Friends Helping Friends Helping Friends: The Jess and Kait Podcast

This week Kait and Jess chat with our friend and former (“overlapping”) roommate Amanda @amndashow about the ins and outs of planning a wedding. Small business shout out: Gracie's Kitchen (Syracuse, NY). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kait and Jess are back from an unexpected (so sorry!!) hiatus. In this episode we chat about quitting filler words such as “like”, our favorite teachers, oddities of the suburbs, our favorite place we've travelled to, and a few other topics. We ended on two different games (“kiss/marry/kill” and “desert island”) that ended up being more thought-provoking than we anticipated. Stay tuned for some fun future guests we have planned! Small business shout-out: Mamma Santina Pizza in Brightwaters, NY (@mamasantinapizza) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kait and Jess chat this week with Alison Leigh, a hairdresser/master stylist/colorist with 20+ years in the business. Alison talks about owning her own salon, misconceptions about her job, her favorite haircuts, vegan eating, West Coast vs. East Coast, and other fun topics! Small business shout-outs: VegOut Bethlehem (Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant; Bethlehem, PA @vegoutbethlehem) and Hair By Eskandalo! (Bethlehem, PA; eskandalohair) Thank you to our former guest Maggie for the nomination!!! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kait and Jess discuss the qualities of a few countries that scored close to 0 on World Health Organization's health system performance assessment (scale of 0 to 1). We also chat about the possibility of paternal leave in the USA and our issues with GPS systems. Small business shout-out: Mecha Noodle Bar (New Haven/Fairfield/Stamford/West Hartford, CT) @eatramen --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kait and Jess discuss healthcare systems in other developed nations and how they compare to the USA (access, quality). We talk about our own stressful and confusing experiences navigating the healthcare system in the USA (especially as it relates to insurance coverage) and how the medical “sickness” model of profit over people has caused a great deal of harm. Stay tuned for Part 2! Small business shout-out: Party Lab MD (@party_lab_md); Unique decorations with balloons, flowers, and artificial material for any occasion - DC, MD, VA area --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kait and Jess recap some favorites of the year and share a few yearly stats from the podcast (for example, 42 percent of you listen between the hours of 11am and 5pm). We conclude with our final rant of 2021: access to Covid-19 testing. Small business shout-out: Asia Star Cafe (Tinton Falls, NJ) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kait and Jess discuss a few current court trials and highlight some disparities in the judicial system. Kait also elaborates on a false, discriminatory, and ill-informed ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association) complaint against SLP Dr. Ianessa Humbert. Small business shout-out: Local Burger Co. (Bay Shore, NY; @localburgerco). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess talk Adlerian psychology, specifically as it relates to Alfred Adler's (mostly debunked) theories on birth order, personality, and behavior. We also chat a bit about the unfortunate epidemic of mass school shootings in the US (32 in 2021; 24 since August; Education Week's 2021 School Shooting Tracker). Content warning: gun violence Small business shout out: Willy Nilly Trading Company (Bayshore, NY; @willynillytrading) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Close to 37.5% of small businesses in the US have failed to reopen due to the pandemic (The Economic Tracker, Harvard University). Kait and Jess provide a holiday shopping guide, but also provide a list of listener-supported and listener-submitted small businesses to support during these uncertain times. We also got a little distracted and exchanged some of our interesting "fainting" stories... listen until the end to catch our "ranting about rants" segment! Happy holidays! We are not sponsored or endorsed by any of the products or gifts mentioned. Small businesses featured: Rae Cerulean (https://www.etsy.com/shop/RaeCerulean) Simply Me Boutique (South Florida; https://shopsimplyme.com/) Amalli Talli (https://amallitalli.com/) Say Thanks More - Thanks Morris (https://www.thanksmorris.com/shop/say-thanks-more-journal) Centric Business Solutions (MD/PA/DE/DC; https://www.centricbiz.com/) Pufferbellies Toys (Staunton, VA; https://www.pufferbelliestoys.com/) Keswick Vineyards (Keswick, VA; https://keswickvineyards.com/) Staunton Olive Oil Company (Staunton, VA; https://stauntonoliveoilcompany.com/) Bookshop.org (Buy Books Online, Support Local Bookstores!) Stumpy's Hatchet House (Eatontown, NJ; https://www.stumpyshh.com/eatontownnj/) Taste and Technique Cooking (Fair Haven, NJ; https://www.tasteandtechnique.com/) Daisy Chocolates LLC (Monmouth Beach, NJ; https://daisychocolates.com/) Some holiday shopping links: Bombas (https://bombas.com/) StitchFix (https://www.stitchfix.com/) Olive and June Nail polish kits (https://oliveandjune.com/collections/nail-polish) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess chat with Maggie Riegel of @bethlehemmemequeen and @ahsfxmemes fame to discuss her extensive educational background, her love of memes, and her recent research exploring queer identity construction and visibility in the TV show American Horror Story. Maggie was referred to us by former guest Justin Torok of @ghostencountersPA. Small business shout-outs: Mythic Beasts & Brews (@mythicbnb) in Easton, PA and Social Still Distillery (@socialstilldistillery) in Bethlehem, PA. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess contextualize the re-recording of Taylor Swift's albums and the recent release of her extended 10-minute version of “All Too Well” from the album “Red”. We also chat about the current inflation rate and its impact on daily life. Small business shout-out: TRUFF Hot Sauce (@sauce). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait graciously allowed Jess to discuss some aspects of athlete transitions out of sport (athlete identity, etc.). Jess talked about some of her own sport experiences, and Kait drew some parallels to the transition of no longer being a student. With COVID-19 accelerating many athletes' transitions out of sport, this is a timely topic of conversation. Small business shout-out: The Grill at Harryman House (@harrymanhouse; Reisterstown, MD). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Happy November! This week Kait and Jess explore the history behind astrological signs and their supposed correlations to human behavior. Is your sign an accurate depiction of who you are? Why or why not? Small business shout-out: Bloodshed Farms Haunted Drive-Thru (bloodshedfarmsfearfest.com; Columbus, NJ) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In the spirit of Halloween, Kait and Jess felt it was the perfect time to chat about ghost encounters with filmmaker and paranormal investigator Justin Torok (@justintorok). Justin was nominated to be on our podcast by former guest Tony Gilio (@tonygilio)! Justin gave us some insight into proper equipment and the process of hunting ghosts. We also chatted about our own spooky paranormal encounters. Check out Linktr.ee/GhostEncounters for links to Justin's podcast, YouTube show, and more! Small business shout-out: PhoenixFire Media (Bethlehem, PA; Phoenixfiremedia.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess talk about all the non-stereotypical things associated with each place we've lived. We conclude with a rant about motorcycle safety. Small business shout-out: Ithaca Beer Co. (@ithacabeer) in Ithaca, NY. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess explore some of the deep, silly, and/or trivial thoughts we've had in the shower. We were deeply inspired by the “subreddit” page r/showerthoughts. We discuss future parenting decisions, eyebrows, and why airplanes rotating with the Earth. Please remember to take care of your mental health; you can't pour from an empty cup! Small business shout-out: Jamesport Farm Brewery (@jamesportfarmbrewery) in Riverhead, NY. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess bring the Theranos fraud discussion to present day, where we outline some key takeaways from the ongoing Theranos trial. At the time of recording, week 3 of the trial was wrapping up. We also spend some time talking about “crocs” (are they cool now?), PowerPoint, and excessive silverware. Small business shout-out: Salt & Barrel authentic oyster bar (@saltandbarrel) in Bay Shore, NY featuring the works of local NY artist Juliet Schreckinger (julietschreckinger.com; @julietschreckinger) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess talk about Theranos, a now-defunct healthcare company founded by Elizabeth Holmes. Theranos (once valued at 9 billion dollars) claimed to have invented a blood testing system that uses only a finger prick sized amount of blood to run hundreds of tests. As we later learn, the product did not work! Millions of people were making healthcare decisions based on faulty machines. Kait and Jess discuss the background of the company, the toxic work culture created by Holmes, how Holmes conned so many investors, the ethics of intent, and why you can't run a healthcare company like a tech startup. Many thanks to the work of John Carreyrou (author of the Theranos book “Bad Blood” and host of the associated podcast of the same name; first journalist to uncover the scandal) and Rebecca Jarvis (host of ABC news-produced podcast “The Dropout”). Listen to the end of the episode for our popular “ranting about rants” segment. Small business shout-out: Baugher's Orchards & Farm (baughers_orchard) in Westminster, MD. #buylocal --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess speak with another one of Kait's college friends, @davelo3. Dave/David (it's a running joke) is a software engineer who talks about pivoting away from a career in physics, the higher education system in France, automation, GitHub, and why he loves Elon Musk so much. We are convinced the Dave/David will develop the next best tech invention! Our “ranting about rants” segment covers annoying TikTok voice narrations, landlords, and why the Theranos fraud scandal isn't getting enough coverage. Small business shout-out: Softlock Games (gaming video creators; @softlockgames) - check out their newest game “Manic Mania” for Windows and macOS: softlock-games.itch.io/manic-mania --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Jess and Kait spoke with Kait's college friend and the designer of our podcast logo, @tonygilio. We chatted about his early work in production for Viacom, and his new career as a trial prep investigator. Kait, Jess, and Tony also shared some collective experiences about each of us working as delivery drivers. Our rant segment took quite an interesting turn as we discuss a hilarious Dominoes incident!! Small business shout-out: Mixed Media Artist @rae.cerulean Check out their Etsy page: etsy.me/36osjRB --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess reflect on TV, movies, music, technology, clothes, and current events from the 2000s (like 9/11, for example). In our “ranting about rants” segment, we rant about slanted parking lots at grocery stores and clothing tags. If you'd like to nominate a guest to be on our podcast, please do so via our Instagram page: @friendshelpingpod. Small business shout-out: Americano Pie Bar (@americanopiebar) in Islip, NY. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess catch up with Kait's good friend from college, Lenny (@lennydibono). Lenny discusses his fitness journey and how he became interested in running Ultra races (hint: any racing distance above 26.2 miles is considered “Ultra”). He also talks about his current training plan for an upcoming 104 mile race, and other interesting insight into BEARS as well as the Ultra racing community. Kait and Jess catch up on the weekend we spent hanging out in person (finally!!), and Lenny joins in on some #rants. Small business shout-out: Nature Backs Clothing (@naturebacks) in Fayetteville, Arkansas. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Jess and Kait reminisce about TV, movies, music, toys, and fashion from the first decade or so of our lives (aka “the nineties”). We trade stories back and forth about hilarious childhood memories and conclude with our traditional “ranting about rants segment”. Small business shout-out: American Ice Co. Cafe (@americanicecocafe) in Westminster, MD. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess spoke with Simrah Awan (@simrah.awan). Simrah currently works as a Digital Assistant, where she creates media content for the Golden State Warriors (@warriors). She previously interned with the Milwaukee Bucks (@bucks) in a similar role. We discuss the ever-changing landscape of social media, the importance of networking, a day in the life of a digital content creator, authenticity, and persisting despite setbacks. We conclude the episode with a rant about songs being unavailable on streaming platforms, not crediting artists on social media posts, and failures of the “talk to text” function. Small business shout-out: Maranta Plant Shop: A Black and Brown-owned Plant Shop in Milwaukee, WI (@marantaplantshop;marantaplantshop.com) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess spoke with certified strength and conditioning coach (CSCS) and personal trainer (National Academy of Sports Medicine/NASM) Caity Rosell (@caity_rosellfitness) of Aspire Fitness (aspirefitnessnj.com). Caity and Jess played sports together in high school and shared some memories and funny stories from their past. Caity also chats about her journey into a fitness career, how to get started on your own fitness journey, why establishing a welcoming community is important, and some ways to stick to your health goals. We also had a blast ranting (#rantingaboutrants) about grocery stores, and other fun topics. Small business shout-out: Aspire Fitness in Colts Neck (@aspirecoltsneck) and Rumson (@aspirerumson), NJ. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week, Kait and Jess chat about weird rules (for example, always assume a person in a car is going to open their door) and phrases that we have come across. We end up discussing drive-thrus, conspiracy theories that ended up being true, living in shared spaces, laundry, and other random topics. We are doing a bit of an experiment - if you are reading this bio, message us on our Instagram (@friendshelpingpod) the word "orange". Small business shout-out: Bay Shore Bean Coffee House (@bayshorebean) and Lava Java House (@lavajavahouse).  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Jess and Kait spoke with Meteorologist Joe Martucci (find him here: linktr.ee/joemartwx). Joe has built a unique career by altering the rules of what a Meteorologist "typically" does as part of the work day. Since starting at The Press of Atlantic City, Joe has travelled throughout NJ building relationships in the community from the ground up. He has also capitalized on a creative social media presence, and continues to deliver the weather and local news in a positive and innovative way. This was definitely a fun conversation! We concluded the episode with the typical "ranting about rants segment"...this time, we ranted about ill-fitting headphones, verbal directions, and the airline boarding process. Small business shout-out: ManaFirkin Brewing Company (Manahawkin, NJ; @manafirkin_brewing_company). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Jess and Kait are both 30! We spent this episode reflecting on the last decade, discussing some lessons we learned along the way, and sharing what we would each tell our 20-something self. This episode ended up being quite cathartic! The episode ends with the typical “ranting about rants” segment… this time we both rant about beach etiquette. Small business shout out: locaLI Bred “Long Island in a Box”: Curated, locally sourced, gift boxes. Visit https://localibred.com or @localibred on Instagram (Long Island, NY). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Kait and Jess included some funny stories and tangents from Derek's original episode (“‘What can I do today to help people?' - Disability, advocacy, and scholarship”) that we originally cut out. Enjoy! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this week's episode, Kait and Jess chat with Derek Zike (@derekzike). Derek and Jess met at UWM when they were working towards their sport psychology related PhDs. At age 16, Derek experienced a spinal cord injury during a hockey game that left him paralyzed from the chest down. His own experiences living with and adjusting to an acquired disability led Derek to further study the psychosocial impact of spinal cord injury, as well as the lived experiences of leaving able-bodied sport (e.g., athlete identity, adapting to new life challenges). We talk more about his research, his media appearances (#MTVTrueLife), his dream career post-PhD, why "normalcy" is a trap, and the importance of understanding disability from a social justice lens. The episode concludes with our typical "ranting about rants" segment, where we rant about car shelf trash, curb cuts on the sidewalk, and 2000s fashion making a comeback. Stay tuned for a second BONUS episode with Derek about our best pranks and our shared love of live music to be released next week, as we really got to chatting! Small business shout-out: Bushel and Peck Confections (@bushelandpeckconfections on Instagram; bushelandpeckcreations@gmail.com): "your friendly local bakery... making homemade desserts for the DMV" (AKA the DC, Maryland, Virginia area... not the place where they give you a driver's license, Kait!). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode Kait and Jess chat all things gratitude with the creator of @thanksmorris, Marie Muratalla. Marie is a speech-language pathologist by trade, but she recently started a company (www.thanksmorris.com; #saythanksmore) whose mission is “to help you feel empowered and be your highest self through gratitude & mindset strategies”. In this episode Marie discusses her inspiration behind the creation and publication of her own gratitude journals. She also shares some research demonstrating why gratitude journaling works (and how you can get started on your own gratitude journey). At the end of the episode, Kait and Jess highlight their own beneficial experiences using the “Say Thanks More” gratitude journal and Marie's associated writing prompts. With over 10k followers on Instagram, it's safe to say that @thanksmorris is picking up some steam! Small business shout-out: www.thanksmorris.com or @thanksmorris on Instagram (based in CA). Shop the website to order your own gratitude journal and merch! Stay tuned for a “Say Thanks More” gratitude journal giveaway! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week we discuss one of our favorite TV shows: “The Office”. If you are not familiar with the show, don't worry! There is plenty of nuanced discussion about the changing landscape of the workplace today (the use of the “bullpen”, the “9-5” working hours, long commutes, working from home, etc.). However, feel free to skip to about 30 minutes in (32:30) if you want to avoid any referencing to the show itself (characters, plot lines, story arcs). The episode concludes with a rant about email accounts and strangers asking unsolicited personal questions. ****In the episode we refer to the characters of the show “breaking the fourth wall”. In TV/movies/plays, actors that “break the fourth wall” acknowledge the audience and speak to them directly.**** Small business shout out: Rose and Boom Boutique (Mount Sinai & St James, NY) www.roseandboom.net --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week Jess and Kait focus the discussion on a behavior change technique used in Motivational Interviewing called “The Magic Wand Question” (tune in to find out exactly what the question is!). We discuss our own “magic wand worlds” and identify a few strategies for tackling behavior change. We conclude with a rant about colors and cicada bugs. Small business shout-out: Pub Dog Craft Pizza and Beer @pubdog (Columbia, Baltimore, and Westminster, MD) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Jess and Kait (#amateurmusicians) are very excited for the return of live music this summer! In this episode we discuss our favorite concerts, favorite festivals, the types of music we enjoy, and the “last concerts” we attended before the shut down (would we have treated it differently knowing it was our last live show for over a year?). We polled our listeners and got a wide range of responses regarding concerts, songs to listen to in the car, and songs to dance to. In line with May being mental health awareness month, we also discuss the healing power of music and the impact music has had on each of our lives. We conclude with our typical “ranting about rants” segment and accidentally go on a music-related tangent about the show “Virgin River” on Netflix. Small business shout-out: Origin of Era boutique (“a unique selection of modern female, indie, sustainable, and small batch”) @originofera in Bay Shore, NY. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In honor of the recent Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2nd to May 8th), this episode features our friend and 1st or 2nd grade (“looped” classroom) teacher - Abby Grey! “Mrs. Grey” chats with Kait and Jess about overcoming many unexpected curveballs while adapting to teaching 6-8 year olds in a worldwide pandemic #COVID19. We also discuss work/life balance (pro tip: take your work email off your personal cell phone), what society gets wrong about teaching, how this pandemic has taught children unique life skills beyond the curriculum, and why we should CELEBRATE PARENTS who were tasked with hundreds of new challenges as a result of these unprecedented times. We close with our typical “ranting about rants” segment, where we rant about manners, putting dishes away, extensive skincare routines, and hats that don't fit large skulls. **REMINDER: MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH. We open our podcast with a dialogue relating to mental health awareness and we will continue to do so throughout the month of May (and beyond).** Small business shout-outs: Amalli Talli: Clothing for Tall Women (amallitalli.com) and Board & Batten Boutique (@boardandbattenmn) in Lakeville, MN. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In continuation of our career theme, and because May is BETTER HEARING & SPEECH MONTH (BHSM), Kait took some time to discuss her many responsibilities as a speech-language pathologist. Kait described the field of speech-language pathology in detail and gave some advice to parents seeking early intervention services for their young children. Jess and Kait also talked about some of the differences between what is learned in the classroom vs. on the job. We close the episode with a rant about robo calls and long receipts. Small business shout-out: @the.type.b.slp “The Type B SLP”; printable resources for speech-language pathologists! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Jess and Kait wanted to take some time on the podcast to explore the nuances of their careers. For this week's episode, Jess discussed some of the roles and responsibilities of an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at a small, liberal arts college (#DrFord). Jess also discussed her research interests, performance consulting, common misconceptions about sport, exercise, and performance psychology, and advice that she'd give college students, such as how to get involved in research. We close with a heated debate about Buttered Popcorn flavored Jelly Bellies (delicious or gross?) and rant about the process of getting an oil change, among other things. For next week's episode, Kait will have the spotlight as we discuss her career! Small business shout-out: Pete and Elda's/Carmen's Pizza in Neptune City, NJ (@pete_eldas) - home of the legendary #XXLPizzaChallenge. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This week we spoke with Jess' “Zillennial” (look it up) cousin, @beccabelle20! Becca is just a few months shy of finishing her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling at #SyracuseU. We discuss empathy, rapport, the most challenging aspects of graduate school, her dream job, and what society gets wrong about mental health. We concluded the episode with a rant about being called “honey”, zippers on pants, and passive-aggressive notes. It turns out all three of us are also obsessed with @theoffice, so there are many references to that wonderful tv show! Small business shout-out: Freedom of Espresso coffee shop (@freedomofespresso, Syracuse, NY) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kait and Jess used this week to practice using new podcast equipment and recording modalities. In this episode we asked each other (and some of our listeners) some unique and thought-provoking “ice breaker” questions such as “what popular trends do you not understand?” and “does your family have any unique traditions?”. We ended up taking an accidental deep dive into the last meals of famous death row inmates and we explored how each state in the US has its own rules and regulations for last meal rights. All in all, we learned some new information about each other and some of our listeners! Small business shout-out: @littlemisslaser - licensed medical aesthetician in Bellmore, New York. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In the episode we chat with our friend Jeniz (@__gardengirl) about how she became interested in organic gardening, some gardening tips for beginners (and rookie mistakes to avoid), and how she maintains her healthy lifestyle. We close with a rant about gum, straws, and the phrase “you can't teach an old dog new tricks”. As always, we appreciate your continued patience as we navigate concerns associated with the audio/technology glitches. Small business shout-out: Sustainable Seed Company (sustainableseedco.com; Salt Lake City, Utah) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This is PART TWO of last week's discussion about the food service industry. We continue our conversation about empathy for servers and also discuss the pros and cons of the USA becoming a “no tipping” country (our Instagram followers were split on this one!). We end the episode with some hilarious stories of things that happened to us while we were at work (and the famous people we've served). Tune in to see how Kait got the nickname “Kaitlyn the Castle Crasher” and why an entire wedding started chanting “MOP GIRL! MOP GIRL!” at Jess. Small business shout-out: Claudie's Chicken (Middletown, NJ) @claudieschicken --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this two part episode (we had a lot of things to say!), Kait and Jess discuss the results of our Instagram poll regarding the food service industry (e.g., should it be a work requirement for high school students?) as well as some of the skills and life lessons we both learned while working as waitresses and banquet servers. With a combined 20 years of experience in the industry, Kait and Jess were excited to relive some on-the-job experiences. Stay tuned for part 2 of this topic launching next week! Small business shout-out: Restoration Kitchen & Cocktails (Lindenhurst, NY)... “restoring faith in humanity one fresh cocktail at a time” ... @restorationlindy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode we spoke with one of our absolute FAVORITE people - Kelsey Letourneau. Kelsey discusses her journey to becoming the Assistant Women's Basketball coach at her alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College. Kelsey provides advice for prospective coaches and shares her experiences adjusting to coaching during a pandemic. We conclude the episode with two new segments. In the first new “small business spotlight” segment, Kelsey highlights her favorite coffee shop (Mean Cup in Lancaster, PA). In the second new “ranting about rants” segment, Jess, Kait, and Kelsey rant about left turn lanes, engine revving, and improper merging. It is always a fun time when the trio gets back together. You don't want to miss it! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode we each answer the question, “what advice would you give your teenage self?” We also talk about how much social media has changed since our teenage years as well as our plans for future @friendshelpingpod segments! Thank you for listening :) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Tune in to learn more about who we are and what this podcast is about! Please be patient as we navigate learning this new podcast technology.