What if you just… did it?

Not forever—but for six months, a year, or longer.

This episode is for anyone quietly daydreaming about a family sabbatical, an overseas home swap, or packing up and starting fresh somewhere new. Erin sits down with her friend Kelly Herkert, who moved her family—husband and two kids—to Luxembourg for what they thought would be a two-year adventure… and are now well into year three.

Together, they unpack the full reality of relocating abroad as a family: the logistics no one glamorizes, the emotional whiplash that doesn’t show up on Instagram, and the unexpected ways the experience reshapes kids, marriages, and identity.

They cover everything from schools, housing, healthcare, and visas to friendships, loneliness, grief for what you leave behind, and the moment you realize you don’t actually want to leave yet. This is not a “sell everything and move to Europe” fantasy episode—it’s honest, grounding, and deeply practical.

If you’ve ever thought, Is this irresponsible? Are we going to mess up our kids? Could we actually do this?—this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• There is no perfect time—transitions matter more than timing

• Kids are resilient, but adults need more support than they expect

• Logistics are manageable with planning and the right local help

• International schools are often designed for transition and mobility

• Healthcare abroad is frequently an upgrade, not a downgrade

• Loneliness is normal—and temporary—with intention and time

• This kind of move builds resilience you cannot replicate at home

• Don't do it if you're running away from something—only do it if you’re running toward a new experience.

What do women actually want for Christmas? In this episode, Erin and Megan get real about why so many holiday gifts miss the mark—and why the most meaningful ones are rarely the most expensive.

This conversation is for two people: women who struggle to articulate what they want (or feel guilty wanting anything at all), and partners who genuinely want to give a thoughtful gift but aren’t sure where to start.

If you’re a woman who defaults to saying “I don’t need anything,” we unpack ideas that go beyond stuff—gifts that create space, ease, comfort, and a feeling of being truly seen. And if you’re a partner listening, consider this a practical, no-panic guide: there is still plenty of time, and you don’t need a massive budget to give a gift that actually lands.

We also draw a hard line on one non-negotiable: no mom’s stocking should ever be empty on Christmas morning. Period. That is the single worst offense a partner can allow to happen—and it has nothing to do with money. A filled stocking says, you matter, I planned ahead, and I thought about you. Lucky for you Savannahstockingco.com exists. And if you order by 12/16, you can make sure she has a stocking by Christmas Eve.

These are gifts that require a little intention, not a lot of money. Things that say, I pay attention to your life, I see what you carry, and I thought about you when I chose this. From small upgrades to everyday life to gestures that remove mental load or protect her time, Erin and Megan walk through ideas that feel personal, meaningful, and completely doable—if you start now.

Because at the end of the day, the gifts women remember most aren’t about price tags. They’re about thought, effort, and feeling understood.

Companies mentioned:

IT Cosmetics Bye-Bye Under Eye

Savannah Stocking Co ⁠

Dame

Quince

Mint & Lily

Today’s episode is a mind-bending, hilarious, slightly-terrifying, and unexpectedly heart-warming conversation with Dr. Katie Mack — theoretical astrophysicist, Hawking Chair of Cosmology at the Perimeter Institute, science communicator, and author of The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking).

Katie spends her days studying the universe’s biggest question: How does it all end?
In her book, she breaks down the five leading theories behind the ultimate cosmic finale — from vacuum decay to the big crunch — and trust us, none of them are pretty. Or slow. Or gentle.

But here’s the twist:
This episode is not an hour of doom.It’s an hour of perspective.

Katie uses the fate of the cosmos as a giant metaphor for the value of our fleeting human lives. Yes, the universe is going to end (on a very, VERY long timeline), but instead of panicking, Katie wants us to feel grounded in the meaning and urgency of the moment we’re in right now. Every second is rare, precious, and cosmically improbable — and that’s the point.

We also get into:

• What it’s like to make a career out of studying destruction

• How she protects her mental health while thinking about dark matter and cosmic annihilation

• How Black Holes work... spoiler: if you fall into one, they do stretch you out... and it really is called sphagettification.

• What dating looks like when you might be the smartest person in the room… and possibly the planet

• Why curiosity is her favorite antidote to fear

• And her secret hope for humanity before the universe calls it quits

This is truly one of the most fascinating conversations we’ve ever had.
Katie is brilliant, humble, funny, and wildly relatable — even as she casually explains the death of the cosmos.

So settle in, prepare to have your mind expanded, and enjoy this gorgeous reminder:
The universe won’t last forever… which is exactly why we should savor every moment we get.

Take a listen. You won’t regret it.

Today on Lady Party, we’re flipping the script and talking about the men we love — partners, husbands, brothers, friends — and what really happens to their health in midlife. Because let’s be honest: men are not famous for rushing to the doctor (only 60% of men get their annual check-up vs. 93% of women). So if we ladies are the ones doing the nudging… we might as well know what we’re nudging for.

We’re joined by Lincoln Smith, PA-C, founder of The Clinic here on Bainbridge Island — a new, approachable healthcare practice specializing in men’s health, women’s care, and pediatrics.

Lincoln has spent a decade in emergency and outpatient medicine, and he’s on a mission to make healthcare less intimidating and more personal, especially for men who aren’t sure where to start.

In this episode, we break down:

• Is there actually a “male perimenopause”?

• How testosterone works (and what it actually feels like when it’s low)

• Why energy, mood, libido, weight, and sleep shift in midlife

• Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation — what’s normal, what’s treatable, and how couples can talk about it

• Hair loss, weight gain, GLP-1s, and the emotional side of aging

• The one thing women can do this week to support the men they love

Plus, a lightning round where Lincoln debunks man-myths, shares the one test every guy should get by 40, and tells us who he’d invite to dinner.

Key takeaways:

• Low testosterone isn't all that common. In fact, if you're feeling lethargic it might not have anything to do with "low T." Chances are it's more about sleep, alcohol, stress, and exercise...

• Snoring is not “just snoring.” It’s a symptom — and sleep apnea dramatically affects mood, energy, weight, cardiovascular health, and sexual function.

• Erectile dysfunction is driven by cardiovascular health, hormones, stress, diabetes, and sleep — not just “age” or psychology. ED can be an early warning sign of vascular disease.

• Hair loss is emotional — and treatable. Lincoln recommends evidence-based options like oral minoxidil (supported by recent NYT coverage).

• Creatine miiiiiight not be great. Lincoln notes it can affect kidney health in some men.

• GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Mounjaro) can help men lose weight, but must be paired with resistance training and protein intake to protect muscle mass and testosterone.

• Cardiovascular health is the silent driver of a lot of midlife issues — including ED. High LDL = bad, HDL = good; know your numbers.

  
  

  It’s Lady Party… but today, the men get a seat at the table

Think video games are melting your kid’s brain? Think again. This week on Lady Party, we sit down with Dr. Rachel Kowert — internationally recognized expert on gaming, mental health, and digital safety — to get real about what’s actually happening when our kids (and, let’s be honest, we) pick up a controller.

Rachel has advised the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, and Congress on the psychology of gaming and has published over 100 papers on the subject. She’s also the author of Gaming and Extremism and The Video Game Debate and the founder of Psychgeist, a multimedia studio creating accessible, science-backed content about gaming, psychology, and culture.

In this episode, we talk about:
🎮 The truth about gaming and mental health (spoiler: shooter games does not a violent child make.)
🧠 What parents get wrong about “video game addiction.”
💬 How to talk to your kids about online safety and healthy gaming habits.
👾 Why games can actually boost creativity, empathy, and problem-solving.
💸 The billion-dollar world of e-sports and how scholarships are changing the game.
👑 And yes, which games Rachel actually recommends (Mario Kart FTW!)

We even get into the fun stuff — like why Grand Theft Auto can be totally fine (for grownups), why Nintendo is the most family-friendly system, and which gaming character Rachel would have dinner with (Princess Zelda, of course).

And when she’s not slaying myths about gaming, Rachel’s hydrating with @Tatcha Mineral Water (“the fountain of youth”), reading Alchemized, and insisting The Iliad is the best book ever written.

Whether you’re raising a Roblox junkie, a future Twitch streamer, or you’re just trying to understand what the heck a “server” is — this conversation will leave you feeling informed, calmer, and maybe even a little inspired to pick up a controller yourself.

• Knowledge can be scary, but fear of the unknown is scarier.

• There’s no scientific link between violent games and violent behavior.

• Games can teach creativity, strategy, empathy, and resilience.

• Video game “addiction” isn’t one-size-fits-all — context matters.

• Parents who play and talk about games with their kids have stronger connections.

• Nintendo offers the best family-friendly options for beginners.

• E-sports is a legit career path — with real college scholarships.

• Mario Kart is a perfect family starter game.

• Adults? Go ahead, enjoy Grand Theft Auto guilt-free.

• Not all screen time is created equal — connection beats consumption.

• Want trustworthy game reviews? Check out Common Sense Media.

• Psychgeist offers free, science-based videos, newsletters, and even a deep dive on Taylor Swift Easter eggs.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow Rachel on Instagram: @drrachelkowert
Explore more at psychgeist.com.

🔑 Key Takeaways

If you allow your children to use on social media and/or play games like Roblox or Minecraft, you gotta hear this one.

This week on Lady Party, we’re tackling one of the hardest—but most important—conversations every parent and caregiver needs to hear: the rise of sextortion and online child exploitation.

Our guest, Katie Connell, brings nearly 30 years of experience protecting children from predators. She spent 24 years with the FBI, retiring as Unit Chief of the Child Victim Services Unit, where she oversaw the Bureau’s child interviewing program and trained agents and prosecutors across the world. A licensed clinical social worker and child and adolescent forensic interviewer, Katie has testified as an expert witness in both federal and local courts and has published groundbreaking work on how predators exploit images online—and how law enforcement can respond more effectively.

In this episode, Katie helps us understand:

• What “sextortion” really means—and how it happens

• Where predators are finding kids today (hint: gaming platforms are a big one)

• The subtle ways they build trust and access—often invisible to parents

• Why this threat crosses every age, gender, and level of supervision

• What parents can actually do to protect their kids—and how to respond if it happens

This is a heavy topic, but Katie’s compassion and clarity make it approachable, actionable, and deeply necessary. You’ll come away with practical tools, critical insights, and—most importantly—the confidence to have these conversations at home.

Because protecting our kids starts with having the courage to talk about the hard stuff. 💛

Resources Mentioned:

• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)

• Thorn

• FBI Victim Services Division

This week on Lady Party, we’re getting into the not-so-sexy (but super important) world of tariffs, taxes, and economic policy with Professor Kimberly Clausing. She’s the Chair of UCLA’s Tax Policy program at the School of Law, and she also spent time in the Biden administration.

Translation: she knows her stuff.

Now, before you roll your eyes and think “ugh, econ talk,” stay with us. Because what Kimberly breaks down is exactly why your Starbucks is pricier, why your Amazon cart costs more than you thought, and why small businesses in your neighborhood are feeling the squeeze.

We cover:

• What tariffs really are (spoiler: they’re just taxes on imports).

• Why politicians love them, even though moms hate them.

• How tariffs hit everyday families harder than corporations.

• Why innovation and immigration are actually the keys to long-term growth.

• What the Fed’s role is in inflation (aka why eggs cost $7 for a minute there).

• Why “trickle-down” economics is more myth than math.

• And how fixing the tax system could actually help fight climate change.

This isn’t about numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s about what’s happening to your wallet every time you shop, save, or plan for your family’s future. Kimberly makes it not only understandable but actually kind of fun. (Comparing inflation to a boozy punch bowl!)

So grab that overpriced latte, settle in, and let’s talk about the forces shaping the economy we’re raising our kids in.

It's gonna get worse before it gets better, so you should know what you're in for.

About Kimberly:

Kimberly Clausing holds the Eric M. Zolt Chair in Tax Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law. Professor Clausing received her B.A. from Carleton College, and her Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1996, both in economics

During the first part of the Biden Administration, Clausing was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax Analysis in the US Department of the Treasury, serving as the lead economist in the Office of Tax Policy.

Clausing has worked on economic policy research with the International Monetary Fund, the Hamilton Project, the Brookings Institution, the Tax Policy Center, and the Center for American Progress. She has testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Committee on Finance, the Senate Committee on the Budget, and the Joint Economic Committee.

Professor Clausing’s research examines how government decisions and corporate behavior interplay in the global economy. She has published numerous articles on taxation, climate policy, and international trade, and she is the author of Open: The Progressive Case for Free Trade, Immigration, and Global Capital (Harvard University Press, 2019).

And, she's a Mom of two!

This is Part 2 to conversation. Be sure to listen to Part 1 first!)

Amy Lang M.A. of Birds, Bees + Kids is back to talk to us about how do you prepare your kids for the moment they inevitably come across porn? In this episode, the hosts tackle one of the toughest parenting challenges of the digital age: how to talk to children and teens about pornography before the internet does it for you.

The conversation covers when and how to start these talks, what language to use, and how to set up your home and devices so kids are both protected and prepared. Parents will learn about the best tools for monitoring and filtering, scripts they can use to navigate age-appropriate conversations without shame or fear, and the importance of introducing healthy alternatives and resources that frame sexuality in a positive, safe way.

This is not a one-time “talk,” but an ongoing dialogue—one that builds trust, reduces secrecy, and helps kids grow into adults who can understand and contextualize what they see online.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Learn the exact scripts to start conversations about porn with kids of different ages.

• Discover the best monitoring & filtering tools (like Bark and Custodio) to protect children online.

• Get guidance on when to introduce the topic—and why waiting too long is risky.

• Understand alternatives to mainstream porn (like ethical and feminist porn) that can provide healthier models for older teens.

• Find out how to create a safe space for ongoing conversations that reduce shame and encourage openness.

• Practical device management tips: how to set boundaries, monitor use, and adapt as your child grows.

🎧 Timestamps & Chapters:
00:00 Why Parents Must Prepare Kids for Porn
03:11 The Right Age to Start Talking
06:46 What the Data Says About Early Exposure
10:57 Scripts for Navigating Curiosity
14:32 Talking to Preschoolers vs. Older Kids
17:13 Calm, Direct, and Shame-Free Communication
25:20 Monitoring & Filtering Tools Parents Should Use
33:25 Device Management and Boundaries That Work
36:01 Parenting in the Digital Age: New Realities
44:31 Introducing Alternatives to Porn for Older Teens
49:31 Why Ongoing Conversations Matter

Talking to kids about sex, consent, and relationships isn’t easy. Many parents feel unprepared, embarrassed, or afraid of saying the wrong thing.

In this episode, longtime sex educator Amy Lang, M.A. (founder of Birds & Bees & Kids) helps parents move past shame and silence into open, confident conversations.

We cover:

• Why kids need accurate language for their bodies

• How to prepare children for puberty and relationships (without the awkwardness)

• Teaching consent and body boundaries early—and modeling them at home

• The role of comprehensive sex education in keeping kids safe

• How to navigate the reality of pornography and online access

• Why talking openly beats letting peers (or the internet) fill in the gaps

• The importance of looping in the extended family around these values

Amy’s practical advice and calm approach will leave you feeling more equipped to handle “the talk”—not as a one-time event, but as an ongoing connection that protects and empowers your kids.

Because when it comes to our kids, avoidance isn’t protection—connection is.

👉 Learn more and access tons of free resources at BirdsandBeesandKids.com and BBKPros.com.

Feeding kids isn’t just about what’s on the plate—it’s about emotions, environment, and the long game of helping them build a healthy relationship with food.

In this episode, we sit down with Danielle Zold, Pediatric Registered Dietitian and founder of Nourished Pediatrics in Denver, to unpack the challenges of feeding children (especially picky eaters). Danielle shares why guilt and pressure often backfire, how to make mealtimes more fun, and why exposure—not force—is the key to new foods. We dig into the difference between normal picky eating and feeding disorders, creative ways to get kids involved in the kitchen, and how to balance nutrient-dense meals with the occasional fun treat.

Whether you’re battling nightly dinner stand-offs or just want to feel more confident about your child’s nutrition, this conversation will leave you informed, reassured, and ready to shift the vibe at the table.

Key Takeaways:

• Feeding kids is emotional, not just nutritional.

• Every child’s preferences and needs are unique.

• Positive mealtime environments lead to better eating habits.

• It can take multiple exposures before a child accepts a new food.

• Involving kids in meal prep increases interest in trying foods.

• Balance nutrient-rich foods with fun foods for a healthy relationship with eating.

• Snacks are fine—as long as they don’t ruin meal appetites.

• Learn to spot the difference between picky eating and feeding disorders.

• Focus on the overall eating pattern, not one “perfect” meal.

Episode links:
French Kids Eat Everything
Renzo’s Picky Eater Multivitamin

🎧 Listen now on Lady Party.