Where were you when you found out we'd lost a beloved friend?

I was sitting at the dining room table when a friend texted me with the news. And I thought it was a cruel, sick joke. But unfortunately, it wasn't.

Many of us were introduced to Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, the witty and quippy neighbor to Monica Geller, and best friend of her brother, Ross.

Over the course of 10 years, Matthew stole our hearts and brightened our days with his charm and comedic timing. For those of us who felt alone, he truly did become someone we sought comfort in.

So when we learned of his passing, our hearts broke and we grieved. Even though most of us didn't know him personally, we still lost a friend.

"FRIENDS" is a huge part of my life. You know how some people are with Star Wars? That's how I am with "FRIENDS." If they had a "FRIENDS" convention, I'd be there.

And Chandler? Well, he was the character I related to the most. And in this episode, I talk about why that is.

I talk about how I, and others, feel now that Matthew Perry is gone.

And how Matthew's struggles became his strength...so that he could help other people.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

We all know what it's like to feel scared, right? And a lot of us like that feeling - it's why we enjoy movies that make us jump and check under our beds before we go to sleep. It's why we fork over $20 and wait in line for an hour just to be chased by zombies and chainsaw-wielding psychopaths.

But do you ever stop to think about how often you feel scared "in real life?"

What do you want to do, but don't, because you're scared of what someone might think or say?

What do you hold yourself back from because you're scared of failing? Or, you're scared of actually succeeding?

Even if we believe we act courageously, there are plenty of things in life where I think many of us allow fear to run the show. And it's time we faced our fears, just like Nancy did with Freddy back on Elm Street, and show them who's boss (FYI it's you, not Tony Danza).

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

When was the last time you felt JOY?

Like, pure JOY?

The other day, we had our first snowfall of the season, and I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. And what made it even better...is that my KID, upon seeing the snow, reacted like he would as though it were Christmas morning, and it melted my heart.

Feeling the excitement bubbling up inside me as I hurried to the window in the wee hours of the morning, and then watching my kid be just as excited, reminded me of how we used to be as kids...

The innocence and pure hearts we had as we experienced the world. And then how circumstances or time (or both) kind of "forced" us to "grow up" and leave that sweet, pure child behind.

And it made me sad.

It also made me realize that while we can't give Cher a call and ask her to help us turn back time, we CAN acknowledge that innocence we once had, and make space for it again.

What if reconnecting with our inner child made us feel more whole, more like who we were meant to be in the first place?

And what would our world look like if we all made space for sweetness, joy and fun?

There's only one way to find out!

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

How do you feel about the "hard stuff" in life?

Do you grab your battle gear, channel your best Bill and Ted, and say "Party On, Dudes!" or do you throw your battle gear into the bushes, and then dive into them yourself...wishing your battle gear was camo?

I recently completed an obstacle course race, my first in ages, and realized how so much of what I encountered during that experience was a metaphor for life. Getting over ourselves and our fears to do what we need to do....to take care of bizness!

If you want to know more, about the race, about those "mental gymnastics," and what I gained from this experience (aside from majorly sore legs), then give this episode a listen!

And if you don't listen, you owe me 30 penalty burpees! ;)

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

Has this last week, and what's going on in the world, made your heart feel super heavy?

I know MY heart felt like a ton of bricks had been piled upon it.

So I took a break from social media. Not because I don't care, but because I DO.

In spite of not watching the news or going on social media this week, I've been thinking a lot about the state of the world.

What we are allowing to divide us? What presents opportunities for connection, compassion, and kindness? What opportunities do we take advantage of that allow us to shine our own little flicker of light into the world, and what opportunities do we NOT take advantage of...because we don't want to be bothered, or we're simply not paying attention?

If this got YOUR attention, it's for a reason.

So I'll end this here.

Which means YOU...

Go Listen...

NOW. ;)

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

It's October, and you know what that means?

Yes yes...pumpkins, scary movies, moms stressing out about making their kid's Halloween costumes IG-worthy, Halloween (of course), and Hallmark's "Countdown to Christmas." (Yes, I am counting down the days)

But it's also Breast Cancer Awareness month, and breast health and I have a bit of a complicated relationship.

Starting at the age of 22, being aware of changes in my breasts became a thing. Having my first mammogram last year proved my breasts and I still have some things to work out.

In this episode, I share some stories with you about our "It's Complicated" status...AND encourage you to prioritize your health. Because like Eminem told us back in the day....you really only get "one shot." So let's make the most of it, OK?

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

Are you a "hustler & grinder?"

Do you feel "less than" when you're NOT going at warp speed at work or in your personal life?

Do you feel "lazy" if you spend a weekend at home not doing much of anything?

Or...are you exhausted by the "hustle & grind" and "I'll sleep when I'm dead" lifestyle and mentality, and just want to take a break and relax, giving yourself time to re-charge?

If you relate to any of the above, press "Play" now.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

How often do things in your life go the way you planned or expected? If you're anything like me (I'm sorry, btw...), probably not often.

But let's say...there are actually times where things go as you anticipated.

In either of these situations, when you look at your role in them, do you focus on what you did or accomplished or achieved or whatever other word you want to insert here, or do you focus on what you didn't do or could have done better?

If it's the latter, then listen up!

It is time to stop expecting ourselves to function perfectly. It is time to accept that we are human, and that even when we show up in even the tiniest bit in the tiniest way - we are STILL showing up!

Even if we accomplish half of what we wanted to accomplish, let's celebrate that instead of beating ourselves up for the stuff we didn't do.

There are plenty of people who are chomping at the bit to make you feel like crap. A quick scroll through the Comments on pretty much any social media post will tell you that.

Don't be like them. You don't need to be beating yourself up for any reason. Take that energy and celebrate what you DO do, OK?

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

Have you ever had a pet you loved so much it felt like they were your soul mate?

And then...did you ever have to say goodbye, and experience one of the most heartbreaking and soul-crushing moments of your life?

5 years ago tomorrow, I said goodbye to my little football with legs, Snickers. And it devastated me.

I dropped this episode last year as a tribute to him, and I decided I am going to do this every year from here on out, as long as I have this podcast, as a way to honor my little guy...my angel with paws instead of wings.

If you have ever loved, or maybe loved and lost, a furry soul mate, this episode is for you. <3

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

Have you ever been on a date that you knew was not going to end in a love connection?

Did you stick it out? Or did you bail?

Well, I was on a bad date and I stuck it out because I didn't want to be rude. haha Looking back, I wish I had left sooner, but if I did, I wouldn't have this funny story to share with you!

So it's Friday. Sit back, relax, press "Play," and be glad it wasn't YOU on this date!

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at [email protected].

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!