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Parenting can be… a lot. No matter the age or stage of my kids, sometimes I just need some help, advice, or a little solidarity around the challenges I’m facing. While family and friends can be helpful, I also find myself turning to one of my favorite forms of media: podcasts.
Lucky for me (and you), parenting podcasts are plentiful, and I’ve made a list of some great ones. So no matter where you are on your parenting journey you’ll want to check out these podcasts for advice, solidarity, laughs and maybe even a cathartic cry.
Milk Drunk
Hosted by Tabria Majors (model, social media influencer and new mom), this new show talks about all aspects of motherhood openly and honestly. Guests range from movie stars to parenting experts and they tackle topics including motherhood in the world of sports, infertility, breast cancer, postpartum sex, mental health and so much more! The podcast is just one part of the website Milk Drunk which offers a judgement-free digital space where parents can go to get answers to all things related to feeding a baby.
Episode length: about 30–60 minutes
Daddy Squared
Hosted by married couple Yan and Alex, this show talks about the challenges of parenting in general, and in parenting by gay dads in particular. On each episode they bring on a special guest and discuss issues of navigating fatherhood. While the podcast is aimed at gay dads, any parent can learn from and enjoy this engaging show.
Episode length: about 1 hour
Hot Potato Parenting
Parenting teens can be tough. Hot Potato Parenting aims to empower parents and educators with tools to create confidence, emotional safety and self-trust in teens. Topics include communication, parenting young teens, why overachievers often struggle, teens biggest fears and more. There are only a handful of episodes, but if you are parenting a teen (or will be soon), this podcast offers digestible advice to help navigate this tricky parenting phase.
Episode length: about 20–30 minutes
After Bedtime
Hosted by Kristin and Deena (the two women behind the online parenting community Big Little Feelings), this show is “the place you can go at the end of a long hard day to find your ‘enough’-ness.” Kristin and Deena talk with guests about fertility struggles, children's brain health, how to stop power struggles, hot takes on TV moms and so much more. Listeners will get actionable, realistic tips that will make this whole parenting thing just a little bit easier.
Episode length: about 30–60 minutes
Let’s Begin
This new podcast (started in August 2024) is hosted by Jenna Arnold, an activist, former teacher and the bestselling author of “Raising Our Hands.” Each episode looks at an aspect of modern parenting and the balancing act it often becomes and the stresses that go along with it. Topics include parental mental health, fostering resilience and ensuring our kids are capable and curious learners. There is a special guest each week, ranging from movie stars to licensed therapists.
Episode length: around 30 minutes
Moms Actually
This podcasts aims to redefine motherhood and break away from the unhealthy expectations too often placed on women. Hosts Blair Gyamfi and Morgan Taylor discuss a wide variety of topics with their guests, including marriage, dating, single motherhood, body image, miscarriage and child loss, blended families, the impact of social media, entrepreneurship, mental health and more. Moms Actually offers a “visual podcast” you can watch on their website, or listen to the audio wherever you get your podcasts.
Episode length: about 30–60 minutes
Tilt Parenting Podcast
This podcast is about parenting a broad spectrum of neurodivergent children. There are over 500 episodes with more than 7 million downloads! The weekly episodes are hosted by parenting activist and author Debbie Reber, and features interviews with authors, parenting experts, educators and other parents, all aimed at helping parents raise differently wired kids. Explore episode topics on the website including anxiety, autism, school and education, giftedness and many more.
Episode length: 30–60 minutes
The Longest Shortest Time
This award winning podcast, hosted by Hillary Frank, weaves beautiful and engaging story telling with helpful parenting info that will leave listeners feeling a little less alone. This show has a strong “This American Life” feel to it, which is no surprise since Frank was a public radio reporter before making her own podcasts (her first radio story was for “This American Life” way back in 1999). On the website you can filter episodes (there are over 200!) by “a laugh,” “a good cry,” “a surprise” and many more, allowing listeners to find exactly what they want. If you are in the early days or years of parenting, you’ll want to check this one out.
Episode length: around 30 minutes
Motherhood in Black & White
Hosted by Gen X moms (my people!) Kaanji Irby and Tara Campbell, this podcast focuses on the tragedies and triumphs of motherhood. Kaanji (who is Black) and Tara (who is white) come from different worlds, but have become good friends thanks to their many shared experiences including being “boy moms,” working in male-dominated workplaces and a love for ’90s hip hop. They chat with each other and guests about parenting. Listeners love their honesty, empathy and humor.
Episode length: around 30 minutes
The Queer Family Podcast
Join host Jaimie Kelton for in-depth conversations with guests that explore LGBTQ families and parenting. The mission of this podcast is to celebrate, uplift and normalize LGBTQ families one story at a time. This compelling (and funny) podcast works to answer the question: “What’s it like to live as an LGBTQ family in a world build for the straights?” There are nearly 300 episodes with hundreds of reviews and a rating of 4.7 stars on Apple podcasts.
Episode length: 45–60 minutes
Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Hosted by Dr. Becky Kennedy (a clinical psychologist) this podcast covers many parenting topics from confidence, to anxiety, to self-care. Good Inside strives to focus on “the parent behind the parenting and the child behind the behavior,” bringing out the good in everyone. Kennedy answers real questions and gives parents the tools they need to feel more confident on this parenting journey. Guests on this show range from Jonathan Haidt to Reese Witherspoon. Good Inside with Dr. Becky has 4.9 stars on Apple podcasts, with nearly 4,000 reviews.
Episode length: about 30 minutes
The Autism Dad Podcast
This popular podcast is hosted by Rob Gorski, a single father to three children who have autism. Gorski aims to make the podcast (which began in 2010) a safe haven through a blend of personal stories, expert interviews and advice. This podcast helps parents know they don’t have to go on this journey alone and provides community awareness, acceptance and growth.
Episode length: 30–60 minutes
I Mom So Hard
I remember the first time Kristin and Jen popped into my Facebook feed in 2016. They were funny and weird and real, and I loved it. Nearly a decade later they are still going strong, and now host (among other things) a podcast. This is the parenting podcast you listen to when you need a laugh, not serious parenting advice. But sometimes taking a 30-minute break to laugh, reset and give in to the craziness of parenthood can make the rest of the day just a little bit easier.
Episode length: 30–60 minutes
Reader recommendations:
Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting
Join best selling author and renown clinical psychological Dr. Lisa Damour along with former journalist and mother of two Reena Ninan as they explore real life parenting challenges specific to parenting tweens and teens. They address questions about stress, anxiety, social media concerns, school pressures and challenges in peer relationships. Each episode provides practical advice and science-backed solutions to help parents raise resilient, confident and emotionally healthy kids.
Episode length: about 30 minutes
I know this list only scratches the surface of the parenting podcasts out there. Did I miss your favorite? Shoot me an email and let me know. I’m always looking for new recommendations!
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