Let’s be honest—motherhood is beautiful, magical… and occasionally the audio equivalent of a blender filled with LEGOs. Between toddler tantrums, never-ending laundry, and trying to remember if I’ve eaten lunch (or brushed my hair), I discovered a secret survival tool: podcasts.
These aren’t just background noise while I search for that missing shoe—they’re my mental spa, my mom friends in my earbuds, and sometimes the only adult voices I hear all day that aren’t asking me for a snack. Whether I’m driving in silence that’s not really silence or hiding in the bathroom for a sanity break, these five shows have truly kept me going.
So if you’re looking for laughs, wisdom, or just a good reason to put your earbuds in and pretend you’re “busy,” here are the podcasts I swear by—because no one handed us a manual, but thankfully someone did hit “record.”
1. What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood
This podcast is my comic relief, my laugh-therapy, and the thing that saved me from full-blown meltdown after a LEGO-foot incident. Amy and Margaret, the hosts, are hilarious—but in a “yep, that happened to me too” kind of way, not a performative stand-up kind of way. They mix research and ridiculousness in a way that makes me laugh and learn—rare combo, right? Their banter feels like a playdate with your funniest friends who also know way too much about child development. I listen while folding laundry or during nap time and often end up laughing out loud and accidentally waking someone up (oops). But it’s worth it for the dose of humor that reminds me I’m not the only one bribing my kids with snacks. It’s like a weekly permission slip to find the absurd in the everyday chaos. If motherhood is a circus, these two are the hilarious ringmasters.
2. The Lazy Genius Podcast
Kendra Adachi, aka the Lazy Genius, speaks directly to my tired mom soul. Her motto—“Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t”—should honestly be stitched on every diaper bag. She gives practical advice in bite-sized episodes, perfect for listening during the preschool pickup line or while hiding in the pantry with chocolate. She’s the voice of reason when I’m spiraling about birthday party themes or decluttering the junk drawer (again). What I love is how she blends intention and grace—like, you can care deeply about dinner, but it’s okay to serve cereal sometimes too. Her tone is like a best friend who also happens to be wildly organized but never makes you feel bad about it. If you’ve ever felt like a hot mess with a to-do list longer than your toddler’s bedtime routine, this podcast is your permission to breathe. And maybe to skip mopping this week.
3. The Mom Hour
There are some days when I don’t need another parenting tip—I just need to hear another mom say, “Yep, me too.” That’s what The Mom Hour feels like: two seasoned moms (Meagan and Sarah) pulling up a chair and handing you a warm drink and a dose of reality. They don’t shout solutions; they gently talk through real-life stuff like school lunches, sibling drama, and yes—how to keep your sanity during “witching hour.” Their vibe is calm, wise, and refreshingly non-judgy, like that one mom friend who always has tissues, snacks, and solid advice. I usually listen while making dinner, nodding like I’m in a support group I never signed up for—but absolutely needed. It’s not about being a “perfect mom”—it’s about being a real one. And real is so much more comforting. Honestly, I walk away from every episode feeling a little less alone and a lot more capable.
4. Unruffled by Janet Lansbury
Janet Lansbury is like the Yoda of respectful parenting—except instead of teaching Jedi mind tricks, she teaches you how to calmly navigate toddler meltdowns without losing your cool (or your voice). Her episodes are short, soothing, and packed with “aha” moments that make you want to redo every parenting moment you’ve ever had. When I first found her, I binge-listened like I was cramming for a parenting final exam. Her advice feels like a warm blanket of logic during an otherwise irrational day of parenting small humans. She doesn’t guilt-trip—she gently reframes everything in a way that makes you say, “Ohhh… that’s why they’re doing that.” I’ve literally started sentences with, “Well, Janet says…” and my husband now knows exactly who I’m talking about. This is the podcast I turn to when I want to respond, not react (aka not yell like a banshee). Every episode is like a free parenting class, minus the eye rolls and sticky handouts.
5. The Motherly Podcast
The Motherly Podcast feels like coffee with a wise, soulful friend who reminds you that being a mom doesn’t erase the rest of who you are. Hosted by Liz Tenety, it dives into deep conversations with inspiring women—authors, doctors, CEOs, and moms who’ve lived a thousand lives and still pack lunchboxes. This podcast makes me feel like more than just a mom—it taps into the part of me that dreams, reflects, and still craves adult conversation. I often listen when I’m alone (rare, I know), and I leave each episode feeling seen and somehow smarter. It’s not fluff—it’s real, honest, beautifully told motherhood in all its complexity. Whether it’s about identity, ambition, or navigating loss, the stories stick with you. It’s like therapy, motivation, and girl talk all rolled into one. If you need a soul-level recharge between diaper changes and dinner prep, start here.