Guest Gina Rodriguez discusses perseverance, Puerto Rican identity, abusive relationships, and meeting her husband. The Unqualified segment tackles taking a father on a dream trip to Ireland and feeling discouraged in single life compared to friends getting married and having kids.
Despite feeling stuck, Alex is reminded that her current situation is temporary and that she has exciting opportunities ahead.
Gina encourages Alex to stay positive and wait for the return of live performances to connect with like-minded people and find someone in a genuine way.
Gina validates Alex's feelings of comparing herself to others and emphasizes that she is exactly where she needs to be, with plenty of time to find love and create a fulfilling life.
Deep dives
Navigating Being Single and Feeling Stuck
Alex is 30 and has been single for a while. She is feeling stuck, especially after returning to Australia due to job loss and being in lockdown. She compares herself to friends who are getting married, having babies, and buying houses. Alex finds dating apps inauthentic and is eager to meet someone in a genuine way. Gina reassures her that her current circumstances are temporary and that when life returns to normal, she will be able to perform and meet people naturally. She advises Alex to focus on cultivating new friendships, especially with other performers, and to be patient in her dating journey, knowing that she is a catch and the right person will come along.
Finding Light at the End of the Tunnel
Despite feeling stuck, Alex is reminded that her current situation is temporary and that she has exciting opportunities ahead. Gina encourages her to stay positive and wait for the return of live performances, where she can connect with like-minded people. She empathizes with the frustration of dating apps and expresses confidence that Alex will find someone awesome once she is in a more appropriate circumstance. Gina highlights the importance of being authentic and meeting people in real life rather than through screens. While acknowledging the challenges of the pandemic, Gina reminds Alex of the resilience she has demonstrated and the bright future that awaits her.
Validation and Reassurance
Gina validates Alex's feelings of comparing herself to friends who are at different life stages. She shares her own experience of feeling behind in getting married and starting a family. Gina emphasizes that Alex is exactly where she needs to be and encourages her to embrace her own unique path. She reminds Alex that she has the advantage of learning from others' mistakes and making choices that align with her own desires and values. Gina assures Alex that she is not alone in feeling the pressure to have everything figured out and that she has plenty of time to find love and create a fulfilling life.
Planning a Trip to Ireland with an Elderly Father
The podcast episode focuses on Ali's dilemma of planning a trip to Ireland with her elderly father. Ali's father is in his mid-70s and has health issues, including heart problems and sleep apnea. Ali is concerned about her father's ability to handle the two-week trip due to his exhaustion during a previous week-long trip. However, Ali is determined to make the trip happen and seeks advice on how to accommodate her father's needs and make the experience enjoyable for both of them.
Advice for Making the Trip Enjoyable
The podcast hosts offer advice to Ali on how to make the Ireland trip enjoyable for her father and herself. They suggest gradually cutting out unhealthy habits and replacing them with healthier alternatives leading up to the trip. They recommend scheduling rest days and being patient with her father when he gets tired or grumpy. They emphasize the importance of being present in the moment and cherishing the time spent with her father, regardless of the activities they are able to do. Overall, the hosts encourage Ali to focus on the experience of being together and creating lasting memories.
In this flashback episode, Gina Rodriguez [Jane the Virgin, Diary of a Future President, I Want You Back] talks with Anna about perseverance, what defines “home”, Puerto Rican identity (and food), abusive relationships, meeting her husband (and inviting him home to shower), and a lot more.
Our Unqualified segment begins with a call from Alli, who wants to take her 75-year-old father on his dream trip to Ireland, but fears that his health might not be up for the challenge. Next, Anna and Gina talk with Alex who feels discouraged when comparing the timeline of her single life to those of her friends who are all getting married and having kids.