Call Your Mother

We talk to writer Lori Gottlieb, who pens The Atlantic's "Ask a Therapist" column about what it's like to be a therapist in therapy. Shannon and Jordana talk about their adventures (and misadventures) with therapy. But that's not all: The bane of modern parenting — SLIME — and places you don’t want your child to put it is discussed, and since Jordana's mom is on vacation, the team places a call to Shannon's adorable 94-year-old grandmother.

Got a story to share? Email us at callyourmother@kveller.com. We’re waiting to hear from you. Or leave us a voicemail at 908-248-4273.

Music:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Evidence Song" by The Good Lawdz
"Fallen Stars" by Ketsa
"Swing America" by Dimusic
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan ft. Habit Blcx

Bryce Gruber, a Manhattan mother of five, social media influencer, and founder of The Luxury Spot, comes to chat with Shannon and Jordana. The trio covers everything from Bryce’s appearance on Millionaire Matchmaker, to her marriage to an Israeli she met in shul, to the birth story of her fifth child which almost (literally) killed her. She candidly shares about her fierce love for Antiques Roadshow, how she almost moved to Israel to get the right medical care, and how the perfect lipstick cannot, in fact, change your life (#shocking). Plus, Gram talks about the horrors of children’s birthday parties, and Shannon discusses the ultimate Father’s Day gift: Ambien.

Got a story to share? Email us at callyourmother@kveller.com. We’re waiting to hear from you. Or leave us a voicemail at 908-248-4273.

Music:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
“For Hip-Hop” by Marscott
“Rewind Back” by Marscott
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan ft. Habit Blcx

In light of increased restrictions on abortion around the United States, this episode focuses on stories of women who were already mothers when they made the choice to have an abortion. Jordana and Shannon sit down with Shannon Berkowsky, who was a mother of two when her third pregnancy developed problems and she had a second-trimester abortion. Voicemails from listeners tell stories of the various reasons behind their choices to have an abortion. And Gram gives advice on what to do when someone gives you WAY too much information.

Got a story to share? Email us at callyourmother@kveller.com. We’re waiting to hear from you. Or leave us a voicemail at 908-248-4273.

Music:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
“Hip Hop Happiness” by Mellowsstu
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan ft. Habit Blcx

Jordana and Shannon chat with Esther Wojcicki, whose daughters include Susan (the CEO of YouTube), Anne (the CEO of 23andMe), and Janet (a Fulbright-winning professor of pediatrics and epidemiology). Esther talks about growing up in an Orthodox household and how it made her strive to raise successful girls. “Gram” lets Shannon know how to figure out when to let kids stay home from school, and Jordana tells about becoming an inadvertent accomplice to (goldfish) murder.

Got a story to share? Email us at callyourmother@kveller.com. We’re waiting to hear from you. Or leave us a voicemail at 908-248-4273. Come chat with us in the Kveller Moms Facebook Group

Mentioned in this episode:
“How to Raise Successful People” by Esther Wojcicki

Music:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Lo-Fi Afternoon" by Marscott
"Gentle Talk" by Marscott
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan ft. Habit Blcx

Jordana and Shannon sit down with Mira Jacob, the author of the graphic memoir Good Talk: A Memoir In Conversations, to talk about living as a woman of color married to a Jewish man, and raising an Indian-Jewish son in 2019 America. Also, she talks about what it’s like to navigate life with Trump-supporting in-laws. "Gram" chimes in with her thoughts about abortion, and Shannon shares what she really thinks about what her husband puts on a bagel.

Music:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Don’t Forget" by Marscott
"Ambient Magic" by JulioKladNiew
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan ft. Habit Blcx

Mentioned in this episode:
Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations 

Jordana and Shannon talk with Jamie Stelter, New York One’s traffic and transit reporter, about Jamie’s six miscarriages, her struggle to get and remain pregnant, and how she has been outspoken about her fertility struggles on social media and beyond. This episode covers the whole circle of life, from the struggle to become pregnant to...well, we’ll let Shannon surprise you. And Jordana’s mom chats about what to do when you get bad advice.

Music:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
“Puzzle” by Tobu
“Libertad!” by Eaters
“Foolin” by Nangdo
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan ft. Habit Blcx

Mentioned in this episode:
Babyquest provides financial help for fertility treatments, which can be extremely expensive and prohibitive for many: https://babyquestfoundation.org/

Writer Carla Steckman talks to Jordana and Shannon about losing her not-yet 2-year-old daughter, Talia, to Tay-Sachs Disease, “extreme parenting,” and what we can learn from our own children. Jordana and Shannon catch up after the podcast’s hiatus, about pregnancy (Shannon’s) and escape (Jordana’s).

Music:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Valantis" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Outsider's Paradox" by Springtide
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan ft. Habit Blcx

Mentioned in this episode:
-Learn more about Tay-Sachs and what you can do to help families facing genetic diseases at the National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association (Carla is on its board), which is leading the fight to cure Tay-Sachs and other genetic diseases at www.NTSAD.org.
-Ashkenazi Jews in particular, but truly all couples, are encouraged to do genetic screening before having children (as Carla did). You can learn more about what you can and should do at https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/genetic-screening-and-judaism/.
-Carla is at work on a memoir about her experience parenting Talia. You can read more of her work at www.carlasteckman.com and https://thewarmweightoflove.wordpress.com.

Springtime! Matzah! Saltwater! Sacrificial shank bones! To celebrate Passover, the dynamic duo at Call Your Mother talk with the dynamic duo behind Kveller's very own haggadah. Gabrielle Birkner and Elissa Strauss worked hard to make a haggadah that keeps kids and their parents jazzed and curious about the seder. Then, Marnie Fienberg discusses 2 For Seder, a program she launched to combat anti-Semitism and to honor her late mother-in-law, who was killed in Pittsburgh's Tree of Life shooting. Plus, Shannon's daughter makes a surprise appearance and divulges intel about that time her mom almost killed her. Happy Pesach!

Mentioned in this episode:
Learn more about 2 For Seder 
Check out the Kveller Haggadah 

Music:
"Anna Banana" by Eaters
"Fallen Stars" by Ketsa
"Evidence Song" by The Good Lawdz (edited)
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan (ft. Habit Blcx)

Jill Kargman spares nobody and nothing in her books Momzillas and Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut, and in her late, beloved TV show Odd Mom Out. In real life, too, the actress, comedian, and writer finds very little that's sacred. In a hilarious and wild conversation, Kargman talks about life in DORITO (hint: it's a neighborhood in Manhattan), being shunned at her daughter's ballet class, the problem with traveling by private jet, and how she responded to anti-Semitism at her son's private school. Plus, we learn about the proper size of a bialy and gain more insight into Jordana's dynamic with her mother.

Mentioned in the episode:
Momzillas, https://amzn.to/2VwWKhg
The Kveller Haggadah, https://www.kveller.com/haggadah/

Music:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Good Thing" by Ménage Quad
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan (ft. Habit Blcx)

Trans activist Rafi Daugherty joins the Call Your Mother team to talk about his decision to become a single father by choice. Raised a girl, Daugherty started transitioning in his 20s and never gave up his dream to be a parent. He discusses the challenges of single parenthood, how he talks about gender roles with his kids, pizza, and more. Plus Shannon and Jordana weigh in on "Baby Beluga" and Jordana's mom talks about accepting the inevitability of parental fallibility.

Music
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"I Let" by Sanmi
"Baby Beluga" by Raffi
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan ft. Habit Blcx

Mentioned in the episode:
Keshet
The Kveller Haggadah
Gittel's Journey

Best-selling author Jennifer Weiner talks about Mrs. Everything, her epic forthcoming novel. Taking on history, loss, feminism, and more, it's the product of Weiner's frustration with her mother, Fran, who always refuses to answer specific questions about her sex life. Weiner tells the team about her struggle to love her body, why she sometimes rages at her deceased dad, and what she likes about making challah. Plus, Jordana and Shannon get tips on combating sibling rivalry among their kids.

Music:
“Voicemail” by Khronos Beats
"Assassin" by Ikebe Shakedown
"Shake It and Break It" by Lanin's Southern Serenaders
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan ft. Habit Blcx

Journalist Dahlia Lithwick joins the Call Your Mother team to discuss pre-Passover blowtorching needs; the Jewish ladies on the Supreme Court; and her son's love of bacon. Plus, is Shannon's daughter a sadist? This episode was co-produced by Elissa Goldstein and Sara and Ivry.

Music:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Valantis" by Blue Dot Sessions
"A Farewell to Trends" by Dustmotes
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan (ft. Habit Blcx)

Jordana and Shannon pepper Ophira Eisenberg, the host of NPR’s Ask Me Another, with questions about her rocky road to motherhood, how she decided she wanted to be a comedian (she was only 10!), and when living in the moment is a special kind of hell.

Music:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Libertad" by Eaters
"Meeting MT Fox" by Boxcat Games
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan (ft. Habit Blcx)

A decade ago, Emily Gould’s confessional blogging and New York Times Magazine cover story — with its sexy bedroom portrait — made her the “It” girl of the digital age. One marriage, two children, and nearly three books later (her second novel comes out in the fall), she’s forsaken "telling all" in order to protect her kids’ privacy. She talks about inequities in parenting responsibility and how they hinder womens’ achievements, including her own.

Music
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Evidence Song" by The Good Lawdz
"Soulbox" by Dustmotes
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan (ft. Habit Blcx)

Long obsessed with American pop culture, Israeli-born writer Naomi Fry talks about Ben Affleck’s tattoos, Axl Rose’s political awakening, and other phenomena she's covered for the New Yorker. Plus, Shannon tells us about having a “hygge” moment (and what that means).

Music:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Love of my Life" by BoxCat Games
"Dark Eyes" by Teddy and Marge
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan ft. Habit Blcx

Anti-Semitism, ageism, complaints that she's mocking her late mother — nothing's too precious for comedian Judy Gold. She joins Call Your Mother to discuss coming out, being disinherited, the legacy of Joan Rivers and so much more. Then, Jordana's mother offers her own five cents on what sets Jewish mothers apart.

Music
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Bossinha" by Chico Correa and Electronic Band
"The Makings" by Nangdo
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan (ft. Habit Blcx)

Feminist activist and single mom Rachel Sklar talks about being disrespected, political awakenings, and where "leaning in" falls short. Then Jordana's mom discloses the one failproof item that will get a parent through the night.

Music notes:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"State of Guanarrrrbara (Electromagnetic Mix)" by Boss Bass
"Spills" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan (ft. Habit Blcx)

Jen Simon invited herself to people's houses for a single reason: to raid their cabinets for opioids. A middle-class suburban Jewish mom, she didn’t fit the addict stereotype, and kept her dependency a secret from friends and family. Jen talks candidly with the Call Your Mother team about coming clean and getting clean.

Music notes:
"Voicemail" by Khronos Beats
"Outsider's Paradox" by Springtide
"Valantis" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Spills" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Best I Can" by Jasmine Jordan (ft. Habit Blcx)

Celebrity chef Einat Admony, whose restaurants include Balaboosta and Taim, dishes (see what we did there?) about morning orgasms, likens kids to farts (“You just like your own”), and opines about guilt. Plus, Jordana describes the ongoing battle with her “feral child” about actually stopping what she’s doing in order to pee.

Hosted by Jordana Horn and Shannon Sarna. Call Your Mother takes on the sometimes happy, sometimes trying mess of parenting while Jewish. With equal doses of humor and candor, journalists Horn and Sarna (with eight kids between them) talk with comedians, writers, chefs, and other parents about everything from addiction to flatulence to anti-Semitism and ageism. Nothing's sacred. Nothing's taboo. For insight and perspective on the trials and rewards of being a parent today, tune in to Call Your Mother.