John and I have learned a lot about the whole college process and can’t wait to share it with you–from the first thing you should do in the process to what our role as parents should be, plus why it’s more stressful than ever. 

In this episode, you’ll hear from our teenage daughter, Caroline, plus the former Admissions Director of Dartmouth, Becky Sabky, shedding some light on this confusion and competitive process. 

And, Caroline shares her most important takeaway, yet, from the college process. 

This episode caps our January HOT TOPICS series, where John and I are talking about our hottest topics ever on the podcast. 

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen to learn more :

(01:33) Navigating the College Admissions Process 

(09:24) Common Mistakes in the College Application Process 

(14:37) Evolution of College Culture in America 

(18:42) Career Paths Beyond College Expectations

(26:48) College Admissions and Personal Worth 

(32:25) Supporting Kids With Changing Majors

(42:04) Choosing Between Passion and Practicality 

(51:12) Degree vs Experience in Job Hunt 

In this episode, we are diving into understanding the college admissions process, what really matters in a college recommendation letter, a parent’s role in the college admissions process, words of wisdom for navigating a college rejection letter, the pros and cons of a gap year, and advice for navigating financial aid.  

Read Becky’s book

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter  

Connect with Paula on Instagram 

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“Let's Talk about College “ Podcast Series

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There was a change of power in the White House this week and it only seems appropriate to talk about politics, specifically how we can discuss politics with those who don’t necessarily align with our views. 

Maybe the reason we’re so divided is because we’re talking about it wrong? Or because we have unrealistic expectations? 

In this episode, you’ll hear from Sharon McMahon, aka America’s Government Teacher on how we can effectively talk politics with our kids, family and friends. 

This episode is part of our January HOT TOPICS series, in which John and I discuss the hottest topics on the podcast. 

, 

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more:

(03:53) Navigating Political Conversations With Empathy 

(06:40) Family Values and Moral Imperatives 

(20:30) Information Filtered Through Various Perspectives 

(26:54) Blurred Lines in Journalism 

(34:47) Empowering Unsung American History Book 

(41:06) Approaching Conversations With Curiosity 

SUMMARY

In this episode, we discuss how to teach our kids to talk about politics respectfully, approach political conversations with curiosity, learn from and befriend people we disagree with, give our children age-appropriate agency, the key to teaching and developing critical thinking skills, why bias and lies are not the same thing, and understand the difference between fact reporting and opinion content.

LINKS

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter  

Connect with Sharon

Sharon's new book

1440 News (Paula’s pick)

Alloy Menopause Telehealth for Menopause

(use my code: PAULA42103 for a $15 credit towards your RX!

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This week, John and I are talking about how we can connect with our teenagers. Specifically, our moody teenage daughters. Let’s face it, raising teenagers isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s arguably the most challenging phase of parenting. 

If you’re wondering what happened to your darling child or struggling with the fact they don’t need us as much anymore, you’re not alone. This conversation is for you. 

This episode is part of our January HOT TOPICS series where John and I are talking about our hottest topics ever on the podcast. You’ll hear from therapist Sissy Goff and our daughter Caroline in this episode and learn the ONE question we should be asking our teenagers. 

Life Happens. As do the teenage years!

Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more:

(05:46) Understanding Teenage Girls in Today's World

(12:35) Parental Concerns Over College-Aged Children

(17:39) Respecting Boundaries and Personal Space

(28:38) Mother-Daughter Relationship Dynamics 

(35:22) 30-Day Couples Challenge for Connection

(40:16) Parenting Teenage Autonomy and Support 

(43:43) Listening to Teenage Girls

In this episode, we are digging into why teenagers are so self-absorbed (good news: it’s normal!), the hard parts of our kids growing up and becoming more independent, how to support and connect with our teen girls, giving our teens the space they need to become independent, ideas for connecting with your teen, and navigating tension in the mother-daughter relationship.

LINKS 

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter  

MORE from Sissy and Caroline–Answering Your Questions

Connecting with our Teen Boys Pt 1

Connecting with our Teen Boys Pt 2 

Alloy Menopause Telehealth for Menopause ((use my code: PAULA42103 for a free $49 consult)

“Let’s Talk Teenagers” Podcast Series 

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John and I are recapping our hottest topics from 2024 that are already dominating the conversation in 2025. This week, we’re tackling MENOPAUSE, specifically how we need to approach NUTRITION and EXERCISE during these years, which can begin as early as your mid-30s! 

Speaking of, did you hit your protein goals today? :) 

John and I are revisiting a conversation we had with Dr Jen Ashton, the founder of Ajenda and former ABC Chief Medical Correspondent. 

We discuss what’s happening to our bodies during this time, how we can best prepare, and why protein is essential. 

Plus, wait till you hear what John convinced me to do in 2025 that I never thought I’d do! 

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more :

(01:28) Menopause and Perimenopause Nutrition & Exercise 

(07:15) Hormones and Lean Muscle Mass Decline 

(17:34) Importance of Leucine in Muscle Synthesis 

(20:33) Nutritionist Emphasizes Sugar, Protein Importance 

(23:28) FDA-Approved Weight Loss Medications 

(38:17) Importance of Healthy Body Weight 

(50:23) The Pursuit of Health and Strength 

In this episode, we are digging into contributing factors to midlife weight gain, exactly how much protein you need per day and how to get it, the two most important numbers on a nutrition label, why strength matters more than appearance, the importance of lifting heavy weights and a variety of exercise for women, the three things your body needs every day, simple and free ways to build strength and balance, and being proactive when it comes to menopause. 

Get Paula’s Personal Newsletter  

Get Dr Jen’s Newsletter

Find a menopause-trained doctor

ALLOY Menopause Telehealth (use my code: PAULA42103 for $25 off) 

Paula’s Fave weighted vest

Let’s Talk about Menopause “  Podcast Series 

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S3/E20- Paula & John: Ask Us Anything 

This is always one of your favorite (and most popular!) episodes….when John and I give you a blank slate to ASK US ANYTHING!. 

Your questions ranged from relationships, menopause, and teen dating to media and a few questions that, frankly, made us blush. 

It’s our final episode of 2024 before coming back in 2025 with a bang! 

Listen with your partner and enjoy some laughs as we keep it real and honest this holiday season. 

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It! 

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Listen in to learn more: 

(05:28) Parenting Boundaries and Media Diversity

(10:22) Navigating Relationship Challenges and Media Bias

(17:34) College Visits and Evolving Family Dynamics 

(22:58) Evolution of  Relationships Through Change and Healthy Conflict Resolution 

(34:56) Life, Love, and Parenting Chats

In this episode, John and I  are digging into our thoughts on mainstream media, life changes like aging parents and our kids growing up, conflict in our marriage and how we resolve it, our best tips for prioritizing your marriage and activities to do together, and the difference in raising boys and girls.

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I can’t believe we’re saying this, but we are looking at colleges with our daughter, Caroline. One day, you’re dropping your kid off at preschool, and the next, they’re getting ready to fly the coop. 

That’s literally how fast it’s gone. 

In this episode, John and I talk about taking those first college tours, what we’re learning along the way, and what shocked us most about the process. (Any guesses on who handled themselves best during the tours?) 

Plus, the one thing we’ve done which has focused the direction and strategy on which schools we should be looking at. 

We also get real about how much we should be involved as parents and whether we’re projecting our own desires a bit too much on our kids. 

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more :

(05:58) The value of College Tours and Getting LOST! .

(13:28) College Decision-Making and Financial Considerations

(21:41) Choosing the Right College Together With Your Child

 (26:42) Parenting, College Choices, and Reflection

In this episode, we are diving into changes in the college tour and application process over the years, the financial investment families and students make in college, being careful not to project our own dreams onto our kids’ college choices, weighing pros and cons of each school (and writing it down!), distance as a factor in choosing a college, and how fast time goes as we raise our kids.

LINKS 

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One of our challenges as a family is finding really good programming that’s not only compelling, but it’s safe for us to watch with our whole crew. This is something we hear from a LOT of families. 

So, John and I invited Dallas Jenkins (Director/Creator) to the show to discuss our favorite holiday movies and family shows and why he’s saying, “He’s never seen anything like it” when it comes to the future of family-friendly programming. 

Happy Holidays, family.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more: 

(03:34) Family-Friendly Entertainment Struggles

(10:55) Quality Content in Today's Society

(17:37) Accountability App - Covenant Eyes

(20:35) Faith Media Industry Growth and Opportunity

(30:31) Adapting Book to Film Techniques

(33:16) Theater Experience for Everyone

(37:19) Inspiration Behind TV Series 'The Chosen

SUMMARY: 

In this episode, we are diving into teenage date conversations, why it’s so difficult to find quality content for the whole family, being vigilant about protecting our kids from content they aren’t ready for, suggestions of shows and movies to watch as a family, and the (encouraging!) direction of family friendly and faith based content. 

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Dallas Jenkins - Instagram 

Movies and Shows we discussed on the podcast: 

HOLIDAY MOVIES:

It’s a Wonderful Life, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Elf, A Christmas Story, Home Alone, George C Scott's Christmas Carol, The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Christmas Chronicles I and II, 

TEEN SHOWS:

Breaking Bad, Friday Night Lights (12+)

WHOLE FAMILY:

Paddington 1 & 2, Babe , Inside Out, Gravity Falls, The Chosen

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The reality is that 95% of us will be with our families over the holidays. So, how do you determine whose house you’re going to? And, how do you navigate the in-law relationships, particularly the one with your mother-in-law?

I’ll be honest… I overheard some women at my local gym talking about the stress of navigating holiday travel and their in-laws, and I thought to myself, “We HAVE to talk about this.” Plus, a lot of you have reached out asking to have this conversation.

So, about your mother-in-law…

I was shocked to learn that over half of women are either satisfied or HIGHLY satisfied with the relationship they have with their mothers-in-law!

Confusing, right? Because that’s not the narrative we hear…so, maybe the relationship gets a bad rap? 

To talk about it all, I’ve invited mom, podcaster and new friend Rachel Awtrey to the podcast for an honest conversation about the complexities of determining whose house we go to. Plus, we also dive into the deep end talking about mothers-in-law and our loving advice for any mothers-in-law out there. 

This is definitely a conversation that’s not happening enough. But life happens.

So, Let’s Talk About It!

Listen in to learn more: 

(06:19) Navigating Military Life Between States 

(08:53) Desire for Family Proximity 

(15:46) Family Representatives for Difficult Conversations 

(19:22) Creating Family Traditions Without Conflict 

(22:21) In-Law Relationships at the Holidays 

(35:35) Encouragement and Positive Feedback 

In this episode, we are diving into how to navigate holiday travel when you live away from family, practical tips for deciding where to spend the holidays, doing what’s right for your family in your season, the dynamics and tensions of in-law relationships, and modeling good in-law relationships for our children. 

LINKS : 

Meet Rachel Awtrey 

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Parents would make incredible hostage negotiators. After all, we’re negotiating all day, every day, with our kids, partners, and co-workers. 

Because we’re in countless negotiations (and maybe we don’t even know it), I’ve invited former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss to the show to help us effectively negotiate with our kids, partner, and co-workers. 

This guy is legit. He’s even done a masterclass on it.

Maybe you want your kids to go to bed on time or listen to better music. Or do you want your partner to step it up at home, or do you desire a better schedule at work?

Chris is here for all of it. Plus, he shares why he wants our kids to say NO.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more: 

(03:54) Negotiating and Parenting With Chris Voss)

(08:39) Redefining Negotiation Through Tactical Empathy 

(13:50) Parenting and Autonomy 

(22:39) Effective Hostage Negotiation Techniques 

(25:38) Importance of Tactical Empathy in Negotiation 

(30:26) Perspective and Accountability in Communication 

(33:29) Parenting Strategies for Effective Communication 

(48:45) Tactical Empathy in Parenting and Leadership 

In this episode, we are diving into causes of friction in families and how minimizing friction helps move collaboration along, the power of saying no, practical strategies you can use to help the people in your life feel heard (and therefore more willing to come to the table!), and why empathy does not require agreement.

LINKS:

Chris’s website 

WATCH: “Tactical Empathy” on Amazon Prime Video

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The moms from the Birds & Bees are back to answer all your thought-provoking questions about how to talk about sex and our bodies with our children. 

When should they stop bathing together? How do you talk about sex when they’re older? Should your kids see you naked? How do you have these conversations with your special needs kids? We’re leaving no stone unturned. 

We’re even discussing when and if you should share your own personal experiences with them. 

And, don’t forget to sign up for their Birds & Bees course for 20% off with the code “PAULA”.

Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It. 

Listen in to learn more :

(01:28) Talking Tough Conversations With Kids 

(06:13) Effective Conversations With Adolescents

(09:25) Starting the Conversation About Reproduction 

(17:16) When to Stop Bathing Together? 

(20:10) Cultural Perceptions of Modesty 

(37:50) Embracing Shyness in Parenting

(43:37) Comfortable Conversations About Sex

In this episode, we are digging into why having uncomfortable conversations is best done shoulder to shoulder, meeting our kids with age-appropriate responses, how to know when your child is ready for more information, when siblings should stop bathing together when family members should stop changing in front of one another, the danger of oversexualizing our bodies, and approaching the sex talk with kids who have special needs. 

Birds & Bees Course:  USE CODE: PAULA for 20% off 

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