On our first ever LIVE podcast, we welcome guests: Spencer Pusey, 34 years old, autistic decoration specialist at Spectrum Designs, and a Port Washington native, and Kelli Fisher, 37 years old, autistic social media manager at Spectrum Designs.

Spectrum Designs is a nonprofit social enterprise that creates custom apparel and promotional products while providing meaningful employment opportunities for autistic adults and others with disabilities. Their mission is to prove that inclusion isn't charity—it's good business. Every order supports a workplace where neurodivergent employees earn competitive wages, build careers, and showcase their talents while delivering high-quality products to businesses and organizations nationwide.

The topic is Neurodiversity in Relationships: Understanding ADHD and Autism. We are honored to be joined by the incredible team from Spectrum Designs, Kelli Fisher and Spencer Pusey, who are helping us better understand autism and showing what's possible when people are valued for their unique strengths.

This topic is deeply personal to our family. Our close family members have ADHD and it's taught us that understanding how someone is wired can transform a relationship. Together with our special guests from Spectrum Designs and teen, Riley Bloomgarden, who shares her own personal experience with ADHD we will discuss:

• How differently wired brains experience the world
• Common communication misunderstandings
• Leading with curiosity instead of judgement
• How to create community in all relationships and the workforce

Bonus Content - A conversation on stress and how Lucette and Cathy each have their own strategy.

What happens when the people who once cared for us begin navigating their own vulnerabilities? In this candid discussion, Lucette, just weeks away from turning 84, shares her perspective on aging, purpose, family, and the future. Together we explore the emotional landscape of growing older and what adult children can learn by asking the questions that matter most.

In this episode, we investigate the question "Am I defending who I think I am, or am I becoming who I could be?" How fixed mindsets keep us stuck and what happens if we choose growth?

If you have to spend extended time this summer with a family member who is locked in their view point. This episode is for you. We offer tips to understand how to communicate best with the ones we love, even if they think "That's just who I am" or "They'll never change."

Take away tips.

Even if you don't agree, ask questions as to what their viewpoint is. People sometimes just want to be heard.

Set boundaries before time spent (and do it with humor) "I'm on a no politics diet this summer"

Create a signal so that those you are traveling with you can help divert attention if a conversation gets too heated.

What can one of the world's most celebrated event planners teach us about relationships?

This week, legendary event planner David Monn joins Cathy and Lucette to share wisdom gained from producing hundreds of weddings and navigating the emotions that come with bringing families together.

From weddings to everyday life David reminds us that compromise ins't giving something up- it's choosing something else.

And... what if being the bigger person isn't losing yourself - but expanding your capacity to love?

And... weddings are not just about creating a beautiful day - they are about creating the foundation for a beautiful family.

Together they discuss:

*Why managing expectations matters.

*How we are never just "I" - we become part of a much bigger "We".

*The changing role of modern grooms and their families

*How inclusion - not perfection- is what people remember.

David's advice to every bride: Trust that you will be the most important person on your wedding day. Then be the bigger person and make sure everyone feels like they belong.

Tune in to find out how you can build even more meaningful connections.

In this special "Get to Know the Hosts" bonus content of "Must In-Laws Be Outlaws?", Cathy and Lucette turn the tables and ask each other some revealing questions.

What would people be surprised to learn about us? What do we protect most fiercely? Where do we put up shields?

To our surprise, we discovered we share more than just 136 years of wisdom- we are both deeply curious people who crave meaningful conversations and genuinely love bringing people together. Whether it is a heartfelt one-on-one chat or energizing a high-capacity room of strangers, connection is what lights us up.

Maybe one of the talking points in a future episode should be - How do we focus on the positive aspects of what mothers-in-law and daughters-in law both have in common? What do you think? Do you have more in common with your mother-in-law than you might expect? Let us know in the comments!

Guest Macha Einbender, Family Constellation Facilitator, joins us for a fascinating conversation about inherited family patterns, emotional conditioning, and the hidden dynamics that shape our relationships and health.

From "white coat syndrome" to generational anxiety, we explore how behaviors, fears, coping mechanisms and even emotional responses can be passed down through family systems - just like eye color. On this episode Lucette, Cathy and Macha explore what becomes possible when awareness replaces reaction- and that we can learn to "drop the struggle." At the core of it all is a universal human truth: we are all deeply thirsty to be loved, seen and to belong.

We also share our Must In-Laws Be Outlaws relationship tips - the four practical relationship tools that can transform communication and connection:

1. Respect

2. Act instead of react

3. Ask yourself: Is this result what I really want?

4. Repair

From Must In-Laws Be Outlaws - Episode 2

People don't realize HOW much tone affects relationships

Especially in families

Especially when nobody feels heard

Sometimes it's not the words that hurt us the most... it's the tone. Once tense conversation can shift the entire energy of a family.

What if the real skill isn't winning the argument, but learning how to stay connected while communicating it honestly?

Obviously we are still learning, but follow along as we navigate communication, misunderstandings, and finding your center in chaos.

Guest Loren Heuschkel Guidance Counsellor & High School English teacher explains allegiance to one's mom starts young, but there is room for everyone. And, one trait to be a great mother-in-law is inclusivity and unconditional love.

Allegiance To One's Mom Starts Young, But Does Blood Have To Be Thicker Than Water? In this episode we break down the step-mother/ mother-in-law stereotypes and the guilt that may come from choosing one over the other. In addition we hear how about the traits of a wonderful mother-in-law relationship!

What is a good in-law? How does a mother become a good mother-in-law? How do we choose to grow despite friction? We offer tools we use in our own relationships that have healed our differences.