Awkward Family Conversations

 Death is the ultimate transition, from being to not being. It looms over all of us, and it creates a lot of stress and anxiety. But does it also give our lives meaning? (Plus, Rhett is probably not long for California, and Addie is going gluten-free again for her health. And more about Elon Musk. . . .) 

 Transitioning out of the workforce into retirement can be liberating. Or it can create financial and emotional challenges. (Plus, Addie is thinking about coding as a career, and Rhett's car became Addie's ride -- eventually. And the economic discussion continues. . . .) 

 Ending an intimate relationship can be one of the most disrupting events in our lives. About half of marriages end in divorce, so how do we navigate that transition? (Plus, Addie is visited by a lizard and Rhett still gives up the funk . . . . ) 

 40% of Americans suffer from chronic illness (including Addie). How can they manage their many challenges? And the ongoing discussion of capitalism vs. collectivism gets another go-around. (Plus, Addie loved the family trip to Quebec and Rhett still loves pizza . . . .) 

 Almost all of us will change jobs or careers several times during our working life. What are the issues we'll face as we navigate those work-related transitions? (Plus, Addie and Rhett spent the day in Santa Cruz 9 years ago and ate some excellent ice cream from Marianne's. . . .) 

 We often measure our lives' progress by milestones, like birthdays, rituals like confirmation and bar mitzvah, and events like weddings. Why are these milestones so important to us? (Plus, Addie and Rhett visited New Zealand, and neither likes to ask for directions. . . .) 

 Having children changes your life in more ways than any other decision you can make. So how can you know if you want to do it? (Plus, Addie didn't care for blueberries when she was young and Rhett doesn't like rodents but some rodents like him. . . .) 

 The relationship with our partner will be the most important of our life. How can you make it work? (Plus, Addie's first concert was Gotye and Rhett can still sing his high-school fight song. . . .) 

 Moving from one home to another is always a stressful time, whether you're moving across town or far, far away. How can you manage these physical transitions? (Plus, Addie has two cats that refuse to kill bugs and Rhett is enamored with Missoula, Montana. . . .) 

 Leaving your childhood home is the first major life transition for many of us. Why is it so challenging? (Plus, Addie has new-ish body art and Rhett once wrote a novel. . . .) 

 Few of us will work for the same company for our entire career. How do I know when it's time to leave, and how should I move on? (Plus, Addie was a young thrillseeker and Rhett is completely normal.) 

 Sometimes work can just be a grind. How do you recognize and recover from burnout at work? (Plus, Addie celebrates Claire-the-audio-intern's gotcha date and Rhett distinguishes between pets and children. . . .) 

 At some point in our careers many of us feel underused or undervalued. When should we ask for more, and how do we go about having those conversations? (Plus, Addie's time in Boston and Rhett is prescient about diet!) 

 Mistakes are part of life, even at work. What do you do when things go south? (Plus, Addie loves little creatures and little creatures love Rhett!) 

 Can I party on a business trip? Do I have to go everywhere with other people from work? Where should I go for dinner? Addie and Rhett talk about the rules for business trips. (Plus Addie digs astrology, Rhett is known by many names, and what does "professionalism" mean?) 

 Holiday parties, teambuilding events, charity dinners, department offsites. We all know how to behave at work, but what do we do at a social event with a business context? (Plus, Addie's undergrad thesis proves popular and Rhett's punctuality. . . .) 

 Taking on extra work can be a great way to set yourself apart and to build new skills and experiences. When should you raise your hand, and when is discretion the better part of valor? (Plus, Addie in Africa and when Rhett tried to sell Aunt Susan. . . .) 

 Mentors can be incredibly valuable resources to help develop your career skills, knowledge, and experiences. But how do you find mentors, and how do you get them to help you? (Plus, Addie's body art and Rhett's parenting philosophy. . . .) 

 People often feel marginalized by office politics. We all believe ideas should stand on their own merit, so how do you move your ideas forward without running afoul of the personal agendas of coworkers? (Plus Addie's first art commission, and Rhett is a lightweight!) 

Leaving your high-school and college jobs behind means moving into a professional workplace, where expectations are more numerous and more nuanced. What does your boss want to see from you, and what do you do when there's a difference in expectations between your boss and your company? Plus Addie drives in the snow for the first time and Rhett goes bungee jumping. Season 3 starts now!

We often feel awkward and uncomfortable when we can't do everything for ourselves, and yet we also get great satisfaction from helping others. How do we reconcile this imbalance in our relationships and ask for help? (Plus Rhett's stylish reading glasses and Addie's tax return!)

With busy lives full of jobs, commutes, family, friends, children, pets, hobbies, chores, and volunteering, how can we find the time and energy to live a healthy life? It's actually easier than you think. (Plus, Addie picks up a tab and Rhett's haircut!)

Survey says one in five young people report feeling lonely 'most of the time' or 'always'. Why do we feel lonely, and what can we do to navigate those times in our lives when we feel like we're all by ourselves or lack the confidence in ourselves to find our way? (Hint: pets can help!)

"Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together." -- Woodrow Wilson. Friends and family members are vital to our well-being, and they make any adventure more fun and any challenge more possible. So how do you create healthy relationships with your friends and family members? (Plus the true story on Addie sneaking out as a teenager!)

Recent studies show 60% of pop songs are about love, so romance is clearly on our minds. Yet up to half of adults struggle with intimate relationships and spend considerable time being single. What's the secret to creating and maintaining a healthy relationship with a partner? (Plus "Naked Time" and "The Courtship of Miles Standish"!)

Your relationship with yourself might be the most important relationship in life. It sets the foundation for your relationships with others, and it plays a key role in how much you'll accomplish in your life. So how can we create a healthy relationship with ourselves?

78 million Americans are obese. Only 12% of us get enough fruits and vegetables. 90% of Americans eat more sodium than is recommended. How can we eat better?

Only 5% of US adults get 30 minutes or more of daily exercise, and only one-third of us get the recommended amount of weekly exercise. How can we get moving more consistently?

One-third of American adults regularly get less than the 7 hours minimum sleep they need. Why is it important to get the necessary amount of sleep, and what can I do to make it easier to go to bed and stay asleep?

A January 2020 survey of the American Osteopathic Association showed that physical health is the area of people's lives that most needed improvement: 42% of respondents listed it compared to 41% who identified financial security. Only 5% of Americans exercise 30 minutes per day, and only one-third of us get the recommended weekly exercise. 37% of Americans are obese, and one-third regularly get less than the recommended 7 hours of sleep per night. How can we do better at being healthy?

Half of US workers have left a job because of a bad boss. We've all had bosses who annoy us, so what's their deal? Why can my boss be such a jerk?

Companies are talking a lot about the importance of lifelong learning. Does that mean coming changes in the workplace will make current knowledge and skills obsolete? And if so, what does that mean for my career?

With Baby Boomers leaving their workplaces, the professional path is clearer for Millennials and Gen Z (Zoomers) to take more responsibility. How do they take full advantage of these opportunities?

A lot of Millennials and Zoomers are experiencing challenging starts to their careers. What can they expect their careers to look like? (With a special guest appearance from Addie's cat Claire!)

More than half of #Millennials want interesting work that allows them to learn and grow. Yet half of Americans work for less than 80% of the $75,000 threshold where money ceases to increase happiness or enjoyment or alleviate sadness or stress. How do we look at the trade-off between job satisfaction and income?#GenZ #Zoomers #income #jobsatisfaction

70% of people are looking for a new job. What's the best way to find a better job when you're already employed?

Good news: According to Gallup, a greater proportion of people than ever before are engaged with their jobs. Bad news: just 35% of people are engaged with their jobs. If you're one of the 2/3's of us who are ambivalent at best about your work, what can you do to change that?#worklifebalance #employeeengagement #jobsatisfaction #millennials #GenZ #zoomers

93% of people think budgeting is important, but if you're one of the one-third of us who still don't make a budget, how do you tackle this important task?

Are younger people really just bad at managing their money? Or are there bigger issues in play?

Many Millennials and Zoomers feel like life is just going to suck forever – financially speaking – and then they'll die. Are they right? Or just lacking perspective?