Sisters Cracking Up

Dr. Lindsay Gibson, a licensed clinical psychologist and author, opens up about the lasting effects of growing up with emotionally immature parents. She discusses how such parenting shapes self-perception and emotional health, often leading to feelings of anger and abandonment. Through personal anecdotes, Lindsay emphasizes the importance of self-connection and awareness in healing. She also explores the differences between emotional immaturity and narcissism, highlighting the profound impact of these dynamics on adult relationships.

Ever look at the habits or behaviors of your parents and grandparents and think, "I'll never do that!" Sure you have. But Steven Petrow kept copious notes about all the things he'd never do...and then wrote a book about it.  Yes, it's funny. But it's also touching and enlightening as Petrow takes us through the basics ("I won't color my hair!") and then moves us gracefully into a deeper understanding of what it means to grow older. Petrow watched his own parents as they aged (and passed) leading to a profound sensitivity to the aging and dying process. Steven Petrow is an award-winning journalist and book author who is best known for his Washington Post and New York Times essays on aging, health, and civility. He’s also an opinion columnist for USA Today, where he writes about civil discourse and manners. Steven's 2019 TED Talk has been viewed nearly two million times and translated into 16 languages. Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old was published in 2021 and named as one of the New York Times’ “favorite” books of the year (among other accolades). He is the author of five other books and is a much sought after public speaker. You're likely to hear him when you stream NPR or one of your favorite  —  or least favorite  —  TV networks.  Steven Petrow and this book may just change the way you feel about aging -- and the always difficult process of watching your parents age. We loved this book (and Steven) and so will you, Sisters.    

Every midlife woman has a story. Sometimes that story can be one we can learn and grow from. Jennifer Arthurton, host of the podcast, Old Chicks Know Sh*t, was floundering in midlife until she decided to choose reinvention over personal struggle and complacency. Her life truly changed when she was willing to let go of the "image" of what she (and others) thought her life should look like. And we're pretty sure we can all learn something from that!  Abby kicks off the episode with a story about a client who makes her question her own vanity in the face of aging. Julie points out that studies have been done on aging women whom -- at a rate of nearly 100% -- believe they are aging better than those in their friend group. Go figure.  

As women, we're no strangers to the experience that what our lives look like from the outside often doesn't match the dissatisfaction and turmoil within. And no matter how many self-help books we read, or yoga classes we take, or smoothies we drink -- we still feel like we're drifting. Dr. Valerie Rein is a psychologist and women’s mental health expert who has discovered Patriarchy Stress Disorder (PSD) and created the only science-backed system for helping women achieve their ultimate success, happiness, and fulfillment by healing the intergenerational trauma of oppression. She holds an EdM in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University and a PhD in Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Her #1 Amazon bestselling book, “Patriarchy Stress Disorder: The Invisible Inner Barrier to Women’s Happiness and Fulfillment” has been heralded by reviewers as "the most important body of literary work of our modern times" and "perhaps the most important book of the century for women."

It's a tough swallow, but divorce always comes down to two things: kids and money. And if the kids are grown or there are none, it's all about the dough. So, what do you need to know about your financials in order to move smartly through your divorce and end up with the best possible financial outcome? Cue Shawn Leamon because he's just the guy we need to advise us on all matters of divorce financials. We loved his straightforward, no-nonsense approach and so will you. Shawn Leamon is an MBA, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and host of the #1 divorce financial podcast, Divorce and Your Money. He is also the author of Divorce and Your Money: How to Avoid Costly Divorce Mistakes (2020), a no-nonsense, user-friendly guide that provides a complete plan for facing the tough decisions during divorce.  Shawn’s work has been seen in Time, USA Today, Yahoo! Finance, Nasdaq, San Francisco Chronicle, and many other publications across the United States. His website, DivorceAndYourMoney.com has over 1 million viewers and his podcast has over 500,000 downloads.  Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, he received his Bachelor of Arts in both Economics and Philosophy from Dartmouth College. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Spain’s IE Business School, where he focused on international finance and venture capital. Before launching his own firm, Shawn worked as a credit research analyst at J.P. Morgan and subsequently helped manage $1.1 billion in client assets at Bernstein Global Wealth Management. In his personal life, Shawn loves to push his physical and mental limits as an ultra-endurance athlete. An avid traveler, Shawn spends time between his offices in Dallas, New York City and Hanover, New Hampshire, and can often be found wandering the globe, having visited over 25 countries. divorceandyourmoney.com/coaching

Randi Kreger, co-author of the bestseller, Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder, joins Sisters Cracking Up to pull back the curtain on the wild, complex, and eternally frustrating experience of being in a relationship with someone with BPD. And that relationship can be with anyone in your life: spouse, partner, parent, boss, or even your child. What are the hallmarks of this personality disorder? And why do those on the receiving end always feel like they're losing their marbles? Randi Kreger shares her personal experience with BPD and how it sparked a lifelong interest in the disorder. She has sold over a million books worldwide on BPD, enlightening and giving relief to those who didn't have the words to describe their traumatic experiences.

Thinking about making that career change as you round the bend in midlife? So many of us are thinking about it...and doing it! But there's so much to consider before we switch those professional gears. Career coach extraordinaire Angie Bruhn joins Sisters Cracking Up to discuss what you need to think about as you craft the second act of your professional life. And it's not just about paying the bills. It's about YOU. Angie Bruhn is an executive leadership coach and the CEO of Elevate Execs. After spending 18 years in the corporate world working for an intense, ever-changing marquee of brands, she has dedicated herself to empowering individuals to excel in diverse cultures and environments, enabling them to become the leaders and people they are meant to be.

Dreading that convo you know you need to have? We've all been there! Join us as we welcome Confrontationalist Danielle Gibson who will teach you how to "talk turkey" right in time for Thanksgiving! Confrontation is usually seen as something negative but, what if instead of fearing confrontation and trying to avoid it, you stepped into it and embraced it directly?  This is what Danielle Gibson, a Confrontation Expert and Performance Coach, helps her clients do. Danielle's definition of Confrontation is "To deal directly with someone or something you've been avoiding out of fear." Why is it important to learn how to be an expert Confrontationalist? Because that fear is what is holding you back! She partners with clients who feel stuck in a mundane unrewarding cycle to help them break free. The result? They gain a greater sense of awareness, clarity and confidence so they can get what they want, not just what they think they can get. In working through their blocks, they move toward a truly authentic life they can live on their terms. Website - www.theconfrontationalist.com Email - hello@theconfrontationalist.com Instagram - @the_confrontationalist  

Author and humorist Helen Ellis is in the house. And no topic is off-limits!  We talk professional poker, menopause, friendships, marriage, and the wherewithal it takes to become a successful writer. (Also, if you didn't know that the phrase "bless your heart" has negative connotations, Helen explains why.)  If you want to be Helen's friend, you've got to be willing to open up about your sex life and be prepared to show up in one of her books. To that, we say, "Sign us up!"  She's so delightful, we think you'll be ready to sign up, too. Helen is the author of Southern Lady Code, American Housewife, and Eating the Cheshire Cat. Her newest book, Bring Your Baggage and Don't Pack Light explores friendships between women and what it's like to be a woman in midlife. Raised in Alabama, she lives with her husband in New York City. You can find Helen on Twitter @WhatIDoAllDay and Instagram @HelenEllisAuthor.

Our enthusiasm is a little embarrassing, but we are true fangirls of Paul Gilmartin and his podcast, The Mental Illness Happy Hour. Listen in as Paul shares his own struggles openly and vulnerably -- in an effort to help others move through and beyond their own.  A well-known comedian and host of the long-running TBS show, Dinner and a Movie, Paul Gilmartin turned to podcasting in 2011 as a way to work through his own trauma. In a podcast the New York Times calls, "a perversely safe place in which he and his guests talk about their fears, addictions and traumatic childhoods," Paul's openness and empathy have endeared him to millions of listeners around the world. This episode contains accounts of personal and sexual trauma which may be disturbing or upsetting to some listeners. It is intended for mature audiences only.