Eight Awesome Podcasts for Parents

Ever since my very lovely mobile phone company decided they should gift with me with some extra data I’ve been podcast obsessed.

I can’t hang the laundry unless I have a decent podcast to list to, and I have started making up excused to drive somewhere on my own so I can crank out another podcast in the perfect peace of the car.

I’m mostly an ‘interesting stories’ kind of listener, you know TED Radio hour and This American Life with a bit of Radio Diaries thrown in for good measure, though I do dabble in a good blogging podcast now and again, and recently I’ve dipped my toe in the world of parenting podcasts.

As you can imagine there are quite a few podscasts for parents, but these eight are my favourite. From parenting tips and advice to down to earth stories and a good dose of humor, these parenting poscasts should keep you entertained for a while!

The Extremely Good Parenting Podcast – This is a great new podcast hosted by Kara Carrero, with down to earth conversations and interviews about ‘intentional, respectful, and ultimately “extremely good” parenting.’ Kara has a great facebook page too.

ABC Babytalk – This long running Aussie podcast is hosted by Penny Johnston. Penny has covered just about every topic you can think of from the classics to the latest in trending parenting topics and she’s talked to a huge range of experts and interesting people (ahem… including me, a long long time ago!) Find Babytalk on facebook too.

Family Confidential – Hosted by Annie Fox, Family Confidential is aimed at families with older kids – tweens and teens. This long running podcast interviews loads of interesting guests, covers a wide variety of topics, and is great for those of us who are just embarking on the teen years. Annie also has a great facebook page where she answers a letter from a teen each week.

Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled – The fabulous Janet Lansbury and all her respectful parenting wisdom in a podcast! Janet answers lots of questions from real parents trying to figure out how to respond gently and respectfully to real life situations.

Raising Playful Tots – Hosted by Melitsa Avila, this long running podcast shares lots of simple, doable, ideas for play and parenting. It covers a huge range of topics and ideas and includes some great interviews. You can follow Raising Playful Tots on facebook here.

Mom and Dad are Fighting – This podcast is not about divorce like I first though, it’s actually a great conversation between hosts Allison Benedikt and Dan Kois who tackle different sides of some hot parenting topics, as well as sharing their own parenting stories, with a few interviews thrown in for good measure.

The Longest Shortest Time – This podcast shares lots of great real life stories about life with kids from all kinds of people with lots of different stories and perspectives. It’s one of my favourites to listen to while hanging the washing and pondering life.

Scummy Mummies – Hosted by comedians Helen Thorn and Ellie Gibson this podcast will make you laugh, and feel normal – and often that is just what we need.

Please be aware that some of these podcasts use explicit language and some tackle sensitive issues – you may not want to listen to them when your kids are around.

Do you have a favourite parenting podcast?

Or just a favourite podcast in general? Something that lifts your spirits and helps you get through the mundane tasks each day? Leave me a link in the comments, I’d love to check out your recommendations.

My kids are also keen on podcasts and we shared our top ten favourite podcasts for kids here.