Coffee & Chaos

The gang’s all here! Alina, Tom, Steph and Angel talk about the unflattering “mid-life crisis” myth you see in the movies versus the real transition from being a caretaker to finally getting your life back. Should we feel guilty for going all out? Join the discussion!

Who takes out the trash? Who cleans the gutters? The traditional answer has always been a 3-letter word, but today, many will say "it depends." Alina and Tom welcome back sis Angel to look at how those hard lines that once defined the responsibilities of men and women are now much softer, and in some areas, gone altogether. Join the discussion and leave your opinion in the comments!

Yes, *someone* in this discussion thinks she'll end up chained to a basement wall if she joins the millions of people who swipe for soulmates! Alina's guests share their wins and losses with online dating and reveal some of the bait-and-switch tricks used by catfishers and desperate date-hunters. Come on in!

It's one-on-one as Alina welcomes Vic Tuberosi, co-owner of the San Pedro icon Joseph's Bakery. While the cameras weren't rolling for all the catching up of old friends, they did capture Vic's incredible neighborhood involvement, his dreams for the bakery, and the love and respect he has for his dad. Join us!

Gen Xers. Millennials and Gen Z were all called slackers by their predecessors. But every now and then, you find one who defies the stereotype. Alina brings back Steph and Tony to meet JJ, a self-made entrepreneur who, at 18, is already profiting and setting goals for her future. Hear her inspiring story, and just ignore Stephanie's wardrobe malfunction!

Wet hair, bare feet, raw eggs ... what do they have in common? Each spells doom for the unlucky person --- if you believe in that kind of stuff! Alina and guests share their best old-world superstitions handed down from grouchy grandmas. Got a few of your own? Listen in and compare!

Ron, or "Coach Carter" to his San Pedro teams, joins Alina and Steph to discuss the learning environment for kids in middle and high school. Are parents and teachers' ability to influence kids limited by social media and the new advocacy for self-expression? Coach has an effective and straightforward way of getting through!

Is it a myth that same-sex couples get along better because of the "same sex" part? Alina and Steph welcome two women in same-sex relationships -- one dating, the other married -- to talk about growing up gay, how they solve problems within the relationship, and how they view -- and are viewed by -- society. Tune in!

It's a quartet in the studio as Tom and Tony rejoin Alina and Steph! The crew digs into traditional roles in relationships, work and household and gives opinions as to the impact on the new generation. Put your waders on: it gets deep!

Why do people cheat? Alina and Steph welcome Lou and special guest Sherman to tackle the stay vs. stray topic. Is it in our bones, or does social media make it easier to slide? And can these 3 guests chip away at Alina's "No way, Jose" resolve? Join the discussion!

Welcome back to another episode! We finally get to welcome Alina's much-talked-about son Seth to the couch along with self-proclaimed co-host Stephanie, He talks about growing up without a dad and where he found his male influences, many of which came from his mom.

Alina welcomes back Tony and Stephanie to talk about the effects of social media on kids, dating and relationships. The group works collectively to keep Alina on task (which ain't easy), and Solomon compares the social media world with high-end sushi.

Can the difference of opinions in politics or religion shake up a household? Can you have different parenting styles? Alina welcomes back Stephanie to discuss these serious topics but laughs a little too much thanks to Solomon’s simple forgetfulness.

It seems like every other podcast is covering the topic of how men are not the same as the men of old, and as a result are less attractive to women. Alina welcomes back her sister and Tom to give their opinions on today's men as well as the young men they are raising. Of course, Alina ALWAYS has her two cents, and Solomon chimes end toward the end. Join us!

Alina welcomes Stephanie Bancroft on the show to talk growing up half-black, half-white and how it impacted her self image and external relationships. Alina also examines her own feelings about her kids discovering other aspects of their nationality that are as far from Mexican as you can get!

Yes, relationships can come down to pen and paper (or in Tom's case, the Notes app on his phone), and this week, Alina, Tom and Angel compare their deal-breaker dating characteristics!

Can longtime single women actually live with men? Alina and Jen dive into the barriers to living under the same roof, and reveal some long-hidden fears to taking the steps toward new committed partnerships.

Jen is back from her 2-week dental stint, and she opens up about the struggles of raising an addict. Parents have to make tough choices each day to decide how to best support an addict without being drowned in debt and guilt. Alina and Solomon chime in with their own familial experiences. Join us for fun and powerful conversation!

Alina is joined by her sister and two besties to talk about what makes a great friendship. The answer? There's levels to this stuff! Hear their takes on the ones you keep close, the barriers that can break friendships, and those you keep at arm's length (or further!)

Alina is sans Jen this week, but it doesn't means she's solo! She's joined by friends Tony and Tom as the trio discusses a subject that most men don't like to talk about: mental health. The boys candidly discuss some of their own issues and reveal how their experiences shape their approach to mental health with their children. And Alina asks the question so many women ask: how can...

Hey everyone! You see a lot of male-female friendships ... but how did they start? And if one person expresses interest in taking it further, would that friendship turn into a situation-ship, a hookup-ship, or worse? Join Jen and Alina as they apply the question to family friends, co-workers, and EXES! Plus, here what Solomon says a person in a relationship should never, ever do. Tune in!

They're back ... and the topics get juicier! Alina and Jen discuss picking the wrong guys and how those experiences shaped their views on mid-life dating. Plus, Jen shows off IG body pics, and Alina weighs dating versus grandkids ... can she do both? Tune in!

Welcome back! Pour yourself a cup and tune in as Alina and Jen dig into kids and grandkids, life goals and sacrificing for the family. Plus, Alina gets challenged to take on a life-changing task!

Our first episode: Listen for 10 minutes and you'll understand the "chaos" after the coffee! Subscribe and stay tuned as we unpack dating, relationships, older kids and mid-life everything. We'll see you here each week! Find us on Instagram: @CoffeeandChaospodcast