Memoirs and podcasts are what happen when you're busy making plans

Almost no part of journalist Hillary Frank’s childbirth and recovery experience went according to plan.

There was much physical pain, much anger, much isolation.

But once Frank realized that she wasn’t alone — that other women had similar struggles — she decided to reach out to those who still believed they were alone.

She launched a podcast called The Longest Shortest Time, which discusses childbirth, sex, and parenting young children, and which ultimately inspired her new book, Weird Parenting Wins.

Frank talked about her past as well as the book on Fresh Air with Terry Gross; you can listen below or read the transcript on NPR’s website.