Welcome back to More Better! This week, Stephanie and Melissa tackle the art of saying no: from people-pleasing tendencies to pregnancy as the ultimate excuse. Melissa opens up about how she learned to say NO by watching Steph during the Brooklyn Nine-Nine years ("You can just say that?!"), while Steph reveals her ancestors' low-key panic about her daughter going skiing (absolutely not). Featuring: teaching your kids to use you as the fall guy, polite lying as a valid boundary tool, a thrilling round of guilt-o-meter roulette, gaggles of girls that aren't your gaggle and Steph’s groundbreaking theory that West Coast snow is soft while East Coast snow is hard, just like their people. Ooooo. Ahhhhh.

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 When listener Lucia asks the ladies for thoughts on nightmares, sleepwalking and building a better bedtime routine this week, Steph and Mel have a lot to say. Melissa opens up about her childhood sleepwalking hijinks watching cartoons at 3 a.m. and shares about her son Enzo's more recent night terrors. What works for them? Cold rooms, weighted blankets and image rehearsal therapy, dream-world machete in hand. Also, Steph shares about her secret sleep weapon — Tony's Sleepy Cocktail and why she prefers it over melatonin (heinous dreams alert!). Plus: why we should maybe get back into the medieval habit of biphasic sleep (two sleeps per night!!!! the dream!! literally!!!!).

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On this week's episode, med student Katie calls in to the ladies and asks for networking advice. *record scratch* NETWORKING?! YIKES! Mel and Steph wince at the word but give Katie advice and share their experiences with what they like to call "Fostering Relationships". From reframing "What are you doing?" as a question for someone to discussing the art of the follow-up text, the ladies get real about building genuine connections in a world that seemingly runs on who you know. Mel shares how genuinely complimenting Phil Augusta Jackson's work led to years of collaboration, Steph reminds us about the importance of "small talk" and they both tackle the old boys club conundrum. So have a listen and remember... sometimes you just gotta be brave enough to ask. *Check out this week's episode in full-length video on the official Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MyCulturaPodcasts

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When listener Lucy from London asks for advice on living alone for the first time, Mel and Steph get real about the pros, cons and weird freedoms of solo living. From Steph's pink velvet headboard era to Melissa's bat-by-the-bed security system, the ladies discuss making your space a sanctuary, the importance of self-respect when no one's watching and why leaving big work boots outside your door is actually genius. Featuring: safety tips, pizza bones, dressing up in ball gowns to do puzzles by yourself and a reminder that your space should feel like coming home to yourself.

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Melissa and Stephanie are getting real about skyiiieeein. The trial and error of it, the expensive mistakes and the pressure to have flawless skin while working in Hollywoodlandia. From cystic acne at 11 to navigating filters and Korean beauty standards, the ladies discuss their very different skin types (oily vs. dry), what's actually in their routines and why you should never introduce five new products at once. Steph shares the story of a rude makeup artist who handed her Proactiv on set, Melissa confesses to bruising her nose as a teen from aggressive blackhead extraction and both get into slugging. Featuring: honest product recommendations (not sponsored!!!!!! yet!!!!!!!!), the reminder that expensive doesn't always mean better and the acceptance that sometimes your skin just does what it wants. She’s her own person!!!!!

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Steph’s Disney obsession is no secret (we don’t talk about Bruno…), so it’s ABOUT TIME we finally get magical on this here pod. From VHS clamshell cases and Little Mermaid penis castles to smellitizers and feral cat rumors, join us this week as the ladies break down ALL things Dinsey, including how to actually enjoy the parks without losing your mind or your money. Steph shares her holy grail park tips: 1. pack blister pads 2. change your socks midday 3. prioritize three rides max and 4. for the love of God DON’T wear Converse. Melissa explains her changed tune on Disney adults and reveals her one non-negotiable park move (spoiler: it’s dole whip with tajín). But really, please write in and let us know if you’ve seen the feral cats. For science.

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It’s our Valentine's Day episode and the husbands are in the stood! Brad and David join Stephanie and Melissa for an honest and ridiculous conversation about staying connected. The gang plays "would you rather" to figure out their love languages, share their worst gift-giving moments (never, ever, ever give your partner a blender) and get honest about what ACTUALLY makes them feel loved. Touching on everything from aggressive pep talks to laundry and well-intentioned sweater gifts, the couples discuss quality time versus acts of service, celebrating with food and why sometimes you just need space on an uphill walk. Featuring: the importance of "watering your garden" together, a tie-dye sweatshirt redemption arc and a reminder that fighting is actually healthy as long as you deal with it. Disclaimer: This episode has exactly two sex jokes.

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 Beep beep delivery! Step aside because the mail truck is backing up into the podcast booth this week, babyyyyy. This week, Steph and Mel answer your questions once again. Responding to e-mails about everything from dance to secret animosity in friendships, budgeting on a tight income and biohacking (ew?), the ladies riff about thrift store addictions, high-yield savings accounts, bad friends and more. Join us and let us know if you think we should secretly infiltrate a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders training workshop, if you agree that Chat GPT is D-U-M-B DUMB and whether you’ll join listener “B” in her Gratitude Hard project.

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Feeling paralyzed by everything happening right now? You're not alone. This week, listener Shalome writes in about struggling to find joy when their identity feels under constant attack. Stephanie and Melissa discuss why joy is a form of resistance, not a distraction, do a "joy banking" exercise together (join us!), dig into historical examples of communities using celebration to survive oppression and share practical ways to take action without doom-scrolling yourself into oblivion. From calling senators to showing up in community to watching a guy play drums outside an ICE hotel at 11pm as furries dance in the street, there are so many ways to resist AND fill your cup. Also, f*ck ICE. Okay, Byyyyyyye!

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 It’s happening! Put it on the calendar! On today’s episode, Stephanie and Melissa dive into the beautiful chaos of making plans. From color-coded family calendars to the dreaded LA slogan “OMG, we should hang out!” (do they mean it?!) that never quite comes true, they discuss the art of scheduling social time, dealing with flaky friends and why cancelling plans sometimes feels EUPHORIC. Also, the ladies discuss all things ~*Latin Time*~ and how their respective wedding invitations were strategic to appease the tios and tias. See you there.

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