Parenting is a Joke

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Comedian and writer Robby Slowik joins the show to talk about balancing stand-up with parenting, as he and his wife, comedian Casey Balsham, prepare for baby number two. Robby shares how he went from being ambivalent about having kids to navigating the chaos of IVF, all while working unpredictable gigs and writing for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. He recalls the moment a fertility doctor ruthlessly critiqued his sperm under a microscope and how their first IVF attempt involved "an amount of drugs that would kill most barn animals." He and Ophira bond over the unique struggles of raising kids in a creative profession, from juggling late-night sets to traveling internationally with a toddler—like the time they performed in Bologna while sharing a backstage with a burlesque dancer mid-costume change. Robby also recounts his unusual childhood of constant relocation—South Africa, Israel, England, the Cayman Islands, and Florida—thanks to his nomadic, gambling-addicted, orthopedic surgeon father. Plus, hear why he refuses to sit down in an IVF clinic sample room and why his family might just pack up and move to London. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 April Shows are in NYC, OH, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Robby Slowik : https://www.instagram.com/robbyslowik/ See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Parenting is a Joke snack episode, comedian and podcaster Casey Balsham returns to talk about expecting baby number two and the major parenting shifts she’s making this time around. She shares why she’s skipping breastfeeding after 14 months of postpartum rage, how her toddler still treats her chest like a pacifier, and why people keep assuming this pregnancy happened “naturally” despite another round of IVF. Casey and Ophira swap notes on the challenges of playing with toddlers, the struggle to keep toys organized, and the frustration of unsolicited parenting advice. Plus, they discuss co-sleeping chaos, the mental gymnastics of screen time guilt, and the absurdity of parents who put designer clothes on their kids. Casey also teases her upcoming Broadway-themed podcast, It’s Broadway, Bitch. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 April Shows are in NYC, OH, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Casey Balsham: https://www.instagram.com/casefaceb/ See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedian Casey Balsham joins Parenting is a Joke to talk about balancing stand-up, parenting, and a pregnancy that’s been anything but easy. She shares her IVF experience, including the financial and emotional rollercoaster of spending nearly $100,000 to grow her family. Casey also reveals how she found out she was pregnant while performing her one-woman show about infertility at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She and Ophira discuss performing as moms, the struggle of finding childcare while chasing comedy gigs, and why she and her comic husband are bringing their toddler along for international shows. Casey opens up about the exhaustion of back-to-back pregnancies, the toll of constant nausea, and the surreal experience of getting an anatomy scan while barely able to function. Plus, she shares her take on why IVF is such a gamble, how switching doctors changed everything, and why her new podcast, It’s Broadway, Bitch, is the only thing worth losing sleep over these days. Don’t miss this episode full of sharp observations, real talk about IVF, and the unexpected perks of a hotel stay without a toddler. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 April Shows are in NYC, OH, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Casey Balsham: https://www.instagram.com/casefaceb/ See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Actor, director, and food enthusiast Laura Prepon joins Parenting is a Joke to talk about parenting, directing That ‘90s Show, and her deep-seated hatred of tuna fish—thanks to some childhood trauma involving her sister and a classmate’s braces. She shares her love for homemade soups, her kids’ aversion to marinara sauce, and why a solo parenting weekend is way tougher than an 18-hour day on set. Plus, Laura reveals her past as a hardcore poker player, including playing in the World Series of Poker and hosting high-stakes home games. A fun, fast-paced conversation packed with unexpected stories, parenting struggles, and plenty of laughs. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 March Shows are in NYC, CT, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Laura Prepon: https://www.instagram.com/lauraprepon/ See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian and photographer Christa Meola joins this snack-sized episode to share how a New York City leasing agent played matchmaker, setting her up with fellow comic Costaki Economopoulos, whom she later married—and then divorced. She talks about the unexpected perks of single parenting, how co-parenting shifts the mental load, and why her daughter’s obsession with her magician boyfriend is making her nervous. Christa also opens up about their post-divorce comedy tour, The Divorce Show, and how the audience Q&A proved some people completely missed the point. Plus, she and Ophira swap war stories about parenting through endless kid illnesses, enrolling kids in too many activities, and dealing with child-free friends who just don’t get it. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 March Shows are in NYC, CT, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Christa Meola: https://www.instagram.com/christameola/ See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parenting coach May Flam joins the show to discuss the realities of burnout, division of labor at home, and how couples can stop keeping score. May shares her personal experience growing up in a home daycare, how that shaped her approach to parenting, and why she and her husband strategically divide household responsibilities—including his unexpected role as the family event planner. She explains the invisible workload many women carry, why "letting things go" isn’t the solution, and how the Fair Play system can help create a more balanced household. The conversation dives into common parenting struggles, from dealing with the never-ending dinner dilemma to handling a partner who just doesn’t see the mess. Plus, May introduces the ultimate relationship hack: giving your spouse the light when they’ve gone on one tangent too many. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 March Shows are in NYC, CT, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow May Flam: https://www.instagram.com/mayflam May Flam is offering a free coaching session on April 21 workshop: Sign up here: https://mayflam.lpages.co/followthrough/ It'll be on April 21, 8-9 PM EST, on Zoom. See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian, actress, and world-renowned photographer Christa Meola joins the podcast to talk about the chaos and comedy of co-parenting with another stand-up comic. She shares how she balances late-night sets with raising her six-year-old daughter, Zoe, while running her own photography business. Christa dives into her unexpected journey to motherhood, from being on the fence about having kids to navigating fertility struggles and finally embracing parenthood. She and Ophira swap stories about the challenges of family photography—whether behind or in front of the camera—and the pressures moms face to capture the "perfect" family moment. Plus, Christa reveals her daughter's unexpected six-year-old relationship drama, why she had a formal "Ta-Ta to the Ta-Tas" ceremony, and the real reason she refuses to lie about Santa. Don’t miss this candid, funny, and unfiltered look at life as a comic, a mom, and an artist. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 March Shows are in NYC, CT, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Christa Meola: https://www.instagram.com/christameola/ See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Parenting is a Joke snack episode, comedian Ester Steinberg returns for more unfiltered takes on parenting, beauty standards, and raising kids in Las Vegas. She talks about her struggle with her son's obsession with toy weapons, the debate over giving kids Nerf guns, and the pressure of raising self-sufficient boys. Ester also shares her blunt parenting philosophy—teaching her kids that life is not fair—and why she forces them to try stand-up comedy as a form of reverse psychology. The conversation takes a deep dive into plastic surgery culture, self-image struggles, and how moms teach their kids confidence while battling their own insecurities. Plus, they discuss the logistics of being married to a fellow comedian, the drama of coordinating childcare, and why Ester might be done taking gigs at the same time as her husband. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 March Shows are in NYC, CT, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Ester Steinberg: https://www.instagram.com/ester.steinberg/ See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, comedian and mom Ester Steinberg joins the show to talk about parenting two young kids, living in Las Vegas, and the unexpected twists of motherhood. She hilariously recounts discovering she was pregnant on her honeymoon, doing stand-up while miscarrying in Dallas, and accidentally taking mushrooms—twice—while unknowingly pregnant. The conversation dives into postpartum struggles, C-section recoveries, and the absurdity of kids’ birthday parties (spoiler: she’s anti-goodie bags). Ester also shares what it's like raising a family in Vegas, far from the chaos of the Strip, and how the affordability drew her there. They swap stories about parenting fails, the reality of going back to work after having a baby, and why no one seems to care that moms are recovering from childbirth. Plus, Ester reveals the unexpected reason she once drank breast milk on a plane and why her wedding diet was immediately undone in Italy. It’s a wild, relatable, and laugh-out-loud look at modern motherhood, comedy, and survival. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 March Shows are in NYC, CT, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Ester Steinberg: https://www.instagram.com/ester.steinberg/ See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this snack-sized episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedian and YouTube creator Dave Neal to talk about balancing fatherhood with content creation, childhood influences, and the struggle of managing screen time for kids. Dave opens up about his mother’s journey as a single parent, how a family friend’s generosity shaped his identity, and what it was like gaining a stepfather at age 12. He also shares his personal battle with sugar addiction, the lessons he’s learned from his childhood, and how they inform his approach to parenting today. Ophira and Dave dig into the generational shift in parenting styles, from yelling households to communication-focused parenting, and debate whether modern kids are missing out on creativity due to constant screen stimulation. Dave also reveals how going viral after his baby was born added unexpected pressure, and why he believes boredom is the secret ingredient to raising imaginative kids. It’s an honest, funny, and thought-provoking look at raising kids in a world of endless distractions. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 March Shows are in NYC, CT, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Dave Neal: https://www.instagram.com/dnealz Subscribe to his Youtube: https://youtu.be/0vUxVb3InIo?feature=shared See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedian, YouTuber, and new dad Dave Neal to talk about the chaos of raising a newborn while managing a thriving comedy and podcasting career. Dave shares what it’s like producing The Rush Hour Podcast twice a day while navigating sleep deprivation, diaper blowouts, and his wife’s surprising decision to enter their baby in a beauty pageant—where he walked away as a state champion. The conversation delves into Dave’s unconventional childhood, growing up with a single mom who left his birth father while pregnant with him, and how a family intervention changed the course of their lives. Dave reflects on the challenges of relocating from LA to Nashville, the culture shock of suburban life, and the impact of moving away from a major comedy hub. He and Ophira also dive into the pressures of modern parenting, debating whether today’s kids are missing out on creativity due to constant screen time and discussing the generational shift from authoritarian to more communicative parenting styles. Plus, Dave reveals how the pandemic reshaped his career, his unexpected success on YouTube, and why comedians are like cockroaches—always finding a way to survive. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 March Shows are in NYC, CT, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Dave Neal: https://www.instagram.com/dnealz Subscribe to his Youtube: https://youtu.be/0vUxVb3InIo?feature=shared See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian and photographer Christa Meola joins this snack-sized episode to share how a New York City leasing agent played matchmaker, setting her up with fellow comic Costaki Economopoulos, whom she later married—and then divorced. She talks about the unexpected perks of single parenting, how co-parenting shifts the mental load, and why her daughter’s obsession with her magician boyfriend is making her nervous. Christa also opens up about their post-divorce comedy tour, The Divorce Show, and how the audience Q&A proved some people completely missed the point. Plus, she and Ophira swap war stories about parenting through endless kid illnesses, enrolling kids in too many activities, and dealing with child-free friends who just don’t get it. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 March Shows are in NYC, CT, and Las Vegas! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Christa Meola: https://www.instagram.com/christameola/ See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Parenting is a Joke snack-sized episode, Ophira Eisenberg shares a parenting moment that perfectly sums up the emotional unavailability of every guy she ever dated—courtesy of her son’s fart noises. Then, she sits down for a bite-sized chat with social media strategist Katie Love to discuss parenting in the digital age. Katie opens up about the decision to share (or not share) her children on social media, the unexpected backlash her daughter received after a viral Santa moment, and how she maintains boundaries in a career that never truly clocks out. Plus, Ophira and Katie commiserate over online trolls, how female comedians and content creators get picked apart for their appearance more than their work, and why moms seem to get judged for parenting decisions no matter what they do. It’s a quick but packed conversation about the intersection of parenthood, digital culture, and surviving the comment section. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 February Shows are in NYC! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Katie Love: https://www.instagram.com/katielovesocial See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg sits down with journalist-turned-entrepreneur Katie Love, founder of Love Social Media. Katie shares her journey from covering high-profile murder cases and presidential elections to building a successful social media agency that helps female founders stand out online. They dive into the challenges of balancing career ambitions with parenting, including Katie’s unique family dynamic—her husband is a stay-at-home dad. Together, they unpack societal expectations, gender biases, and people's surprising reactions to their roles, like the unsolicited praise Katie’s husband receives just for parenting or the judgmental comments she gets about “leaving” her family for work trips. They also discuss how motherhood alters everything—including what they can stomach on TV (Katie covered true crime for years but now avoids anything where a child is in danger). Plus, Katie shares how her social media expertise helped her navigate parenting in the digital age, from dealing with Instagram’s unrealistic portrayals of pregnancy to raising kids in an era where a middle school birthday party might feature a celebrity performance. Whether you’ve ever felt working-parent guilt, debated whether a second kid is worth it, or just wondered why airplane passengers act personally offended by the presence of babies, this episode has something for you. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 February Shows are in NYC! Details at https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com Follow Katie Love: https://www.instagram.com/katielovesocial See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg serves up a delightful snack-sized episode featuring comedians Arthur Meyer and Stephanie Drake, creators of the Onion-style parody series ABC Parenting. From hilariously misguided advice to TikTok confusion, the trio explores the quirks of modern parenting and comedy. Stephanie shares the chaos of brainstorming topics for ABC Parenting—like deciphering the alphabet soup of preschool levels—and Arthur reflects on their attempts to mix parody and sincerity in an online world that’s often too literal. They dive into old-school parenting methods like soap-mouth threats and spanking, hilariously contrasting them with today’s diagnosis-heavy culture. Ophira reminisces about her own odd childhood experiments (Charlie perfume, anyone?) and reflects on the lingering sensory memories they left behind. Meanwhile, Arthur and Stephanie share stories about audience reactions, TikTok trolls, and the joy of parodying intense parenting. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 February Tour Stops - all in NYC. Go to ophiraeisenberg.com for details Follow Arthur Meyer: https://www.instagram.com/arthurmeyer13 Follow Stepahine Drake: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniedrake1/ See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Parenting is a Joke episode, Ophira Eisenberg revisits a fan-favorite conversation with comedian and long-time Late Night with Seth Meyers writer, Matt Goldich. Together, they dive into the hilarious chaos of balancing comedy careers, parenting two kids with wildly different personalities, and navigating the everyday absurdities of family life. Matt shares practical parenting advice, like why traveling with a baby is easier than you'd think, how he handles bedtime battles, and why he embraces being a "B-minus parent." Ophira recounts a funny exchange with her son about intelligence across life stages and reveals the comedic perks of being a stand-up mom. From summer camps and gender roles to karaoke favorites and surviving New York City parenting, this episode is packed with relatable humor and genuine insights. Plus, hear about Ophira and Matt’s upcoming co-headlining gig at QED in Astoria, where they mine the endless comedy gold of parenting. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 February Tour Stops all in NYC, go to my website for details! Follow Matt Goldich: https://www.instagram.com/mattgoldich See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this snack-sized episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg reconnects with comedian Doug Smith for a candid and comedic conversation about parenting, sobriety, and navigating life after leaving a strict Jehovah’s Witness upbringing. Doug opens up about his post-religion rebellious phase, his approach to parenting with fewer restrictions, and the lessons he’s learned while raising his spirited nine-year-old. They also discuss setting boundaries with kids, from screen time battles to endless dessert negotiations. Doug shares his journey to sobriety, reflecting on how it’s shaped his perspective as a father and comedian. Together, they laugh over parenting dilemmas, the absurdities of modern life, and why nostalgia-fueled movies like Back to the Future don’t quite land with today’s kids. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 February Tour Stops Feb 12th Loveland, CO, Feb 13 Rapid City, SD Follow Doug Smith: https://www.instagram.com/whodougsmith See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedian and Brooklyn neighbor Doug Smith to explore the chaos, laughter, and deep reflections that come with parenting while managing a creative career. Doug shares tales of raising his fearless nine-year-old son, who loves nature—and a terrarium full of cockroaches to prove it. They discuss the challenges of nurturing a city kid who thrives in the wild and how Doug’s upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness shaped his perspectives on parenting and comedy. The conversation takes a candid turn as Doug reveals what it was like knocking on doors as a child evangelist and reflects on leaving the faith and starting anew. Ophira and Doug also riff on the absurdity of parenting buzzwords, their mutual hatred of "glamping," and why growing up with older parents gave them a unique outlook on life. Expect moments of hilarity, heartfelt insights, and some surprising revelations about what it means to juggle creativity and family. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 February Tour Stops Feb 12th Loveland, CO, Feb 13 Rapid City, SD Follow Doug Smith: https://www.instagram.com/whodougsmith See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this snack-sized episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg reconnects with the talented Cat Greenleaf, former host of Talk Stoop and creator of the Soberness Podcast. They dive into Cat’s personal journey to sobriety and how it has influenced her parenting style and her broader perspective on life. Cat shares how losing her dream job led her to a period of healing by the ocean in Coney Island, where she rediscovered herself and even started a nonprofit to help others find restoration by the water. The conversation also explores the challenges and joys of creating a podcast that features raw, vulnerable stories from celebrities about their paths to sobriety. Cat explains how emotional honesty, recovery, and resilience have shaped her role as a mom and what she hopes her podcast can inspire in others. A quick but powerful chat that’s equal parts inspiring, thought-provoking, and funny. ✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com. 📍 February Tour Stops Feb 12th Loveland, CO, Feb 13 Rapid City, SD Follow Cat Greenleaf: https://www.instagram.com/sobernesspodcast/ See Ophira LIVE: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/events SUBSCRIBE so you never miss O thing: https://www.ophiraeisenberg.com/sign-up Follow PIAJ: https://www.instagram.com/parentingisajoke/ https://parentingisajoke.substack.com/ Follow Ophira: https://www.instagram.com/ophirae/ https://www.facebook.com/OphiraEisenberg/ https://www.tiktok.com/@ophiranyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices