Charlie is going to write a memoir. What better way to learn about memoir than to read them and reflect on them? In this episode, Charlie talks about what resonated from the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed, and how her notes can help her as she thinks about her own writing. This new format was inspired by David Senra's Founders Podcast. If you haven't listened to his podcast, you should.

Charlie forgets to press record on the first hour of her conversation with Polina. No matter! Polina is a gem. They talk about how they write and their relationships with alcohol. Polina shares her thoughts on personal writing and failure. And they end with a new segment they came up with together called Slow Burn And Smooth Jazz. You won't want to miss it. Pre-order Polina's book, out June 20! ⁠Hidden Genius⁠: The Secret Ways Of Thinking That Power The World's Most Successful People References: Colleen Hoover 15 Months Without Alcohol Militaristic — definitely a word I’ll Show Myself Out: Essays On Midlife And Motherhood by Jessi Klein ⁠Why It's So Hard to Create Original Work In the Face of Conventional Wisdom⁠ (Polina’s essay on originality) An Orgasmic Birth (Charlie’s essay on childbirth) Judy Blume Educated by Tara Westover The Bachelor The White Lotus Season 2

Charlie and Sam discuss a recent Tim Ferriss Show podcast episode with CEO Coach Matt Mochary. But mostly they get unintentionally meta about podcasting.

Charlie hates hates hates hates hates feeling stupid. And she did something REALLY stupid this week. References: I Hate Feeling Stupid Shrinking on Apple TV

Randy is one of Charlie's new online writer friends. They discuss the purpose of their writing, their experience of making friends through Write of Passage, and their mutual hatred of Twitter. 

How do you prepare for something like a normal person? Charlie sure as heck doesn't know.  Eventually, she and Sam talk about ambition. Then Sam gets quite taken aback when Charlie admits that sometimes, when she's REALLY pissed off at him, she thinks he sucks.  References:  Bill Simmons on How I Built This Life Advice with Ryen Russillo Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair Review Nut Milk Maker Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd Netflix's Trash Truck

Charlie wants to get vulnerable in 2023. In this episode she expresses her feelings around sending Layla to daycare, an upcoming family reunion, and why podcasting is so hard. 

We've arrived at the most wonderful time of the year! Hear Sam and Charlie's thoughts on Santa Claus, gift-giving, and Christmas movies. And get ready, Charlie sings her own Christmas classic, The Reindeer Rap. You heard it here first! Merry Christmas, you guys, thanks for listening. :) References: Way Of The Warrior Kid by Jocko Willink Weatherman umbrellas Beautiful hand-painted ornaments  Glass ball ornaments for all the kids... no longer available!! Apple TV's Spirited HBO Max's A Christmas Story Christmas The Reindeer Rap: OMG I found a video of some random school performing it. 

Rachel Morris (referred to as "Rebecca" in past episodes), joins Charlie and Sam to discuss her sailing adventures, childhood education, talking to kids like they're people, and self-checkout at the grocery store. 

Sam and Charlie hired a nanny and they love her. They share their insights on the hiring process and what they look for. They also skipped town for two nights and went to Miami. It was their first trip away from their babies (it's been almost three years!). While there, Charlie finally met some online friends IRL. They left the dinner invigorated, saying, "We need better friends." And Sam and Charlie's relationship with drinking alcohol continues to change...