Adult Conversation Parenting Podcast
93 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 133 ratingsBased off her popular and darkly humorous Facebook page, blog and forthcoming novel of the same name, author Brandy Ferner takes her love of adult conversation to the air as she spears the injustices of modern parenting and continues her tradition of saying things out loud that others won’t. As a lover of truth and all things dark comedy, she and special guests partake in real talk about everything relating to motherhood – marriage post kids, birth, the never-ending micromanagement of screen time, sex, chronic-illness, Snoop Dogg, social issues, homeschooling, meditation, the revolt of the aging uterus, postpartum depletion, writing, the joke that is half-day kindergarten, and more. This is not a podcast with annoying parenting advice. Instead, Adult Conversation aims to break down the façade of “perfect” parenting with its balanced mix of wit, inappropriateness, compassion and validation, and can be considered a form of self-care, especially when listened to while locked in a bathroom alone. Or if your people will stage a full-on revolt at being separated from you, pop in some earbuds while folding laundry, wiping butts or waiting in the carpool line. Warning: this podcast can be inappropriate, just like parenting.
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Episodes
Phases of Motherhood with Britta
August 09, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 71 MBYou don’t want to miss this episode where I share some BIG news, and my close friend and guest, Britta Bushnell, helps me process it all, as she talks about the Apollo and Artemis myth and the mind-blowing way it applies to my news, and also to motherhood. Britta and I discuss phases and seasons of life, why one part of ourselves is always starved in this culture, how to transition into beginnings and endings more intentionally, and more.
Feeling Other in Motherhood with Emily
July 26, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBMy guest, Emily, and I talk about parenting a special needs child - the real deal of it, not just the saintly “special needs mother” archetype that can only be endlessly patient. Emily shares about her early motherhood journey and how she knew something was different with her daughter, the endless searching for answers, the lifelong theme of “othering” she’s felt, and the elevated expectations, stress, and beauty that parents of special needs kids live with. We also discuss recurrent grief w...
Pandemic Divorce with Tara
July 12, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 54.2 MBThere are lots of stats about pandemic divorce, but few personal stories because of the sensitivity of this topic. Lucky for us, fellow writer, Tara, opens up about her story and how it went down, the agreements she had about romance and soulmates, her insecurities about being a single mom, what’s getting her through it, other people’s opinions about her choice to write through her wounds, and more.
I See Dead People with Tim
June 28, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBMy favorite medium of over 20 years, Tim Braun, shares how his gift felt like a curse as a child, a dream that changed his path, and responds to my question about if we can contact my favorite dead famous people! He also answers the very light question of what happens when we die (and he has specifics!), shares what happens when he watches Forensic Files, and divulges his most memorable sittings of the past 23 years (PG and R-rated). This episode is beyond interesting!
Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs with Leslie
June 14, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 58.9 MBWorking mom advocate and researcher, Leslie Forde, and I talk about moms’ needs, the destabilizing effect of motherhood, the positive shifts she’s seeing in workplaces, the three things moms reported wanting most in the pandemic, and the “grabbing the crappy potato” theory, which you’ve likely experienced too.
The Great Reckoning with Graeme
May 31, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 57.4 MBMom coach, Graeme Seabrook, and I discuss what I call “The Great Reckoning” that’s coming for us parents after the pandemic. We talk about what moms have lost most during the pandemic, unexpected side effects of returning to some normalcy, the summer ahead, and what Graeme sees coming up for moms after this wild year of emotional and logistical scrambling. And I also share a maddeningly relatable story about my teen and the violence that is wearing a belt.
Taking No Prisoners with Zawn
May 17, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBWriter and feminist, Zawn Villines, drops lots of (uncomfortable) truth about gender inequality bullshit in marriage and parenting. We discuss the thing she heard in a mom’s group that shocked her, the kind of man who cannot be “fixed,” an equitable solution that isn’t just leaving your marriage, and innovative ideas about what we do about these inequalities for ourselves and our children.
Feminist Dad with Jordan
May 03, 2021 10:30 - 1 hour - 61 MBJoin me for this remarkable episode where a dude, author Jordan Shapiro, is doing the important work of fighting the patriarchy! Feminism is funny, apparently, because we laugh a lot as we talk about what he learned in the locker room that stayed with him as he grew into a man, the problematic narrative of men thinking they’re the hero of everyone’s story, subtle anti-feminist sentiments dads don’t realize they have, how they can shift their thinking which benefits everyone around them, and ...
Why I Take My Pill with Meredith
April 19, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBJoin me as my guest, Meredith of “Perfection Pending,” and I de-stigmatize mental illness, anxiety, depression, and taking medication for relief. We both share our very personal stories and also discuss the surprising ways anxiety shows up for each of us (which I didn’t even know until I was on the other side of things), along with the most successful ways we’ve gotten help. Meredith opens up about how her anxiety directly affected her mothering, and I offer my newfound mid-life hack that’s ...
The Realest Housewife with Braunwyn
April 05, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 49.7 MBThis interview might be one of my all time favorites as Braunwyn so openly shares her misgivings about being on the Real Housewives, along with the parts she absolutely loves. She also divulges her rock bottom moments and the hardest part of getting sober on TV, why coming out as a lesbian happened sooner than she’d wanted it to, how she’s co-creating an out-of-the-box partnership with her husband, Sean, and how kissing a costar cost her tens of thousands of dollars. This episode is full of ...
Family Personalities with Sandra
March 22, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBIf you like using data to make your job as a parent easier, your brain will love today’s guest, Sandra, who is a Myers-Briggs expert and counselor who helps families figure out their personality types. She breaks things down in such a simple way, and you will witness me processing my own personality in real time. We discuss how personality typing can help you help your kids, which personality types have a harder time with motherhood (and the pandemic), and how to fill your kids’ specific buc...
From Irresponsible Ejaculations to Shiplap with Gabrielle
March 08, 2021 10:30 - 1 hour - 114 MBGabrielle Blair (aka “Design Mom,” and the person behind the viral Twitter thread about the actual root cause of abortions) talks with me about how we prioritize male pleasure even at an extreme risk to women, men’s aversions to vasectomies, easy ways to make our houses more functional and enjoyable during a pandemic, and more in this whiplashy episode.
Parenting Outside the Lines with Meghan
February 22, 2021 07:30 - 1 hour - 58.9 MBJoin me for this delightfully unexpected conversation that feels more like stand-up comedy than parenting advice. I had no idea what I was in for when I asked my guest, parenting coach and Washington Post columnist, Meghan Leahy, to come chat with me. She’s like the anti-parenting-expert expert, if that’s a thing. I don’t even know, but her words will be the balm you need as we talk about why the one-size-fits-all Super Nanny approach doesn’t work, the pitfalls of rigid parenting philosophie...
It Took Divorce to Make My Marriage Equal with Lyz
February 08, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 53.2 MBAuthor, Lyz Lenz, talks about what happened when she realized she was the only one supporting her dream, and how she finally got that equality she was seeking. Lyz also shares the dangers of marrying someone with political differences, how to negotiate the contract of marriage, and why it’s important to show our kids that there is no invisible lunch-making fairy. There are lots of laughs and divorce real talk here as well as a ha moments about our own mothers, and Lyz shows us why when life ...
Getting Pantsed by 2020 with Ronnie - Part 2
January 25, 2021 07:30 - 48 minutes - 38.9 MBRonnie and I continue the real talk about how 2020 changed us, including a surprising insecurity the pandemic brought forth for me. We also discuss the various layers of stuckness many moms feel, the reshuffling of friendships (and how we found our ride or dies), and what small things are giving us hope and bandwidth for 2021.
Getting Pantsed by 2020 with Ronnie - Part 1
January 11, 2021 07:30 - 41 minutes - 33.9 MBI’m talking with one of my favorite people about how we’re arriving at 2021 differently after getting pantsed by 2020. We both share the adorable goals we had for 2020 and process our grief and laughter around those specific losses. We also talk candidly about how this year triggered postpartum feelings and what the hell to do with 2021 goals, if anything.
You Are Enough with Dr. Claire
December 28, 2020 07:30 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBIn this episode, I am talking to someone we all need right now - a psychologist! Join me and Dr. Claire Nicogossian as we talk about all things mental health including the difference between responding to the pandemic and actual depression, how to cope with shadow emotions such as anger, what self-care is and isn’t, and the one thing she filed in the back of her brain as a therapist all these years. This is the honest, compassionate pep talk (and therapy) we all need to remind us that we are...
Motherhood So White with Nefertiti
December 14, 2020 07:30 - 1 hour - 55.2 MBAuthor, Nefertiti Austin, stops by to discuss Black motherhood, adoption, single parenting, and why white motherhood is the default reflected in the media. We also talk about her book, how she healed her own mother wound, the discrepancy between white and Black adoptions, and how Black women and mothers are dehumanized (which was not on my radar). Lots of important stuff here.
No Boring Kids with Norm
November 30, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MBToday’s episode is fun, full of laughs and insight, and dare I say whimsy mixed with swearing? My talented guest lets us into his creative life as a father, while also opening up about marriage, mental health challenges, calisthenics as a parenting tool, his new podcast, how he’s making sure his kids don’t grow up to be “boring” adults, and more.
Droppin’ Science with Emily
November 16, 2020 08:00 - 49 minutes - 39.8 MBEmily Calandrelli from Netflix’s “Emily’s Wonder Lab” stops by to talk about her experience as a woman in the STEM world, and how she’s raising her daughter to be science-minded. We also discuss the coronavirus, show business, and just how pregnant she was filming her show! I didn’t think it was possible for her to be more likable than she is on TV, but I was wrong.
Introvert or Extrovert? with Joanne
November 02, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBNo matter if you’re an introvert, extrovert, or don’t know what the hell you are, this episode is for you. My guest, Joanne, discusses the telltale traits for both, and then offers practical tips on how to better support the introverts you love – whether that be your kids, your spouse, or even yourself. With Joanne’s help, I learned a lot about myself and my kids. So join us as we talk personalities, laugh a lot, and overshare.
Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books with Zibby
October 19, 2020 07:30 - 51 minutes - 41.5 MBBig-time podcaster and writer, Zibby Owens, stops by to discuss the challenges of motherhood, sibling age gaps, the illusion of motherly balance, how the pandemic has changed her parenting, and her favorite podcast interviews with A-Listers.
Being On Survivor with Eliza
October 05, 2020 06:30 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBJoin me as I ask past Survivor contestant turned social justice warrior, Eliza Orlins, hard-hitting questions. So basically, all about bathroom logistics while on the show. But we also discuss why she doesn’t hold grudges from the game, why you can’t get an untrue edit, what trauma many contestants now live with, who her favorite Survivor player is, what is Jeff Probst really like, and more.
Pandemic Clutter S.O.S. with Rebecca
October 02, 2020 23:01 - 51 minutes - 41.5 MBThis bonus episode is a raw, unpolished, late night cry for help with my favorite professional organizer, Rebecca Mezzino! The stuff in my home feels like it’s closing in on me and this was the pep talk, therapy session, and advice I needed. Maybe you need it too.
Wonder Women with Asha
September 21, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBAuthor and wonder woman, Asha, and I discuss the pandemic, our new normalcy, and the impossibility of making school and daycare choices right now. We also get real about the ridiculous expectation that us moms will keep bearing the brunt of this global crisis, and the idea that no one is coming to save us. But we don’t totally spiral downward! We also talk about seeds from our childhood that later bloom into badass women. And, the interview starts with one of the most relatable mom moments t...
Non-Custodial Mothers with Rachael
September 07, 2020 06:30 - 1 hour - 52.1 MBMy brave guest, Rachael, and I talk about divorce and a taboo topic - mothers who don’t have primary custody, or even any custody of their kids. The goal of this episode is to give a voice to those mothers and to break down the stereotype that a non-custodial mother is always unfit, an addict, or unstable. Prepare to have your mind expanded.
Behind the Bachelor with Ashley
August 24, 2020 06:30 - 1 hour - 59.5 MBPast Bachelor contestant, Ashley Spivey, is an open book as she spills the Bachelor Nation tea! She tells so many secrets, such as how the girls really felt about Brad, the show’s torturous methods to make great TV, what it’s like to live in a house full of women whose periods have synched up, and the deets about Chris Harrison – is he shady? In addition to dishing about reality TV and dropping a bomb that leaves me speechless, Ashley also talks about how being on the Bachelor changed her, h...
Raging Against the Minivan with Kristen
August 10, 2020 07:00 - 54 minutes - 44 MBAuthor, Kristen Howerton, and I somehow laugh our way through a conversation about some pretty deep topics such as infertility, divorce, toxic positivity in the face of miscarriage, and coping with life’s unknowns. We talk a lot about the pandemic, the similarities between it and Kristen’s past struggles, as well as what parts of ourselves this crisis is bringing out. Kristen also gives me a lesson on faking it ‘til I make it, she shares a mantra that helped her get through the hardest momen...
Mommying While Muslim with Zaiba & Uzma
July 27, 2020 06:30 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBJoin me and two Muslim-American moms who give such honest insight and unexpected laughs while sharing what it’s like “Mommying While Muslim.” Zaiba and Uzma discuss how feminism fits into their religion and culture, along with the role expected of women and how that relates to fertility, breastfeeding, and motherhood. I ask some tough questions, and we also get into how the events of 9/11 changed their lives, and the lives of their children. They also offer specific ways that non-Muslim moms...
Raising Resilient Kids with Denise
July 13, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 98.9 MBThis episode’s theme is on all of our minds as parents: resiliency. We hear a lot about “grit” and “entitlement” these days, and my guest, Denise, shares her expert view as someone who worked for years in the study abroad department at a university. She has seen what happens when our young adults are put to the test and must problem solve all by themselves. Spoiler alert: it’s not pretty. But lucky for us, Denise’s professional behind-the-scenes insight – along with how it affected her own p...
What a Motherhood Coach Sees with Graeme
June 29, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 54 MBWitness my brain being exploded by progressive mom coach, community builder, and writer, Graeme Seabrook. Graeme shares what she sees most as a mentor to mothers, and what’s really at the center of all of it. We also talk about dads, how they are the wardens of their own prisons, and how they deserve - and are capable of - so much more. Graeme helps answer my question: are moms more essential than dads? And we go DEEP there. So join us as Graeme lays down some much-needed wisdom, advice, per...
Midlife Renaissance with Nora
June 15, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 116 MBWhat’s a midlife renaissance? You’ll have to listen to find out – but I can tell you that it includes rule-breaking, and sex. Sometimes with people other than your spouse. It may sound scandalous, but Nora reveals why changing her marriage helped her achieve true happiness, growth, and radical acceptance. She also talks about breaking out of the “good girl” role, and how the loss of her father gave her unexpected clarity. So join us for today’s episode which looks at one woman’s choice betwe...
Talking Shop with Emily
June 01, 2020 06:00 - 56 minutes - 45.4 MBSeasoned author, Emily Liebert, joins me to talk shop about writing, supporting other writers (or not), motherhood, friendship, and Real Housewives. She shares the greatest piece of writing advice she ever got, what she didn’t know when her first book published, and her refreshing take on the illusion of balance. Together, we give a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the glamourous writer life (ha!), even the stuff we’re not supposed to talk about.
My Husband Speaks! with Matt
May 18, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 68.9 MBMy normally private husband transforms into an open book as he talks about fatherhood, marriage, surviving childhood trauma, and what it’s like to have a wife who openly talks about (and writes a book about) gender inequality in parenting, dad privilege, and marriage after kids. Join us at our kitchen table for an intimate conversation with laughs, real talk, and surprises - along with the telling of one of his most humiliating moments while wearing our son in a Baby Bjorn.
TMI About Adult Conversation with Brandy
May 04, 2020 06:30 - 52 minutes - 42.5 MBI’ve been holding onto this story and these words for what feels like forever, and I am excited to finally share with you my heart spilled out onto pages, and all the TMI that goes along with it. In this super professional “interview,” I answer personal questions about my book, its characters, my writing process, my life, and more, along with a sneak peek excerpt.
Your Birth Story with Virginia
April 20, 2020 06:30 - 1 hour - 66.1 MBI’ve been meaning to cover this topic for over a year. It focuses on one of the most impactful parts of our parenthood journey – our baby’s birth, the story, and what we tell ourselves about that story – the meaning we give it. My guest, Virginia Bobro, offers her expert insight into the nuances of our birth events and stories, and the potential pitfalls of sharing these raw stories with others. Have you ever shared your birth story and felt worse after doing so? You’re not alone. Virginia a...
We Need to Talk to Kids About Porn with Jo
April 06, 2020 06:30 - 1 hour - 59.4 MBThis episode is not for the faint of heart as me and my sex-therapist guest, Jo Robertson, leave nothing to the imagination as we discuss the importance of talking to our kids about porn. We cover Jo’s TED Talk that shook me, the likelihood of early exposure to porn in the internet age, how this wires our kids’ minds about what is normal, and Jo offers lots of practical things we can do to mitigate the damage. We also talk about ethical porn, the messaging around pleasure that our kids are (...
The Unimaginable with Mary
March 23, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 104 MBLearn from the bravery and heard-earned wisdom of my guest and close friend, Mary, as she tells us all about how she handled the unimaginable - a cancer diagnosis for her son. Full disclosure, there are a few breakdown moments in here, but also, we laugh so much, my god, especially at the beginning and then at the end when she reminds me of one of the funniest moments we had together. We also talk about that one time she betrayed me, how her son’s diagnosis completely changed the way I paren...
Tools for Anxiety with Brandy
March 20, 2020 00:23 - 46 minutes - 37.9 MBLearn about a four-step anxiety response technique by Barry McDonagh called “DARE” (which I have had huge success with in my life), as I explain its out-of-the-box way of defusing anxiety that works wonders! This episode serves as a mental health check-in, and provides validation, education, laughs, and dare I say, optimism?
Mothering During a Pandemic with Brandy
March 15, 2020 01:13 - 38 minutes - 31.3 MBReal talk about mothering during a pandemic, including commentary, analysis, and validation. I cover panic shopping, what I’m flabbergasted by, what we all need to be doing (not doing) to keep each other safe, how women cannot bear all the burden of this crisis, why you shouldn’t keep your kids quiet for your working spouse, how I’m handling schedules, the rule I had to make one day one, and why business cannot be as usual.
Infertility, Adoption, & Cards with Sara
March 09, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 50.2 MBToday’s guest gives us a little bit of everything. Sara McNally, owner of the cutest card boutique on the Seattle Fisherman’s Terminal, opens up about personal topics such as infertility, adoption, being silenced, watching her son experience racism, and more. She talks about the tricky logistics of becoming a mother just a few months after opening her store, the gender-based double standards of it, and her own pain as the catalyst for her authentically-worded cards. Sara also shares a life-c...
Who Am I? with Sarah
February 24, 2020 07:30 - 1 hour - 51.9 MBToday’s guest will inspire you, for a lot of reasons. “Sarah” (not her real name) tells us a raw and relatable story about losing herself in marriage and motherhood, honoring who she really is, and the sacrifices she made to choose her own happiness. Her story is one of survival, religious extremes, divorce, and taboo. “Sara” talks about what happens when you realize your spouse and religion are incongruent with who you are, the moment that gave her the clarity she needed, and her rebirth ba...
Doing Divorce (and Marriage) Right with Jennifer
February 10, 2020 07:30 - 1 hour - 93.5 MBJoin me for a doozy of a show where me and my guest, Jennifer, talk about the big D. Jennifer is a no bullshitter, straight shooter who has been through a divorce herself, has a popular podcast all about it, and has written books on the subject. She’s here today to unpack divorce – and marriage – to help save us from any unnecessary pain and suffering, and also to help those who might need some clarity (whether they know it or not). She tells us all about her truly unique story, her regrets,...
Parenting with Chronic Illness with Monica
January 27, 2020 07:30 - 1 hour - 59.4 MBToday we’re getting real about parenting (and living) with chronic illness. Fellow podcaster, Monica, stops by to tell us her unbelievable story and what she’s learned the hard way as a parent with multiple health conditions. I share my own struggles, and the two of us talk candidly about humor as a coping strategy, shifting our parenting standards to really low, and how we feel about having to do that. We also discuss marriage guilt, sex life changes, upswings vs. downswings, the insanity t...
The Revolution Begins at Home with Beth
January 13, 2020 07:30 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBBuckle up for a passionate discussion with Beth Berry from “Revolution From Home,” as we do a deep dive into what needs to be burned to the ground in modern motherhood. I absolutely love Beth’s honest and progressive take on how us moms are being brainwashed (and how we’re complicit… shit), the consequences of continually saying yes when our body says no, and why our isolation is so problematic for us as women, but not for the powers that be. You’ll also find out if she agrees with me that b...
Suddenly a Stay-at-Home Dad with Jim
December 30, 2019 07:30 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBIn this validating, relatable, and just funny episode, my family friend and dad of two, Jim Bialick, stops by to give us an inside look at his quick education in stay-at-home parenthood. Jim and his wife recently swapped roles, with Jim trading in his high-level job in D.C. for cleaning up vomit and shuttling his girls to ballet. One day, I got a private message from Jim that said, “I have a new perspective as now the stay at home parent. Nobody needs this many snacks and kids are more full ...
Change Your Rage with Hunter
December 16, 2019 07:30 - 1 hour - 88 MBIn this episode, we discuss a topic that is so necessary to our mental health as mothers: what to do with all that pesky rage? Author, Hunter Clarke-Fields, explains what is happening to us when we lose it, and how we can be less reactive. She talks about the importance of assessing our own baggage from how we were parented, in combination with improving our communication skills, and how that can rewire our brain – and its response to anger. She also opens up about inheriting her father’s te...
Grief and Motherhood with Caity
December 02, 2019 07:30 - 1 hour - 97.1 MBIn this “very special” episode, we talk about grief and motherhood with someone who has a pretty heavy story about losing her own parents. With lots of dark humor and openness, Caity speaks out about what it’s like to parent without your own parents in hopes that others dealing with loss amid motherhood will know that they’re not alone in the bittersweet messiness that is grief. Just so you know, we laugh quite a lot and we also discuss other important topics such as Chick-fil-A vs. Raising ...
(22) Tis the Season for Boundaries with Kathie
November 18, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 54.1 MBThe Ghost of Christmas Future, a.k.a. Kathie, stops by and gives us her mother-of-seven-grown-kids perspective about intricate family dynamics at holidays, boundaries she’s set, and the cost of choosing yourself and your family over what you’ve always done. You know, stuff that no one really talks about publicly. She and I quickly go from deep and serious, to laughing and heckling each other, to disagreeing, to both being moved by Kathie’s exceptional vulnerability. Sorry for the whiplash, b...
Tis the Season for Boundaries with Kathie
November 18, 2019 07:00 - 1 hour - 54.1 MBThe Ghost of Christmas Future, a.k.a. Kathie, stops by and gives us her mother-of-seven-grown-kids perspective about intricate family dynamics at holidays, boundaries she’s set, and the cost of choosing yourself and your family over what you’ve always done. You know, stuff that no one really talks about publicly. She and I quickly go from deep and serious, to laughing and heckling each other, to disagreeing, to both being moved by Kathie’s exceptional vulnerability. Sorry for the whiplash, b...