One Bad Mother

Biz and Theresa discuss New Year’s resolutions and try not to be super judgy about them! Plus, Batman helps a 3-year-old poop on the potty, Theresa finds out why blender lids exist, and we speak with comedian W. Kamau Bell about canceling tour dates to be home with his wife and young family.

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:23am PDT

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate that brings feelings of cheer and MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF STRESS! Biz and Theresa discuss why the holidays can make even the most innocent of comments about your kids or your parenting style sound like you are the worst parent on the planet. Plus helpful tips on how to survive, Biz confirms a new mother’s worst fears that it actually is hard, and Theresa proves to be more fun than a Disney movie. Brooklyn artist Jenny Williams joins us to talk about her new book What My Daughter Wore and about keeping our creativity going after having kids.

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Category:general -- posted at: 3:03pm PDT

Biz and Theresa want to know why we feel like crazy people when we worry about everything? Just relax, already! Clearly the vacation is going to pack itself! Plus, Biz reveals that french-kissing robots keep her marriage strong, Theresa gets fooled by her momentarily nice kid, and we talk with Gina Sampaio of Sister Serendip who informs us that even adoptive parents can be assholes sometimes!

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:27pm PDT

On A Very Special Thanksgiving Episode of One Bad Mother, Biz and Theresa put the attitude in gratitude, only to discover that kids don’t get the concept of empathy and thankfulness on their own. CRAP! More work for us! I mean, thank you for the chance to mold our children into amazing people. Biz triumphantly survives One of the Shittiest Weeks of All Time and Theresa gets judged by her three-year-old. Plus, we talk to Alexandra Metral, one of the organizers of the MIT Breastpump Hackathon! Happy Thanksgiving!

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Category:general -- posted at: 7:57pm PDT

Biz and Theresa talk about weaning this week, which means there is bonus mom judging! Plus, Theresa really can’t cook and Biz isn’t trying hard enough to be a good mother. Our most uplifting show yet! To lighten the mood we have a special mom breaking down about in-laws! Everyone is doing a great job!

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:38pm PDT

Biz and Theresa admit we're sometimes in a rut. In fact, as moms we've been in almost every kind of rut there is (other than PODCASTING RUT, obvi). The question is how to get out of them? We propose inventing a new rut that's actually an enjoyable place to be. Plus, Biz gets a free car wash, Theresa discovers a fifth food group called "fruit leathers," and we chat with singer-songwriter (and new mom) Jill Barber, who shares her secret for switching gears between loving mommy and live musician.

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Category:general -- posted at: 7:46pm PDT

Biz and Theresa discover the answer to the question, “Who is the first birthday for anyway?” It's us! So, where's our bounce house? Biz’s younger self is disgusted with her older self’s view on Halloween candy, Theresa may have a screw loose when it comes to finding appropriate toys for her children to play with, and we ask you to declare if you are Team Pouch or Team Dirty Banana. Plus, we talk making mom friends (and dad friends!) with one of the creators of MomMeetMom.

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Category:general -- posted at: 4:54am PDT

On a very special Halloween episode of One Bad Mother, we talk zombie-apocalypse-readiness! (...A.K.A. emergency preparedness!) Clearly, we are prepared to have a three-day-supply of water and eat people. Theresa solves bedwetting forever and Biz spins a genius moment out of anything that will spin. Plus, we summon the ghost of John Hodgman to judge us as moms, only to discover that the real monster is the creator of baby food puree pouches!

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Category:general -- posted at: 10:01pm PDT

On a Very Special MaxFunWeek episode of One Bad Mother, Biz and Theresa seek forgiveness. Why is it so easy to forgive the people we love, but not ourselves? Plus, Katy Belle is in love, Theresa is not a monster, and best of all we talk with Dave Shumka of Stop Podcasting Yourself and his wonderful wife, Abby, who is her own person, about life with their brand new baby.

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:23pm PDT

Biz and Theresa wonder what you're supposed to do when you can’t take the time for yourself that everyone wants you to take unless you have the baby with you. Is it possible to have restorative time for ourselves...while we're with our babies? Plus, kissing in kindergarten, everyone is being a dick to mom, and we talk with Lisa Mourgess about parenting techniques, homeschooling, Down syndrome, and what it's like to have seven kids. 
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Category:general -- posted at: 7:04am PDT

Biz and Theresa wonder how we find time to discuss family business with our partners, or -- shock of all shocks -- simply talk and connect with our partners?! How is it possible two people can live in the same house and not find time to talk? Oh, that’s right. We have kids. Plus, Biz gets comfortable with being a “plain old mom” and Theresa takes a chance and talks with the parents of Simon's playground "bully." And, we talk about paternity leave in America with Shaun Wiley, Professor of Social Psychology at The College of New Jersey. 

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:36pm PDT

Biz and Theresa wonder if lying to our kids is even a lie at all? Probably? It probably is still lying. Plus, Theresa is decidedly NOT gushing about preschool this week, Biz tries to figure out why Princess Leia needs a hairbrush, and we talk about autism and international adoption with Becca, of the awesome blog, Sincerely, Becca.

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:08pm PDT

Biz and Theresa try to have a conversation without mentioning our kids and get to know each other better as friends, not just mom-friends! Plus, Biz learns that “childproof” may not be applicable to her child, Theresa turns her car into a mobile playground, and we find out exactly what our kids' teachers want us to know, thanks to our guest Erica Ladd and her new book, The Candid Classroom.

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:17am PDT

Biz and Theresa talk about preserving the precious memories we have about our children, only to discover that, as usual, we are each failing at it in our own special way! Plus, Biz finds herself trying to explain the Afghanistan War to a five-year-old and Theresa tricks her kids into thinking everything old is new again. And, we talk with with Mary Kobinger, whose husband is on the front lines of the fight against Ebola, about what it's like being married to someone who puts his life at risk everyday. (Super relaxing, probably?)

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:22pm PDT

Woooooo! Kick back and bask in the glory of you, our listeners, as we celebrate your genius moments and failures in The Second Ever Genius/Fail Spectacular -- this time with rants! From washing the diaper pail while washing yourself, to going too far trying to help another mom, to the mother-in-law who seemed to think it was a great idea to send a mean note about breastfeeding to her daughter-in-law via Facebook, we walk away from this show feeling less alone than ever. You are all doing a great job!

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Category:general -- posted at: 7:56am PDT

Biz and Theresa try to figure out how our childhood memories and images of moms fit -- or don't -- with how we see ourselves now that we're moms. There's a good chance we're over-thinking it. Plus, Biz discovers that the kindergarten playground may be one step away from a prison yard and Theresa makes parenting look easy. We speak with Deborah Feingold who has photographed everyone from Bono to Clinton, about her new book Music, a collection of her most iconic images, and she lays some serious mom-insight bombs on us that may be the answers to all our overthinking. 

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:07am PDT

Biz and Theresa explore the ways our consumption of news stories has changed since we've had kids. Hint: it's gotten kinda hard. Also, riding high from the first day of kindergarten and too much coffee, Biz experiences some beautiful moments of parenting clarity! Which we obviously indulge because -- let's face it -- clarity about parenting can be elusive as all hell. Plus, we find out how to make Theresa punch a kitchen cabinet!

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Category:general -- posted at: 3:27pm PDT

Biz and Theresa talk about taking our kids to the doctor and giving them shots! Guess who has no emotional issues seeing her kids get shots? Hint: Her name rhymes with Beresa. Plus, Theresa has a problem with sharing and Biz is shocked to discover her son only wants to touch his penis….ever. If that isn’t fun enough, the show wraps up with a call from the wise, funny, and extremely pregnant host of Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee McElroy, for a discussion about vaccines! Best episode ever!

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:32pm PDT

Biz and Theresa talk about our eldest kids' birthday parties, what constitutes a momentous age, and how, when kids age, it means parents age! NOOOOOO!!!! Plus, the Universe reminds Theresa she can’t go anywhere…ever, and must be tethered to her baby at all times. Biz moves Ellis into his own room but keeps the emotional baggage with her. Toni Hammer of the blog Is It Bedtime Yet, Stories From a Mom Who Never Wanted the Job joins us to tell us how well people respond to the idea that she didn’t plan on being a mom. (Obviously, everyone is super understanding.) 
 
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Category:general -- posted at: 8:20am PDT

This week Biz is on vacation and Theresa is joined by a guest host! Sarah Morgan is a UK-based comedy writer who also happens to write for MaxFun's own International Waters. Don’t worry, Sarah swears enough to make up for Biz’s absence, but sounds way classier doing it. Theresa and Sarah talk about being away from your family, entitled moms, and baby-led weaning. Plus. Sarah drops a bomb when she says she actually loved being pregnant! Who knew that was possible? We should probably get knocked up again to make sure we did it right the first time.

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:01pm PDT

Biz and Theresa talk about leaving...forever. Just kidding. We talk about the joys of dragging a screaming, unhappy child away from...anywhere! You name it: parks, play dates, Chuck E Cheese. How do we deal with it? Hint: cash bribes do not sway two-year-olds. Plus, Theresa learns there are some things more important than the fact that her kids are tired (who knew?) and Biz decides to try to shift gears with her second child. Nicole Kear joins us to talk about her new book, Now I See You, a hilarious memoir about going blind. We mean it.

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Category:general -- posted at: 2:22pm PDT

Biz and Theresa try to anticipate the ramifications of teaching our kids fart jokes and songs about poop. Are we taking all the fun out of it? Are we creating "that kid" who brings dirty words into their friends homes? Probably yes, and yes. Oh, well! Can't be helped. Plus, Theresa pledges to stop lying about how incredibly (im)perfect her life is, and we chat we the very charming Nancy Lyons about working families.

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Category:general -- posted at: 10:16pm PDT

Biz and Theresa fall back on “making jokes” as our defense mechanism while we tackle the topic of Postpartum Depression, the way the media portrays it, and our own experiences with the ups, downs and way-downs of post-baby life. We then speak with Katherine Stone, founder of Postpartum Progress, who helps us understand postpartum depression and other mental illnesses related to pregnancy and childbirth, including postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, depression during pregnancy, and more.

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:55pm PDT

Swimming! Camp! Pool food! Sunburn! Magazines! This week, Biz and Theresa reminisce about our own childhood summers and make excuses for not giving our kids perfect summertime experiences. Plus, Biz fesses up to co-sleeping with her baby and Theresa is grateful for city parks because she is losing her mother-loving MIND at home with her babies. And, we chat with Amy Vansant about her new book Moms Are Nuts, which is entertaining and cathartic for moms and non-moms alike!

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Category:general -- posted at: 10:07pm PDT

Biz and Theresa want to know why, after all the misery of pregnancy and all the lack of sleep of life with a newborn, we would even think of having another baby. Where does that urge come from? Let’s kill it when we find out. Plus, Theresa compliments her partner and Biz realizes there are no voices in her head except her own. We are joined by author and blogger Dawn Meehan, who is a single mom with six kids! 

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:16pm PDT

Biz and Theresa talk about teething and back up the discussion with so many scientific facts that we consider having the show recategorized from comedy to science. (Note: "facts" stated by Biz and Theresa may not be true / may make you less smart.) Plus, Theresa advises you to never leave before the raffle, and Biz gets weird about a comment on last week’s show. We're joined by singer-songwriter Ellen Harper to talk about the new album Childhood Home, which is a collaboration with her son Ben Harper. 

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:18am PDT

This week, on a Very Special Father’s Day episode of One Bad Mother, Biz and Theresa revisit the always-festive topic of Mom Guilt, and try to create a safe space to admit we don’t always like being a mom (eek). Plus, baby vomit! Instead of calling a mom this week, in honor of the holiday we welcome our partners, Jesse Thorn and Stefan Lawrence, into the studio and chat with them about all the changes over the last year and hear their genius and fails! 
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Category:general -- posted at: 9:17am PDT

Like our postpartum bodies, nothing is where it should be! First, our kids are growing up too fast, and our friends are looking too depressingly perfect on FaceBook. Next, we jump into our topic: we call Jen McLellan of PlusSizeBirth.com, who shares awesome tips for having the pregnancy and birth experience you want -- and loving your body -- no matter your size. Then Biz and Theresa break it down about our own post-baby body feelings and decide to get naked and take pictures of ourselves. That last part may or may not be true. Enjoy!

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:15pm PDT

Biz and Theresa try to answer the big questions, like: what happens when you die? “Go ask you father” apparently does not cut it. Theresa has a breakthrough and Biz’s daughter is finally excited to do things without Biz…weep, sob, I mean, yay! Plus, we speak with Joanne Goldblum, Founder and Executive Director of the National Diaper Bank Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every child in the United States has an adequate supply of diapers to remain clean, dry and healthy. She helps us understand the issues and how to help.

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:12am PDT

Biz and Theresa talk about what it's like when our kids hurt our feelings and how we try to deal with it. Hint: Slamming the door and telling them we can’t be friends anymore sadly is not the answer. Biz contemplates the other side of crazy and Theresa needs a vacation...on a boat! Plus we talk “spirited kids” and kids who hit with Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, author of the popular books Raising Your Spirited Child and Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles: Winning for a Lifetime.

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:45pm PDT

Biz and Theresa remember back to what it was like celebrating Mother’s Day as kids. In retrospect, Mom may have gotten a raw deal, including having to share her dime store, rock hard, but picked with love, chocolates. Plus, we talk about introducing solids and wonder if anyone cares what we feed our kids. Eleni Mandell returns to talk about her new album “Let’s Fly A Kite” and about touring with 3-year-olds (it's apparently super). 

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:30pm PDT

Biz and Theresa discover we've learned nothing from the first go-round and once again are unable to find time for ourselves amidst the chaos of life with babies. What's worse? Parenting is still hard! Plus, Biz’s baby sees ghosts and Theresa’s two-year-old comes face-to-face with FORBIDDEN CAKE! And, Dr. Karp of the Happiest Baby/Toddler series of books and DVDs joins us to solve all our problems.

 
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Category:general -- posted at: 4:04pm PDT

This week, Biz and Theresa try to be helpful. Wait! Where are you going? We talk about the joys and fears of traveling with kids, explore expectations, and give a few tips. Warning: Tip results may vary by family and child. Plus, we're joined by Janice Newell Bissex, of Meal Makeover Moms, who helps us get a grip on dinner time.

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Category:general -- posted at: 7:49am PDT

Biz and Theresa talk about partner resentment and try to figure out WHOSE FAULT THIS IS. It must be somebody's, right? (oh, hahaha...It's obv our partners' fault.) Plus, Biz needs someone to put a triscuit in her mouth and Theresa deals out some hard truths to Biz. And, Theresa has a new TV show obsession and Biz's baby is a vocal music prodigy. No guest this week which means we have plenty of time to gush about our personal lives to a moderately inappropriate extent!

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:44pm PDT

Biz and Theresa discover we are not alone when it comes to how our kids behave when sick. Why don’t they want to rest? Why did TV lie to us?! Theresa describes how hard it was to clean Jesse, Biz discovers she is about to embark on vacation hell, and we talk with feminist blogger and editor of the new book, The Good Mother Myth, Avital Norman Nathman.

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:52am PDT

This week, we take our time and do the deed: we talk about sex. You know, the sex we're all having ALL THE TIME after having a baby? OK, admittedly, we discuss the reasons why it might not be so easy to get back into the swing of things. (Hint: We just had babies.) And we talk with women’s health expert and author Dr. Jennifer Wider, who explains WTF is going on with our libidos and helps us put things into perspective.

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:20am PDT

Biz and Theresa talk about the big lie all soon-to-be parents tell themselves: ”I will never play kids' music to my kids, only real music.” It's funny how fast we broke down. Plus, excellent parenting advice on how to handle “hitting” games. And, Lisa Loeb joins us to talk about her children’s albums and her charity, Camp Lisa!

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:58pm PDT

This week, Biz and Theresa go there...to talk about the scariest place a parent can find themselves, the place where frustration can take us when dealing with our children (and it ain’t Chuck E Cheese). 

Plus, 4-year-olds and pinatas and "Momming-Up" for days with your kids when your partner goes out of town. We also talk unexpected pregnancies and how to rock them with Tracy Moore, Jezebel contributor and author of Oops! How to Rock the Mother of All Surprises.

 

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:31am PDT

Biz and Theresa talk about the emotional roller coaster of letting your child go to school for the first time. Plus, Biz tries to convince you she has ghosts! We are joined by Asha Dornfest, co-author of Minimalist Parenting: Enjoy Modern Life More by Doing Less.

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:55pm PDT

Our listeners star this week as Biz and Theresa play back-to-back Genius and Fail messages from the One Bad Mother hotline. Also, Theresa makes a horrible realization and Biz needs her kids to “level up.” Plus, a heart-wrenching rant reminds us to be kind to one another and to ourselves.

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Category:general -- posted at: 7:41am PDT

Biz and Theresa prove we are still really cool after having kids, Biz realizes she no longer feels judged for parenting decisions, and Theresa talks about how nice she was over the weekend. This is basically a show of lies. Plus, we're joined by one of the original ladies of comedy podcasting, the funny and charming Elizabeth Laime, to talk about her new show, Totally Mommy! 

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:16am PDT

Brace yourselves! Biz and Theresa say nice things about our kids, our partners, and -GASP- even ourselves as moms! THE WORLD IS ENDING! Happy Valentines Day, indeed. Plus, Biz collects urine and Theresa rocks the workout wardrobe. We speak with UK single-mom blogger Vicky Charles about being a single mom and being better for it after leaving an abusive partner.

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:52am PDT

Biz and Theresa navigate the judgey minefield of sleep training and barely escape with our lives, plus Theresa goes to a Mommy-and-Me movie and Biz lets Katherine Belle watch a movie NOT made for 4-year-olds. And, we get professional help from pediatric sleep expert Jodi Mindell!

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:35am PDT

Biz and Theresa try to figure out why it can be so hard to let other people hold your new baby. We also discuss bottle issues and we discover something that Biz can’t do with one hand. Plus, we talk about race and motherhood with Nicole Blades of MsMaryMack.com and author of the article (soon-to-be a book) "Nope! I'm Not the Nanny, Just a Black Mom, Thanks." 

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Category:general -- posted at: 9:33pm PDT

Theresa admits there are worse things than the first month with a newborn...such as, all the subsequent months. Biz gets creative with her feet. And, we come to terms with ever thinking just one baby was hard. Plus, we talk peeing your pants with Britt Erikson who is a Pilates instructor with a focus on pre and postnatal care and a postpartum doula. Who knew there was such a thing?

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Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Theresa “moms up” getting the newborn out of her bed, Biz gets older, and we talk about cleaning house. Our guest this week is economist Emily Oster, author of Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong—and What You Really Need to Know.

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Category:general -- posted at: 8:23am PDT

Biz and Theresa are back! This time with more children! After being away for so long without a great deal of social interaction with anyone other than our own children, we have really saved up “the good stuff,” from our latest birth stories to what it really feels like during those first few weeks with a newborn. Special guest, Biz’s baby! Happy New Year!

Direct download: One_Bad_Mother_Episode_39_-_1_10_14_10.10_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:37am PDT

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