Drive with Me

Ahh, the holidays. 'Tis the season to be jolly, to wear matchy matchy pajamas, and to feel the crushing existential dread of being a crazy cat lady forever - fa la la la la, la la la la! Come enjoy how to live with, not in spite of, the overbearing loneliness.

This episode is about struggles: the struggle to think of a topic, the struggle to make your own choices, and the struggle of the windshield wiper that badly needs changing. Seriously, this episode gives tips on how to face tough decisions head on - beginning with the end in mind.

Come on a virtual trip with me to Disneyland - the happiest place on Earth! Since we can't fly yet, let's make the most of what we have and try to transition our brains into being, well, happy. Or at least trying to be. This episode talks about the Japanese concept of Ikigai, as well as another realization that I've been experimenting on myself to try to be on the verge of happiness.

"Put away the pictures, put away the memories," said Mikaila twenty years ago. Unfortunately, this episode won't be about romance or moving on just yet (or is it?). This is our first how-to: on decluttering! Hope this inspires you to follow Marie Kondo's tidying-up methods at home. The idea is to keep only things that spark joy, to live in a decluttered space of peace. The first thing to do is just stop - and let go.

An episode on overcoming adversity and on feminism. I grew up in a family of strong women who were always ready to beat the shit out of street harrassers (I've seen it happen!). But other women have not fared as well, and society blames them for "not taking care enough." Do we just settle for the arguable fact that women are too beautiful for their own safety? This is what it's like to be in our shoes. Enjoy the ride.

Sometimes reality bitch-slaps you right on your face. This is one of those times. Featuring Twitter user @LaurenHerschel's beautiful Ball in a Box analogy on grief: right after experiencing a death, the ball is almost as big as the box it's in, constantly pressing on the little pain button inside. Through time, the ball gets smaller and smaller but would sometimes still sit dangerously close enough to press the button of pain. This is an episode that tells you how to deal with one of life's harshest realities, a lot of agony, and an itty bitty ray of hope towards the end.

Spoiler alert: to podcast. Talking about the baby concept as a prequel to the "real episodes," whatever that means.