Jonni and Maria Go There!

Jonni and Maria explore their own feelings and the public reaction to the loss of two amazing feminist icons: Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem. They talk about their own experience with the F-word (feminism) from childhood, the amazing accomplishments of both women, and how they approached feminism in their own unique ways, leaving the door open for other women (and men) to authentically get on board. They share their views on the negative stereotype of feminists, what feminism really means, and how women speaking out right now do indeed love men, and why men themselves are actually a key part of this fight for equality for all. They share profound quotes from both women and an especially fun fact about Dolly. And they parse out why many are feeling these losses so deeply right now, when good leadership role models seem to be rare - and what their loss requires all of us to do next to pick up the torch and keep their good work going. 

Plus: the latest Gen Z/Alpha lingo, The Odyssey, Elliott Page, gender non-conforming pets, great podcast recommendations, and more tomfoolery.

References: 

• The Intertwined Legacies of Gloria Steinem and Dolly Parton- The Daily Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-intertwined-legacies-of-gloria-steinem/id1200361736?i=1000787827584
• Philip Lindsay: middle school teacher defining Gen Z and Alpha lingo: https://www.instagram.com/mr_phlindsay_sped
• Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33764258/
• Actor Elliott Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliot_Page
• The Umbrella Academy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Umbrella_Academy_(TV_series)
• Dolly's musical legacy: https://www.npr.org/2026/08/26/nx-s1-5944468/dolly-parton-legacy-songwriting
• Gloria Steinem's best quotes: https://equalitynow.org/news/news-and-insights/gloria_steinem_quotes/

• Great NPR interview with Gloria: https://www.npr.org/2026/09/03/nx-s1-5955479/gloria-steinem-fresh-air

• How Dolly's acrylic nails helped her write 9 to 5: https://youtu.be/HVBcIyg3dsM?si=EkqDlrDR3w3M9IuQ

• More great quotes from Gloria Steinem: https://people.com/gloria-steinem-best-quotes-12094574

• Julia Louis-Dreyfus Wiser Than Me podcast with Gloria Steinem (2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-once-more-julia-gets-wise-with-gloria-steinem/id1678559416?i=1000787680892

• Melinda Gates - Pivotal- a group of organizations working to accelerate the pace of social progress for women and young people in the US and around the world. 

CONNECT WITH US

We’d love your feedback and ideas about the show! Follow/DM us on Instagram:

@jonniandmaria

@redslicemaria

@jonniressler

Visit Maria’s website: www.red-slice.com

Visit Jonni’s website: www.eleven11solutions.com

Jonni and Maria are back for the first time since December, and it's the Year of the Fire Horse, so naturally the theme is reinvention, and sometimes that means burning down what isn't working anymore. In this episode, they dig into the third stage of life, and the role menopause plays in it, comparing notes on what's actually helped, what hasn't, and why nobody prepared them for any of this.

Plus, wildfires, improv, vacation pivots, The Odyssey, Spider-Man, near-death experiences, a borrowed "I don't think so, honey" energy from the Las Culturistas podcast, and more tomfoolery.

Caveat: While we discuss menopause symptoms and treatments that work for us, we are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We simply talk about our own experiences. Please check with your own provider or naturopath specializing in menopause before making any changes to your care.

REFERENCES MENTIONED:

Year of the Fire Horse

Midi

Thorne

Fullscript

GoodRx

Married with Luggage: What We Learned About Love by Traveling the World by Warren and Betsy Talbot

SEEN: The Power of Appreciation at Work by Catherine Ducharme

 Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Matt Damon

Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Tom Holland

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson: Rita Wilson

CONNECT WITH US

We’d love your feedback and ideas about the show! Follow/DM us on Instagram:

@jonniandmaria

@redslicemaria

@jonniressler

Visit Maria’s website: www.red-slice.com

Visit Jonni’s website: www.eleven11solutions.com

Jonni and Maria discuss all things holiday - from dealing with the recession to how to painlessly alter your shopping habits to be a force for good, to the traditions we hold dear from childhood, and those we create - or lack thereof - within our own families. And while we're not giving away cars Oprah-style, we share some of our favorite things that make great last-minute gifts. We wrap with a conversation on healthy mindsets for the season.

Plus, Japan adventures, Spartacus, board games, 5Ks over 50, job-hugging, 2026 sort-of-goals, and more tomfoolery.

REFERENCES MENTIONED:

Job Hugging

Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast with Ina Garten

Websites:

Etsy.com

LittleBlueCart.com

ShopRedBag.com

Board Games:

Ticket to Ride

Mind the Gap

Favorite Things/Gifts:

Aura Frames

Conversation Cue Cards by Jen Mueller

RIO (Reach International Outfitters)

Rogue Star Beauty

Perbelle

Ursa Major Skin Care

Woobles Crochet Kits

CONNECT WITH US

We’d love your feedback and ideas about the show! Follow/DM us on Instagram:

@jonniandmaria

@redslicemaria

@jonniressler

Visit Maria’s website: www.red-slice.com

Visit Jonni’s website: www.eleven11solutions.com

Today Jonni and Maria talk about joy: All the ways we find it, it finds us, and how we need it in tough times. From game show addictions to leafing through old photo albums and building Chambers of Connection, we discuss the important role community, camaraderie, and laughter play in our lives and how you can find ways to stay involved while still embracing joy right now. And we share a few must-watch shows and must-listen podcasts to add some levity to your life.

Plus, improv, illness, a Night at the Museum, white noise, disposable cameras, Harry Potter, and more tomfoolery.

REFERENCES MENTIONED:

Love is Blind

Project Runway

Night at the Museum

SNL 50th Anniversary

Schitt's Creek

Loot

The Detectorists

Search Engine 

No Such Thing

Chamber of Connection

California Academy of Sciences Penguins and Pajamas Program

Shutterfly

Artkive

CONNECT WITH US

We’d love your feedback and ideas about the show! Follow/DM us on Instagram:

@jonniandmaria

@redslicemaria

@jonniressler

Visit Maria’s website: www.red-slice.com

Visit Jonni’s website: www.eleven11solutions.com

Jonni and Maria discuss how we can balance what's happening around us and why building community will be the key to making it through, finding joy, and activating change. We discuss why we're all grieving something. We share about optimism, activism, the cycle of progress and retreat, and how we can find sanity and sanctuary while still staying involved. Listen in to think and laugh about how we're all dealing with change in work and in our personal lives and how we can find joy, link arms, and move forward.

We share resources and experts that will help you find joy and take action.

Plus, chicken coops, improv shows, love and loss, social media sanity, kids, and more tomfoolery.

References Mentioned:

Jonni's show Big Tech at Jet City Improv (February 2025)

Courage to Advance: Breaking the ‘Things Will Get Better’ Cycle with Aaron Delgaty, PhD

The Ezra Klein Show

Heather Cox Richardson

Ruth Bader Ginsburg on The Pendulum as the symbol of the United States

ResistBot app

1440 

Tangle

All There Is podcast with Andersen Cooper, exploring grief

The Empathy Edge: Stephanie Sarazin: What Is Ambiguous Grief and How To Show Up

Life is Beautiful 

The Parrot Tico Tango

Not mentioned but a great perspective!

Elisa Camahort Page: Where Do We Go From Here? (about social media usage)

In a unique time travel episode (we recorded the first half weeks before the second due to tech issues), Jonni and Maria discuss why your vote in the 2024 election matters more than ever to the future of our country and break down exactly what we like about Harris/Walz  - and what is so dangerous about the Trump/Vance agenda. We share why every American needs to be paying attention to politics right now to preserve our democracy and rights. And what the Biden administration has actually done for this country and what we are most excited about for a more equitable and joyful future. We are all about providing the facts, with color commentary of our own as progressive women, moms, business owners…and hopeful Americans.

We share info you may not know and would love to hear your own viewpoints and perspectives.

Plus, Maria's big move to the Burbs, horse neighbors, back to school, and book launch, Jonni's two graduation marathon, teen world travels, empty nest adjustments and more tomfoolery

References Mentioned:

Maria's new book The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries. Grab your copy!

September 11, 2024, Seattle The Empathy Dilemma fun book launch, panel, and workshop with Jonni and Maria! RSVP now - space is limited.

Elisa Camahort Page, OpEd podcast and the book she co-authored with Carolyn Gerin and Jamia Wilson, Roadmap for Revolutionaries,

What the Biden Administration has done for this country and why it matters: 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/07/23/biden-sacrifice-democrats-win/Voter

White Women for Harris Zoom call: Organized by Shannon Watts of Moms Demand Action

https://www.wjbf.com/news/white-women-for-harris-meeting-raised-millions-broke-zoom/

More on the GOP Project 2025 Agenda: https://act.moveon.org/go/194441?t=9&akid=398263%2E38337520%2EbKqQDo

Turnout information: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/07/12/voter-turnout-2018-2022/

Do something! Find ways to volunteer that work for you: https://votesaveamerica.com/

Understanding and fighting voter suppression: https://www.fairfight.com/

Swing States: https://usafacts.org/articles/what-are-the-current-swing-states-and-how-have-they-changed-over-time/

Sharon McMahon, America’s Government Tacher: https://www.instagram.com/sharonsaysso/

Harris’ High Level Economic Views: https://apnews.com/article/harris-economy-taxes-homes-food-prices-insurance-e1ad3f26f2ce8e6cb365a4ffe2ca3e6b

Trump VP choice JD Vance's former criticism of Trump: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/how-trumps-potential-running-mates-harshly-criticized-him-in-the-past

Jonni and Maria talk about the differences between embarrassment and shame and spill the tea on some of our award-worthy embarrassing moments. Whether from middle school plays to brazen attempts to bond with the cool kids. Whether it’s attending the wrong party for almost 30 minutes (and drinking their wine) or the everyday embarrassments we all feel. Jonni and Maria share the laughs, physiological reactions and emotional scars that stay with us, how to take away the power of embarrassment, how sometimes embarrassment can lead to shame when handled badly  - and explore the moments that remain with us.  We break down an "official" difference between embarrassment and shame, and of course, cite Brene Brown.

Plus, kid updates, slumber parties, Alcatraz visits, what the hell is "snappy casual?,  Maria's new book coming in September,, and more tomfoolery.

REFERENCES MENTIONED:

NIH National Library of Medicine, "The Neural Signatures of Shame, Embarrassment, and Guilt: A Voxel-Based Meta-Analysis on Functional Neuroimaging Studies"

Adding Shame, Guilt, Humiliation, Embarrassment, Empathy, and Self-Compassion to the Social Emotional Learning Vocabulary

CONNECT WITH US

We’d love your feedback and ideas about the show! Follow/DM us on Instagram:

@jonniandmaria

@redslicemaria

@jonniressler

Visit Maria’s website: www.red-slice.com

Visit Jonni’s website: www.eleven11solutions.com

Jonni and Maria talk about the evolution of language and how the heck we can understand each other better..From the ways we now refer to different groups to be more inclusive and respectful, and how this is constantly evolving - and should be, as we learn more and strive to be better to each other. We talk about generational slang, from the 50's to the 80's to Gen Z, "professional" talk versus casual talk, how we learned to write formal letters and emails, which phrases are keepers no matter what generation, and how we feel about swearing. We discuss how language can divide us but also connect us. And of course, we share our own adventures trying to understand what language our kids are speaking.

We'd love to hear what you think!

Plus, Halloween debrief, our take on when Christmas decorations can go up, helping our kids become more self-aware, plus more tomfoolery.

REFERENCES MENTIONED:

The Inclusive Language Field Guide by Dr. Suzanne Werheim

Language at work is becoming more casual- thanks to Gen Z - CNBC

Gen Z nurse video meme (watch all of Nurse John here, a nurse using humor to highlight serious challenges)

2023 Teen Slang includes current teen phrases 

Teen Talk and Linguistic Evolution - Psychology Today

Can you talk the latest talk? How slang divides and connects generations

At what age should you stop using contemporary slang? 

CONNECT WITH US

We’d love your feedback and ideas about the show! Follow/DM us on Instagram:

@jonniandmaria

@redslicemaria

@jonniressler

Visit Maria’s website: www.red-slice.com

Visit Jonni’s website: www.eleven11solutions.com

Jonni and Maria talk about the movies and TV shows that shaped us. The ones we recall fondly, that are forever linked with important milestones, and which ones we feel like our kids MUST know in order to get certain jokes, references, or truisms in our current culture. 

We discuss what we loved and why, what we have tried to share with our kids (to varying degrees of success), and how some of our beloved favorites just don't stand up in this day and age - and how sad that is for our soul. We also reflect on how our parents must have felt with us, when it comes to their favorite classic movies, music and pop culture.  Maybe it’s just the way of nostalgia, that we always believe “our stuff” is/was the best. 

We'd love to hear your picks as well!

Plus, back to school, fall chaos, recent wins, the fears we should say YES to, Halloween antics and costume roulette, our recent IRL Seattle visit, how to properly tip  (and what we teach our kids about it), plus more tomfoolery.

REFERENCES MENTIONED:

Maria's TEDx Talk: How to "Trojan Horse" Leaders into Being an Empathetic Leaders

On being with Krista Tippett podcast: Dacher Keltner - The Thrilling New Science of Awe

Grease

The Goonies

Ferris Bueller's Day off

Elf

Pretty Woman

Citizen Kane

Pulp Fiction

Amistad

Sixteen Candles

Pretty in Pink

Schindler’s List

Raiders of the Lost Ark

The Philadelphia Story

E.T.

Dead Poets Society

When Harry Met Sally

The Godfather

Goodfellas

Star Wars

Seinfeld

Hotel Rwanda

Friends

M*A*S*H

The Brady Bunch

The West Wing

CONNECT WITH US

We’d love your feedback and ideas about the show! Follow/DM us on Instagram:

@jonniandmaria

@redslicemaria

@jonniressler

Visit Maria’s website: www.red-slice.com

Visit Jonni’s website: www.eleven11solutions.com

Jonni and Maria talk about the mayhem that is motherhood, especially for those who work outside the home, but for all of us dealing with raising humans. We share the ridiculous myths we all tell ourselves about motherhood should be, why every developmental stage is like getting used to a new kid all over again, why it's okay to admit your kid is being a jerk sometimes, and how to start the process of distancing yourself and your identity from your kids to let them fly. Jonni shares from her perspective with soon to be high school and college grads on the cusp of independence and Maria from the trenches of 9 year old sassiness and defiance. We chat about positive and conscious parenting techniques - and why we feel like we're doing it wrong, and the long game: What type of humans do we hope our kids turn out to be and what kind of relationship do we hope we have with them.

Plus, summer chaos, Barnes & Noble, board games, kids playing with knives (don't miss Jonni's story that you won't be able to get out of your head!) and more tomfoolery.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Sara Dean's Shameless Mom Academy Podcast (PS, Here's Maria's interview from a few years ago!)

Dr Shefali, Conscious Parenting expert

Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting

Unscrew You with Rachel Duffy (podcast Maria mentioned but forgot to name)

Better Help to find the right therapist for you

Labor of Love- NPRs Throughline Podcast

Repair of a Broken Relationship (Parents and Adult Children)- Mel Robbins Podcast

If you are in mental crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please call 988 to get the immediate help you need - you are not alone. (US only)

CONNECT WITH US

We’d love your feedback and ideas about the show! Follow us on Instagram:

@jonniandmaria

@redslicemaria

@jonniressler

Visit Maria’s website: www.red-slice.com

Visit Jonni’s website: www.eleven11solutions.com