The Longest Shortest Time

Talking with Kids About Race and Racism

Recommended resources for grown-ups and kids from writer Eula Biss.

EPISODE #135: White Guilt and Other Crazy Sh*t

This week we are continuing our conversation on how to talk to kids about race and racism, especially when you’re uncomfortable talking about it with grown ups. Writer Eula Biss joins us to help us unpack the complicated forces inside our heads that hold us back.

EPISODE #124: When Mom Says Oy! And Dad Says ¡Ay!

What traditions should you pass down to your kids when you and your partner come from completely different cultures? And why does keeping those rituals alive even matter? The Mash-Up Americans help us navigate family life in hyphenated America.

EPISODE #121: Family Jam

It doesn’t matter if you play Americana, hip hop, or death metal—everybody comes from a family of some kind. Hrishikesh Hirway, creator of the podcast Song Exploder, reveals the hidden parenting stories behind some of your favorite popular songs.

EPISODE #116: How to Not (Accidentally) Raise a Racist

What’s the best way for white parents to talk to their kids about race? We called in Dr. Brigitte Vittrup, who studies children’s racial attitudes, to help us out—and to answer questions about cringeworthy moments with your own kids.

EPISODE #114: Babymaking While Queer

It’s roundtable time! Two couples talk about family planning as queer people of color. And how their own parents and cultural backgrounds inform their decisions.

EPISODE #111: Kids Ask Negin Farsad Unanswerable Questions

Comedian Negin Farsad on esoteric allergies, the power of fire hydrants, and growing up Muslim … all in this edition of Kids’ Unanswerable Questions.

EPISODE #99: When Grace Lin Realized She Was Chinese

When Grace Lin was a kid, she hated being Chinese. In this interview, the Newbery-award-winning author talks about how a handful of boring books and an inquisitive Italian helped her to embrace her parents’ culture.