The Longest Shortest Time

When Rumors Spread Like Wildfire About the Fire Commissioner

April 15, 2026·41 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Laura Kavanagh knew she would encounter challenges as the first female fire commissioner of the FDNY. But she didn’t anticipate the false rumors that she slept her way to the top — or the nastier rumors about her supposed pregnancy. Now, for the first time, she shares what was actually going on in her reproductive life when she ran the fire department. … Recommendations from the archive • Listen to Eggs Over Freezy for more about the process of freezing your eggs. • Curious about IVF? Check out One Woman, 3 Kids, 15 Rounds of IVF. … Episode resources • Laura Kavanagh wrote an op-ed for Fortune about her time as FDNY commissioner, and how to change the workplace for the better. … Sponsors (using our links supports the show!) … • Join LST+ for community and access to You Know What, another show in the Longest Shortest universe! • Follow us on Instagram • Sign up for our newsletter, where we recommend other parenting + reproductive health media • Buy books by LST guests (your purchase supports the show!) • Website: longestshortesttime.com ... Cover photo credit: Guerin Blask for City and State Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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