Merging Into Life

What if building healthy habits has less to do with willpower and more to do with intention? There's a psychology behind why our habits fall apart the moment life gets busy: decision fatigue, all or nothing thinking, and the myth that it only takes 21 days to change are all working against us! In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti speaks with Dr. Carol Perlman, a licensed psychologist and host of the Healthy Habits 4 Life podcast, to break down why our habits fail, how to build a morning routine that actually sticks, and what it really takes to feel healthy and in control even when life feels too full to function.

You can find Dr. Carol Perlman online at carolperlman.com

Have a question you want answered on the show? Record and submit your question at AAA.com/Podcast 

What if overspending isn’t a lack of discipline, but an emotional search for comfort? There’s a psychological side of personal finances, and there are a million different things using that against us that cause us to make more impulsive and emotional purchases! Lack of discipline is probably a part of it, but we all fall victim to these tricks! In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti speaks with Cara Nicole, The Financial Freedom Girl, to help us find ways to navigate this world without constantly overspending, how to keep our emotions out of our purchases, and pump the brakes on impulsive decision making.

You can find Cara Nicole online @TheFinancialFreedomGirl

Youtube | Instagram | TikTok

Have a question you want answered on the show? Record and submit your question at AAA.com/Podcast

The money habits we carry into adulthood are often formed much earlier than we realize, and the conversations happening in your home right now are shaping how your kids will think about money for the rest of their lives. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti sits down with Jasmine Paul, certified financial education instructor, author, and founder of The Wealth Playground, to talk about how parents can raise kids who feel genuinely confident with money. From when to start the conversation and how it should evolve as kids grow to the real value of allowances, part-time jobs, and letting kids fail safely at home, Jasmine brings honesty and practical guidance to a topic that a lot of families quietly struggle with. 

Jasmine's website: thewealthplayground.com 

Have a question you want answered on the show? Record and submit your question at AAA.com/Podcast

Most of us travel to see something new, but the trips that really stay with you are the ones where you felt like you were actually part of the place you were visiting. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti sits down with Mark Wolters, travel expert, professor, and creator behind the popular YouTube channel Wolters World, to talk about what it actually means to travel like a local. From doing the right research before you leave home to knowing which questions to ask your waiter, your taxi driver, or the person sitting next to you on the train, Mark shares the small shifts that make a trip feel genuinely memorable.

Watch Wolters World on YouTube: @woltersworld

Mark's website: woltersworld.com

Have a question you want answered on the show? Record and submit your question at AAA.com/Podcast

Most of us have heard that we should have three to six months of savings set aside, but knowing where to start when money already feels stretched is a different story. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti sits down with Lori Atwood, personal finance expert and founder of Fearless Finance, to break down what a 90-day safety net actually looks like in real life. Lori walks through how to calculate your monthly number, why avoidance is the biggest threat to your financial health, and how to start building consistently even when the total feels overwhelming.

Connect with Lori Atwood: fearlessfinance.com

Have a question you want answered on the show? Record and submit your question at AAA.com/Podcast

Making friends as an adult is something almost everyone struggles with, but not many people talk about. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti sits down with psychologist and anti-loneliness advocate Vassia Sarantopoulou to explore why connection gets harder as we get older, and what we can actually do about it. From the emotional baggage that makes us slow to trust, to the limiting beliefs that keep us stuck at home, Vassia offers compassionate, practical insight into breaking the cycle of isolation and building friendships that actually feel meaningful.

Vassia Sarantopoulou's website: antiloneliness.com

Missed Vassia's first appearance on the show? Check out Season 2, Episode 11

Have a question you want answered on the show? Record and submit your question at AAA.com/Podcast

Having a baby is one of the biggest life changes you'll ever face, and when it comes to advice and opinions on parenthood, the noise never stops. Between caring for a new life and surviving the sleepless nights, it can be nearly impossible to know what decisions are actually right for your family. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti sits down with Dr. Carole Keim, board-certified pediatrician, author, and host of The Baby Manual podcast, to cut through the noise and talk about what first-time parents actually need to know. From safe sleep and sleep training to postpartum emotions and building your support system, Dr. Keim brings calm, evidence-based answers to the questions new parents are often too nervous to ask. Because when it comes to raising a baby, there really are no stupid questions.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not constitute medical advice and are not necessarily the views of AAA Northeast, AAA and or its affiliates. 

The Baby Manual by Dr. Carole Keim 

Dr. Carole Keim's website: carolekeim.com

Have a question you want answered on the show? Record and submit your question at AAA.com/Podcast

What does it actually mean to take a restful vacation when our phones come with us everywhere? In this episode of Merging Into Life, Sabrina sits down with Frank from StationeryAt4 to talk about analog living, digital burnout and how to plan a vacation that helps you truly disconnect. From journaling and vinyl records to phone boundaries, quiet mornings, and the myth that rest happens instantly, Frank shares how slower, more intentional routines can help us feel more present at home and away.

Have a question you want answered on the show? Record and submit your question at AAA.com/Podcast

What if the pressure to find your “dream job” is actually what’s keeping you stuck? In this episode of Merging Into Life, Sabrina Pierotti sits down with career coach Sam DeMase to unpack the realities of career pivots, burnout, toxic work environments, and why modern careers no longer follow a straight line. Sam DeMase explains why today’s careers look more like mosaics than ladders, how Gen Z and millennials are redefining loyalty in the workplace, and why changing paths doesn’t mean starting over. Together, they dive into the emotional side of career transitions, from identity loss and fear to the guilt of leaving jobs that no longer fit. Whether you’re quietly questioning your current role, navigating burnout, or dreaming about something new, this conversation is a reminder that it’s never too late to pivot toward a career that actually supports your life.

Read Power Mood

Have a question you want answered on the show? Record and submit your question at AAA.com/Podcast

Whether you’re dreaming of a Pinterest-worthy kitchen or just want to refresh your living room walls, home projects can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re doing it yourself. But it doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this episode of Merging Into Life, host Sabrina Pierotti talks with DIY creator Kat Sanders about how she transformed a former cow shed into her dream family home—and what she’s learned from ten years of renovating it one project at a time.

They talk about how to get started (even when you’re scared), how to create a space that feels like you, and how to stretch your budget with secondhand finds and hands-on work.

Connect with Kat: @thebarnrenovation