The Things We Know

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa step into a conversation that has been simmering for a long time. Faith and Freedom explores how personal belief, public power, and democracy are colliding in ways that shape everyday life. They share personal stories about faith, talk openly about the rise of Christian nationalism, and name why the separation of church and state matters now mor...

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa lean into the question behind the title What to Feel (WTF) because lately both meanings apply. When the world keeps throwing curveballs, it is hard to know whether to rage, cry, laugh, or shut down entirely. Together they talk about the emotional whiplash of this past year, the grief beneath our anger, and how to keep hope alive when it feels li...

In this episode of The Things We Know, Lisa and Kari get real about power and the many ways it shows up in everyday life. They talk about the difference between power that controls, power that tries to help but sometimes misses the mark, and power that is shared and lifts everyone. Along the way they share what this looks like in their own lives, in coaching, and in community. They also name the q...

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa talk about the small but powerful difference between reacting and responding. They share where this shows up in their own lives as moms, caregivers, partners, and friends, and how easy it is to either blow up or shut down when emotions take over. They offer simple practices that help create a little space before we act, like naming what we are f...

Some stories are too powerful to stay untold. In this compelling conversation, Kari and Lisa are joined by memoir and business book ghostwriter Jenny Nesbit—a spiritual life coach and visionary who believes that when women tell the truth about their lives, they not only heal themselves but help others feel less alone. From surviving domestic abuse to helping others reclaim their voice, Jenny share...

What does it look like to face life's hardest battles twice—and still come out laughing, leading, and lifting others? In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa sit down with Amy Spence: mom, marathon runner, master transformation coach, and two-time breast cancer survivor. Amy shares her journey with raw honesty and humor, from the moments that tested her to the strategies that helped h...

Maya Angelou's challenge is simple but piercing: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa unpack what it really means to live by those words—in parenting, caregiving, politics, justice, and how we treat our planet. From unlearning old assumptions about children and loved ones, to confronting the gap betw...

Dehumanization has become the cheap currency of politics, media, and even casual talk—and it's leaving us more divided than ever. In this episode of The Things We Know, Lisa and Kari look at how words and labels strip people of dignity, whether it's whole communities cast as threats or the double standards baked into our justice and political systems. They don't shy away from naming the hard stuff...

What holds women back from stepping fully into leadership isn't just the boardroom—it's the kitchen, the calendar, and the endless to-do list at home. In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa dive into Katty Kay and Claire Shipman's The Power Code and the chapter that made them stop in their tracks: "Pots and Pans and Power." They unpack how the unequal division of household labor—and...

 In headlines and hearings, we still see the same pattern play out: women brave enough to tell the truth are met with skepticism, hostility, or outright dismissal. That disbelief doesn't just silence—it revictimizes, forcing survivors through systems built to malign and exhaust them, while convictions remain rare. No wonder so many choose silence, carrying fear and shame instead of justice. In thi...

In this episode, Kari and Lisa take a closer look at the phrase "just be nice" and the cultural conditioning behind it—especially for women. They explore how niceness often masks self-silencing, emotional disconnection, and fear of conflict, while true kindness is rooted in clarity, courage, and respect. Drawing from the work of Glennon Doyle, Brené Brown, Harriet Lerner, and Resmaa Menakem—as wel...

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa get real about something most of us experience but rarely talk about: what it feels like to live in a body that's changing. From shifting energy and brain fog to the pressure to "age gracefully," they unpack how culture, comparison, and internalized expectations shape the way we see ourselves. With reflections from their own lives and insights f...

In this episode, Kari and Lisa sit down with behavioral scientist and neuroscientist Dr. Amanda Wiggins to explore what's really happening in women's brains during midlife—and how to support clarity, creativity, and calm in a world that often demands the opposite. From the neurological effects of burnout to the hidden cost of masking exhaustion at work, they unpack why so many women feel foggy, ir...

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa unpack the difference between being a lighthouse—steady, grounded, and offering light—and being a lifeboat, jumping in to rescue others at their own expense. They explore how many women are praised for being selfless helpers, and how that conditioning can lead to overfunctioning in friendships, caregiving, and relationships. Through honest conve...

In this episode, Kari and Lisa dive into the discomfort—and the possibility—of life's "in-between" seasons. These liminal spaces, where we're no longer who we were but not yet who we're becoming, can feel quiet, confusing, and unsteady. They reflect on personal and collective in-between moments, from career shifts to cultural upheaval, and how this space of becoming is ripe with transformation if...

In this episode, Kari and Lisa talk with writer, producer, and GOLD Comedy founder Lynn Harris about the deeper power of humor—especially for women in midlife who are ready to take up more space. They explore how comedy builds confidence, shifts culture, and creates connection, and why being funny isn't about performing—it's about being bold, authentic, and fully yourself. Lynn shares stories from...

Recorded right after the budget bill was voted in, first Lisa and Kari have their feelings then they realize this episode is more important than ever.  They explore why play matters for adults—especially during times of stress and uncertainty. From spontaneous laughter to imaginative role-playing, play isn't just a luxury—it's vital for connection, healing, and mental health. Drawing on research f...

Kari and Lisa had other plans for this week's episode—but the world felt too heavy to ignore. They returned to Isabel Wilkerson's Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents because it offers something essential right now: a way to understand the invisible structure beneath so much of the chaos, cruelty, and division we're witnessing. In this conversation, they break down key ideas from the book, reflec...

In this episode, Kari and Lisa revisit the familiar concept of love languages—but with a much-needed upgrade. Drawing from personal experience, recent articles about research, and a sharp cultural critique, they unpack why the original framework, while helpful, doesn't fully reflect the emotional realities women live today. They explore what's missing—like mental load relief, shared enthusiasm, an...

Everyone's feeling some level of stress about money in these uncertain times, so Kari and Lisa brought back financial well-being coach JD Rose—whose work is all about empowering women to shift their relationship with money. In this episode, they explore why financial struggle often isn't about budgeting, but about safety, capacity, and the deeper stories we've internalized. JD shares meaningful, g...

In this episode, Lisa and Kari take on the topic of rejection—not as a dead end, but as an opportunity to learn, grow, and realign. They share powerful examples of women who turned rejection into redirection, along with coaching insights and personal reflections on how to reframe rejection as feedback instead of failure. For a fun change, they recorded this one together in person, and the energy s...

In this episode of The Things We Know, hosts Kari and Lisa engage with sustainability trailblazer Maria Dowd from Dowd Solar Group, uncovering her remarkable journey from pioneering women's empowerment events to revolutionizing solar energy. Tune in to discover how smart, renewable energy choices transform communities and empower women to take control of their futures. Kari and Lisa dive into acti...

In this episode, Lisa and Kari welcome back their friend and past guest Sherry Turner to share her powerful story of resilience after losing her home in the Palisades fire earlier this year. Together, they reflect on the devastation of the January fires in Los Angeles, the myths that circulated in the media, and the often-overlooked stories of everyday people who faced loss and stepped into rebuil...

In this episode, Kari and Lisa sit down with Molly Biehl Corbin, a certified life and career coach whose work on forgiveness has touched lives across communities and continents. Molly shares how a very public and devastating personal loss became the catalyst for her decades-long exploration of forgiveness—not as a passive ideal, but as a powerful tool for healing and transformation. Drawing from h...

In this episode of The Things We Know Podcast, Lisa and Kari sit down with Alyssa Nogaski, certified travel coach and founder of Solo Girl Wanders, to explore the transformative power of solo travel. Alyssa shares how stepping outside of comfort zones—whether across the globe or just down the road—can spark self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. She opens up about her own journey from social wo...