I'm Better in Real Life

1. ) The people have spoken and no TVs in the bedroom. 2.) This is a week late because I forgot to record 1 thing and then we kept meaning to do it and then I kept falling asleep at 8pm and now here we are a week late. 3.) Kamel gets to say the … Continue reading "Episode 42: The TV in the Bedroom"

This week we are talking about what we absolutely would NOT compromise going into a relationship. What are your no-goes. What are your lines in the sand? What things define you that you wouldn’t give in on? And which of those items did you eventually not care about? Where DID you compromise? In this episode … Continue reading "Episode 41: Compromise"

It’s the end of the school year. So we decided to do something fun. It’s partner survey time!! Next week we’re going to put out a call for listener feedback. Topic still in discussion. But get ready to hear (and tell) some stories that are not just about me and Kamel. But for now, on … Continue reading "Episode 40: End of the Year Survey"

If we are not continuing to grow as individuals, then what are we even doing? Maybe that is too harsh of a view, but I often find that I have really high expectations for myself and others. I don’t feel bad about it. We should be striving to become the best versions of ourselves. In … Continue reading "Episode 39: How Marriage Has Changed You"

Transitions continue to be hard for Kamel and I, even with all the practice we’ve had. Even with the compassion we attempt to bring to the table. Even with therapy, even with positive outcomes. The hardest part of marriage, for me, is that there is another whole person standing next to you the whole time. … Continue reading "Episode 38: The Challenge of Transitions – Part 2"

So much of life revolves around transitions. We transition when we change schools, when we move cities, when we change jobs, have kids, get married, break up, move in together, get a pet, and on and on and on. We are either coming out of or heading to some kind of transition. And yet, transitions … Continue reading "Episode 37: The Challenge of Transitions – Part 1"

We finally, finally, FINALLY after months!!! got our shit together and started season 3. Thank you to everyone who kept asking me and reminding me that you listened and you liked our little podcast and prodding Kamel and I that we should keep pushing to find time to make it happen. This is a little … Continue reading "Episode 36: Season 3 – We’re Baaack!"

First of all, Trump did not ruin marriage. If anything he made it stronger. Are you married to an ass hole Trump supporter? FLEE. FEEL IMMEDIATELY. Trump winning was a major wakeup call for me, but maybe it was a different (and probably bigger) wake up call for many who have ended relationships over these … Continue reading "Episode 35: Did Trump Ruin Marriage? Part II"

  This is a post I have been chewing on for like… a year. Almost a year. The photo attached to this post popped up in my recent memories on facebook. Heartbreak and a half. ALMOST A YEAR SINCE WE ELECTED THAT MOTHER FUCKER YOU GUYS. Right after the election I was so angry and … Continue reading "Episode 34: Did Trump Ruin Marriage? Part I"

You guys. YOU GUYS. I was all like “guess what? Imma post once a week!” And then I disappeared off the face of the Earth. It’s how I keep you on your toes. What happened? WELL! Kamel and I recorded a podcast again. YAY! We are BACK! Then we went away for a beach vacation … Continue reading "Episode 33: Your Call is Important to Us"

It has officially been a year of podcasting! What? I feel like it’s been 5 years of podcasting. Ha. Not that I am an expert, but I haven’t I been doing this for way longer? Crazy. On this episode we hear from YOU! With a Kamel and Lauren commentary track plus tangents. Things I learned: … Continue reading "Episode 32: Chores: We’re, Uh, Doing it Wrong?"

Today we are finally finally FINALLY revealing the house we bought! In all of it’s incomplete, bare-walled glory. The podcast will be audio AND visual. So, that means if you would like to see the house and hear us talk about it, go here: https://youtu.be/E8g3pjS40f0 You can hear audio only in the normal podcast download/link on … Continue reading "Episode 31: Welcome Home – Now With YouTube"

Today is a call to action!! We are talking about household responsibilities and Kamel’s constant wish that we could switch it up and my constant reply of “No.” But now we really want to hear from you. How do you break up the house work? Is it a space of tension or is it seamless? … Continue reading "Episode 30: No Trade-Backs"

Have an amazing holiday weekend everyone! I hope this helps with any car rides you may be enduring.

The podcast has returned!!!!!!!!!!!!! In this episode we talk about what it was like for us to go through a major medical event (not pregnancy and postpartum life) within our marriage. This is something neither of us have had a lot of exposure to. The photo above was titled “the face of troopers” and was … Continue reading "Episode 28: In Sickness and In Health"

We are back in podcast land!!! I don’t have a ton to say about this one. We break down the move experience and the hustle that happened right at the very end. We also discuss how the transition has been on us. Hint: Hard on me. But you knew that. Sometimes it is really hard … Continue reading "Episode 27: 2,400 Square Feet"

A little update on podcast life as we attempt to get our life back in order with a big move next Monday! Coming up: we have more listener questions answered, another budget breakdown, and a discussion (because so many people asked) about how we actually managed to get things in order to buy a house … Continue reading "Podcast Update"

Sometimes I begin a podcast thinking we’ll have something poignant to say and then it devolves into arguments over having time to make eggs for breakfast and taking long showers. This is one of those times As a follow up – this morning Kamel got up at 530 and got showered and dressed before the … Continue reading "Episode 26: The Shower Debate"

We have some exciting, daunting, not-quiet-yet-official news! But, you all have been along for the twisty turvy, nauseous ride – so we couldn’t leave you out now, could we? Ps. I apologize for any grumpiness on my end during the podcast. Nighttime is not when I am my best self.  

Guess what everybody? Turns out Kamel has a weird view of our finances that *he* covers some stuff while *I* cover other stuff instead of it just being about who is responsible for not forgetting to pay which bill. But then turns out, that the idea of completely melting our hard earned money together is … Continue reading "Episode 24: The Budget Crisis"

This weekend we are (finally) going to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary! But it is really easy to neglect celebrating your partner in the face of LIFE and EXPENSES and SHOULD WE REALLY SPEND THE MONEY ON THAT? The answer should be yes! But it isn’t always. This week, Kamel and I break down … Continue reading "Episode 23: Celebrations"

This week’s episode comes from a long time blog reader who is now engaged. Hooray! She wrote to me way back in April about tips and tricks on figuring out how to fight with your partner. Learning to fight is a constant work in progress in our house and, I think, in many houses. Being … Continue reading "Episode 22: Sponsored by Therapy"

On this week’s episode we share an update on house buying, share a few room mate horror stories, and hear from YOU! It is, honestly, so nice to hear that sometimes home buying actually works. It is also nice to hear about wacky homes up for sale that are secret prepper communes. Home ownership remains … Continue reading "Episode 21: Property Spouses, Part 2"

The photo above is me, with one of our agents, at the first house we put an offer on. Now it is somebody else’s house. After we recorded this episode, we found a house we thought would work and then promptly lost it. Even though we were the highest bidder, someone else waived more contingencies … Continue reading "Episode 20: Property Spouses"

Today’s episode was inspired by an old-ish article I read in NY Times titled “Why You Will Marry The Wrong Person.” Which is borderline click-bait, but ended up also being kind of amazing. Turns out, putting up with someone’s annoying crap doesn’t = settling. It might just = marriage? But don’t worry! It also means … Continue reading "Episode 19: For Fun or For Glory"

This is the second episode of the season, but the first with a reader driven question. For some reason this struck a defensive nerve with Kamel and I even though we actually do an excellent job. The question from the reader: My biggest fear about having kids is that it will drastically and negatively alter … Continue reading "Episode 18: Frankenstein"

…And we’re back! Season 2 of the I’m Better In Real Life Podcast starts right now! Hooray!

This episode has been delayed for SO many reasons. The kids being sick, the perfect storm of birthday, traveling, and an INSANE two weeks of working an immense amount of hours. It left my little podcast last on my priority list. But here we are. A whole season complete. Sixteen weeks of podcasting, sixteen different … Continue reading "Episode 16: The End of Season 1"

It’s the second to last episode of the season! And I have to say this is probably my second favorite of all time. I laughed so hard while listening to everyone’s calls! Your secret shames make you all amazing, hilarious, dorky, spectacular people! And it made my week to listen to these. I hope everyone … Continue reading "Episode 15: Secret Shames Part 2"

House hunting is the worst. Or, if you’re Kamel it is SO FUN and SO EASY. On this week’s episode we talk about our different approaches to this momentous event. Oh you know, it’s just the biggest purchase of our lives, in a market that shits on buyers. And in all of that I have … Continue reading "Episode 14: The Hunt"

We are a day late on the podcast – again. I figure late twice out of twelve is pretty good! This week I am divulging some of my secret shames. The stuff I do that no one else knows I do. We all have them…. right? Otherwise this podcast is going to get pretty awkward … Continue reading "Episode 13: Secret Shames, Part 1"

To be totally honest, I am usually super, super nervous to start a podcast. I have recording stage fright every single time. I really have to psyche myself up, and Kamel can attest that sometimes I will cancel a recording session because I just can’t wrap my brain around it. But this time! This time … Continue reading "Episode 12: Is That What You’re Wearing?"

While prepping for this episode I had forgotten that for a lot of years I didn’t like my birthday. It’s awkward, you’re the only one getting presents, the expectations are really high, disappointment is inevitable to some degree, etc etc. But sometimes, on those rare years, someone hooks you up and knocks it out of … Continue reading "Episode 11: The Best Birthdays"

After one of our earliest podcast episodes (Episode 3: Cheaters), I got a lot of emails and messages on twitter and facebook about people’s experiences with cheating. It definitely struck a chord with many of you. Cheating and lying and all forms of infidelity is morbidly fascinating, heart breaking, and creates that icky sick feeling … Continue reading "Episode 10: Cheating Revisited"

Gabe thinks that people with large noses are scary. Not just large noses, but like… hook noses. Like this:  Gabe is super super afraid of that guy and will specifically say, “Noo!! He has a big nose! He is TOO scary!” Also the old grandpa vampire guy here: I’m not one to argue. I have … Continue reading "Episode 9: Fear"

Remember those myspace surveys? They always had a question about your biggest fear. Mine used to be failure, but now I don’t even really think about failing because I have so many other fears pushing that one aside. Yay! What is your biggest fear? Discuss in comments for next week’s episode!

This is our 7th podcast! That was a milestone I had in my mind to reach and here we are! Hooray! This episode is all about common issues that arise in marriage. Kamel and I attempt to discuss how we go about navigating the stuff many of you said you can’t agree on (via a … Continue reading "Episode 7: Relationship Disputes"

In this episode of the podcast I break down my top parenting shockers. This is a series that will pop up occasionally. Just some parenting chitter chatter from time to time. If you have kids, feel free to share the things that surprised you the most. If you don’t have kids and want kids, what … Continue reading "Episode 6: Parenting – Surprise!"

Episode 5 is about the difference between living together and being married. We also have our first guest! Margaret! Who has been living with her boyfriend turned manfriend for a long time now. Questions for the audience: Do you also feel like there is some kind of age threshold for when it’s way less financially/emotionally risky … Continue reading "Episode 5: Shacking Up"

On a recent trip to Chicago I realized that I need my family more at this point in my life than I need my independence. Is this what it feels like to be a grownup? Is this where the shift lies? Mild codependency? Today on the podcast I explore (with the help of many readers … Continue reading "Episode 4: Adulting"

Welcome to the first official episode about relationships with guest contributor, Kamel. He also happens to be my husband. This week we are talking about cheating! Specifically: Can someone actually go a solid amount of time without knowing that they are being cheated on? Can that actually happen? Let me know what you think and … Continue reading "Episode 3: Cheaters"

This week’s episode is just me, talking about 1 specific topic. This time it was inspired by a bad parenting judgement call. An instance where I thought, “Wow, this really did not go like I thought it would…” to my dismay and slight panic. All of my best stories, whether I suffer for them or not, … Continue reading "Episode 2: Expectation vs Reality"

I am taking this blog-show one step further and adding a weekly podcast! Welcome to I’m Better In Real Life. In this first episode I’ll give an introduction and talk about what this whole podcast thing will be about. Publishing every Wednesday, you can subscribe to The I’m Better In Real Life podcast at http://betterinrealife.com/feed/podcast. It will also … Continue reading "Episode 1: This Is Better In Real Life, The Podcast"