Merging Into Life

Having a baby is one of the biggest life changes you'll ever face, and when it comes to advice and opinions on parenthood, the noise never stops. Between caring for a new life and surviving the sleepless nights, it can be nearly impossible to know what decisions are actually right for your family. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti sits down with Dr. Carole Keim, board-cer...

What does it actually mean to take a restful vacation when our phones come with us everywhere? In this episode of Merging Into Life, Sabrina sits down with Frank from StationeryAt4 to talk about analog living, digital burnout and how to plan a vacation that helps you truly disconnect. From journaling and vinyl records to phone boundaries, quiet mornings, and the myth that rest happens instantly, F...

What if the pressure to find your “dream job” is actually what’s keeping you stuck? In this episode of Merging Into Life, Sabrina Pierotti sits down with career coach Sam DeMase to unpack the realities of career pivots, burnout, toxic work environments, and why modern careers no longer follow a straight line. Sam DeMase explains why today’s careers look more like mosaics than ladders, how Gen Z an...

Whether you’re dreaming of a Pinterest-worthy kitchen or just want to refresh your living room walls, home projects can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re doing it yourself. But it doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti talks with DIY creator Kat Sanders about how she transformed a former cow shed into her dream family home—and what she’s l...

Whether it’s the sudden unraveling of a relationship, the loss of a job, or a lingering feeling of disconnection, the emotional  impacts don’t  always show up the way we expect. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti sits down with psychologist Vassia Sarantopoulou, founder of AntiLoneliness, to talk about how to recognize the signs of emotional burnout, how to take...

Navigating the workplace isn't just about your resume- it's about knowing your worth and learning how to speak up for it. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti is joined by career confidence coach and author Sam DeMase to break down the tools that help people feel more empowered at every stage of their career. From handling imposter syndrome to navigating interviews, setting...

Trying to decide between leasing or buying your next car? You’re not alone—and there’s a lot more to consider than just the monthly payment. In this episode of Merging Into Life, Zack Klapman is joined by Chris Hardesty, Senior Advice Editor at Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, to unpack the financial, lifestyle, and long-term factors that come with car ownership in today’s market. From building eq...

Whether you’re curious about e-bikes, new to biking, or finding more eco-friendly ways to travel, micro-mobility is becoming an increasingly popular (and practical) way to get around. But with more people riding on the road, safety, confidence, and smart planning matter more than ever. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Zack Klapman talks with Tangier Barnes Wright, Deputy Director of Shar...

You don’t have to be a mechanic to handle a roadside emergency with confidence, you just need a little know-how. In this episode of Merging Into Life, Zack Klapman is joined by Audra Fordin, founder of Women Auto Know, to walk listeners through the car safety basics that every driver should know. From how to change a flat tire to what to put in an emergency car kit, Audra shares simple DIY car ski...

Eco-friendly tourism doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing philosophy. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Kim Rodrigues is joined by Claire Martin, an eco-conscious travel creator and founder of Claire’s Footsteps, to talk about how we can all make more mindful travel choices. It doesn't matter if it is in far-flung Sri Lanka or on spring break, the smallest effort can have a big impact. Es...

Planning a trip for toddlers, teens, parents, and grandparents? It may sound impossible but it may be a lot easier than you think!   In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Kim Rodrigues is joined by Nik Kennett of the YouTube travel channel Away Together, to share his advice for making multigenerational travel not only doable, but enjoyable. From setting expectations and picking dest...

What if you stopped waiting for the “perfect time” to travel and just went? In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Kim Rodrigues speaks with Mikah Meyer, who started visiting U.S. National Parks one day, and then didn’t stop until he had visited all 419. From growing up in a flat state with no outdoors experience to setting world records, Mikah’s story is proof that adventure doesn’t require c...

From student loans to credit cards, car payments to “Pay in 4” buttons at checkout, borrowing money has never been more common or more complicated. In this episode of Merging Into Life, we break down the modern borrowing landscape: what to know before taking out a loan, how credit scores really work, and are newer forms of credit like Buy Now, Pay Later a blessing or a financial trap. Julien and K...

We all know the basics: spend less than you earn, save regularly, and avoid unnecessary debt. But if it were really that simple, we’d all be doing it. The truth is, our emotions drive more financial decisions than we realize. In this episode of Merging Into Life, Julien dives into the emotional side of money with Certified Financial Planner™ Eoin McGee. They explore how stress, habits, identity, a...

Talking about money with your partner isn’t just a financial decision, it’s an emotional one. Whether you’re dating, married, or somewhere in between, how you communicate about spending, saving, and values can make or break trust in a relationship. Yet for many couples, these conversations feel daunting or even taboo.  In this episode of Merging Into Life, we explore why financial transparenc...

Nobody hands you a manual for adulthood, but that doesn’t mean you have to wing it alone!  Season 2 of Merging Into Life is here to unpack the real questions we all face, from buying your first car to planning a family vacation, and finding the courage to bring up finances with your partner. This season is all about meeting life’s twists and turns with confidence. Hosted by a rotating cast of...

What do you serve? Who do you invite? What’s the perfect number of guests? How do you spark great conversation? We've got the answers with Dana Marie Roquemore, Founder of The Dinner Party. She throws dinner parties for a living and knows how to deliver on food, hospitality, and conversation. There's really nothing like sitting down and sharing a meal with friends family and maybe even a few stran...

Travelling to new places is always an adventure, but if you really want to escape the mundane and truly explore you might want to consider renting your own wheels during your time in a new place. But with great freedom comes great responsibility--and possibly some anxiet--around tiny parking spaces, narrow streets and unfamiliar rules of the road. But don’t let that hold you back! Terry Abromitis,...

Planning a wedding is a big deal! There are venues, food, flowers, vows, photographers...the list goes on! It’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life, but how do you balance all the stress with the joy of celebrating love? That’s where we come in. Meet Jessica Bishop, founder of Budget Savvy Bride, host of The Bouquet Toss podcast, and author of the bestselling Budget Savvy Wedding Planner...

Ever wondered why cruises are such a big deal? Spoiler: they're basically floating resorts with skating rinks, private islands, and zero cooking or cleaning required. What’s not to like? But before you set sail, there’s a lot to figure out like a packing strategy, what’s worth splurging on, are the on-shore excursions worth it and what happens if you miss the boat? We’ve got the covered. Join Dana...

Independence usually means flying the nest. Getting out from under parental rule, making your own decisions and having some space for yourself. But life happens and sometimes that means returning home. Just because moving back in with your parents wasn’t on your adulthood bingo card, doesn’t mean it isn’t a good move. On this episode we’ll talk to Paige Mariah, a successful, vibrant, thirtysomethi...

On the one hand we have points programs, maybe insurance and credit building, but on the other there’s high interest rates, annual fees and the potential to rack up a lot of debt.  How do we use credit cards for good and skip the tough lessons? Listen in to Katherine Fan, a personal finance journalist who breaks down the basics, like how to avoid common pitfalls, make the most of your cards p...

For many of us, retirement is a bit of an abstract idea. It’s far away in the future, it can be hard to picture. The unknowns are infinite. So how do we plan for that? Step one: Just start. The earlier the better, too, because we’ll just keep getting older and it’ll be nice to have a little something to make those later years more fun. Join our guest Pamela Capland, certified financial planner and...

What’s more fun than looking back over the year and remembering all the great things that happened? Not much! So join us in the episode that finds all the fun and fascinating nuggets from the first 16 episodes of Merging Into Life.  Each episode has its charm, and we’ve gathered as much as we could fit into this one episode as a thanks for coming along for the ride with us. Life-hacks, hot ti...

Fewer of us are rushing out to drive in the first year we’re eligible. But just because you don’t start driving as a teen doesn’t mean you never will. That driver’s license isn’t going anywhere without you! If you’re thinking about taking the wheel for the first time, or you want a refresher, listen as Linda Ricci, Assistant Manager at AAA’s Rhode Island Driving school walks us through the basics....