Hope & Humor Video Podcast

How we talk to our teens matters more than we realize. In this episode, Kristina shares what teens say helps them open up to their parents. She discusses how to communicate with our teenagers in a way that actually reaches them: how to have difficult conversations without turning them into lectures, how to set boundaries without damaging connection, and how to help our kids develop confidence, res...

Have a dream you want to pursue, a brand you want to build? Kristina shares the tips that helped her build something successful from nothing, and the principles she still relies on today to keep growing and thriving. Honest advice, hard-earned lessons, and a reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out to get started.

In this raw, deeply moving conversation, Kristina sits down with Dr. Laura Berman to talk about Crying Out Loud, her book about the unimaginable loss of her teen son and the grief that followed. Laura opens up about the kind of heartbreak that changes you forever, and what it means to keep living when your world has been shattered. Whether you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one or are navigati...

Kristina asked her audience to share the most ridiculously, next-level unhinged lazy thing they’ve ever done, and the responses did not disappoint. From hilarious confessions that will make you feel a whole lot better about your own life choices to surprisingly brilliant shortcuts that prove laziness can actually be a superpower, this episode is packed with laughs, questionable decisions, and geni...

Kristina explores the difference between healthy helping and anxiety-driven helping, the kind of over-involvement that soothes our worries but can accidentally rob our kids of opportunities to problem-solve, build confidence, and learn that they can handle hard things. How do we know when to step in and when to step back, when to resist the urge to rescue our kids from every disappointment, reject...

Depression can be hard to explain to someone who’s never experienced it. In this episode, Kristina asked her audience to put depression into words, what it feels like and what they wish others understood. An honest conversation about breaking the stigma, knowing you’re not alone, and the importance of reaching out for help. This episode is for anyone struggling with depression, as well as anyone w...

Part 2 with renowned sex and relationship therapist Dr. Laura Berman to answer questions listeners called in with. Kristina and Dr. Berman talk about worrying that your kids might walk in on you during sex, whether a marriage can survive (and even thrive) after infidelity, healing and reconnecting with your body after sexual trauma, and what happens when a miscarriage makes sex feel intertwined wi...

Kristina sits down with renowned sex and relationship therapist Dr. Laura Berman for an honest conversation about sex. They discuss why it’s so important to have open, age-appropriate conversations with our kids about sex, and Dr. Berman answers questions from listeners: Can sex still be fulfilling during menopause? What can cause sudden changes in erections and sexual function? And after experien...

If you're nervous about aging, this episode is for you. Kristina and her producer, Cat, have an honest, no-sugarcoating conversation about getting older, aging on our own terms, and share encouraging stories that prove we're never too old to pursue a new dream.

Kristina shares a hard-earned lesson from parenting her son through a difficult time: the more she tried to control the situation, the worse things became, not just for him, but for her and their relationship. In this episode, she talks honestly about the difference between helping and controlling, why our attempts to “fix” things can sometimes create more harm, and what she’s learned about lettin...

Kristina sits down with teen coach Carey Reilly to discuss how parents can help their kids discover their passions, find purpose, and use their unique gifts to make a positive impact in their community. Carey shares practical advice for encouraging confidence, curiosity, and meaningful growth in teens. She also offers valuable tips for students who are considering college, including ways to streng...

Death is one of the few experiences every family will face, yet it's often one of the hardest subjects to talk about. In this episode, Kristina welcomes Amy Pickard, founder of Good To Go, for an honest conversation about end-of-life planning, talking to children about death, family communication, and why avoiding these discussions often creates more pain than having them. At the heart of Amy's wo...

Do you ever feel like you're expected to do it all, be it all, and somehow make it look effortless? In this episode, Kristina and her producer dive into the reality of Superwoman Syndrome. They explore the pressures and societal expectations that women face, how these messages often teach us to put our own needs last, and what it takes to break free from the cycle of self-neglect and create a life...

Kristina is joined once again by Jacy Patt, founder of Mentionable Means Manageable Youth Advocacy and a dedicated advocate with more than 15 years of experience working with at-risk youth and their families. Through years of building trust with young people, Jacy has heard firsthand from kids who are struggling but don't feel comfortable opening up to their parents. She shares powerful insights a...

Kristina gets real about something she’s been working on for most of her life: overcoming chronic negativity. Calling herself a “recovering pessimist,” Kristina shares practical strategies that have helped her shift her mindset, and answers listener questions about dealing with negativity. Whether you’re a lifelong pessimist, an occasional overthinker, or simply someone trying to see the glass as...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised. In this deeply personal and important episode, Kristina tackles the ongoing issue of sexual harassment and sexual assault, with a particular focus on the rise of online sexual harassment and the troubling ways it continues to be excused, normalized, and d...

In this powerful episode, Kristina sits down with Jacy, the remarkable woman she credits with helping save her son's life during one of the darkest periods of his mental health struggles. Through a raw and inspiring conversation, she shares her own journey from a childhood marked by severe trauma and abuse to dedicating her life to helping young people find hope and a path forward. Her story is a...

This episode explores what it takes to create healthy, thriving relationships at every stage of life. How do we set ourselves up to be healthy partners and choose the right partner for a thriving relationship? Whether you're single, have been with your partner for decades, or simply want guidance on what to teach your kids before they start dating, this episode offers practical insights.

Kristina opens up about one of the hardest and most life-changing experiences of her life: divorce. She shares what helped her heal, rebuild herself, and slowly find peace and joy again. Kristina also answers two voicemails from listeners currently struggling through divorce, offering encouragement, insight, and hope for the road ahead.

Kristina talks about navigating co-parenting after divorce and what helped her create the healthiest possible environment for her kids. She shares the “formula” she came up with to keep herself accountable and not allow her ego to take over, lessons she learned about dating after divorce, and what it was like getting remarried as a single mom. Most importantly, she reminds single parents that lone...

Kristina shares some of the parenting tips, mindset shifts, creative tricks, and practical habits she’s learned over more than 20 years of raising kids, the kinds of tips that helped keep her (somewhat) sane and made parenting feel a little easier at times. From sibling rivalry to empowering kids to navigating various challenges, this episode is filled with ways to help reduce stress and strengthe...

Life can surprise us in the worst ways: health scares, financial stress, grief and loss, relationship struggles, parenting challenges, mental health dips, and those seasons where everything feels uncertain all at once. How do we keep it from taking over everything? In this episode, Kristina shares what has helped her navigate unexpected chaos and hardships and reminds us not to allow the few thing...

Life can be hard, which is why the little things matter. In this episode, Kristina and her producer share fun family traditions that help create connection, bring laughter, and give the family something to look forward to. Kristina also shares creative traditions sent in by listeners, reminding us that joy can be found right in the middle of ordinary life.

In this episode, Kristina talks about one of the heaviest things so many parents, especially moms, carry: guilt. The constant feeling that you’re not doing enough, not being enough, or completely screwing up. She unpacks how to tell the difference between guilt that can guide us and guilt that just drains us, why prioritizing ourselves is actually healthy for our kids, and how to start letting go...

Supporting a child who is struggling with mental health can feel overwhelming, confusing, and at times, heartbreaking. In this episode, Kristina shares simple, everyday actions that helped her support her own son through depression, anxiety, and ADHD. From building trust to communicating in ways that help a child open up, this conversation offers practical, usable guidance.   She also explores how...