The Things We Know

In headlines and hearings, we still see the same pattern play out: women brave enough to tell the truth are met with skepticism, hostility, or outright dismissal. That disbelief doesn't just silence—it revictimizes, forcing survivors through systems built to malign and exhaust them, while convictions remain rare. No wonder so many choose silence, carrying fear and shame instead of justice. In this episode of The Things We Know, Lisa and Kari dig into why our culture clings to doubt, and what must shift if women's voices are ever to be truly heard.

Last Chance to join us for our Fall 2025 retreat:

JOIN Lisa and Kari for the Brave & Boundless Best Chapter Yet 2025 Fall Retreat at voco Downtown Chicago October 3-5, 2025 (typically a gorgeous time of year in Chi-town). You won't wanna miss the chance to gather with other women in an intimate retreat setting with the vibrant backdrop of downtown Chicago, combined with the levity and fun that you're craving more of in your life. Register now!

Where to find Kari and Lisa:

The Things We Know Podcast Homepage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

Ready to get Unstuck and become Unstoppable?

Download our Masterclass; Unstuck and Unstoppable here!

https://thethingsweknowpodcast.com

In this episode, Kari and Lisa take a closer look at the phrase "just be nice" and the cultural conditioning behind it—especially for women. They explore how niceness often masks self-silencing, emotional disconnection, and fear of conflict, while true kindness is rooted in clarity, courage, and respect. Drawing from the work of Glennon Doyle, Brené Brown, Harriet Lerner, and Resmaa Menakem—as well as research from TIME Magazine, the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, and the Newport Institute—they unpack the emotional and even physical toll of chronic niceness. With humor, honesty, and some serious fire, this conversation redefines what it means to be kind without abandoning yourself. They also reference Antoinette Griffin's video on the difference between nice and kind, and invite listeners to let go of performative likability in favor of deeper authenticity.

Where to find Kari and Lisa:

The Things We Know Podcast Homepage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

Ready to get Unstuck and become Unstoppable?

Download our Masterclass; Unstuck and Unstoppable here!

https://thethingsweknowpodcast.com

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa get real about something most of us experience but rarely talk about: what it feels like to live in a body that's changing. From shifting energy and brain fog to the pressure to "age gracefully," they unpack how culture, comparison, and internalized expectations shape the way we see ourselves. With reflections from their own lives and insights from experts like Dr. Jen Gunter, Brené Brown, and Mary Pipher, they explore what it means to stay kind to yourself, release old narratives, and live well in the body you're in—today. They acknowledge what's hard, but also celebrate the gift of change—because aging, for all its challenges, still beats the alternative!

If you're ready to honor the season you're in—and live more fully in the body you have now—join Kari and Lisa this October for the Brave & Boundless retreat in Chicago. It's a weekend for shedding old stories, deepening self-trust, and reconnecting with your power. Register now!

Where to find Kari and Lisa:

The Things We Know Podcast Homepage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

Ready to get Unstuck and become Unstoppable?

Download our Masterclass; Unstuck and Unstoppable here!

https://thethingsweknowpodcast.com

In this episode, Kari and Lisa sit down with behavioral scientist and neuroscientist Dr. Amanda Wiggins to explore what's really happening in women's brains during midlife—and how to support clarity, creativity, and calm in a world that often demands the opposite. From the neurological effects of burnout to the hidden cost of masking exhaustion at work, they unpack why so many women feel foggy, irritable, or depleted—and what research-backed rituals can help. Amanda shares insights from her work at The cGP Lab and draws on years of experience helping high-performing women and global organizations design environments where well-being is sustainable and real. To learn more about Amanda connect with her on LinkedIn.

Where to find Kari and Lisa:

The Things We Know Podcast Homepage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

Ready to get Unstuck and become Unstoppable?

Download our Masterclass; Unstuck and Unstoppable here!

https://thethingsweknowpodcast.com

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa unpack the difference between being a lighthouse—steady, grounded, and offering light—and being a lifeboat, jumping in to rescue others at their own expense. They explore how many women are praised for being selfless helpers, and how that conditioning can lead to overfunctioning in friendships, caregiving, and relationships. Through honest conversation and coaching wisdom, they share what it looks like to support others without losing yourself, why fixing isn't the same as helping, and how real connection requires reciprocity and vulnerability.

If you're ready to stop bailing water and start standing in your light, join Lisa and Kari this October in Chicago, for a weekend designed to help you come home to yourself, no rescuing required. Consider yourself invited to the Brave & Boundless Best Chapter Yet 2025 Fall Retreat at voco Downtown Chicago October 3-5, 2025 (typically a gorgeous time of year in Chi-town). Register now!

Where to find Kari and Lisa:

The Things We Know Podcast Homepage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

In this episode, Kari and Lisa dive into the discomfort—and the possibility—of life's "in-between" seasons. These liminal spaces, where we're no longer who we were but not yet who we're becoming, can feel quiet, confusing, and unsteady. They reflect on personal and collective in-between moments, from career shifts to cultural upheaval, and how this space of becoming is ripe with transformation if we let it be. They don't offer advice, but they do offer good questions—and a reminder that this season, strange as it may be, matters deeply.

Did you know a women's retreat might be the PERFECT way to face YOUR in-between season? JOIN Lisa and Kari for the Brave & Boundless Best Chapter Yet 2025 Fall Retreat at voco Downtown Chicago October 3-5, 2025 (typically a gorgeous time of year in Chi-town). You won't wanna miss the chance to gather with other women in an intimate retreat setting with the vibrant backdrop of downtown Chicago, combined with the levity and fun that you're craving more of in your life. Register now!

Where to find Kari and Lisa:

The Things We Know Podcast Homepage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

In this episode, Kari and Lisa talk with writer, producer, and GOLD Comedy founder Lynn Harris about the deeper power of humor—especially for women in midlife who are ready to take up more space. They explore how comedy builds confidence, shifts culture, and creates connection, and why being funny isn't about performing—it's about being bold, authentic, and fully yourself. Lynn shares stories from her work empowering women and nonbinary folks through GOLD Comedy, and reminds us that laughter isn't just medicine—it's a leadership tool. Learn more at goldcomedy.com and lynnharris.net, or connect with Lynn on LinkedIn.

You know what's NOT funny? Our Fall Retreat is nearly full! JOIN Lisa and Kari for the Brave & Boundless Best Chapter Yet 2025 Fall Retreat at voco Downtown Chicago October 3-5, 2025 (typically a gorgeous time of year in Chi-town). You won't wanna miss the chance to gather with other women in an intimate retreat setting with the vibrant backdrop of downtown Chicago, combined with the levity and fun that you're craving more of in your life. Register now!

Where to find Kari and Lisa:

The Things We Know Podcast Homepage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

Recorded right after the budget bill was voted in, first Lisa and Kari have their feelings then they realize this episode is more important than ever. They explore why play matters for adults—especially during times of stress and uncertainty. From spontaneous laughter to imaginative role-playing, play isn't just a luxury—it's vital for connection, healing, and mental health. Drawing on research from experts like Stuart Brown and the Blatners, they unpack why adults often resist play and how we can reconnect with our playful selves. With personal stories and thoughtful questions, they invite listeners to remember the kind of fun that once lit them up—and maybe still could.

Wanna connect with and PLAY with other fun women like yourself? JOIN Lisa and Kari for the Brave & Boundless Best Chapter Yet 2025 Fall Retreat at voco Downtown Chicago October 3-5, 2025 (typically a gorgeous time of year in Chi-town). You won't wanna miss the chance to gather with other women in an intimate retreat setting with the vibrant backdrop of downtown Chicago, combined with the levity and fun that you're craving more of in your life. Register now!

Where to find Kari and Lisa:

The Things We Know Podcast Homepage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

Kari and Lisa had other plans for this week's episode—but the world felt too heavy to ignore. They returned to Isabel Wilkerson's Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents because it offers something essential right now: a way to understand the invisible structure beneath so much of the chaos, cruelty, and division we're witnessing. In this conversation, they break down key ideas from the book, reflect on their own roles in the system, and connect the dots between caste and current events—from ICE raids to economic inequality to the enforcement of social hierarchies through fear and policy. This episode is about seeing what's really holding us back—and deciding what we're willing to do about it.

Learn more about and read Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson

Where to find Kari and Lisa:

The Things We Know Podcast Homepage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

In this episode, Kari and Lisa revisit the familiar concept of love languages—but with a much-needed upgrade. Drawing from personal experience, recent articles about research, and a sharp cultural critique, they unpack why the original framework, while helpful, doesn't fully reflect the emotional realities women live today. They explore what's missing—like mental load relief, shared enthusiasm, and alone time without guilt—and offer a richer, more honest take on how love is felt, expressed, and received in midlife and beyond. This is a conversation about expanding connection, not narrowing it—and evolving what love looks like now.

JOIN Lisa and Kari for the Brave & Boundless Best Chapter Yet 2025 Fall Retreat

at voco Downtown Chicago October 3-5, 2025 (typically a gorgeous time of year in Chi-town).

You won't wanna miss the chance to gather with other women in an intimate retreat setting with the vibrant backdrop of downtown Chicago, combined with the levity and fun that you're craving more of in your life. Register now!

Where to find Kari and Lisa:

The Things We Know Podcast Homepage

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod