The idea of family meetings comes from a book we’ll be discussing called The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler. In this episode Kathy and I talk about how we met and became such good friends. We’ll share how we’ve bonded over our desire to tap back into our creative side from our youth and what that journey has looked like for both of us over the years. We will break down just what a family meeting is and how you can start one this week if you want to. Kathy and I both implement some version of family meetings in our homes. We’ll break down what works for us, and share some mistakes we’ve made so you don’t have to live through the same ones.

In this episode, you will learn how Kate approaches resolutions these days and why her sister Jenny isn’t a big fan. Finally, we’ll wrap up the episode with our very first Playing with Variables segment.

Cary and Kate talk about some of their traditions from the past and what they do with their own families now. Why traditions are important and how they can bring families together. Kate's friend Jill shares her countdown to Christmas tradition that you just might want to steal for your family if you have little ones.

In this episode you will learn about Justin’s personal connection to opioid addiction. You will learn Naloxone, what it is, how it can help prevent deaths in your community and where you can get it. Justin will explain how patient satisfaction surveys and prescribing regulations came together to create the perfect storm for the opioid addiction epidemic. Finally, Justin will present specific steps you can take to help prevent or address addiction in your family and community.

Kate discusses the painful end of a 13 year relationship and how she is failing weekends. Cary touches upon the democratic process and how parenting three young children is going for her.

Barbara shares how being bored and a lack of resources can be the best gift we give our kids. She shares how she found the courage to start painting classes at the age of 65 and why it has been one of the the hardest things she's ever done in her life.

Katy emphasizes the importance of people to people interactions, how one couple can make a huge difference in a neighborhood and why trick or treating is a sign of success.

In this episode, you will learn what the word "doula" actually means. Jennie's shares her thoughts on protecting the space of a woman's birth experience. We discuss what a doula does and how it differs from the role of a medical practitioner or a midwife. Finally, you'll hear how Jennie's experience as a doula has influenced how she viewed her own pregnancies and birth experiences.

Matt and Cary like to keep it low key...

In this episode you will:

• Meet Matt Eickhoff and hear how he started the practice of creating birthday lists each year
• Learn how Matt earned his Facebook celebrity status
• Discover how to make a birthday list of your own
• Try to figure out which Bachelorette season Matt made an appearance
• Play along with the surprise game Matt and Cary put together for Kate at the end of the episode

Show Notes:

• The FabYOUlist by Susan Campbell Cross
• Matt's lip syncing everyday for a year video. This is how Kate was first introduced to Matt's lip syncing skills  https://www.facebook.com/icough444/videos/10101290315559471/
• Find Matt on Instagram @insteadofsomeday, Twitter @instead_someday or on his new website www.insteadofsomeday.com
• You can find more lip syncing videos at Vimeo.com, search icough444

Listen to the Show: