Listen to an excerpt (plus a special message from Hillary) right here!…Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe!Follow us on InstagramWebsite: https://longestshortesttime.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 18, 2019 • 44min
Parents Sometimes Understand
Let's just say this one's inspired by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.*Note: there is some cursing in this episode — and some talk about the tooth fairy — so you might not want to listen with your kids.*This is the last episode of The Longest Shortest Time! But it isn't really goodbye. Hillary is cooking up something new, probably a project about middle school.UPDATE: The Longest Shortest Time is returning with new episodes on January 22, 2025!…Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe!Follow us on InstagramWebsite: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 11, 2019 • 46min
Ina May's Guide, Completely Revised and Updated
The mother of modern midwifery returns to tell you (yes, YOU) that if you didn’t have a “natural birth,” you are not a failure.Heads up, this episode contains discussion of childbirth injuries and traumatic birth. ...Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe!Follow us on InstagramWebsite: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 4, 2019 • 43min
Busy Philipps Works the Postpartum Hollywood System
Busy Philipps has been working in Hollywood since she was 19 years old. She's always played by the rules when she's had to, but after she had kids, she started making her own rules—at work and at home.This episode contains graphic language and is not suitable for children.…Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe!Follow us on InstagramWebsite: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 27, 2019 • 47min
We Made You A Mix Tape
A baby picked up by the police, the joy and terror of kale, and talking birth control in front of your dad. Three little treasures that we’ve been dying to share with you!This episode contains some uncensored curse words.…Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe!Follow us on InstagramWebsite: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 20, 2019 • 39min
John Hodgman On Being A Villain Without Really Trying
John Hodgman has made a career out of playing elitist villains on TV. He later realized he's been a villain in real life, too — including, sometimes, to his own children.This episode contains graphic language is not suitable for children.…Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe!Follow us on InstagramWebsite: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 13, 2019 • 33min
The, Like, Show. Wavy Edition
Our teen panel is back with more parenting advice! Wanna know when to give your kid a smartphone? Why mumble rap is cool? How to maintain a strong relationship with your child? Molly, Mason, and Quincy have the answers.…Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe!Follow us on InstagramWebsite: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices