The Things We Know

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...

In this episode, Lisa and Kari  share real talk about setting boundaries with the people who know us best—and often push us hardest. They explore why boundaries with family can feel especially charged, what healthy limits actually look like, and how to hold them without spiraling into guilt, burnout, or people-pleasing. With expert insights, personal stories, and real-world scripts you can use tod...

In this episode, Lisa and Kari sit down with their radiant friend Rebecca Sang—writer, herbalist, teacher, and truth-teller—to explore what it really means to live with ADHD as a woman in midlife. Through laughter, insight, and soul-deep reflection, Rebecca shares how neurodivergence has shaped her parenting, creativity, healing, and pace of life. From emotional depth to executive dysfunction, fro...

Kari and Lisa sit down with Kari's longtime friend and disability rights advocate Coleen Carey for an honest, urgent conversation about inclusion—what it really means, why it matters, and what's at risk for the disability community right now. From the personal to the political, Coleen shares her powerful journey from tech executive to full-time advocate and mother, offering insight into the system...

Fresh off the Plot Twist Getaway Retreat in Chandler, AZ, Kari and Lisa hit record from their hotel room for a real-time reflection on a weekend they won't forget. In this spontaneous episode, they celebrate the unforgettable group of women who showed up open-hearted, each bringing something uniquely powerful to the retreat. The energy was electric, the transformations deep—and yes, there was laug...

In this episode, Kari and Lisa dive into the power and cost of women speaking out—especially when they challenge injustice, broken systems, or long-held norms. They highlight real-world examples of women who've used their voices in powerful ways and reflect on the courage it takes to stand up, often in the face of backlash, judgment, or dismissal. With honesty and nuance, they explore the ripple e...

In this episode, Kari and Lisa attempt to understand the rise of the "tradwife" trend—women embracing ultra-traditional gender roles in the name of choice, femininity, and fulfillment. They unpack how the seemingly harmless aesthetic of domestic bliss on social media can carry deeper political and cultural implications. Referencing articles from The New Yorker, Ms. Magazine, Mother Jones, and more...

In this episode of The Things We Know Podcast, Lisa and Kari sit down with Alisa Johnson, a woman whose journey is defined by courage, transformation, and relentless curiosity.  Alisa is proving that personal evolution never stops—earning a Master of Theology at 68, researching the white church's role in slavery, navigating life as the mother of a transgender son, and deconstructing her conservati...

In this episode, Lisa and Kari explore why compassion and kindness matter now more than ever, especially in a world that often feels overwhelming. Drawing from research by Dr. Ian Weisberg and Florence Scialom, they break down the difference between empathy and compassion, how small acts of kindness create a ripple effect, and why showing up for others is also an act of self-care. They also dive i...

In this episode, Lisa and Kari sit down with Monaye Marcia, a Certified Trauma Coach, author, and international speaker, to explore the power of reinvention and the importance of embracing joy and pleasure at any age. They discuss why so many women struggle to let go of old identities, how societal conditioning makes pleasure feel like a luxury rather than a necessity, and the ways self-betrayal k...

In this episode, Lisa and Kari sit down with Carin Luna-Ostaseski, founder of Hot or Just Me?, to have a candid and much-needed conversation about menopause and perimenopause—a phase of life that every woman experiences but is still surrounded by confusion and misinformation. From the physical, emotional, and relational shifts to advocating for yourself, talking to your doctor, maintaining intimac...

This week, we're bringing you Part Two of our fascinating conversation with Monica Lynne, AASECT-certified Sex and Relationship Therapist, on sensuality and sexual vibrancy through different life stages. Picking up where we left off, Monica dives into the 30s, 40s, and beyond, exploring how career demands, motherhood, shifting priorities, and changing bodies impact libido, intimacy, and connection...

In this episode, Lisa and Kari sit down with Monica Lynne, AASECT-certified Sex and Relationship Therapist, for an open and insightful conversation about sensuality and sexual vibrancy through different life stages. Spoiler alert—it's not about checking off milestones or fitting into stereotypes; it's about knowing yourself, what you love, need, and want first, and embracing vulnerability and open...

In this episode, Lisa and Kari dive into what it takes to raise boys who grow into confident, kind, and socially conscious men. They explore how what society sold as "traditional masculinity" discourages vulnerability, why avoiding conversations about race reinforces privilege, and how to help boys build deep, meaningful friendships that ultimately inspires empathy. Drawing from books like Better...

In this episode, Kari and Lisa explore the subtle difference between being self-critical—a constructive approach that fosters growth—and self-deprecating, which can erode confidence and self-worth. Drawing on insights from Esther Apoussidis, Vaishali Patel, Heather Jones, and Trudy Horsting, they examine how discomfort with praise, fear of appearing arrogant, and ingrained social norms can lead to...

In this thought-provoking episode, Kari and Lisa delve into the contentious world of inclusion, exploring why initiatives aimed at fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have sparked significant backlash. Starting with the question, "Why is inclusion bad?" they examine divisive buzzwords, unpacking their origins and the reasons behind their polarizing nature. As the conversation unfolds,...

In this episode, Kari and Lisa delve into the art of building friendships and creating meaningful community as adults—a challenge many face in a world that prioritizes productivity over genuine connection. Touching on the limits of our social circles and referencing work from experts, they explore why organic friendship opportunities dwindle with age, how busy schedules and fear of rejection can h...