Figuring It Out

Figuring Out One Year and What's Next

September was chaotic, fun, and full of nonstop socializing, which basically means my battery is fried and I think I’ve officially aged out of extensive partying. (No worries, I’ll still make appearances… I’ll just complain about needing a nap after.)
But this week isn’t just about catching up — it’s my one-year podcast anniversary and my finale. Over the past year, this little project taught me how to get comfortable being vulnerable, to find strength in my emotions, and to rebuild confidence I thought I’d lost. Turns out, putting your messiest, most personal thoughts out into the world is a great way to stop caring about other people’s opinions.
While this isn’t exactly how I imagined things wrapping up, I’m proud I made it a full year after being scared to even start. I’m endlessly grateful to everyone who’s listened, laughed, and figured things out with me. So, hopefully this isn’t a goodbye forever and more like a “to be continued.”

Sh*t Talk Therapy: Screen Time, Plot Twists, and Petty Complaints

Instead of kicking off the month with a guest, we’re back in Sh*t Talk Therapy because life’s been a little chaotic. Between a broken hairdryer, a dying plant, and a glitchy phone camera, all my “nice things” decided to quit on me — so I did what any reasonable person would: laid to rot in front of the TV.
This week I dive into how I binged my way through Netflix's The Hunting Wives (surprisingly not the conservative soap I expected), Untamed, and Love Is Blind UK. I got caught up on The Sex Lives of College Girls (forgot how much I love that show), and And Just Like That… (still not Sex and the City) and also finally tapped out of The Summer I Turned Pretty—sorry Belly. Best of all, I return to my true crime spiral, including The Twisted Tail of Amanda Knox, Amy Bradley is Missing, The Yogurt Shop Murders, the Jussie Smollett doc, and Netflix’s Unknown Number — which might have the most unhinged ending I’ve seen in a murder doc yet

Figuring Out My Chicago Story So Far (and the Chapter Ahead)

This week, I’m catching up on all the things I missed — from quick thoughts on the Love Island USA reunion to a few first impressions of Love is Blind UK — plus a recap of my (slightly underwhelming but still lovely) work trip to Minnesota. But the heart of this episode is my five-year anniversary of living in Chicago. What started as a leap away from my small-town comfort zone has turned into a half-decade of growth, friendship, career shifts, love, and healing. I reflect on the highs and lows — from a job ending badly but leading me toward the right path, to finding “my person,” becoming a dog mom, and learning what it really means to create a life in a new city. As I look back, I also look forward: reminding myself of why I moved here in the first place and the experiences I still want to chase next.
 

Figuring Out Firstborn Baggage, One Emotional Carry-On at a Time

 This week, I’m unpacking the glamorous curse that is oldest daughter syndrome—the unspoken role of family project manager, the permanent “can you handle this?” energy, and the way it shapes how we love, fight, and people-please. I reflect on the theory that other oldest siblings might secretly be our best matches, how my own sibling and parent dynamics sent me packing from the East Coast to Chicago, and the weird guilt that comes with putting distance between you and the people you love. It’s reflective, a little uncomfortably honest, and still sprinkled with dry humor—because if you can’t laugh about your firstborn baggage, you might actually cry...or cry anyway.

Figuring Out Life at 20-Something with Work Friends

This week, I’m Figuring It Out with friends—and not just any friends, my talented (and unhinged in the best way) coworkers Callie, Sam, and Maddie. We’re all 20-somethings working in the same interior design studio, but at slightly different life phases, with very different takes on everything from productivity to personality traits. We talk about how much or how little we’ve done this summer and spiral into a little work culture compare-and-contrast, both in and outside our industry. We also unpack our personal strengths and weaknesses like it’s a performance review no one asked for. Plus: how we all ended up in Chicago, and where we fall on the spectrum of fully invested to can't be bothered with TV culture. No tears this week—just some jokes and healthy chaotic coworker chemistry.

Figuring Out the Feelings That Won’t Go Away

This week, I’m figuring out what happens when your month starts strong... and ends in a crying spiral. I open up about my recent trip home—how revisiting old dynamics and emotions left me feeling foggy, avoidant, and off-track. I reflect on how easy it is to feel like you’re growing just because you’re trying, and how sometimes, the funk that follows reminds you that deeper changes still need to happen. It’s vulnerable, it’s solo (literally in the dark), and maybe a little rambling—but it’s real.

Sh*t Talk Therapy: Weddings, Binge-Watching, and Brain Fog

This month’s Sh*t Talk Therapy episode starts with my first-ever bridesmaid experience, a chaotic hungover travel day, and a reminder that just because some friends are hitting milestones doesn’t mean I’m behind. Then I get into everything I’ve been watching lately—from The Bear, Tyler Perry’s Straw, and Severance to a stacked reality TV lineup. I break down The Ultimatum: Queer Love, America’s Sweethearts, Next Gen NYC, The Valley, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reunion, and of course Love Island—because UK is still top tier and we're finally going Beyond the Villa.
 
 
 

Figuring Out the Art of Following Through (But Changing Your Mind is Okay)

Reflecting on my latest guest episode, I’ve been thinking about what it means to have someone in your life who’s really seen you grow. He mentioned being impressed that I finish what I start… which got me reflecting on all the things I did see through — even when they didn’t turn into forever paths. From my healthcare and personal training eras to now being in design and real estate, this one’s about trying things fully, taking what you need, and knowing when to walk away. Not quitting — just... thoughtfully exiting.
 
 

Figuring Out What We Carry and What We Leave Behind with Adryan

For this month’s guest episode, I’m joined by my godbrother Adryan — my first best friend and the reason I ever packed up and moved to Chicago. We talk about growing up in our culture, unlearning the pressure to please everyone, and figuring out how to let go of what no longer serves us. There’s laughter, tears, and a whole lot of realness as we reflect on what shaped us, what we’ve shed, and how we keep inspiring each other along the way.

Figuring Out Suppression, Solitude & Sad Girl Hours

June came in hot, both emotionally and temperature-wise, and I’m finally catching up with myself. After spending a lot more time alone lately—not by choice (at first)—I started to notice I’ve been doing that thing again: saying “it’s fine” when it really is not. I open up about emotional suppression, why I keep shrinking to keep the peace, and how sometimes, all I really want is to hear that I’m doing okay. Spoiler: I cry a little. But like… in a productive way.