Emotionally Expensive with Lara Carol

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Emotionally Expensive, Lara tells the story of her relationship with alcohol: from drinking as a teenager and using it to cope with anxiety and difficult emotions, to navigating NYC nightlife, open bars, corporate drinking culture, friendships, dating, and eventually making the decision to get sober.

This isn't a “you should stop drinking” episode. It's Lara getting brutally honest about what happened when she realized alcohol wasn't serving her anymore - and what she discovered on the other side of saying goodbye to it truly meant.

Sober-ish. Sober. Or spiraling? You might recognize yourself somewhere in this story.

One minute, you’re going to concerts, booking trips, chasing your career, and living your best life. The next, your Instagram feed is filled with engagements, weddings, babies, houses, and people who somehow seem to have their entire future figured out.

And suddenly you’re asking yourself: Am I behind?

In this episode of Emotionally Expensive with Lara Carol, Lara sits down with her longtime friend Erin to unpack the pressure of becoming the person you’re “supposed” to be and the uncomfortable question of what happens when the life you’re building doesn’t look like everyone else’s.

In this episode of Emotionally Expensive with Lara Carol, Lara and her guest Ashelei explore the realities of moving away from home, building a new life in a new city, navigating friendship, breakups, finding community, and letting go of people you still love when your paths no longer align. The conversation balances vulnerability with humor, touching on everything from female friendships and Fortnite nights to creative passions, grief, therapy, and self-discovery.

Lara sits down with her friend Jada to unpack what your 20s are really for—making mistakes, learning hard lessons, trying new things, and figuring out who you are. They dive into career reinvention, financial independence, burnout in demanding corporate jobs, shifting priorities in your late 20s, and why your 30s can bring more clarity, confidence, and peace.