Parenting is a Joke

By: Ophira Eisenberg
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  • Summary

  • You know when you talk to your friends about your childhood and end it by saying, "But look at us, we're fine!" Here's my question: Are we fine? Because we're sitting here doused in CBD oil under a weighted blanket recording a podcast called Parenting is a Joke. Each week, host and standup Ophira Eisenberg talks to a different comedian about their career and their kids. Conversations tackle the tooth fairy, eating sticks, summer camp anxiety, the hidden horrors of childbirth, and the obvious horrors of our own childhoods. We celebrate the absurdity of shuffling a career with raising a kid, and highlight less traditional parenthood journeys, all while relishing in the fact that no one knows what they're doing, but we're all trying! Sometimes even our best. New episodes every Tuesday. New Season October 1st.
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Parenting & Families Relationships
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Episodes
  • From Frozen Poles to TikTok Trolls with ABC Parenting's Arthur Meyer and Stephanie Drake

    From Frozen Poles to TikTok Trolls with ABC Parenting's Arthur Meyer and Stephanie Drake
    Feb 20 2025
    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
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    20 mins
  • Matt Goldich Gives Himself a B- in Parenting

    Matt Goldich Gives Himself a B- in Parenting
    Feb 18 2025
    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
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    23 mins
  • Knocking On Doors with Doug Smith

    Knocking On Doors with Doug Smith
    Feb 13 2025
    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
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    32 mins

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Profile Image for Michael Spitz

Funny, thoughtful conversations

These are great conversations with real parents doing the hard work. Real conversations about family.

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Profile Image for mom of 3

Great listen

love hearing stories from other parents about things that their kids do and how the cope with it. makes me realize that all parents have similar struggles.

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