Parenting is a Joke

Laura Benanti Is Not Asking for Permission, Thanks


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In this special rerun of Parenting is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg welcomes the multitalented Tony Award-winning star Laura Benanti for a conversation that’s both unforgettable and fiercely real. Laura opens up about the high-wire act of being a working performer and a parent, sharing stories from her early Broadway debut at 18 to the surprising joys of suburban life in New Jersey. She talks about negotiating equity in her marriage, resisting outdated gender expectations, and the invisible labor of motherhood—even when you're the family breadwinner. Laura also shares her experience with postpartum depression and multiple miscarriages, including a deeply personal account of suffering a miscarriage while performing on a cruise ship, with her six-year-old daughter singing beside her. She reflects on the lack of public dialogue around pregnancy loss and why she felt compelled to speak out. The episode touches on ghost stories, crystal wands, and her daughter’s Halloween exposure therapy via a 12-foot skeleton. Plus, hear how Laura turned texts with a friend into the hilarious and empowering book M Is for Mama (and also Merlot)—written for moms who are tired of the prairie-dress fantasy. The phrase “medical disappointment” might just become your new go-to for life’s curveballs.

📍August Shows are Ohio, Atlanta, and NY!

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Parenting is a JokeBy Ophira Eisenberg

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