Episodes
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Life lately
Sarah has a running injury and is rethinking her fall race plans.
Abby and fam had an incredible long weekend at the beach.
Reading lately
Sarah shared two nonfiction hits: Behind Their Screens by Emily Weinstein and Carrie James and Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey.
Abby read yet another witch book, The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings.
Our dream lives
We talk about what we dream of for our lives in 5, 10, 20 years, as well as what dreams we'd have if money was no object or if we could go back in time and change things.
Eating lately
Abby has found the perfect snack for work: individual cottage cheese cups.
Sarah made a vegan chocolate cake for Neil's birthday.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Transportation update
We share our current transportation situations, how they've changed since our last episode on the topic, the challenges and joys of this stage, and our transportation dreams for the future.
Life Lately
Abby is over the summer and ready for fall.
Sarah's family is adjusting to new school year routines with HP in middle school.
Reading lately
Abby loved the witchy vibe of Weyward by Emilia Hart.
Sarah got a lot out of listening to Die With Zero by Bill Perkins. She originally heard about the book from this podcast interview.
Eating lately
Sarah and E are making Thai iced tea with boba (and these straws).
Abby enjoyed the taste of fall with a new apple cake recipe.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Missing episodes?
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We chat about the ways in which we support our kids to learn to make choices and how that's changed in the different seasons of parenting.
Life lately
Sarah and her people had an amazing week at family camp.
Abby is over summer and ready for school to start again please and thank you.
Reading lately
Sarah read the contemporary romance Better Left Unsent by Lia Lewis
Abby loved the trio of queer romances in the Love and Other Disasters series by Anita Kelly.
Eating lately
Abby made the crunchy roll bowl from Pinch of Yum.
Sarah and E are testing out a chocolate peanut butter cake recipe.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Checking in on 2024
We reflect on how the year is going so far, remind ourselves of our words for the year, and look ahead to the second half of 2024.
Life lately
Abby is starting a new job.
Sarah loved the show The Break: A New Rock Musical.
Reading lately
Abby thoroughly enjoyed Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe by Emma Törzs.
Sarah recommends two romantic comedies: Funny Story by Emily Henry and The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren.
Eating lately
Sarah tried a new breakfast casserole (with croissants!).
Abby's family enjoyed this street corn recipe.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Family life lately
We chat about what's going well and not so well in our families these days, as well as share some optimism about things that have been hard in the past and aren't any more.
Life lately
Sarah's children are out of school and summer has begun!
Abby is eagerly anticipating a friend group camping trip to Rickwood Caverns State Park.
Reading lately
Sarah read the nonfiction book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.
Abby enjoyed the spicy romance Scandalized by Ivy Owens, which is a pseud for Lauren Billings (half of romance-writing duo Christina Lauren).
Eating lately
Abby is very into these probiotic sodas from Trader Joe's.
Sarah introduced her children to cinnamon sugar bagels, and they are a hit.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Obsessions
We share what we've been into lately, from camping to curry. Links mentioned:
1000 Hours Outside podcast about campingWhere Should We Camp Next? Budget Camping by Stephanie and Jeremy PuglisiLife lately
Abby's family is down to one car after the Volvo's transmission died.
Sarah graduated from library school!
Reading lately
Abby listened to You Need a Budget by Jesse Meacham and Sarah read the YA historical fiction novel We Are Not Free by Traci Chee.
Eating lately
Sarah is making curry with these curry pastes.
Abby was delighted when her favorite vanilla creme donuts were back in stock.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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We chat about how good we are at getting things done, which tasks are easy for us to start and finish, and whether anything helps us check things off our lists.
Life lately
Sarah (along with all of Bloomington) is prepping for April 8's solar eclipse.
Abby got a puppy, Edie.
Reading lately
Sarah highly recommends the YA novel, In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner (especially the audio version).
Abby has been slowly making her way through the first three books of the Her Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen.
Eating lately
Abby hacked a grocery store cookie cake for Pepper's birthday.
Sarah tried out this Pad Thai recipe.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Life lately
Abby is feeling good about their family's summer plans.
Sarah's kids are enjoying some winter hobbies.
Reading lately
Abby read True Biz by Sara Nović and Sarah read S.K. Ali's young adult novel Saints and Misfits.
Looking ahead to turning 40
As we enter the last year of our 30s, we look back over the last decade, look ahead to our 40s, and share how we hope to celebrate our milestone birthdays.
Eating lately
Sarah tried two new focaccia recipes but had the most success with this one from Alexandra Cooks.
Abby shares about a new Trader Joe's product: garlic asiago cheese dip.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Life lately
Sarah is thankful that January is behind us, and night shift is going surprisingly well for Abby.
Reading lately
Sarah read (and loved) The Good Part by Sophie Cousens.
Abby listened to Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist by Judith Heumann.
Religion and spirituality
We discuss our experiences with religion and spirituality, growing up, today, and how we think about religion and spirituality as parents.
Eating lately
Abby ate Torchy's Tacos every day she was in Texas and has no regrets.
Make-your-own sushi is a big win at Sarah's house.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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New year’s intentions, 2024
We set our intentions for the year, share our words for the year, and discuss specific goals in various categories.
Life Lately
Abby is looking forward to time with family over the holiday (plus Tex-Mex!).
Sarah shares to home winds: the headboard Neil made and all the secondhand plants.
Reading lately
Abby found a new romance series by Sarah Estep--the Brunch Bros.
Sarah read the technology parenting book Growing Up In Public by Devorah Heitner.
Eating lately
Sarah found success with a traditional caramel recipe and Abby enjoyed apple cider caramels made by a friend. We recommend this thermometer that attaches to the pan.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for
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We look back on our respective years, talk about how we did with our intention words, and do a lightning round of favorites from 2023.
Life lately
Sarah recommends the Fantastic Fiction website.
Abby is leaving the leaves this year.
Reading lately
Sarah read the nonfiction book The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World by Max Fisher.
Abby enjoyed the first two installments of the Wilmot Sisters contemporary romance series by Chloe Liese.
Eating lately
Abby is very into Cherry Cordials, the best seasonal Little Debbie.
Sarah has significantly upped her bean game.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Our year in books, 2023
We share the highs and lows of our reading year as well as our favorite books in various categories.
Life lately
Abby loves her new Pact sweaters.
Sarah is cozying up with the Calm Christmas podcast.
Reading lately
Abby read the spicy romance novel (set in Bloomington!) How Not to Fall by Emily Foster.
Sarah read Michelle Huneven's novel Search.
Eating lately
Sarah made cranberry orange bread and Abby wants you all to know about shrimp toast.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thank you for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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We give an update on the state of clutter in our homes and discuss how we think we might manage it better. We'd love your ideas! (And here's the podcast Sarah mentioned: A Slob Comes Clean)
Life lately
Sarah ran a half marathon—yay!
Abby built a screen door.
Reading lately
Sarah read the satirical novel Wellness by Nathan Hill.
Abby enjoyed the first two mysteries in the Jane Austen-inspired Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney series by Claudia Gray.
Eating lately
Abby tried out a new spinach dip recipe, and it was a hit at her work potluck.
Sarah and E made some yummy mint brownies (similar to this recipe, just swap ganache for mini chocolate chips).
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Parenting strengths and weaknesses
We share areas of parenting that come easily to us (and those that don't!), our partners' parenting superpowers, and a recent parenting win.
Episode about our everyday superpowersLife lately
Abby shares the sad news that the hospital where she works will be closing Labor and Delivery later this month.
The renovation continues at Sarah's house... In this update, concrete stain!
Reading lately
Abby read the YA fantasy novel To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose.
Sarah read R.F. Kuang's Yellowface.
Eating lately
Sarah tried two new recipes from the Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook for Neil's birthday.
Abby enjoyed a buffalo chicken dip made by Andrew.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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We look back on how the summer went and what we learned about how to make next summer even better.
Life lately
Sarah is picking paint colors again. (What a nightmare.)
Abby healed one of her kitty's ears without a vet trip thanks to this product.
Reading lately
Sarah read the Six of Crows/Crooked Kingdom Duology by Leigh Bardugo.
Abby read Feed the Baby: An Inclusive Guide to Nursing, Bottle-Feeding, and Everything In Between by her dear friend and IBCLC, Victoria Facelli.
Eating lately
Abby loved this recipe for samosas made with crescent roll dough.
Sarah made a delicious white bean chicken chili in an effort to get back to meal planning.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Mindsets
We share mindsets and mantras that have served us well over the years, ones that do not work for us, and mindsets we are trying to help our kids cultivate.
Life lately
Abby was on television for her work.
Sarah's family has joined the local climbing gym.
Reading lately
Abby is all-in on Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.
Sarah recommends Maame by Jessica George.
Eating lately
Sarah and Abby both enjoyed meals cooked by their moms: orzo pasta salad and hashbrown casserole.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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We reflect on how the year is going so far, remind ourselves of our words for the year, and look ahead to the second half of 2023.
Life lately
Sarah’s children are at sleep away camp for the first time.
Abby recently did a refresh of her indoor plants.
Reading lately
Sarah read and loved You Could Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir by Maggie Smith.
Abby listened to Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
Eating lately
Abby and her family have been harvesting their homegrown blackberries.
Sarah enjoyed a seafood boil on a recent beach trip.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Preferences
We share our preferences in our lifestyles, food, music, tv/movies, books, and socializing, as well as how our they have changed over time and whether they align with our spouses' preferences.
Life lately
Abby's battling the lice that made their way into her home.
Sarah's family is preparing for an egg drop competition.
Reading lately
Abby read the queer, young adult romance Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth.
Sarah read Laura Bates' Men Who Hate Women, which she heard about through an interview with the author on the Offline podcast.
Eating lately
Sarah is enjoying homemade sushi, using this Instant Pot sushi rice recipe.
Abby found a simple and delicious recipe for pork shoulder.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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With this episode, we're starting a new schedule for Friendlier. We’ve decided to release new episodes on the first Tuesday of each month, instead of every other week, as we’ve been doing. As our lives have gotten busier, it’s been tough to fit in podcasting, but we love this creative project and connecting with all of you, so we’re hopeful that the new schedule will help us continue to fit the pod into our lives.
Life lately
Sarah and E enjoyed seeing Annie together.
Abby has a nest of baby birds on her front door wreath.
Reading lately
Sarah loved Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld.
Abby is deep into The Ravenels series by Lisa Kleypas.
Looking ahead to summer
We discuss our summer plans and aspirations, as well as how this summer will be different from summers past.
Eating lately
Abby introduced her children to toaster strudel.
Sarah was inspired to make shrimp tacos.
If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at [email protected], or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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K-12 school experiences
We share the highs and lows of our experiences in elementary, middle, and high school.
Life lately
Abby has poison ivy.
Sarah just got back from the SEC gymnastics championships in Georgia.
Reading lately
Abby enjoyed the cozy fantasy The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna.
Sarah read Jennette McCurdy's memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died.
Eating lately
Sarah's family is having pancakes for breakfast nearly every day.
Abby's enjoying hearty salads for lunch at work.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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