Sisters Cracking Up

If you liked The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, you're going to love Gail Brenner Nastasia's memoir, The Fruit You'll Never See. Now a criminal defense attorney in Massachusetts, Nastasia grew up in the fishing town of Gloucester, Mass. where she was introduced at a very young age to the underbelly of adult addictions and perversions. Growing up in a family riddled by mental illness and drug addiction, Gail experienced her childhood trauma as "normal" -- as it was all she knew. In exquisitely honest detail, Gail shares her history of abuse without anger or blame. In fact, she refuses to see the people who subjected her to abuse as bad. They are, she believes, also the victims of their circumstances. Please take a listen to this episode, sisters. For one thing, it's a master class in forgiveness, hope, healing, and moving on. For another, it is, sadly, the very last episode of Sisters Cracking Up. We have spent the last 5 years joyfully interviewing the most incredible of guests who have taught us so much. And we will miss you, our wonderful sisters, who listened in and helped make Sisters Cracking Up the success it is. Thank you, thank you, thank you. A million times over.  Signing off with love,  Abby and Julie

Sisters, if you've ever wondered if you might be a perfectionist, chances are you may be. And, according to author Katherine Morgan Schafler, that's more than okay. Schafler, author of The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control: A Path ot Peace and Power, encourages us to look at perfectionism in a more positive light and to discard the pathologizing of it. You can be a perfectionist and, yes, you can be happy! Schafler explains there isn't just one way to be a perfectionist and identifies 5 different types: Intense, Classic, Parisian, Procrastinator, and Messy. (Both Abby and Julie admit to being the Messy Type!) In Schafler's own words, "Perfectionism invites a deep, unending exploration of who you are and what you most desire from this life." We couldn't agree more.

As the youngest daughter of crime boss Vincent "Chin" Gigante, Rita Gigante has a unique perspective on mob life. Her dad was the notorious leader of the Genovese crime clan and head of all five New York mob families for decades. Chin Gigante is often remembered for strolling the streets of New York City in his bathrobe, feigning mental illness in an attempt to distract the FBI from his underworld activities. In our interview, Rita (the author of The Godfather's Daughter: An Unlikely Story of Love, Healing, and Redemption), talks openly, painfully, and lovingly about growing up in a family steeped in secrets and lies. Whether you're interested in mafia life, organized crime, Vincent Gigante and his legacy, or simply in what it means to have grown up in a family like hers, our interview wtih Rita Gigante will not disappoint. This is, most importantly, Rita's story: how she went from a family of origin that lived in darkness to a healer who lives in the light of acceptance, redemption and forgiveness.       

Hey, Sisters. Ever wondered what it might be like to parent an Olympic gold medal champion?  On this episode, we interview Olympic mom Allison Douglass. Allison's daughter, swimmer Kate Douglass, won two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal in last summer's Paris Olympics. Allison talks frankly about their family's journey, culminating in Kate's impressive showing at the 2024 Summer Olympics.  If you're anything like us, you may believe that parents of elite athletes push their children mercilessly and sacrifice all to get them to the pinnacle of their sports careers. Allison and her husband chose a different path; allowing Kate to make the decisions and commitments necessary to reach such athletic heights -- while balancing their commitments to family stability and their other children. If you think you might be parenting a future elite athlete, or you're simply interested in how one family parented theirs, you won't want to miss this episode.  

Dr. Kerry McAvoy was a busy mom, wife, and psychologist when her world was devasted by the death of her first husand. When she was finally able to come up for air, she met a new man who was everything she wanted in a partner.  Just months after the wedding, she woke up to a text from a woman she didn't know: “I guess the joke is not just on me but on you, too. I've been dating your husband.”  Her world was shattered. Still in love with her new husband, she chose not to leave. Instead, she spent the next two years fruitlessly and desperately trying to fix what was broken. Despite being a psychologist, Kerry had never heard the term "narcissistic abuse." She didn't realize she'd been love-bombed, and was now being manipulated and gaslighted. Married to a man whose personality vacillated between good guy and monster, Kerry was left strung out and confused. She became so desperate that she briefly considered ending her life.  When her son became ill, Kerry saw her chance to leave her marriage and escape the hellscape she'd been living in.  Kerry's goal now is to help others gain clarity and heal after narcissistic abuse. She wrote a book, Love You More, and took to TikTok where she created a 29-part video series on her experience of marriage to a malignant narcissist. This series, as well as her other videos about toxic relationships, have garnered over 18 million likes.

Sisters, let's talk booze. Most of us have some relationship with it whether it's front and center in our lives, on the periphery, or even in the rearview. But there's no escaping alcohol's prevalence in our society. Happy? Celebrating? Grab a glass or two or five. Sad? Grieving? Lonely? Do exactly the same. Shockingly, alcohol use disorder in women has increased 87% in the last 30 years. Yup, you read that right. And however you do the math, that's a concerning number. If nothing else, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in some countries, alcohol is the number one risk factor for breast cancer. Enter Sarah Rusbatch, author of Beyond Booze: How to Create a Life You Love, Alcohol-Free. Sarah, a multi-award winning health and well-being coach, focuses on women who struggle with "gray-area drinking" -- defined as those that are not yet dependent on or addicted to alcohol in a clinical sense, but whose drinking could become problematic if they don't do something about it. After developing what she describes as 'a dysfunctional relationship with alcohol', Sarah made the decision to remove alcohol from her life in early 2019 and has never looked back. She now works with thousands of women across the globe, guiding them into from feeling lost, stuck and out of control (something she fully understands herself), to a healthier and happier way of living. She's the host of the online community, The Women's Wellbeing Collective, which offers a safe space where women feel seen and understood. She equips women with the tools they need to break the cycle of unhealthy habits and coping mechanisms. Her experience, knowledge, and passion has transformed lives.       

Sisters, if you have any interest in Tarot, you've gotta take a listen to this episode. If you have any interest in Tarot explained by a witch, go no further. Why? Because we have Rebecca Auman on the show today and she's the GOAT.  In Rebecca's own words:  "For as long as I can remember, I've been able to read energy and vibration. Sometimes it was just a sparkle surrounding something to which I should pay extra attention. Other times I could see words come out of peoples' foreheads. I felt these were messages from the universe. Messages with meaning." Rebecca uses Tarot to answer the pressing questions we all ask ourselves: Am I making the right decisions? Am I going in the wrong direction? Am I swimming against the tide? Tarot helps you explore the messages you need to receive and helps you dig deeper. Tarot with Rebecca Auman is a special event because, as a witch, she brings her "extra" gifts to every reading. Rebecca's podcast, Voices in the River, helps women reclaim their power and become leaders of their own destiny. Need we say more? Abby and Julie open the episode discussing their witch-y mom and Abby's personal reading with Rebecca.  

Hey, Sisters. Seems wherever we turn these days, we're being told to cut ties with the people in our lives who no longer serve us in a healthy way. In some families, this means that adult children are choosing to cut off communcation with their parents. Sheri McGregor, author of Done With The Crying: Help and Healing for Mothers of Estranged Adult Children, is not only an expert on this topic, she is also one of millions of parents whose adult child made this painful and heartbreaking choice: When one of Sheri's sons was in his twenties, he made the decision to exclude her and the rest of their family from his life. As part of her own healing journey, Sheri made the decision to help other parents through this. Already a writer, she used her literary skills to interview thousands of parents affected by estrangement and to craft a book which would help other parents heal, accept, and ultimately create meaningful lives in the aftermath. With thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon, this book -- and Sheri's wisdom -- is invaluable in helping parents understand -- and live with -- this shattering decision. Abby and Julie open the episode discussing the the difficult task of cleaning out a parent's home and Abby's desire to start a TikTok channel which Julie will obviously manage.      

Hey, Sisters. Dangerous personalities like narcissists and sociopaths are all around us. Some estimates show that up to 5% of the population exhibits traits of these deviant disorders. That's 5 out of every 100 people, people! Luckily, we have FBI profiler Joe Navarro on the pod to shed more light on who these people are and how to identify them. Personally approached at the tender age of 23 to join the FBI, Joe Navarro became one of the youngest agents ever to join the renowned investigative agency. He went on to spend the next 25 years at the FBI, working both as an agent and supervisor in the areas of counterintelligence and counterterrorism. Through his work he was able to study, refine and apply the science of nonverbal communications. His acumen in this field and his success as a spy-catcher, led Joe to train FBI agents and the intelligence community. Retiring from the FBI in 2003, and meeting overwhelming demand for his notable insights into human behavior, Joe has dedicated himself to speaking and consulting with major corporations worldwide. Today Joe is recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on the application and use of nonverbal communications in business. Through his experience working with CEOs and senior leaders of major global organizations, he is highly sought out for his expertise on leadership, influence, and the behavioral qualities that drive more effective leaders and in turn happier, more productive workforces. Joe has been writing articles and books for the past 30 years. Today, he has 14 published books available in 29 languages. He has also written regular monthly columns for a variety of publications. Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Abby's experiences with saving a stranger's puppy and finding and returning another stranger's cell phone -- and the surprising ways in which these people reacted to her efforts.  ​

It's summah, Sisters! Time for some straight talk...and a good laugh or 20. Luckily, we've got veteran comic Jackie Kashian on the show to help with both. Jackie Kashian is a stand-up comedian who has been seen on After Midnight, Conan, Corden, HBO, Netflix, and Comedy Central. She's been heard on NPR and Audible. Touring 45 weeks a year, the tour is just called her career. Her 5 comedy albums and specials have been number one on Amazon and Apple and #3 on Billboard. In addition to two podcasts, “The Jackie and Laurie Show” and “The Dork Forest,” you can also read her writing in “The Comedy Film Nerds Guide to Movies” and the comic book “Comics Comics Quarterly”. Currently, she has a new TINY comedy special "LOOKING BACK" shot from the camera of a Mazda 6 in reverse. Abby and Julie open the episode celebrating/lamenting the self-care machinations, time, travel, and clothing purchases it takes to prepare for wedding season redux -- the time of life when your kids, nieces and nephews, and friends' kids start to get married. 

Happy Mother's Day, Sisters! We hope it will be a joyful one for you and your families. As we know well, our relationships with our moms can run the emotional gamut over the lifespan. We also know that some moms are made for mothering (or work really hard at it!), while some simply fall short because of circumstances they can't (or don't know how to) control.  In Liz Scheier's beautiful, honest memoir, Never Simple, she describes her difficult and complex relationship with her mother, Judith. As a result of Judith's borderline personality disorder (BPD), Liz's childhood was fraught with chaos and volatility. When Liz was 18 years old, her mother dropped two bombshells. One, that her mom had been married for most of the previous two decades to a man Liz had never heard of. And second, that everything she had told Liz about the man she'd claimed was Liz's dead father was entirely fictional. Never Simple is Liz's story about what happened next. We loved our illuminating and intimate conversation with Liz -- and you will, too. Never Simple has garnered praise from the New York Times, Publishers Weekly (starred review), Kirkus, Library Journal, Bookpage, Booklist, and bestselling authors Augusten Burroughs, Jenny Lawson, Isaac Mizrahi, Elissa Altman, Greer Hendricks, and Mira Bartók. It was chosen as a Best Book of March by Amazon and Apple Books, a People Picks by People Magazine, an Indie Next pick, a Barnes & Noble Top 10 Favorite Ebook of 2022, and was featured as one of “15 March Reads to Get You Through the Month” on Good Morning America. It was a finalist for a Lambda Award.  

We love Steven Petrow for many reasons: he's funny, he's smart, he's a kickass writer, and he's tirelessly devoted to his beloved family.  Sadly, Steven lost his younger sister, Julie Petrow Cohen, to ovarian cancer in June 2023. From all accounts, Julie led a life that priortized joy, professionalism, social justice, and family. In essence, she lived her life in full throttle. At the end of her life, Julie chose when to die, accessing a little-known right in her state of New Jersey to die with dignity -- also known as Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). (MAID is currently an option in 9 states and Washington, D.C.) Steven promised his beloved sister he would write about her experience and choice so that others may learn about and consider this option if needed. In a New York Times article entitled, "I Promised My Sister I Would Write About How She Chose to Die," Steven did just that. The article, not surprisingly, resonated with thousands. Listen in as Steven talks about losing his beloved sister, how their shared experiences and humor bonded them, and what he's learned about the grief journey. Steven Petrow is an award-winning journalist and book author who is best known for his Washington Post and New York Times essays on aging, health, and civility. He's also an opinion columnist for USA Today,  where he writes about civil discourse and manners.  Steven's 2019 TED Talk, “3 Ways to Practice Civility” has been viewed nearly two million times and translated into 16 languages.      

Hey, Sisters. If you're a believer in astrology or you're simply interested in what's behind the science of it, this is the episode for you. We've both experienced some pretty amazing insights since we found Omar Senior. What we absolutely love about his readings (and him!) is his vast knowledge of astrology and the science behind it. In other words, we're sold! Omar Senior is a dedicated astrologer who has immersed himself in the study of astrology for two decades. On a mission to share the profound insights of astrology with a global audience -- and a passion for making this ancient wisdom accessible to as many people as possible -- Omar is the visionary creator behind blackastrology.com. Through his work, he strives to equip others with the tools necessary to navigate life's journey and tap into the cosmic energies that shape our existence. You can also find him on his YouTube channel. Abby and Julie open the episode with their own thoughts about astrology and Abby's ongoing issues with other drivers who are clearly struggling with the rules of the road.

Hey, Sisters. We can't seem to take a breath these days without hearing some new thing about narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder. How 'bout you? Enter social media's The Nameless Narcissist, Jacob Skidmore. He's all over your feeds talking about his own diagnosis of NPD -- and helping millions of people in the process understand the narcissists in their lives. Our conversation with Jacob was honest, refreshing, and (at times) disturbing, as he unveiled the inner workings, thoughts, and motivations of a someone with a diagnosis of NPD. Cluster B personality disorders (of which NPD is one) will never fail to capture our imaginations, raise our ire, and make us scratch our heads. But so much of what we think we know about the people who suffer from these mental illnesses is rarely from the horse's mouth. Listen in as The Nameless Narcissist pulls back the curtain on how narcissists feel (or not), and why they behave the way they do -- even when they know they're hurting those they claim to love. Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Karens. Who are they? And what defines a Karen?

This is NOT your mother's menopause, Sisters! Yes, it is the time of life when you can no longer procreate (Hallelujah to that!), but it's also the time of life to start creating the life YOU want. Don't believe it? Our guest, Julie Gordon White, will surely change your mind.  Julie Gordon White is an award-winning entrepreneur focused on improving suppportive nutrition and building community for women in midlife and menopause. She is an expert on the intersections of nutritional science and menopause. Julie is the founder of MenoWell Energy Bars (Bossa Bars). These energy bars are made expressly for women in all stages of menopause to optimize the nutrition our bodies are craving as we go through "the change." They're also one of Oprah's selections as a Best Menopause Product. Julie is working to redefine and empower the experience of menopause and midlife for women and she herself is a glowing example of midlife reinvention. She believes in facing 50 head-on, pivoting, reinventing, and owning midlife as the best time in life. Abby and Julie open the podcast discussing why Abby is a little wary about her private psychotherapy clients discovering Sisters Cracking Up.    

Hey, Sisters, could this be YOU? (It's us, that's for sure!) Another day, another misdiagnosis of a disorder that plagues so many women. It's common for symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) to be overlooked or "explained away" by professionals as depression, anxiety, or overwhelm when it shows up in women.  Chances are, if you suspect you have this diagnosis, it's gone undiagnosed since you were little. And all the while you've beaten yourself up wondering why you simply can't be as organized or focused as you perceive others to be.  The good news is there's Sari Solden, M.S. And thankfully we have her on this episode of Sisters Cracking Up. Both of us have been dogged by the symptoms of ADD for years and we're just starting to recognize the impact it's had on our lives. If you suspect you may have this diagnosis as well, don't ignore it or wish it away -- there's practical, life-changing help! Psychotherapist Sari Solden specializes in working with men and women with ADHD and the mental health professionals who want to help them. She has been counseling adults and supporting neurodiverse women with ADHD for 35 years. Her areas of specialization include women's issues, inattentive ADHD, and the emotional consequences for adults who grew up with undiagnosed ADHD. Sari Solden has written three books on the topic: Women with Attention Deficit Disorder, Journeys Through ADDulthood, and A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD. Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Abby's superior driving skills and the importance of being prepared when returning packages. Spoiler alert: FFS, have your QR code ready, people!  

Hey, Sisters. Ever wonder what's actually going on in your body during menopause? And why we can have some really uncomfortable symptoms when we're going through it? Hot flashes, crankiness, and exhaustion are just some of the things you might experience. Did you know these are all caused by the hormonal changes that accompany this time of life? And that symptoms can show up as early as your 30s? Did you also know there are tried and true treatments for your symptoms that will help you manage through menopause? Kate Wells is our guest and she is an expert on all things menopause and hormones. Kate is the co-founder of Parlor Games LLC, a company that specializes in solutions for women's health around menopause and beyond. Women's health is complex -- the hormones that govern much of our lives from puberty to menopause have a huge impact in overall wellness. After menopause, instead of a balanced state, women are often in a state of hormone insufficiency which has a profound impact on their physical, mental, and emotional health. With a line of products supporting women's health and a focus on education, Parlor Games has already changed the lives of thousands of women with theircommitment to science, sisterhood, and solutions. Learn more at parlor-games.com Abby and Julie open the episode discussing what a mother-of-the-groom should wear, the fancy dresses of the 1980s, and hating music.

It's THAT time of life, Sisters. The time when we can choose to live truer to our own selves, or just slog through life telling ourselves the same, tired stories and never making the changes necessary to live more authentically. Enter Dr. Carolyn Kurle, author of The Guidance Groove: Escape Unproductive Habits, Trust Your Intuition, and Be True. Lucky for us, she has a lot of brilliance to share on what we can do to shift our thinking and behaviors. According to Dr. Kurle, there's a voice inside you that knows what to do every single time you are faced with a choice. And that voice is your authenticity and your truth. It is your Guidance Groove!  Listen in and learn how to reject your unproductive grooves -- inadequacy, obligation, scarcity, and unworthiness -- and live a life of honesty, truth, and self-respect. Dr. Carolyn Kurle is a tenured Biology Professor at the University of California, San Diego, and the author of numerous research articles aimed to improve conservation strategies for imperiled species and habitats. Her work teaching hundreds of outstanding students at UCSD, many of whom paradoxically struggle to find ease, motivated her to write this book for connecting with your guidance to increase personal authenticity and contentment. Abby and Julie open the episode discussing plastic surgery, baby showers, and channeling their mom.

It's time to talk about menopause, Sisters! And, yes, this means you. Whether you're 35 or 65, you're going to learn a lot about how to manage this inevitable life change with none other than the extraordinary Clarissa Kristjansson. We found Clarissa through her amazing, top-rated podcast, Thriving Through Menopause, and we knew we'd learn a thing or two about menopause from her. She's devoted her career to helping menopausal women thrive through the changes that menopause brings. Clarissa holds a doctorate in neuroscience and honors degrees in food and nutrition. She's a published mindfulness author, health and wellness coach, and experienced mindfulness and Qigong teacher. She practices an integrative approach to working with women to manage menopausal symptoms.  Abby and Julie open the episode with an in-depth discussion of the male equivalent of resting bitch face and why roasted marshmallows are indeed a delicacy.    

Yes, Sisters. It's already THAT time of the year. For some, back-to-school simply means the kiddos are heading back to the classroom. But for others, it may mean that your kid (or kiddos) is launching. Where they're headed (college, job, military, gap year, or simply moving out of the family home), isn't as important as the fact that your kid-centric life is now coming to a seemingly abrupt end. The empty nest can be an emotional time of reflection and significant change. We wonder if we can remain close to our kids as they start their new journeys. We may also have fears about our partnerships: Will they and can they survive without the children as the focal point of your lives? Celia Dodd, author of The Empty Nest: How to Survive and Stay Close to Your Adult Child, can help. Borne of her own experience of the empty nest, she set out to provide parents with a guidebook for better understanding this phase of parenting, and ways to manage the roller coaster of emotions that can come with it.  If you're facing the empty nest in a couple of days, weeks, or years, you don't want to miss this episode. Hint: Successfully planning ahead for this change is possible! Celia Dodd is a journalist and author who wrote regularly for The Times, the Independent and other national newspapers and magazines, focusing on relationships, family, life, health, and education. After 30 years as a journalist, she turned to writing books about parenting and major transitions in life, such as the empty nest and retirement.  Abby opens the episode by quizzing Julie on how well she knows the both of them as sisters. They also discuss what to do about gifts from your spouse you don't like.  

Sisters, if we've lived long enough, we already know trauma (and healing from it) can be a stubborn beast. We also know that our body stores our trauma until we do the work to release it. Enter Laura Khoudari, author of Lifting Heavy Things: Healing Trauma One Rep at a Time. She is a trauma practitioner, certified personal trainer, and corrective exercise specialist.  Khoudari found that strength training was a modality that worked in her own trauma healing journey and she generously shares her experience, insights, and wisdom for those looking to experience movement as a way back to health, healing, and self-care. This interview is not about how to weight train. It is about using exercise and movement as a way to release ourselves from shame, negative self-talk, and self-doubt. It is about moving your body to heal -- and finding your way back to you.        

Hey, Sisters. Got trauma? You, too?  We've all had some. Question is, have you dealt with yours effectively? Or, have you tried different approaches and modalities to heal from trauma which either don't help or even make matters worse? So many of us tell ourselves that our trauma doesn't "count" because there's always someone with a more tragic tale. This attitude does so much to increase our stress and impede our healing. It can prevent us from getting the help we need. Dr. Elizabeth Stanley gets all of this and so much more. Her book, "Widen the Window: Training Your Brain and Body to Thrive During Stress and Recover from Trauma," was borne of attempting to heal from her own striking stress and trauma. She made it her professional mission to help others "widen the window" within which our thinking brain and survival brain work together cooperatively, enabling us to activate our resilience and best selves. If you're interested in trauma, stress, and tips for recovery, you don't want to miss this episode.  Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Abby's unique tailoring idea for her new jumpsuit. Elizabeth A. Stanley, Ph.D. is a professor of security studies with joint appointments in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and the Department of Government. Earlier in her career, she served as a U.S. Army intelligence officer in South Korea, Germany, and on peacekeeping deployments to the Balkans, leaving service as a captain. She is the creator of Mindfulness-based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT), tested through four neuroscience research studies with the U.S. military.   

Are you a people-pleaser? Are you your own worst critic? Do you sometimes feel like an imposter? Are you a perfectionist? You're not alone. So many women engage in these self-destructive (and unconscious) habits and Andrea Owen is on the show today to talk about how to kick them to the curb and live your happiest life.  As Andrea says, "The cycle never stops when you don't know any other way."  In this episode, we interview Andrea about her book, "How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t: 14 Habits That Are Holding You Back From Happiness," which has been translated into 19 languages. Andrea Owen is an author, global keynote speaker, and professional certified life coach who helps high-achieving women maximize unshakeable confidence, and master resilience. She has taught hundreds of thousands of women tools and strategies to be able to empower themselves to live their most kick-ass lives through keynote speaking, her books, coaching, and her wildly popular podcast, Make Some Noise with Andrea Owen. Abby and Julie open the show talking about Abby's plastic surgery consult.  

We're all so much better-educated these days about narcissism and narcissists -- especially when we suspect we have partner who displays narcissistic tendencies and behaviors. But what if your experience with narcissism began long before you can even remember? And what if the narcissist in your life was/is YOUR MOTHER?! Dr. Stephanie Kriesberg joins Sisters Cracking Up in this episode to discuss her book, Adult Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers: Quiet the Critical Voice in Your Head, Heal Self-Doubt, and Live the Life You Deserve. Was/Is everything always about your mom no matter what? If your mom was/is a narcissist, you may have grown up feeling controlled or manipulated by her. She may also have made you feel damaged, rejected, and ashamed, leaving you with lasting anxieties and insecurities. If this sounds at all familiar, you do not want to miss this episode. Dr. Stephanie Kriesberg is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Concord, MA. She helps adult children of narcissistic parents lead healthier, happier lives.  Abby and Julie kickoff the episode discussing comedian Matt Rife's Boston concert. They also pose another fascinating dinner party conversation starter, courtesy of TikTok's @alliegoneaway.  

It's happened to the best of us, Sisters -- and certainly by midlife. Both of us have experienced this unceremonious and cruel "dumping" by people we thought were close, dear friends. If you have experienced this, you know how confusing and painful it can be. Many women describe the experience as being as painful and heartbreaking as a romantic breakup -- and sometimes worse! Luckily, we have Liz Pryor on the show to talk about why this happens and what you can do about it when it does. She wrote the amazing book, "What Did I Do Wrong? What to Do When You Don't Know Why the Friendship is Over" -- and we felt so much better after hearing her take. She's talked with thousands of women about this phenomenon -- and, given how common it is, we should all be talking about it more. Author, speaker, relationship and life advice expert, Liz Pryor, tells inspiring life stories on and off the page. Her first book of advice about female friendship, What Did I Do Wrong? (Simon&Schuster), was a finalist for the Books for a Better Life Award. Pryor was among 15,000 applicants vying for a position as life advice expert on ABC's Good Morning America. After a six-month search, on-air competition and public voting process, Pryor was chosen. She spent the next two years on air dispensing advice on all aspects of every day living.  Pryor later released her provocative, moving memoir, "Look at You Now" (Random House), which promptly became a Chicago Tribune bestseller. The paperback version released in the US and the UK. Look at You Now was most recently optioned for a television series by SONY Television. Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Abby's big birthday and her newly-embraced theory that sometimes our decisions can only be understood backwards.  

Hey, Sisters. Yes, you already know and love New York Times bestselling author, Laurie Notaro. She's the funny, irreverent, modern-day Erma Bombeck. And she's on Sisters Cracking Up with more hilarity than ever. Notaro's book, Excuse Me While I Disappear: Tales of Midlife Mayhem, is loaded with important food for thought like, "Why is my ass where my belly used to be?" and "What's the deal with my eyebrows?" She also dives into her decision to "go gray" and advises us all to proudly follow suit. Laurie Notaro is the New York Times best-selling author of the humor memoirs, The Idiot Girls Action Adventure Club, Autobiography of a Fat Bride, I Love Everybody, and Housebroken, along with numerous others; two humor novels; and Crossing the Horizon, a novel of historical fiction that tells the true story of once famous and now forgotten aviatrices prior to Amelia Earhart. She resides in Eugene, Oregon, has a cute dog, a nice husband and misses Mexican food like it was her youth. Abby and Julie kick off the episode with musings about their own "gray" journeys and also reflect on an interesting dinner party question.    

Hey, Sisters. Interested in a new way to think yourself to a more peaceful and joyful life? We were, too. So, when Julie found the book, Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking is the Beginning and End of Suffering, we knew we had to get Joseph Nguyen on the pod. Joseph Nguyen's groundbreaking book outlines a radical way to approach the countless thoughts we have every day. We can't control our thoughts, but we CAN change the way we think about them. Why would you want to do that? According to Nguyen, it's because your "thinking" is the root cause of all your emotional suffering.  Joseph Nguyen is the author of the #1 international bestselling book, Don't Believe Everything You Think, which has been translated into 17+ languages. He is a writer who helps others realize who they truly are beyond their own thinking and conditioning to live an abundant life free from psychological and emotional suffering. When he's not busy petting his 3 cats that he's allergic to, he spends the rest of his time writing, teaching, speaking, and sharing timeless wisdom to help people discover their own divinity from within and how they are the answer they've been looking for their entire lives. You may visit his website at www.josephnguyen.org for more books, resources, and videos to help you on your journey. Abby and Julie open the pod by laughing the hardest ever. And that says a lot.     

If we're being honest, this happens to all parents at one point or another: Our grown kids disappoint us. But it remains one of the toughest things to talk about openly as we still believe (somewhere deep inside) that the poor/unpopular decisions our kids make reflects badly on who we are as parents. Whether we judge ourselves for their choices -- or we fear being judged by others -- we often remain selective about what we share when our grown kids make choices we don't like. And why do we do this? According to Dr. Jane Adams, author of, When Our Grown Kids Disappoint Us: Letting Go of Their Problems, Loving Them Anyway, and Getting on with Our Lives, the reason is GUILT. Plain and simple. We blame ourselves. But, according to Dr. Jane Adams, we need to learn to let go of the guilt and get back to loving our kids for who they are -- no matter if we agree with their life choices or not. Her book -- and this  episode -- is a must if you're struggling with your kids' choices and blaming yourself. Abby and Julie kick off the episode discussing Julie's belief that podcast guests prefer Abby -- which Abby strongly disputes.  

Dry January is here! Are you partaking...or maybe finding the challenge a little too, well, challenging? Lucky for all of us, Clare Pooley, author of The Sober Diaries, has joined us just in time for this episode of Sisters Cracking Up. Clare Pooley discovered that her personal journey to sobriety really didn't differ all that much from the hundreds of thousands of people who logged on to read her blog, Mummy was a Secret Drinker, which has had nearly three million hits. The difference for Clare was that she became a beacon of light, love, and support for so many slogging the same, difficult path.  Her memoir, The Sober Diaries, was published in 2017 to critical acclaim. With a delicate mix of humor, encouragement, self-revelation, and hard truths, her book about becoming sober stands out as one that highlights that life after sobriety is one not be afraid of but, rather, to get really excited about. Now eight years sober and healthy, Clare also discusses her breast cancer diagnosis in the midst of her newfound sobriety and how being sober helped her immensely with facing her health challenges. Abby and Julie discuss their addictions to kick off the episode.  

Hey, Sisters. Most of us know there's no time like the holidays to highlight all the good (and not-so-good) parts of being in a family. Although Hallmark (and its minions) would like us to believe that all of our close family relationships are intact, this is indeed not the case. Author Fern Schumer Chapman (Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: Sibling Estrangement and the Road to Reconciliation) is on Sisters Cracking Up talking about her amazing book and her own road to reconciliation and healing with her brother. Family rifts are beyond painful for everyone involved and more common than you think. You are not alone if you have a sibling relationship that causes you strife, stress, and anxiety. The good news is this book can help. The better news is you can listen to this episode right now to jumpstart managing and healing from your own estranged relationships. Critically acclaimed Chicago-based writer Fern Schumer Chapman has written several award-winning books. She writes a blog on psychologytoday.com called "Brothers, Sisters, Strangers," and she co-hosts a podcast by the same name. Some of her blog posts are compiled in her most recent work, The Sibling Estrangement Journal: A Guided Exploration of Your Experience through Writing. Abby and Julie also discuss their journey through and after their mom's passing (yes, they're still processing it). Also, Abby suggests a new name for their podcast which Julie wholly and immediately rejects.

Trae Bodge is your best friend this holiday season. If anyone knows shopping, it's Trae. If anyone can actually be a shopping "guru," it's also Trae. (It's no wonder she's made over a thousand TV appearances to talk about the tricks of the trade.) The holidays are fraught with so many decisions and gift-giving is one of the big ones. It's a fact that most of us need to be mindful of what we're spending and on whom. But who knew there was an almost-science to making the whole process just a bit more palatable? Join us as we practically interrogate Trae about where to shop, how to shop, and when to shop to get the best and smartest deals for the holidays. Black Friday? Cyber Monday? Small Business Saturday? No wonder our heads spin at this time of year -- and too many of us go into credit card debt as we turn the calendar page. Don't do it, Sisters! Listen in to Trae's invaluable words of wisdom in order to save yourself some money and your sanity. Abby and Julie also discuss their upcoming holiday plans and ponder the important questions to ask around the Thanksgiving table.  

The title of Dr. Ellen Albertson's book, Rock Your Midlife, tells you just what you need to know about what's inside. But it doesn't stop there. The subtitle is, 7 Steps to Transform Yourself and Make your Next Chapter Your Best Chapter. Of course, we were intrigued since we're all about midlife at Sisters Cracking Up -- and all about making it the best it can be. Dr. Ellen Albertson is a force of energy, light, and healing. She has grabbed midlife by the chin hairs -- and she shows you how to do the same. We loved this book for its honesty and straightforward advice and we knew we had to have her on the show. With chapters like, Befriend Yourself: From Self-Loathing to Self-Love and Empower Yourself: From Helpless to In Charge, there's something here for everyone who's wondering how to live the years we have left with integrity and passion. If your next steps are unclear, or you can see them but can't figure out how to take them, you won't want to miss this episode. Abby and Julie also discuss (okay, sing) a possible theme song for Julie's TV show if the opportunity might ever arise. They also talk (okay, whine) about the amount of time and work it takes to keep a podcast going, and how Abby's early motherhood years were largely spent in her efforts not to have a complete breakdown.  

Are you Shaman-curious? Does the idea that there's more to the Universe than what you can see, feel, and touch intrigue you?  In the spirit of opening our minds (and yours!), we invited Shaman Brad Little Frog to be our guest on Sisters Cracking Up. Join us as we delve into how a shaman can help heal your mind, spirit, body -- and even help you sell your house -- as Abby found out when she worked with Brad Little Frog to sell hers. The house was sold -- and so was she! Little Frog talks about life after death and what it really means, what we're put on this Earth to do, and how we can connect with the two angels who are assigned to each of us in our lifetimes. Intrigued? We thought so. Brad Little Frog is a well known shaman, healer, teacher, and life coach based in the greater Boston area. Little Frog works with clients all over the world to heal them and remove malevolent attachments. He is also the published author of three books about depossession, vision quests, and the true nature of our Universe -- all available on Amazon.  His specialties are depossession and house clearing. He can be reached at littlefroghealing@gmail.com or on his website www.littlefroghealing.com. Abby and Julie discuss decluttering in the wake of their mom's passing, buying sequined leggings, and how their days of wearing fancy clothes seem to have disappeared into thin air.

Anxiety, anyone? Yep, we thought so. That's why we invited The Anxiety Sisters (Abbe Greenberg and Maggie Sarachek) to come on Sisters Cracking Up and teach us a thing or two about living with and managing anxiety. Their book, The Anxiety Sisters' Survival Guide: How You Can Become More Hopeful, Connected, and Happy, is a veritable handbook to better understanding and managing panic, worry, grief, stress, or phobias. Or, if you just want to pause the endless spin cycle in your head, you'll find real-world, research-based techniques, exercises, and insights—without the clinical, confusing, one-size-fits-all approach that isn't so helpful when your mind is racing and your triggers are in overdrive. We can't say enough about the value of their book and of THEM (they're amazing!) in the all-too-common struggle so many of us have with anxiety. This is life-changing, Sisters. If you struggle with any of these issues -- or you care about someone who does -- don't miss this episode. Abby and Julie also discuss their own struggles with anxiety. As sisters do.      

Does the thought of getting older make you anxious? Are you in your 30s, 40s or 50s and wonder if you've already hit your peak? Do not despair, Sisters. There is good news. Very good news. In his book, The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50, Jonathan Rauch does the extraordinary. He's gathered all the cutting-edge research about aging and happiness and his conclusion is this: Life gets better and we get happier as we age. The midlife slump is just that; a temporary slump that seems to disappear as we get older...and happier. Jonathan Rauch is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington and is the author of eight books and many articles on public policy, culture, and government. He is a contributing writer for The Atlantic and recipient of the 2005 National Magazine Award, the magazine industry's equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. His latest book, published in 2021 by the Brookings Press, is The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth, a spirited and deep-diving account of how to push back against disinformation, canceling, and other new threats to our fact-based epistemic order. In 2018, he published The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50, a lauded account of the surprising relationship between aging and happiness. And, of course, we couldn't wait to have him on to share his findings. Abby and Julie also discuss the Adam Levine scandal. As sisters do.  

Welcome back, Sisters! We're so happy to be back for Season 3 of Sisters Cracking Up! We have some incredible guests lined up for you this season and we're kicking it off with Dr. Laurie Mintz, author of the bestseller, "Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters and How to Get It." Dr. Mintz is a feminist author, therapist, and tenured professor (University of Florida) whose life's work has been committed to helping people live more authentic, meaningful, and sexually satisfying lives.  Tune in as we dig into everything orgasm: --Who's most likely to have them and with whom?  --What women can do to increase their chances of achieving the Big O --The lies society has taught both women and men about orgasmic sex ...and so much more! Whether you're happily single, partnered, or simply "hooking up," this episode has got you covered no matter what your status or age.

Join Sisters Cracking Up, as we interview Gabrielle Glaser on her groundbreaking, bestselling book, "Her Best-Kept Secret: Why Women Drink -- and How They Can Regain Control." If you've ever struggled with alcohol addiction (or if someone you love has) OR if you've ever simply questioned your own relationship with alcohol (pandemic drinking, anyone?), this episode is a must listen. From how women process alcohol, to how they feel about themselves when they drink, to what makes women drink...it's all here in this episode. (HINT: They're all very different from men's experience with booze.) And if you're a woman considering AA, Glaser's findings and research on women and AA may surprise (shock!) you. Join sisters Abby Rodman and Julie Howard for an in-depth interview with Gabrielle Glaser on her acclaimed book. Gabrielle Glaser is the author, most recently, of "American Baby: A Mother, A Child, and the Shadow History of Adoption," which tells the shocking truth about postwar adoption in America through the bittersweet story of one teenager, the son she was forced to relinquish, and their lifelong search to find each other. The New York Times, the Washington Post, and NPR named it a best book of 2021.  Gabrielle's 2013 book examining women's drinking and the American rehab industry, "Her Best-Kept Secret: Why Women Drink -- and How They Can Regain Control" was a New York Times bestseller.  She has covered the intersection of health, medicine, and culture for The New York Times and many other publications, including The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Scientific American, and is the mother of three grown daughters.     

Have you ever been made to doubt what you know to be true by a partner, a friend, a sibling, or a parent? If so, there's a good chance you've been gaslighted. Thanks to Dr. Robin Stern, "gaslighting" -- the term she coined to describe the experience of being manipulated into doubting one's own truth or sanity -- has been brought to the collective forefront of what we now understand is a form of psychological abuse. Her book, The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life is the gold standard in the psychology field for those who've been the victims of this insidious and soul-destructing form of control -- and for mental health providers who need to know how it may be effecting the lives of their clients. Why do some people gaslight others? Why are others more susceptible to being gaslit? And, if you are being gaslighted, what can you do about it?  Join Sisters Cracking Up hosts Abby Rodman and Julie Howard as they interview Dr. Robin Stern about gaslighting and her bestselling book. You don't want to miss this one, Sisters! Robin Stern, Ph.D., is the co-founder and associate director for the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and an associate research scientist at the Child Study Center at Yale. She is a licensed psychoanalyst with 30 years of experience treating individuals, couples and families. Robin is the co-developer of RULER (an acronym for the five key emotion skills of recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating emotions) an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning that has been adopted by over 1,500 public, charter, and private pre-school to high schools across the United States and in other countries. Robin regularly consults with schools nationally and across the globe. She also consults with large companies, including Facebook and Google on best practices for integrating the principles of emotional intelligence into training and product design. With Facebook, she has co-developed a number of products, including a social resolution tools to help adults and youth resolve online conflict and the bullying prevention hub to support educators, families, and teens. Robin is the co-founder of Star Factor Coaching, a model of leadership coaching anchored in the skills of emotional intelligence and was a founding member of the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership, where she spent 15 years creating and facilitating professional development programs for aspiring women leaders. In 2014-15 Robin was a fellow in the Yale Public Voices Fellowship, and her work is frequently published in popular media outlets, such as Psychology Today, The Huffington Post, Time.com, The Washington Post, The Hill, Harvard Business Review. She has been a guest on many local and national radio shows and has traveled widely to lecture on emotional intelligence, women in leadership and on relational bullying.    

Gary Janetti, comedy genius and royalty, joins us to talk about his new book, Start Without Me: I'll Be There in a Minute.  You already know and love Gary Janetti from his work on Family Guy, The Prince, and Will & Grace. Now, you'll get to know and love the person behind the laughs as he shares what and who inspires him -- and his thoughts on commencement speeches, tanning, and fame. Sisters Cracking Up hosts Abby Rodman and Julie Howard talk with Gary about his comedy roots, inspirations, and the people most important to him. We even got him to read some selections from his new book. Gary has nearly a million followers on Instagram for good reason -- and we grill him on that, too! Gary Janetti is a four-time Emmy nominated writer and producer who is the showrunner and creator of HBOMax's The Prince. He got his start writing on several network series before joining Fox's Family Guy where he was on the original writing staff and went on to pen many memorable episodes featuring Brian and Stewie. He then wrote on NBC's Will & Grace, where he rose to executive producer and showrunner. His popular Instagram account of over 900k followers has been featured and praised in such publications as the New York Times, People and Vanity Fair. Janetti's first book, Do You Mind If I Cancel? became an instant New York Times bestseller. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband, TV personality and fashion expert Brad Goreski.

It's kind of impossible not to love the New York Times Bestseller, Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life by Christie Tate. And, frankly, it's kind of hard not to love Christie Tate herself. If you enjoyed Group (and even if you're the one person who didn't), you're going to enjoy this interview, Sisters. Christie pulls back every curtain as she shares her hard-won journey to mental health and the unorthodox group therapy that helped get her there. Please join Sisters Cracking Up as we interview Christie Tate about her process in writing her stunning and revealing memoir which quickly became a Reese's Book Club Pick. Christie also reveals what she's working on next -- and we can't wait to read it. How 'bout them apples?    

Did you grow up with an emotionally immature, unavailable, or selfish parent? Did you often feel unseen or unheard by those who raised you? Did you take on adult responsibilities or roles as a way to compensate for your parent's behavior? If so, you may still be challenged by lingering feelings of anger, betrayal, or abandonment. Dr. Lindsay Gibson had a radical thought in her decades of doing psychotherapy: Perhaps some of her clients weren't the ones who needed therapy -- it was their parent(s) that did! Join Sisters Cracking Up as we interview Dr. Lindsay Gibson, author of the bestseller, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents, a groundbreaking work that uncovers this invisible trauma and reveals ways to heal and free yourself of your parent's emotional immaturity and the wounds it inflicted. Lindsay Gibson is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been a psychotherapist for over 30 years, in both private and public settings. Dr. Gibson specializes in helping adults who are interested in personal growth, especially when they are dealing with the effects of having emotionally immature parents and other E.I. relationships. For more information and writings by Dr. Lindsay Gibson, you can check out her website at drlindsaygibson.com.

Ever look at the habits or behaviors of your parents and grandparents and think, "I'll never do that!" Sure you have. But Steven Petrow kept copious notes about all the things he'd never do...and then wrote a book about it.  Yes, it's funny. But it's also touching and enlightening as Petrow takes us through the basics ("I won't color my hair!") and then moves us gracefully into a deeper understanding of what it means to grow older. Petrow watched his own parents as they aged (and passed) leading to a profound sensitivity to the aging and dying process. Steven Petrow is an award-winning journalist and book author who is best known for his Washington Post and New York Times essays on aging, health, and civility. He's also an opinion columnist for USA Today, where he writes about civil discourse and manners. Steven's 2019 TED Talk has been viewed nearly two million times and translated into 16 languages. Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old was published in 2021 and named as one of the New York Times' “favorite” books of the year (among other accolades). He is the author of five other books and is a much sought after public speaker. You're likely to hear him when you stream NPR or one of your favorite  —  or least favorite  —  TV networks.  Steven Petrow and this book may just change the way you feel about aging -- and the always difficult process of watching your parents age. We loved this book (and Steven) and so will you, Sisters.    

Every midlife woman has a story. Sometimes that story can be one we can learn and grow from. Jennifer Arthurton, host of the podcast, Old Chicks Know Sh*t, was floundering in midlife until she decided to choose reinvention over personal struggle and complacency. Her life truly changed when she was willing to let go of the "image" of what she (and others) thought her life should look like. And we're pretty sure we can all learn something from that!  Abby kicks off the episode with a story about a client who makes her question her own vanity in the face of aging. Julie points out that studies have been done on aging women whom -- at a rate of nearly 100% -- believe they are aging better than those in their friend group. Go figure.  

As women, we're no strangers to the experience that what our lives look like from the outside often doesn't match the dissatisfaction and turmoil within. And no matter how many self-help books we read, or yoga classes we take, or smoothies we drink -- we still feel like we're drifting. Dr. Valerie Rein is a psychologist and women's mental health expert who has discovered Patriarchy Stress Disorder (PSD) and created the only science-backed system for helping women achieve their ultimate success, happiness, and fulfillment by healing the intergenerational trauma of oppression. She holds an EdM in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University and a PhD in Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Her #1 Amazon bestselling book, “Patriarchy Stress Disorder: The Invisible Inner Barrier to Women's Happiness and Fulfillment” has been heralded by reviewers as "the most important body of literary work of our modern times" and "perhaps the most important book of the century for women."  

It's a tough swallow, but divorce always comes down to two things: kids and money. And if the kids are grown or there are none, it's all about the dough. So, what do you need to know about your financials in order to move smartly through your divorce and end up with the best possible financial outcome? Cue Shawn Leamon because he's just the guy we need to advise us on all matters of divorce financials. We loved his straightforward, no-nonsense approach and so will you. Shawn Leamon is an MBA, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and host of the #1 divorce financial podcast, Divorce and Your Money. He is also the author of Divorce and Your Money: How to Avoid Costly Divorce Mistakes (2020), a no-nonsense, user-friendly guide that provides a complete plan for facing the tough decisions during divorce.  Shawn's work has been seen in Time, USA Today, Yahoo! Finance, Nasdaq, San Francisco Chronicle, and many other publications across the United States. His website, DivorceAndYourMoney.com has over 1 million viewers and his podcast has over 500,000 downloads.  Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, he received his Bachelor of Arts in both Economics and Philosophy from Dartmouth College. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Spain's IE Business School, where he focused on international finance and venture capital. Before launching his own firm, Shawn worked as a credit research analyst at J.P. Morgan and subsequently helped manage $1.1 billion in client assets at Bernstein Global Wealth Management. In his personal life, Shawn loves to push his physical and mental limits as an ultra-endurance athlete. An avid traveler, Shawn spends time between his offices in Dallas, New York City and Hanover, New Hampshire, and can often be found wandering the globe, having visited over 25 countries. divorceandyourmoney.com/coaching  

Randi Kreger, co-author of the bestseller, Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder, joins Sisters Cracking Up to pull back the curtain on the wild, complex, and eternally frustrating experience of being in a relationship with someone with BPD. And that relationship can be with anyone in your life: spouse, partner, parent, boss, or even your child. What are the hallmarks of this personality disorder? And why do those on the receiving end always feel like they're losing their marbles? Randi Kreger shares her personal experience with BPD and how it sparked a lifelong interest in the disorder. She has sold over a million books worldwide on BPD, enlightening and giving relief to those who didn't have the words to describe their traumatic experiences.

Thinking about making that career change as you round the bend in midlife? So many of us are thinking about it...and doing it! But there's so much to consider before we switch those professional gears. Career coach extraordinaire Angie Bruhn joins Sisters Cracking Up to discuss what you need to think about as you craft the second act of your professional life. And it's not just about paying the bills. It's about YOU. We also reveal (at long last!) your career survey answers. Angie Bruhn is an executive leadership coach and the CEO of Elevate Execs. After spending 18 years in the corporate world working for an intense, ever-changing marquee of brands, she has dedicated herself to empowering individuals to excel in diverse cultures and environments, enabling them to become the leaders and people they are meant to be.

Dreading that convo you know you need to have? We've all been there! Join us as we welcome Confrontationalist Danielle Gibson who will teach you how to "talk turkey" right in time for Thanksgiving! Confrontation is usually seen as something negative but, what if instead of fearing confrontation and trying to avoid it, you stepped into it and embraced it directly?  This is what Danielle Gibson, a Confrontation Expert and Performance Coach, helps her clients do. Danielle's definition of Confrontation is "To deal directly with someone or something you've been avoiding out of fear." Why is it important to learn how to be an expert Confrontationalist? Because that fear is what is holding you back! She partners with clients who feel stuck in a mundane unrewarding cycle to help them break free. The result? They gain a greater sense of awareness, clarity and confidence so they can get what they want, not just what they think they can get. In working through their blocks, they move toward a truly authentic life they can live on their terms. Website - www.theconfrontationalist.com Email - hello@theconfrontationalist.com Instagram - @the_confrontationalist  

Author and humorist Helen Ellis is in the house. And no topic is off-limits!  We talk professional poker, menopause, friendships, marriage, and the wherewithal it takes to become a successful writer. (Also, if you didn't know that the phrase "bless your heart" has negative connotations, Helen explains why.)  If you want to be Helen's friend, you've got to be willing to open up about your sex life and be prepared to show up in one of her books. To that, we say, "Sign us up!"  She's so delightful, we think you'll be ready to sign up, too. Helen is the author of Southern Lady Code, American Housewife, and Eating the Cheshire Cat. Her newest book, Bring Your Baggage and Don't Pack Light explores friendships between women and what it's like to be a woman in midlife. Raised in Alabama, she lives with her husband in New York City. You can find Helen on Twitter @WhatIDoAllDay and Instagram @HelenEllisAuthor.

Our enthusiasm is a little embarrassing, but we are true fangirls of Paul Gilmartin and his podcast, The Mental Illness Happy Hour. Listen in as Paul shares his own struggles openly and vulnerably -- in an effort to help others move through and beyond their own.  A well-known comedian and host of the long-running TBS show, Dinner and a Movie, Paul Gilmartin turned to podcasting in 2011 as a way to work through his own trauma. In a podcast the New York Times calls, "a perversely safe place in which he and his guests talk about their fears, addictions and traumatic childhoods," Paul's openness and empathy have endeared him to millions of listeners around the world. This episode contains accounts of personal and sexual trauma which may be disturbing or upsetting to some listeners. It is intended for mature audiences only.   

Join us as best-selling author (Sweetbitter, Stray) Stephanie Danler and her sister Christina Mannatt are interviewed together for the very first time. Danler calls her interview on Sisters Cracking Up, "The best podcast I've ever done." Danler's memoir, Stray, is one of grave childhood dysfunction which includes a drug-addicted father who abandons their family when Danler was three, and a secretly alcoholic mother who was eventually disabled by a brain aneurysm before Danler reached true adulthood. But the story behind the story is the beautiful, complex, unconditional love between herself and her sister, Christina Mannatt. Although their trauma binds them in ways only known to them, they have cobbled together lives of meaning and sense -- with each other at the center. Danler calls her relationship with her sister, the "defining relationship" of her life. Listen in as these two deeply-bonded sisters discuss a shared traumatic history and their relationship which has helped heal them both.