The Longest Shortest Time

EPISODE #87: The Mortality of Motherhood

Seven years ago, my friend and colleague Kelly McEvers moved to the Middle East to become a foreign correspondent in a war zone … and to have a baby. She chronicled her gut-wrenching inner conflict over being a mom who puts herself in harm’s way for a living in her powerful radio documentary Diary of a Bad Year: A War Correspondent’s Dilemma, which she produced with Jay Allison and Transom.org. After hearing the doc, I called Kelly at her studio in Beirut to talk about what everyday motherhood is like when you do the job she does. (Hint: pumping in a war zone poses unique challenges!)

Shortly after that interview with Kelly, she quit her job as foreign correspondent, and she and her family moved back to the States. These days, Kelly hosts NPR’s All Things Considered, as well as her own podcast, Embedded. Tune in to this episode to hear my interview with Kelly from a few years ago. Plus, a new conversation, where Kelly talks about what things have been like since she (reluctantly) came back home.

What experiences have made YOU feel mortal as a parent?
Tell us in the comments!

Top photo: Jay L. Clendenin; Kelly with tanks: Glen Carey

Our sponsors for this episode are Age of Learning – ABCmouse.com, Owlet (code: PARENTING), AT&T Digital Life, Ibotta (code: LONGSHORT) and Icon Undies (code: LONGSHORT) Use the promo codes at checkout for a special discount.