The Longest Shortest Time

Ali Yarrow thought her childbirth experience would be hers to guide. Instead, she found it was guided by American the 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 Resources Doulas often lead to better birth outcomes. Find one in your area through DONA International. Doula Training If 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 training Low-Cost/No-Cost Doula Services Many 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 Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/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 Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/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 Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sex ed in schools isn’t cutting it, and studies show that kids are turning to porn for answers. In this episode, Traci Thomas of The Stacks podcast joins us to suggest books that help tweens and teens navigate the complicated world of sex and relationships. We’ll cover fiction and nonfiction — plus a few picks to help spice up the sex lives of parents! … Recent episodes about sex ed • #220 The Staircase • #221 How to Now (Accidentally) Raise a Rapist … Episode resources • More about Traci • Full list of books mentioned in this episode … Episode sponsors (using our links supports the show!) • Alloy: $20 off your 1st order at alloy.com/LONGEST • Hungryroot: 40% off 1st box + free item in every box for life at hungryroot.com/LONGSHORT with code LONGSHORT • Quince: free shipping + 365-day returns at quince.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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Friend Hear the episode about Andrea’s doctor • #183 Postpartum House Arrest … Sponsors (using our links supports the show!) • Alloy: $20 off your 1st order at alloy.com/LONGEST • Hungryroot: 40% off 1st box + free item in every box for life at hungryroot.com/LONGSHORT with code LONGSHORT • Quince: free shipping + 365-day returns at quince.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 podcastchoices.com/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 Cyndie cyndiespiegel.com … 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

Consent education in school is mostly insufficient or non-existent — even when it’s required by state law. An organization called SafeBAE is trying to change that by training teens to teach each other about consent. SafeBAE’s executive director Shael Norris talks about what works and what doesn’t when discussing this topic with young people. We’ll also hear a cautionary tale about a time when Shael’s own daughter attempted to get justice for sexual assault survivors back when she was in high school. Artwork for this episode by Andrea Tomingas. … Recommendations from the archive • The title for this episode is a spin on one of our most popular episodes ever: #116 How to Not (Accidentally) Raise a Racist • If you want to learn about the history of sex ed, check out: #134 How to Make a Fella Feel Relaxed … SafeBAE resources mentioned in this episode • For teens who want to learn about consent or become peer educators • For adult educators who want to incorporate consent education at school • For parents who want better consent education for their kids • SafeBAE’s #knowB4Unude video • SafeBAE’s active bystander video … 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

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 … 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

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 Instagram Website: longestshortesttime.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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!

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. To keep in touch with Hillary and find out what's next, sign up for her newsletter and follow her on Instagram and Twitter. All of our episodes, articles, and resources will remain up at longestshortesttime.com. We'll be turning off comments on the website on Jan. 1, 2020, so if you've wanted to leave a comment on an episode, now's the time! This episode is brought to you by Pinna, Bayer Crop Science, and Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting.

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. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com! Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram. This episode is brought to you by Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, Third Love, and ThredUP.

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. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com! Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram. This episode is brought to you by Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, Bayer Crop Science, Rothy's, and Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting.

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. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com! Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram. This episode is brought to you by Pinna, Fetch Rewards (code: LONGSHORT), Teen Counseling, Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, and Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting.

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. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com! Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram. This episode is brought to you by Bad With Money, Bayer Crop Science, Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting, Teen Counseling, and Pillsbury Crescent Rolls.

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. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com! Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram. This episode is brought to you by Teen Counseling, Third Love, ThredUp, and Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

Author Brigid Schulte fills us in on the current state of working mom discrimination in the United States. And one brave listener shares a story that might just inspire you to fight for changes at your job. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com! Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram. This episode is brought to you by Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting, Teen Counseling, Rothy’s, Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, and Bayer Crop Science.

Bees, needles, vomit, and atomic bombs—cartoonist Raina Telgemeier was afraid of them ALL. Hear how she learned to manage her fears, and how she became a hero to children around the globe. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com! Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram. This episode is brought to you by Teen Counseling, Bona Floor Cleaners, ThredUP, Fetch Rewards (code: LONGSHORT), and Pillsbury Crescent Rolls.

LST faves Trystan and Biff are back! We catch up with them about about parenthood, postpartum bodies, and if there are any more kids in their future. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com! Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram. This episode is brought to you by Bayer Crop Science, Teen Counseling, ThirdLove, Rothy’s, and Bona Floor Cleaners.

In the final episode of our three-part series “The Single Lady’s Guide to Sperm Shopping,” your host Andrea Silenzi prepares to ask a friend to be her sperm donor. How will she decide who to pick? To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com! Sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram. This episode is brought to you by Bona Floor Cleaners, Teen Counseling, Third Love, Warby Parker, and Thomas' English Muffins.