I realize this is an old podcast. However this year (2023) I became a mom and I really enjoyed listening from the start those first few months. Like most media endeavors after 2015, the content has more of a slanted-‘progressive’ view which I honestly find boring. One of the reasons I enjoyed the content early on is that it reminded me of a less divisive time. The focus was on relevant content without making the audience listen to a soapbox about the politics of the day. It just devolved into a standard boring podcast you have to ignore the politics of and eventually just end up ignoring all of it. The stars are for the early episodes I really enjoyed.

My name is Ana am 9 1/2 years old. if I have kids someday I can’t wait to use some of the techniques this podcast mentions

I am here from the Ina May Gaskin Episode. You quite literally said “labor was manageable until I got Pitocin” AKA you didn’t fail because you got an epidural, you failed when you decided to give birth at a hospital. This is why she harps on fear. If you had no fear you would have birthed at home and been able to manage! The whole book talks about how things go south when you go to a hospital, did you even read the book?

Holy moly. As a first time mom in the thick of newborn life, this podcast is SO amazing - I feel so seen and understood, and I know I'm not the only one dealing with these things. It's refreshing hearing the specific reflections/struggles of early parenthood by parents who have some distance from it. So often people tell me it will get better/some other platitude, but this podcast actually demonstrates it.

I miss this podcast so much. Still fantasizing about a return!

☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️😑😑😑😑😑😑🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🤮🤮🤮🤮

I love this show so much. I started listening to it when I started high school, and recently graduated college still a huge fan. I love Hillary Frank and her sensitive and thoughtful approach to her topics and guests. This podcast has meant so much to me for so long and I miss it every day! Re-listening to old episodes is making me so emotional that I decided to write my first ever podcast review! Thank you so much for your years of stories. This show is a treasure!

i listened to this podcast when i was trying to decide on kids and during my pregnancy. so informative, inclusive, sensitive, funny, and entertaining. the most real in depth look into issues around parenthood. absolutely recommend to anyone, kids or no kids.

I just listened to an episode as an assignment for class and was so moved by the beautiful story presented. I couldn’t imagine this being my last time listening, so I subscribed. Thank you for this amazing content!

I listened to the late term abortion and it was Heartbreaking. While I don’t have words to speak to this familiy’s loss, I will say that there are some points that were missed. First, Donald trump was speaking to Ralph Northam statement(from cnn.com) “ infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that's what the mother and the family desired. And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother."” Second, a mention about dr gosnell from philadelphia could have been insightful in the podcast. Late term abortion is a complex issue and really deserves more through discussions

This was my favorite podcast for a while. At some point the interviews stopped being about that first year of parenthood and the show really lost its poignancy. So many gimmicky episodes, and the storytelling felt lacking. I’m still giving it 3 stars for those first episodes though, if I was rating the early leg of this show it would get 5.

I started listening to this podcast 2 years before I had my baby and loved hearing about different parenting styles and stories. Now my daughter is one and this podcast has helped me learn so much and not feel so alone as a first time parent.

I think this was my first podcast. I came to understand what good, quality content was through LST. I thank every person who put a hand in this podcast to ensure the public learns, laughs and grows in life. Will always be a fan!

This podcast got me through pregnancy and being a new mom with its great stories and relatable and honest host, but since it switched hosts, I rarely listen. I tried, I really did, but I cannot understand why someone without a child would be chosen to host this show. The show tried to tie in Andrea’s supposed desire for children as reason enough to qualify her for the job, but her whole - should I just have one on my own - narrative is tired and even seems manufactured. I find her to be too giggly and eager and just want Hillary and the old topics back.

I actually look forward to waking up in the middle of the night with my baby so I can listen to these stories.

I am a podcast junkie. This is hands down my favorite podcast. Soooo good.

This show used to be good, but has become way too “woke.”

Love the variety of topics and quality of the show!

...

I’m giving this a four because while it used to be a solid 5, it’s now a 3 for me. At the beginning, this podcast was relatable and really felt like it was about early childhood. But the producer’s child grew up and she was no longer invested in early childhood so she left. She was replaced by someone without kids, so things became less relatable, but I held on because I knew that they could still tell great stories. And they do! Once in a while they pack a punch, and you hear a great story. But all too often I think they’re just filling time. Instead of feeling like a show where a parent is showing you the complex world of children and parenthood, it’s now a show about kids and parents, but not really by or for them. Give it a listen, but don’t be a completionist towards the end.

This is my favorite parenting podcast! Very engaging, funny, interesting. However, I would like less episodes featuring marginalized demographics (for lack of a better term) like trans parents, black parents, adopting parents etc. These are insightful, but I wish there were more episodes based on issues that nearly all parents face, like potty training problems, dealing with in-laws, etc.

I have learned so much from this podcast and feel like a part of a huge family!

Andrea and her incredible guests provide so much love and laughter for families from every walk of life! Engaging, inspiring, and downright hilarious are just a few of the words I’d use to describe the time you’ll spend with them. Thanks so much for putting out such a stellar show Andrea - keep up the great work!

I love this podcast. I have listened to every single episode. I started listening this January and quickly made my way thru them. I especially enjoyed the early episodes, and I really miss Hillary Frank making them. This show evolved with the new host and although it’s good, I really wish there was more moms and dads talking about their experience during pregnancy and after birth. It seems that this show branched way out and it’s beginning to be a bit annoying how much emphases goes on certain topics.

This is such a touching and endearing story My daughter and I fell in love with Linda and Jessica! I want to share this with everyone I know Many thanks!!!

I love the topics! My favorite episode is by far 197. Don’t love how much advertisements there are. Almost down rated it due to this.

This podcast is great, except the voices of the women hosting are so distracting and irritating. They end nearly every sentence in a low vocal fry which makes this so painful for me to listen to. 😕 Ladies everywhere! Please stop this! 🙏🏼

I am not a mother but a full time nanny and I love this podcast! I have been binge listening ever since I discovered it. I also love you Andrea, I think we may be the same person!

I’m going to use the corny saying of ‘knowledge is power’ because for over 18 years I was dead set on not having children. I was also under the impression that I would never marry. I was lucky to find someone who made me want to get married and is now changing my mind about children. I have only been listening to this podcast for about a week, but I’m so drawn to the honesty in everyone’s stories—the variety of happy, sad, gross and exciting stories. Thanks to this podcast I have opened my mind to the thought of having children and am less afraid. I really appreciate the different guests; from experts in the field of birthing to your everyday moms who can share their painful, joyous or challenging stories of becoming a mother. I can’t wait to keep listening and gaining more knowledge. (2011 seems lo such a long time ago, but I am starting with the older episodes...I hope they continue to be just as good as I go along)

Thank you for your sensitive and insightful exploration of late term abortion. It shook me. You are such a talented team of journalists.

Your the best

I’ve been listening to this podcast since inception. As someone who doesn’t have kids I appreciate Hillary’s storytelling that doesn’t purely focus on being a parent. HOWEVER, why the heck would you make Andrea the host. She does not add much intelligent insight and lacks the skills to convey a story with depth. Further, LST really needs diversity. One token story here and there about WOC isn’t sufficient. Did appreciate the gay dad’s series. I’m all for women empowering women but it is hard to listen to with Andrea. Please replace her.

I was not looking for a podcast about kids or family. Turns out I. needed to...I'm addicted. What a thoughtful and intelligent conversation we all need to have in our culture today.

I’ve tried several times to go back to listening with the new host, and am finally unsubscribing and deleting. It used to be a great podcast and one I really leaned on during pregnancy and right after when parenting felt impossibly big. I’m giving an extra star for the old episodes, but the current host makes me cringe and feel a bit ridiculous for being a parent...which is a weird vibe for a parenting podcast.

Miss the stories with more in depth and substance. Instead we get to listen about the baby shark song. I love Andrea Silenzi’s other work, but the podcasts decision to move to a non parent was a mistake, you do not get parenthood until you are a parent/caretaker. Has turned into a nonstop promotion of Hilary’s book.

Content is alright, but WAY more ads than on other podcasts.

I stumbled upon this podcast while pregnant and have loved listening to the stories and wisdom in each episode!!

This is the only parenting podcast I’ve found that’s enjoyable. So many great, interesting stories. I’ve laughed, cried, and connected with so many of the people featured on this wonderful podcast.

Favorite podcast!!

I love this podcast, and I hate parenting advice. Since becoming a mom a year ago, I have really enjoyed this podcast for its chill, rational, tone and the stories of such diverse parenting experiences. Love listening to LST while walking my dog and baby around the neighborhood!

This used to be my favorite podcast. I’ve listened since 2013. The last two years have been increasingly disappointing. First, there are very few people of color included. Second, the entire show feels like an afterthought to Hillary’s book, or a long arc of some increasingly less interesting question that Andrea is examining. The early episodes are great - the longest day, the accidental gay parents. The biggest issue I’ve seen the last few years is the implosion of her Facebook group due to Hillary refusing to moderate or take sides in a discussion about race. I’d love to listen if they can solve these issues (particularly acknowledging the missteps around race), but it’s fallen behind several other better podcasts about parenting.

After making the decision to have children in the near(ish) future, I found this amazing podcast. The topics and stories from real people have put a few of my concerns at ease, and have even made me excited to start this adventure. None of the episodes are “sensationalized”, so there is no pandering or selling of ideas. It’s not a podcast full of the “glossy magazine” articles, instead these are intimate and informational conversations of worth.

I found this podcast back in 2014. I loved it. It was helping me understand and laugh about the crazy world of parenting even though I wasn’t one yet, but was researching infertility and adoption. Then the podcast ended. I got a new job (from daycare worker to Gardner/educator), listened to other podcasts and recently (finally) became a parent. I’m one of the oldest new moms I know and my sister, knowing I need a good laugh and support, heard Hillary Frank’s interview with Teri Gross recently on Fresh Air and sent it to me not knowing I adored her podcast. I’m so glad I can catch up on all the episodes I missed. Loved the 2016 episode on Mater Mea, by the way. Thank you to everyone who makes The Longest Shortest possible. You help make parenting less lonely and more whole. I appreciate you. Thanks!

I hate to say it because I loved this show SO much but since Hilary stopped hosting it’s terrible. I have found myself cringing during episodes and sometimes just stop listening and delete the episode. What everyone else is saying is true, this show has totally lost its greatness. This show, in the beginning, saved me. I was struggling so hard to find someone anyone who could relate to my struggles with having a newborn baby. Hilary was all I found and she really was the only person who made me feel like I was not alone. I can’t even tell you how much those early episodes saved me. That’s why I feel so bad giving one star but I hope it gets Hilary’s attention so she can get back to the heart of this podcast. It really was so wonderful.

I am a new listener, enjoying the heck out of this. My kids are 6 & 8, so not a new mom but can always use advice and information. Not sure if it’s in here but would like more information about ADHD:)

I have been listening for the last three years and the early episodes were so relatable for me. Hillary had a sincerity that helped me connect with her guests (even when their stories were so different than mine). Maybe it is because I am in a different place in my life now but I have found myself listening less and less this past year. It is missing its spark and emotion that kept me coming back for more the past few years.

I love this podcast, I love the different parenting aspects, and unique stories/situations. I’ve learned so much from this show.

This podcast should be mandatory listening for anyone thinking of being responsible for a tiny human, friends with someone who is responsible for a tiny human, or remotely adjacent to a tiny human.

Do you guys read this? Everyone is saying the same thing. Andrea just is a VERY disappointing choice. It needs to be a parent and she chooses very boring weird topics.

Sorry for the Andrea Silenzi-esque pun, but it is sadly the truth. As a younger, childless listener, I binged on this podcast in secret for some time. It had some of the most honest and illuminating conversations about child birth and child rearing that I had ever heard. As someone on the fence about even having children, it felt empowering to hear these first-hand accounts in my decision-making process. And while I can overlook the cackling baby intro and cheesy ads, the downfall was the transition to Andrea as host. I personally don’t find her relatable and the content feels shallow. I just listened to the last episode that happened to be a Hillary holdover and it was so refreshing. TL;DR - Binge the early episodes, leave the latest content.