Shows
From the Bleachers: A Real Housewives Game AnalysisRHOBH Final Game Analysis and Awards with Brandy Ferner - Season 13Brandy Ferner is our guest today as we break down the entire Season 13 of play from our Beverly Hills Housewives. Which Housewives Player compares to Bella in Poor Things? Was Sutton’s “Name ‘Em” scene with Kyle good play or an error? What is happening with Crystal’s play that makes her difficult to “like”? Why do we still enjoy watching Erika despite her lack of empathy for the law firm victims? Which of our hot seats this season (Kyle and Sutton) did we think played it best? Should rookie Annemarie get another season of play? All this, plus our final awar...2024-03-211h 15
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastPhases of Motherhood with BrittaYou 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. 2021-08-091h 28
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastFeeling Other in Motherhood with EmilyMy 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 when milestones aren’t being hit, how she broke apart while trying to hold it all together, and she expl...2021-07-261h 13
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastPandemic Divorce with TaraThere 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. 2021-07-121h 07
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastI See Dead People with TimMy 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!2021-06-281h 09
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMom’s Hierarchy of Needs with LeslieWorking 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. 2021-06-141h 13
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastThe Great Reckoning with GraemeMom 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. 2021-05-311h 11
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastTaking No Prisoners with ZawnWriter 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. 2021-05-171h 11
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastFeminist Dad with JordanJoin 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 more.2021-05-031h 16
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastWhy I Take My Pill with MeredithJoin 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 a game changer. 2021-04-191h 11
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastThe Realest Housewife with BraunwynThis 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 realness you haven’t heard before.2021-04-051h 01
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastFamily Personalities with SandraIf 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 buckets so they can stretch out of their comfort zone. Of course, we a...2021-03-221h 08
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastFrom Irresponsible Ejaculations to Shiplap with GabrielleGabrielle 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.2021-03-081h 22
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastParenting Outside the Lines with MeghanJoin 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 philosophies (attachment parenting cough cough), pandemic regressions in kids, our “North Star” as parents, and...2021-02-221h 13
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastIt Took Divorce to Make My Marriage Equal with LyzAuthor, 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 gives us lemons, we need to throw them at people’s he...2021-02-081h 05
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastGetting Pantsed by 2020 with Ronnie - Part 2Ronnie 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 2021.2021-01-2548 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastGetting Pantsed by 2020 with Ronnie - Part 1I’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.2021-01-1141 min
Lit Local PodcastReady or Not, 2021On today's episode, we're talking about the year we're leaving behind and the year ahead. We're joined by guest author Aly Welch, and we'll discuss 2020 as writers and readers. Listen for shoutouts to our favorite reads of the past year(and find a list below), and our writerly goals for 2021.
Recommended Reading
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Fae Child by Jane-Holly Meissner
Adult Conversation by Brandy Ferner
Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw
2021-01-0541 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastYou Are Enough with Dr. ClaireIn 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 enough as we finish out one of th...2020-12-281h 14
Experience Literature in a New Way, Full Audiobook Brighten Your DayAdult Conversation Audiobook by Brandy FernerListen to this audiobook in full for free onhttps://hotaudiobook.com/freeID: 489513
Title: Adult Conversation
Author: Brandy Ferner
Narrator: Brandy Ferner
Format: Unabridged
Length: 07:02:00
Language: English
Release date: 12-15-20
Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
Genres: Fiction & Literature, Family Life
Summary:
April is a thoughtful yet sarcastic mother of two who tries her best to be a caring, connected mom in a middle-class culture where motherhood has become relentless. April rages at modern motherhoods impossible pressures, her husbands Dad privilege, and her kids incessant snack requests. She wants to enjoy motherhood, but her idealist vision and lived experience are in constant...2020-12-157h 02
Download Best Full Audiobooks in Fiction, DramaAdult Conversation by Brandy FernerPlease visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/489513 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Adult Conversation Author: Brandy Ferner Narrator: Brandy Ferner Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 7 hours 2 minutes Release date: December 15, 2020 Genres: Drama Publisher's Summary: April is a thoughtful yet sarcastic mother of two who tries her best to be a caring, connected mom in a middle-class culture where motherhood has become relentless. April rages at modern motherhood’s impossible pressures, her husband’s “Dad privilege”, and her kids’ incessant snack requests. She wants to enjoy motherhood, but her idealist vision and lived experience are in constant conflict with one another. Is she broken...2020-12-1503 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMotherhood So White with NefertitiAuthor, 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.2020-12-141h 08
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastNo Boring Kids with NormToday’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.2020-11-301h 06
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastDroppin’ Science with EmilyEmily 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.2020-11-1649 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastIntrovert or Extrovert? with JoanneNo 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.2020-11-021h 09
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMoms Don’t Have Time to Read Books with ZibbyBig-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.2020-10-1951 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastBeing On Survivor with ElizaJoin 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.2020-10-051h 09
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastPandemic Clutter S.O.S. with RebeccaThis 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.2020-10-0351 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastWonder Women with AshaAuthor 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 that we’re all living through right now.2020-09-211h 14
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastNon-Custodial Mothers with RachaelMy 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.2020-09-071h 04
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastBehind the Bachelor with AshleyPast 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, how she changed the show, and what life is lik...2020-08-241h 13
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastRaging Against the Minivan with KristenAuthor, 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 moments of her life, and tells us how she’s keeping her sanity as an in...2020-08-1054 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMommying While Muslim with Zaiba & UzmaJoin 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 can be more inclusive, a hilarious conspiracy theory, and the one article of clothing Uzma’s dad was most...2020-07-271h 09
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastRaising Resilient Kids with DeniseThis 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 parenting – can inform us so our kids have a better chance at becoming confid...2020-07-131h 11
Unabridged: A Book PodcastEmily Henry's BEACH READ - July 2020 Book ClubIn this Unabridged podcast book club episode, we're discussing Emily Henry's Beach Read. We have a great discussion and pair this one with some other great reads, including Mary Beth Keane’s Ask Again, Yes, Kate Clayborn’s Love Lettering, and Josie Silver’s The Two Lives of Lydia Bird. Beach Read is a contemporary romance that balances witty banter with more serious themes.
Bookish Check In
Ashley - Jacqueline Woodson’s Harbor Me
Jen - Jennifer S. Cohen’s Falling Forward
Sara - Elizabeth L. Cline’s The Conscious Clo...2020-07-0154 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastWhat a Motherhood Coach Sees with GraemeWitness 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, perspective, and humor.2020-06-291h 06
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMidlife Renaissance with NoraWhat’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 between fulfilling her own deep needs and desires, or sticking with her status quo mar2020-06-151h 24
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastTalking Shop with EmilySeasoned 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.2020-06-0156 minUnabridged: A Book PodcastParenting and Partner Tips with Brandy Ferner of ADULT CONVERSATIONIn this Unabridged Podcast interview episode, we had a wonderful time discussing all things parenting and partners with Brandy Ferner. We read her novel Adult Conversation, which just released on May 5th, and we all felt that the depiction of motherhood with all of its dark humor and relentlessness resonated so much with our experiences.
Bookish Check In
Ashley - Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible
Jen - Marie Lu’s Rebel
Sara - Josie Silver’s The Two Lives of Lydia Bird
Brandy - Glennon Doyle’s Untamed
Mentioned in Episode
Judy Brady...2020-05-271h 00
GSMC Book Review PodcastGSMC Book Review Podcast Episode 233: Interview with Brandy FernerSarah speaks with Brandy Ferner about her new novel Adult Conversation, a darkly hilarious look at motherhood, parenting, gender roles. and one mom's struggle to figure it all out while keeping her own sanity.As always, if you enjoyed the show, follow us and subscribe to the show: you can find us on iTunes or on any app that carries podcasts as well as on YouTube. Please remember to subscribe and give us a nice review. That way you’ll always be among the first to get the latest GSMC Book Review Podcasts.We would like to...2020-05-201h 00
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMy Husband Speaks! with MattMy 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.2020-05-181h 25Unabridged: A Book PodcastThrillers that You Can't Put Down - Better on AudioIn this Unabridged Podcast episode, we're discussing specific thrillers that we've read and LOVED (including books by Ruth Ware, Oyinkan Braithwaite, and T.M. Logan), and we're talking more generally about what does and does not work for us when it comes to the thriller genre. We've talked a lot recently about comfort reads and light reads, but we know from our Bookstagram community that thrillers are also a great escape for many readers. Let us know what you have read and loved when it comes to thrillers!
Bookish Check In
Sara - Brandy F...2020-05-1339 min
Two Writers Slinging YangBrandy Ferner: Author, "Adult Conversation."On the highs and lows of that first book; on whether a novel based on the author's life is actually fiction; on pandemic book PR and the signings that aren't.2020-05-1235 min
Beyond PostpartumAdult Conversation with Brandy FernerIn this episode, Brandy shares her story about losing herself in motherhood, and how this led her to the ask the question 'is motherhood broken, or am I?' Luckily for us she answers that question in this podcast AND in her brand new book, a darkly comedic novel about modern motherhood called 'Adult Conversation: a Novel.' In addition to her book, we also talk about burnout, birth trauma, and how rigid parenting beliefs can be problematic.2020-05-111h 05
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastTMI About Adult Conversation with BrandyI’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.2020-05-0452 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastYour Birth Story with VirginiaI’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 and I talk about the polarizing effect of telling birth stor...2020-04-201h 22
Mother Forking PodcastAdult Conversation with Brandy Ferner | Ep. 49When's the last time you had an uninterrupted adult conversation with a fellow mom? Here's your chance! Celeste and Magen chat it up with fellow podcaster and first-time author, Brandy Ferner. Brandy is the creator of the Adult Conversation podcast, social media pages, blog, and now, book! Her writing has been featured in Good Morning America, HuffPost, Romper, CafeMom, TODAY Parents, and more. She's also a doula, childbirth educator, and birth trauma mentor. Brandy chats with Celeste and Magen about dad privilege, her new book, how marriage changes after having kids, and more!
Resources
Adult Conversation...2020-04-1645 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastWe Need to Talk to Kids About Porn with JoThis 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 (and are not) getting, and what conversations we n...2020-04-061h 13
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastThe Unimaginable with MaryLearn 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 parent, and a Britney Spears moment we sh...2020-03-231h 15
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastTools for Anxiety with BrandyLearn 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?2020-03-2046 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMothering During a Pandemic with BrandyReal 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.2020-03-1538 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastInfertility, Adoption, & Cards with SaraToday’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-changing moment with a store customer that she’s never talked about before now, and she opens my eyes t...2020-03-091h 02
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastWho Am I? with SarahToday’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 back to herself. For those of you who listened to the last episode about divo...2020-02-241h 04
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastDoing Divorce (and Marriage) Right with JenniferJoin 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, her hot take on who should come f...2020-02-101h 07
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastParenting with Chronic Illness with MonicaToday 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 that is being your own medical detective, the paralyzation that contradictory advice can cause, and...2020-01-271h 13
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastThe Revolution Begins at Home with BethBuckle 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 being solicited to volunteer at your child’s scho...2020-01-131h 12
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastSuddenly a Stay-at-Home Dad with JimIn 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 of shit than politicians.” I loved hearing his...2019-12-301h 08
Mindful Mama: Raising Kind, Confident Kids Without Losing Your Cool | Parenting Strategies For Big Emotions & MoreIs Motherhood Broken? - Brandy FernerGet Hunter's book, Raising Good Humans now! Click here to order and get book bonuses!Do you ever feel like you work all day as a mom, but no one sees what you do? Brandy Ferner took a picture that went viral of a mom separated from the rest of her party at a restaurant, taking care of the baby. For hours, no one in this mom's party stepped in to let her enjoy being part of the group.Takeaways:
As a society, we are not supporting moms
We have a hard time asking fo...2019-12-171h 09
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastChange Your Rage with HunterIn 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 temper and how it directly affected her mothering and her relationship with...2019-12-161h 03
Lit Local PodcastWriting as a Parent with Brandy FernerJoin this week's hosts Cari Dubiel and Becca Spence Dobias in an honest conversation with author Brandy Ferner all about the realities of juggling writing and parenting! Listen as we touch on topics from unrealistic expectations, to writing retreats, to Marie Kondo. Have fun!
Resources Mentioned:
Adult Conversation: A Novel by Brandy Ferner
Adult Conversation Podcast
All the Rage by Darcy Lockman
Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
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Check out the following books by our Indie Writer Podcast...2019-12-1254 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastGrief and Motherhood with CaityIn 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 Cane’s. Caity also talks about agreements she unknowingly made following...2019-12-021h 10
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastTis the Season for Boundaries with KathieThe 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, but it’s worth it. Kathie also makes me lose my shit with her take on “meaningful” gifts, and t...2019-11-181h 07
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastDo Less, Enjoy More Holidays with RebeccaPodcast favorite and professional declutterer, Rebecca Mezzino, comes to discuss how to give yourself the gift of sanity this holiday season. I admit my biggest holiday struggles and we come up with lots of tactics to avoid the exhaustion and frustration so a joyful holiday can be had by all, namely us moms who are worn down from all the magic-making. Rebecca and I sort out how to specifically delegate tasks to your spouse (and she has a whole system for this), how to limit the work that doesn’t bring you joy, how to change your gift-buying habits, ho...2019-11-041h 09
Invisible Not Broken - Chronic Illness Podcast NetworkExplicitly Sick: An Interview With Podcast Host and Blogger Brandy Ferner About Chronic Illness Parenting, Podcast Life, and Mental HealthWebsite/Blog, Twitter, & Instagram HandlePodcast website: www.adultconversationpodcast.com,Blog: www.adultconversationparenting.com,FB: https://www.facebook.com/AdultConversationParenting,Twitter: https://twitter.com/adultconvo_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adultconversation/Name *Brandy FernerDisorder InfoWhat is your disorder? *Missing parts of my intestines, including my ileocecal valve, chronic kidney stonesAt what age did your disorder become a daily issue? *30Who were you before your illness became debilitating? *Carefree...2019-10-211h 02
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastScreens Are Not Evil with JordanToday’s guest is here to shake us out of the confusion around how to handle our kids’ screen time. The podcast welcomes its first dad/man, Jordan Shapiro, who wrote a super helpful book about how to navigate this new era of relentless technology as a parent, The New Childhood: Raising Kids to Thrive in a Connected World. It’s got facts, research, history, and other sober analysis, along with plenty of parental anecdotes that aren’t fear-based, and dare I say are oddly comforting. In this episode, Jordan talks about the benefits (and also pitfalls) of screens in our k...2019-10-211h 15
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMom Real Talk with LauraJoin mother and author, Laura Mullane, as she unapologetically speaks her truth of “reluctant motherhood,” and she and I talk about all sorts of deep mom topics. I talk about my biggest fear when becoming a mother, and Laura and I explain why motherhood sometimes feels like living with a gun to your head, and also what changes inside us as the toddlers grow into teenagers (it’s actually positive). Laura tells us what it was like to write such a personal and taboo book – and what people’s reactions have been, what she misses most about the younger ages, and...2019-10-0756 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastAlcohol and Parenthood with JenniferJoin me and my wise and hilarious friend, Jennifer, for a conversation with lots of laughing, swearing, self-deprecation, and truly life-changing concepts, as we talk about alcohol and parenting, specifically her path as an alcoholic mother. Even if you don’t personally have an issue with alcohol, nor does anyone in your inner circle, this episode has so many gems about parenting and making mistakes – basically, being a human. We talk about how our mothering instincts can and cannot thwart alcoholism, what was actually behind her addiction (hint: it wasn’t actually the alcohol), the simplest question that turned her li...2019-09-231h 18
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMy Lesbian Parenting Fantasies with DeniseToday’s episode is in response to my first two podcast episodes. A few of my lesbian and queer listeners were like, “What the shit is this hetero life and marriage you talk about??” Their shock and disdain made me want to know more about same-sex marriages, and how much of our hetero marriage and parenting issues are gender-based. Today’s guest, a lesbian mom, so graciously lets me dig into her private life to seek the answers to my burning questions. It turns out that I had a lot of varying fantasies about what being in a relationship with ano...2019-09-091h 04
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastPostpartum Myths & Regret with MarissaSome of you need today’s episode. Some of you may think it’s a little extreme. If so, it will give you a look into an experience that many other moms are having, that luckily you didn’t. So either way there is something to be learned, or a new perspective to be gained. My guest, Marissa, a licensed marriage and family therapist, talks about broadening the postpartum depression diagnosis, and even abandoning it in some cases. She talks candidly about her own transition into motherhood as a therapist and mother, and how it forced her to rethink everyt...2019-08-261h 10
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastTwo Moms Talk About Race with DeidreToday’s guest, Deidre, is so unbelievably gracious, even though she didn't have to be. Deidre agreed to answer my questions and educate us all. I wanted to know things like: How are we white women getting it wrong? What do black mothers experience that white mothers have no idea about? And, what do you wish we’d do to help you? What she delivers is more vulnerable and enlightening than I even imagined. We also talk about why the “I don’t see color” thing is problematic – for all races, the friendship I lost over sticking up for murdered bla...2019-08-121h 11
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMoms, Dads, & the Myth of Equal Partnership with DarcyAuthor, Darcy Lockman, discusses how even egalitarian couples fall into mini patriarchies after kids. You'll be surprised at all that's at play.2019-07-291h 11
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMeditation for Moms with JeanineA quick, practical meditation for frazzled moms to do anytime, anywhere, with lots of LOLs. We cover the non-annoying whys and hows of meditation, including its importance with setting boundaries with our kids.2019-07-1557 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMotherhood From the Outside Looking In with AmandaSomeone in the motherhood business (who isn’t a mother herself) drops wisdom about why millennials aren’t having kids, what she thinks is the hardest part of the Mom job, magic she sees that parents can’t, and much more.2019-07-0158 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastThe Best & Worst of Motherhood with Four Writer MomsNod your head along as four hilarious and honest moms admit their favorite and least favorite parts of being mothers – some taboo. Recorded from a writer’s retreat.2019-06-1753 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastDecluttering for Real People with Rebecca - Part 2How to store (or not store) kid art and baby clothes, why clutter is visual anxiety and why women feel this weight, we break down Marie Kondo's merits and neuroses, and more.2019-06-0348 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastDecluttering for Real People with Rebecca – Part 1Learn practical strategies to reclaim your sanity and space from the kid (and adult) clutter that is slowly killing you. No “does it spark joy?” BS here.2019-05-2048 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastEscaping American Motherhood with DenaA fed-up mom takes her family to India to get away from to-do lists, chauffeuring, and kid-centered activities. Her marriage implodes, but it’s #worthit.2019-05-0653 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMoms in Politics with TiffanyA mom in local politics tells all about how she’s treated differently than men, still falls into common female traps, and resists by bringing her kids with her.2019-04-2259 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastParenting a Transgender Child with ClarePeek into the life of a mother of a transgender child. When and how did she know? How did she come to acceptance? What shocking statistic changed everything? She tells us all with humor and candor, including the one simple sentence you can use to explain transgender to your kids. There’s a lot for all of us to learn here.2019-04-0850 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastMom Hacks I Don't Hate with Dr. DarriaDo-able mom hacks that leverage your inherent laziness, carve out time in the AM, outsmart your picky eaters, ditch multi-tasking, make exercise achievable, and more.2019-03-2548 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastThe Long Game with Kathie - Part 2Motherhood then and now, unhealthy shifts in family hierarchy, extreme lengths for happy memories, school choice pitfalls, and the importance of failing.2019-03-1133 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastThe Long Game (& Mother Wounds) with Kathie - Part 1Wisdom from a seasoned mother of seven, how we mess our kids up, mealtime struggles that span the ages, most memorable moments of birth, and deep mother wounds.2019-02-2055 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastBehind the Curtain of Motherhood with Jessica - Part 2Sex after having kids, threesomes we’ve all been in, being diagnosed with “Cockblockers,” why early motherhood is like triage, and what one dad learned about how foreplay changes.2019-02-2043 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastBehind the Curtain of Motherhood with Jessica - Part 1Real talk about motherhood, marriage, "Dad privilege," rage, resentment, and the complicated nature of being a mom.2019-02-2057 min
Adult Conversation Parenting PodcastHello, My Name is BrandyGet to know me and my podcast. We're both slightly inappropriate, just like parenting.2019-02-2006 min