Say The Things

In this vulnerable episode, I share my recent Mother's Day shame spiral and how cultural expectations left me feeling "wrong" for not experiencing the picture-perfect joy we're told mothers should feel. I explore the crucial difference between shame ("What's wrong with me?") and guilt ("What did I do?"), offering practical questions to help identify your own shame triggers and the language they sp...

An unexpected wake-up call provided by a high schooler provided me curiosity around what we aren't saying. In this episode, I explore what keeps us silent when we should be speaking up - from our misguided telepathy expectations to the emotional labor calculations we make without even realizing it. Join me for a candid look at the phrases beyond "I love you" that might actually transform your rela...

If you're the one who remembers every birthday, every school form, and every detail of everyone's life—you might be over-functioning. In this episode, I'm getting real about the hidden emotional and mental load so many women carry, especially in midlife. I share how this pattern forms, why we cling to it, and the high cost it has on our health, relationships, and joy. If you're ready to stop drown...

I'm asking a simple question today: when was the last time you felt plain, old "whelmed"—not over, not under, just steady? Growing up as latch‑key kids taught many of us that love was earned through being good, easy, and hyper‑capable, so we learned to outrun every need in the room. Now the hustle is our baseline, but it's costing our sanity and stunting our kids' growth. In this episode I trace h...

Have you noticed how quickly we snap these days — in traffic, in line, or over something as small as an umbrella at a track meet? In this episode, I unpack why so many of us feel constantly on edge, and how stress, overstimulation, and emotional burnout might be driving more of our reactions than we realize. I'll share a recent confrontation that left my hands shaking — and the questions it raised...

This episode is inspired by an encounter at a grocery store where I almost missed a meaninful connection because of my unconscious "habit of hurry," despite having no real time pressure. This experience led me to get curious about how many of us live in a constant state of rush, creating false urgency that affects us physically and emotionally while preventing us from fully experiencing moments th...

We are being emotionally manipulated by media and algorithms designed to keep us engaged through fear, outrage, and anxiety. I've discovered that my actual day-to-day life barely changes regardless of national politics. The 'news' we consume today isn't really news—it's opinions delivered by personalities who feel like friends but don't even know our names. In this episode, I share practical strat...

In this episode, I dive deep into the concept of letting go of past dreams that no longer serve us. We explore those persistent inner soundtracks - the "shoulds" and negative self-talk that keep us trapped in an unlived life. I challenge you to pause, reflect, and say goodbye to the dreams and thoughts that are holding you back, making space for the joy and potential of who you are right now.

I missed last week's episode because I welcomed a foster puppy into our home, which unexpectedly gave me time to sit, read, and reflect on our "unlived lives" - those desires we've silenced for too long. During this forced pause, I realized how much of what remains unlived in our lives can remain dormant simply because we don't speak up about what truly matters to us. Honest conversations - even w...

Today we're diving into something deeply personal—our unlived life . It's not just about the big dreams we've abandoned; it's the potential we've yet to step into, the hobbies we never explored, the desires we've been told were impractical. I've been there—living small, holding back, and thinking I needed absolute clarity before taking action. But what if action itself brings clarity? What if simp...

Boundaries are essential for a healthy life, yet they can be challenging to set and enforce. In this episode, I share a personal story about navigating boundaries with my teenage son and the emotional weight of following through on consequences. We also explore how boundaries go beyond just saying no—they protect our time, energy, and well-being. If even Wonder Woman had limits, why do we expect o...

Are you wearing metaphorical "big red shoes," pushing yourself into roles and routines that don't actually serve you? In this episode of Say the Things , we explore our relationship with energy—how we use it, how we waste it, and how we can align with our natural rhythms instead of forcing ourselves into schedules that don't fit. From mental and emotional energy to physical stamina, I challenge yo...

In this special bonus episode, I sit down with my husband, Andy, for our first-ever podcast interview together—wine in my closet and all! We dive into the world of Valentine's Day social media posts and the authenticity (or lack thereof) behind them. Andy shares his honest take on the curated perfection we often see online, and we reflect on how our past relationships shaped the way we communicate...

Love and social media—what's really going on behind those carefully curated posts? In this episode of Say the Things , I dive into the history of public love declarations (turns out, we've been doing this for thousands of years) and what research tells us about why we post about our relationships. Are we sharing or performing? Seeking validation or celebrating real connection? Our attachment style...

I love comfort - there, I said it. But as we move past "Quitters Day" and into the heart of 2025, I'm getting curious about what we actually care enough about to get uncomfortable for. Join me in exploring the difference between the changes we choose and the ones that choose us, and why sometimes the most important question isn't about change at all - it's about what matters enough to make us will...

Satisfaction, my husband asked me 'what makes me feel satisfied' while in a flurry of frustration, I moved on. But that question got me thinking about our complicated relationship with joy and why we often find it easier to share our pain than our pleasure. Let's talk about what happens when we dare to believe we're worthy of joy and what it means to choose heaven here and now. https://www.instagr...

For years, I thought my inner critic was just echoes of my dad's voice, but the journey took me deeper into understanding the impact of emotional abuse and how it clutters our inner dialogue. I'm sharing my experience and learning to recognize when those "never" and "always" statements are red flags. Come explore how we can choose which inner voice to feed and why self-compassion, not self-critici...

I've been getting quiet lately, really quiet. Setting aside my phone, choosing peace, and even embracing boredom has me thinking deeply about our relationship with time. Join me as I explore how we view time - through seasons, through social constructs, through expectations - and what happens when we dare to see time not as something to maximize, but as a precious gem meant for healing. https://ww...

In this final episode of 2024, I explore the fascinating roles we unconsciously play in our relationships and interactions. Drawing from my personal experience as a "truth teller" on a nonprofit board, I dive into how different roles like the peacemaker, caregiver, rebel, and connector shape our connections and dynamics. I examine the potential tensions and benefits of these roles, especially duri...

In this week's episode, I jump into the raw and vulnerable journey of rebuilding self-trust. I share my personal experiences of how years of narcissistic abuse eroded my ability to trust myself, and the powerful strategies I've learned to reclaim my inner wisdom. From keeping tiny promises to practicing radical self-compassion, I'm revealing the roadmap to developing a profound relationship with y...

In this episode, I explore the fascinating world of gratitude, diving into how our genetics, brain chemistry, and personality types influence our ability to feel thankful. I share research-backed insights on why gratitude can be challenging for some and provide practical strategies for cultivating a more grateful mindset. From understanding the role of genes to recognizing gratitude blockers like...

This week, I'm diving into a topic that hits close to home: how cancel culture and politics are impacting our friendships. From ghosting to passive-aggressive unfriending, it seems like disagreements are dissolving even the deepest connections. But is it really about politics—or something deeper? Join me as I explore the messy reality of friendship, the importance of hard conversations, and how we...

In this vulnerable episode, I dive deep into how a simple conversation about coping mechanisms versus authentic personality led to some major personal revelations - especially about my role as a parent. Through conversations with my husband and a serendipitous book finding, I discovered that what I thought was "just who I am" might actually be ways I've learned to cope with life. I invite you to j...

In this episode, I'm making a significant shift in how I show up on this podcast - no more hiding behind research or filtering myself through fear. After recognizing how my divorce led me to develop protective coping mechanisms, I'm ready to get real, raw, and occasionally curse-word-filled as we explore everything from relationships and parenting to dealing with high-conflict personalities. If yo...

Today, I explored how a simple comment about manipulation during my walk led me to deeply examine what it looks like in our closest relationships. I realized that manipulation often goes unnoticed because we become desensitized to it, especially with people we care about. If you feel like you're walking on eggshells with someone or they use your vulnerabilities against you, it might be time to rec...