8 Podcasts For Parents
Remember when as a child, your parent’s talk radio programmes seemed so dull and boring? I think about judgemental little me and can’t help but smile because today I am a convert!
I don’t know how it happened, perhaps during my incredibly long commutes for a former job – but somewhere along the way I fell in love with podcasts. I have a list of about a dozen that I cycle through weekly, the categories ranging from industry news to humour to the addictive narrative from podcasts such as Serial (Were you on that crazy podcast train? If not, you have got to go and check it out immediately!) to the Tobolowsky Files, a current favourite of mine.
There are podcasts to suit all types and topics so no matter what you’re into you will probably find one you like. To help get you started down the rabbit hole we have compiled a list of our favourite compelling podcasts for parents.
Birth, Baby, and Life Podcast
Kristen Burgess from Natural Birth and Baby Care.com brings you straight talk, useful tips, and practical steps for your pregnancy, childbirth experience, and for bringing up baby. Discover how you can have a great pregnancy, safe birth, and a healthy baby… and how to enjoy life along the way. Although Kristen confesses she’s not a doctor and doesn’t have a fancy degree in child psychology, she’s the mother of 5 (with 1 on the way), and manages to have a great time having babies and helping them grow. Pregnancy, childbirth, baby care, attachment parenting, practical parenting, cloth diapering, elimination communication, baby sleep, good nutrition, and everything that works (and some of what doesn’t work) to help you better understand how to bring up a smart, healthy baby… and really enjoy doing it!
Why we love it
Podcaster Kristen has already published 77 episodes with titles as diverse as A Day in the Life of a Diaper Free Baby, Fit Childbirth Prep (or Anything) Into Your Busy Life, Growth Spurts: How to Handle the Baby Feeding Frenzy, and Your Awesome, Flexible Pelvis. Now you know that there will be something here for you to enjoy!
The Baby Mamas Podcast
How do you get lesbians pregnant?! Listen here to follow the process with us: you will laugh, you will cry, and you will hear many things that are probably TMI!
Why we love it
This fresh podcast gives us a different perspective on conceiving and mothering. The hosts are funny, cheerful and inspiring.
Stuff Mom Never Told You
Are more women becoming farmers? How did Delores Huerta help organize underpaid farm workers? Join Cristen and Caroline as they explore the fact, fiction and controversy surrounding the Stuff Mom Never Told You.
Why we love it
While technically categorized in the Philosophy section of iTunes, we love Molly and Cristin’s smart, well thought-out takes on issues that affect feminism. You do not need to have a girl child to appreciate this podcast.
Moms With Dreams
Moms With Dreams Podcast is a weekly show dedicated to empowering moms, one dream at a time. Each week amazing women (and a few men here and there) share their entrepreneurial journey, including their ‘aha moments’, challenges and dreams. Through their stories, listeners learn success strategies and action-able steps. Listeners become inspired to take action to overcome challenges, bring their dreams to life and create a life they love.
Why we love it
It’s refreshing to listen to a podcast geared towards mothers with entrepreneurial spirits. Raising the next generation of business leaders requires strong female leadership roles now. This podcast helps inspire and empower mothers to live their dreams.
Stuff You Should Know
How do landfills work? How do mosquitoes work? Join Josh and Chuck as they explore the Stuff You Should Know about everything from genes to the Galapagos in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.
Why we love it
Chuck and Josh are hilarious and thoughtful. They research each topic and present it with a sense of fun and a love of learning. Plus, when your kid starts asking you why everything is the way it is you might be able to answer after listening to this podcast. At the very least you will have a full library of interesting and occasionally random tidbits to bust out at the dinner table.
The Tobolowsky Files
You’ve seen him in movies like Groundhog Day, Memento, Sneakers, and on TV in shows like Deadwood and Glee. Now hear what he’s like when Stephen Tobolowsky is playing himself! The Tobolowsky Files is a podcast brought to you by the people behind the “/Filmcast” at http://www.slashfilmcast.com. It is a series of profound, moving, and hilarious stories about life, love, and the entertainment industry, as told by character actor Stephen Tobolowsky.
Why we love it
Steven Tobolosky’s stories are brilliantly paced, always compelling and often very funny. Not only is this podcast a joyful escape but it is an excellent example of the art of storytelling.
For Crying Out Loud
TV executive Lynette Carolla, wife of comedian Adam Carolla, along with comedy writer and best-selling parenting author of Sippy Cups are Not For Chardonnay–Stefanie Wilder-Taylor, are two mothers of twins ‘breaking it down’ parenting style. In this raucous hour of conversations they cover a range of topics from their marriages and theirkids, to the pros and cons of “Ferberizing,” to which one of the Real Housewives have had too much filler (all of them). The format is informative, loose and most of all entertaining. A wide variety of guests show up such as friends of The Adam Carolla show, (David Alan Grier, Greg Fitzsimmons, Teresa Strasser, and the lovable Dr. Bruce) as well as big names in the parenting biz, through personal friends and anyone that they find interesting. This hour will feel like you’re hanging with your best girl friends! Lynette and Stefanie are honest, silly and sometimes become vulnerable as they discuss their own experiences as wife and mom. Put them in your ears while you clean your floors and let the girls keep you company during what will surely become your favourite hour of the week.
Why we love it
Lynette and Stephanie are Hollywood moms and their take on parenting is fun, edgy and listening to them chat is like listening to your closest girlfriends, if your girlfriends also happened to be Hollywood moms.
The Mighty Mommy’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Practical Parenting
Whether you’re dealing with baby colic, your toddler’s tantrums, your tween’s moods, or your teen’s college applications, Mighty Mommy has parenting tips to help make your family life easier and much more fun. As the mother of 8 kids, Cheryl Butler has seen it all – and survived. Follow Cheryl’s practical advice and you too will be a Mighty Mommy!
Why we love it
Cheryl has been there and done that. With 8 kids of her own she has seen it all. Her brand of advice is honest, straightforward and comes from a place of love.