The Longest Shortest Time

Ashley Parker has covered some of the biggest political events of our time — but for years she’s been obsessed with a very different type of story: birth stories. In this episode, Ashley opens up about her own experiences with childbirth and pregnancy, raising three girls, and a mistake she made as a teenager involving a camera… and boobs. If you follow her work, this is a side of Ashley Parker you’ve never heard before! … Recommendations from the archive #73 Love Yurts … Episode resources • Ashley’s Atlantic essay about miscarriage (gift link expires 5/12/25) • Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support • March of Dimes • The Miscarriage Association … Sponsors (using our links supports the show!) • Blueland: 15% off your first order at blueland.com/longshort … Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! Follow us on Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ali Yarrow thought her childbirth experience would be hers to guide. Instead, she found it was guided by the American obstetrics system — a model that was designed by men. Ali documented what she uncovered in her eye-opening book, Birth Control, and joins us to share what she learned about maternal care in the U.S., how we got here, and how to advocate for ourselves in a system stacked against both patients and providers.*When you use our affilate links to purchase books, we earn a commission, which helps support our work!…Recommendations from the archive• #27 Rewriting Your Birth Story• #28 The Missing Chapter to Ina May’s Guide• #218 Ina May’s Guide, Completely Revised and Updated…Doula ResourcesDoulas often lead to better birth outcomes. Find one in your area through DONA International.Doula TrainingIf you’re a birth partner, you can train to be a doula yourself!• DONA birth doula certification training• CAPPA birth doula certification training• MaternityWise Institute birth doula certification trainingLow-Cost/No-Cost Doula ServicesMany cities have low/no-cost doula programs for low-income individuals. Contact local birthing centers, hospitals, and state health departments for more info. Below are some examples.• NYC’s Citywide Doula Initiative• HealthConnect One community based doula services• Community Doula Network (DC Area)• Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance (LA Area)…Sponsors (using our links supports the show!)• Blissy: 60 nights risk-free plus 30% off at blissy.com/LONGSHORTPOD with code LONGSHORTPOD• Alloy: $20 off your first order at myalloy.com/LONGSHORT with code 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Howie Gordon starred in over a hundred porn films in the 70s and 80s under the name Richard Pacheco. But his greatest role was as a father. At StoryCorps, he talked with his son Bobby Gordon about sex, shame, and dirty movies. This episode comes from StoryCorps's podcast season "My Way" - stories from people who found a rhythm all their own and confidently marched to it their whole lives.…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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we last heard from CJ, they were struggling to figure out how to achieve their lifelong dream of becoming a dad. CJ now has a kid, but getting there was a total rollercoaster — including sperm mishaps, blatant discrimination, and an underground group of queer midwives in Athens. Buckle up, because this ride is a wild one!Note: this episode contains mature content, so probably not one to listen to with the kids.…CJ’s first episode#170 Becoming a Single Dad While Trans…Resources for trans pregnancy + parenthood• Trans Fertility Co.• Fenway Health• Family Equality• UCSF Transgender Care…Sponsors (using our links supports the show!)• Betterhelp: betterhelp.com/longshort for 10% off your first month• Acorns Early: first month free with acornsearly.com/longshort• Hungryroot: hungryroot.com/longshort with code LONGSHORT for 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life…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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Traci Thomas, the vibrant host of The Stacks podcast, joins the conversation to champion sex-positive literature for tweens, teens, and parents. They dive into the pressing need for better sex education, showcasing a variety of books that tackle relationships and self-identity. From unique memoirs to relatable fiction, they discuss how literature can bridge the gap left by traditional education. Traci also highlights titles that empower parents and enhance their sexual literacy, ensuring families are well-equipped to engage in these crucial discussions.

Last time we heard from Andrea Silenzi, she was navigating the wild world of sperm shopping as a single woman in her mid-30s who wanted to become a mom. Five years later, Andrea’s back with an exciting update. Hint: she’s no longer single and no longer shopping.…Hear “The Single Lady’s Guide to Sperm Shopping”• #208 Sperm Series: I Download an App• #209 Sperm Series: I Visit a Sperm Bank• #210 Sperm Series: I Ask a FriendHear the episode about Andrea’s doctor• #183 Postpartum House Arrest…Sponsors (using our links supports the show!)• Blissy: 60-nights risk-free PLUS an additional 30% off at blissy.com/LONGSHORTPOD• BetterHelp: 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/longshort• Rocket Money: cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster at 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cyndie Spiegel built a career on optimism — inspiring audiences with messages of hope and writing a bestselling book about the benefits of positive thinking. But when 2020 hit, her world unraveled in ways she never saw coming. As she faced mounting struggles with family and health, the affirmations she once preached were no longer working, and she had to find a new way forward. In this episode, Cyndie shares the surprising ways she found hope when life was not okay. And if YOU’RE feeling not okay, we hope Cyndie’s techniques help you, too.…More episodes about non-parents• #79 Terry Gross on Not Having Kids• #84 My Best Friend’s Baby…More about Cyndiecyndiespiegel.com...Sponsors (using our links supports the show!)• Rocket Money: rocketmoney.com/LONGSHORT• Outschool: $20 off 1st class or tutoring session at outschool.com with code LONGSHORT• Betterhelp: 10% off 1st month at betterhelp.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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices