

Care and Feeding | Slate's parenting show
Slate Podcasts
Zak Rosen, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Lucy Lopez share triumphs and fails and offer advice on parenting kids from toddler to teens.Want more Care and Feeding? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive advice. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Care and Feeding show page. Or, visit slate.com/careplus to get access wherever you listen.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 27min
Encore: Talking to Kids About Racism
First, an announcement: we’re excited to show you our new best-of playlist. Let us know if we’ve done an expert interview that you think is missing from the list.
In this episode from 2020, where Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Rebecca Lavoie were joined by Trina Greene Brown, the founder of Parenting for Liberation, to answer questions about race and police violence.
We’ve also unlocked the Slate Plus bonus segment from this episode, where Jamilah was joined by Dr. Kira Banks to answer a listener question about colorism and complexion bias.
Resources:
Parenting for Liberation
Parenting for Liberation podcast
Parenting for Liberation: A Guide for Raising Black Children
Raising Equity
Raising Equity YouTube channel
Raising Equity podcast
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
The Color Complex: The Politics of Skin Color in a New Millennium by Kathy Russell, Midge Wilson and Ronald Hall.
A History of Policing, an online class by Freedom Lifted for young people.
The “American Police” episode of NPR’s Throughline podcast.
Rebecca Lavoie’s instagram post of Henry’s protest sign.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie and Rosemary Belson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 16, 2025 • 55min
This Is Your Last Parenting Book
On this episode: Elizabeth and Lucy sit down with Meagan Francis – she’s a parenting writer and the author of the new book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read. It’s all about embracing the teen years and your impending empty nest.
And if you stick around for the Slate Plus Playground, Zak and Jamilah join Elizabeth to talk about what they hope an empty nest looks like.
If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 12, 2025 • 55min
C&F 101: Love and Baby Skin
On this episode: Zak and Elizabeth introduce a series-within-a-series called Care and Feeding 101 — where we’re walking you through all things baby, with the help of some truly amazing experts. Think of it like the baby book that we know you don’t have time to read.
In Volume One: Zak meets some seasoned sex and relationship coaches who just had a baby. And Elizabeth invites Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness to bust the top myths about baby skin.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 9, 2025 • 39min
Your City Could Be Better For Parents
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Lucy chat with Diana Lind, an urban policy expert and writer, about her thoughts on parent-friendly cities. We’ll talk about ways that cities do – and could – make housing, third places, transportation, and more work better for more families.
And if you stick around for the Slate Plus Playground, Diana hangs out for a conversation about why kid activities have to be so. boring. for. adults.
If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 4min
Planners and Calendars and Lists (Oh My)
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Lucy talk about executive functioning. Listeners reliably chime in when Elizabeth and Lucy talk about their planners, their calendars, and their methods of staying sane… so today, we’re diving into the ways we keep track of everything. Most of the time.
After that, of course, we’ll circle up for a round of triumphs and fails.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 2, 2025 • 32min
My Toddler’s Officially Overweight
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Jamilah help a listener who just got told that her toddler is overweight. Now, she’s wishing the pediatrician hadn’t said anything — and she’s also feeling like she failed as a parent. So, we’re here to explain how she didn’t fail… and talk about what healthy bodies can look like.
And then, we’ll circle up for a round of checkins… and on Slate Plus, we muse on whether it’s just a phase.
If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.
Zak’s check-in: un-unibrow?
Elizabeth’s check-in: date with Oliver <3
Jamilah’s check-in: age brackets
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 29, 2025 • 45min
My Parents Spend Less On My Stepson
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Jamilah are talking about a tricky dynamic between a stepson and his step-grandparents. Our listener doesn’t differentiate between her stepson and her bio kids in her home — but when her parents interact with the kids, it’s a different story. So, our listener is wondering what’s normal… and how to patch up this issue with her husband, who’s upset by it.
After that, of course, we’ll circle up for a round of triumphs and fails.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 26, 2025 • 48min
From Our Friends: How To Parent With a Disability
At least 10 percent of parents in the U.S. are disabled, but Andrea can’t seem to find parenting advice on disability and accessibility. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Jessica Slice, author of the new book Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World, to help Andrea reimagine parenthood.
If you liked this episode check out: How To Date With a Disability and How To Become a Parent Overnight.
Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
How To! is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 22, 2025 • 1h 5min
It’s Twins and I’m Panicking
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Lucy are talking about twins! Our listener just found out that the one baby she was expecting is, in fact, two babies… and she’s freaking out a little. And we did too, because none of us have twins — but when we tell you the Care and Feeding community came in clutch? We mean it.
After that, of course, we’ll circle up for a round of triumphs and fails.
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 19, 2025 • 44min
Teen Hangouts? Under My Roof?
On this episode: Zak, Elizabeth and Jamilah are talking about being the place to be. This member of the Slate Parenting Facebook Group takes pride in being the place where their tween and teen girls hang out with their friends… but being the “cool parent” does come with some serious responsibility, and that’s what our writer is worried about.
And then, we’ll circle up for a round of checkins… and on Slate Plus, Elizabeth has a philosophical dilemma.
If you’re not part of the Slate Plus community, we hope you’ll consider joining! Keep reading to learn how.
Zak’s check-in: a tiny close talker
Elizabeth’s check-in: The Brothers Council
Jamilah’s check-in: …maybe it’s Jersey?
Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.
Podcast produced by Maura Currie.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices