Parenting is a Joke

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Breaking Down Skibidi Toilets with Wendy & Lizzie Molyneaux Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

In this snack-sized episode, Ophira Eisenberg sits down with comedy writers Wendy and Lizzie Molyneux, the creative forces behind Bob’s Burgers and The Great North. The sisters open up about the controlled chaos of parenting large families while balancing successful careers in animation. Wendy, a mom of four, and Lizzie, a mom of three, discuss household rules that almost work, from no iPads during the week to family dinners free of devices.

The conversation takes a hilarious turn into the absurdities of modern parenting, including the inexplicable popularity of Skibbity Toilet videos and how kids find the weirdest ways to express themselves. They share how their childhood in a semi-feral but structured household shaped their humor and creative collaboration. The sisters also reflect on letting kids be their wonderfully bizarre selves while figuring out how to guide them through a screen-heavy world.

✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.

📍 January tour stops: Seattle and Olympia Jan 21st & Jan 22nd

Follow Wendy Molyneux:https://www.instagram.com/thegreatnorthwendy

Follow Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin: https://x.com/lizziemolyneux?s=21&t=jSf8B0HmwnlXV5P5Erva-A

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Wendy & Lizzie Molyneux Flip Bob’s Burgers and Trad Gender Roles Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

This week, host Ophira Eisenberg is joined by Wendy and Lizzie Molyneux, the brilliant sister duo behind Bob’s Burgers and The Great North. The pair share their hilarious and heartfelt parenting journeys—Wendy as a mother of four and Lizzie with three kids spanning toddler to teen. They reflect on the joys and challenges of raising kids in Los Angeles while juggling a demanding career in television.

From the realities of postpartum anxiety to negotiating with kids over Halloween costumes and talent shows, Wendy and Lizzie provide an honest look at life with big families. They also share how their childhood antics inspired their creative collaboration and why their experiences with family dynamics are at the heart of their writing for Bob’s Burgers and The Great North. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the making of hit TV shows and a chaotic yet comedic tribute to modern parenting.

✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.

📍 January tour stops: Seattle and Olympia Jan 21st & Jan 22nd

Follow Wendy Molyneux:https://www.instagram.com/thegreatnorthwendy

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Astrologer Ophira Edut Gives Cosmic Guidance for 2025 Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

Ophira Eisenberg kicks off the new year with returning guest Ophira Edut, one-half of the AstroTwins and a seasoned astrologer. Together, they reveal the cosmic trends shaping 2025 and what they mean for parents. From Capricorn’s 16-year Pluto transformation to the emerging influence of Aquarius, they explore how planetary shifts mirror societal changes, including new trends in parenting, relationships, and work-life balance.

Listeners also get a sneak peek at The AstroTwins’ 2025 Almanac, which forecasts everything from workplace innovation to family dynamics. The episode touches on the challenges of navigating technology with kids, the rise of multi-generational housing, and how to balance structure with creativity in parenting. For astrology enthusiasts and skeptics alike, this episode offers cosmic insights and practical advice for starting the year off right.

✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.

📍 January tour stops: Seattle and Olympia Jan 21st & Jan 22nd

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Jen Brister Tackles Twin Tantrums, One Shoe at a Time Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

Parenting and comedy collide in this hilarious and heartfelt episode featuring UK comic Jen Brister. Known for her hit specials Waves and The Optimist and her book The Other Mother, Jen opens up about navigating life as a mom of twin boys while juggling a demanding comedy career. From her "put your shoes on" parenting anthem to the unique challenges of being a non-biological parent in a same-sex relationship, Jen’s candid insights are as thought-provoking as they are laugh-out-loud funny. Plus, she and Ophira dive into the societal expectations around motherhood, sharing the all-too-relatable frustrations of balancing it all.

You’ll also hear Jen’s unfiltered take on parenting guilt, the unexpected lessons of FaceTime with kids, and why a well-planned tour can feel like a marathon. This episode delivers a perfect blend of comedy and connection for anyone curious about the realities of modern parenting and the comedic grind, and trying to survive your own morning routine, this conversation is packed with laughs and takeaways.

✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.

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Holiday Horror Stories: From Puke to Pink Eye and Beyond Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

In this special holiday snack-sized episode of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg shares listener-submitted stories of holiday mishaps and parenting disasters. From festive puke-filled car rides to Lego-set mix-ups, a ravioli catastrophe that spanned three floors and the perils of trying to be a supermom post-C-section, these tales will make you laugh, cringe, and feel less alone in the season's chaos. Ophira also reflects on her own unforgettable holiday moments, like her Jewish Santa revelation and a particularly sticky Boxing Day involving remotes and red Gatorade. It’s a celebration of parenting during the most “wonderful” time of the year!

✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.

Follow:

Holly Ballentine: https://www.instagram.com/hollynotvalentine

Stacy Pederson: https://www.instagram.com/stacypedersonofficial

Emily Winter: https://www.instagram.com/emilymcwinter/

Andrea Marie:https://www.instagram.com/andreamariecomedy

Moms Unhinged:https://www.instagram.com/momsunhingedcomedy

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Margaret and Amy Laugh In The Face of Parenting Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

On this week’s episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg revisits a festive favorite featuring Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson, the comedic duo behind the hit podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood. With six kids between them and years of experience making people laugh, Margaret and Amy open up about the chaos of raising children while building a thriving podcasting empire. They explore everything from evolving parenting styles—like the pitfalls of "boomer parenting" and the realities of "out-the-door parenting"—to why sometimes parenting feels like trying to keep a stubborn houseplant alive. Margaret and Amy also share their take on managing extracurriculars, handling picky eaters, and embracing the messy unpredictability of life as parents. From the hilarity of dealing with a kid's Big Nate-inspired sass to the bittersweet transition of launching kids into adulthood, this conversation is a heartfelt reminder that parenting is equal parts hard and rewarding, even if you only recognize that in hindsight.

✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.

📍 December tour stops: San Francisco Dec 24th, 25th, 26th

Follow What Fresh Hell :https://www.instagram.com/whatfreshhellcast/

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I Pushed the Elf Off of The Shelf: Listener Holiday Advice Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

In this lively, holiday-themed snack-sized episode of Parenting is a Joke, host Ophira Eisenberg welcomes comedian and holiday advice-gatherer Emily Winter for a laugh-packed chat on surviving the festive season. From the chaos of cross-country travel to the psychological warfare of managing "Elf on the Shelf," this episode is full of relatable humor and practical insights. Hear crowd-sourced gems like why Santa shouldn’t get credit for the big gifts and why new parents should skip hosting altogether. Emily and Ophira also bond over the joy of practical, thoughtful presents—like cozy socks, pajamas, or even melatonin-laced edibles to unwind. Whether you're laughing at parenting fails or inspired by unconventional tips, this episode is the perfect bonbon-sized holiday treat

🎄 Catch Emily Winter's comedy on stage with One Liner Madness and follow her @emilymcwinter.

✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.

📍 December tour stops: San Francisco Dec 24th, 25th, 26th

Follow Emily Winter:https://www.instagram.com/emilymcwinter/

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Mike Pesca Is Raising A Few Good Men Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Parenting as a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg welcomes Mike Pesca: journalist, host of podcasts The Gist and Funny You Should Mention, and father of two teenage boys. Mike demonstrates his hard-hitting journalism prowess in the episode, as he discusses sugar-fueled parenting, why Ophira almost choked on a grape, and letting your kid give a PowerPoint presentation to earn subway privileges. The conversation meanders from the evolution of entertainment, to media’s influence on teenage engagement, to comedy’s role in helping to navigate global issues to navigating ADHD, but is always peppered with laughs and anecdotes along the way. If you’re equally excited to hear about the future of journalism, gentle parenting, and Ophira’s childhood Disney revelation, this is probably the only place where you can find everything you want (and more!)

✨ Subscribe, rate, and review! Follow us on socials @ParentingAsAJoke and @OphiraE (or @OphiraNYC on TikTok). Check out upcoming live performances at OphiraEisenberg.com.

📍 December tour stops: San Francisco Dec 24th, 25th, 26th

Follow Mike Pesca:https://www.instagram.com/mike.pesca/ and https://x.com/pescami

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