Understanding the Mattering Instinct with Philosopher Rebecca Goldstein EP 449

In today's episode, Sarah and Laura chat non-fiction reading, and then interviews Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, a philosopher, writer, and expert on what it means to matter, and why humans instinctually feel pulled to feel like they matter - even to themselves!They talk mattering projects from parenting and relationships to the pursuit of excellence. Rebecca's book is called The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us And Divides Us, and she has a substack called The Mattering Map.In the Q&A, a listener wonders how Sarah is doing about a year after her heart episode and diagnosis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah share their insights on cultivating and maintaining friendships -- even during the busy parenting years! Tactics include multitasking friend dates, accepting the "Friendriarch" role, finding activities to do together WITH kids, and more.Then, towards the end of the episode, Kathleen Paley, a friend of both Laura and Sarah joins in to share her thoughts! You can find more from Kathleen at her podcast called The Reframe (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reframe/id1755909152)!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrea Canning has a lot going on! In addition to her role as a Dateline NBC correspondent, she's a mother of 6, Marine Corps wife, and host of the Dateline True Crime weekly podcast. She shares her career and family building journey with Laura in this episode.Sarah and Laura open chatting about short family visits and answer a Q&A about bday celebration ideas for teens and tweens.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

February doldrums can be real -- or maybe you struggle with mood swings at other times. In this episode, Laura and Sarah share lots of ideas to help you get out of a funk, from focusing on your golden hours to treats, as well as a list of 5-minute uplifters.Episode Note: The strategies in this episode certainly would not be enough on their own for anyone going through a real depressive episode or mental health crisis, and there is no replacement for professional help when there is a need!In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking whether to believe people telling her she'll feel very different about work post-baby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's Valentine's Day-inspired episode, Sarah and Laura share their current traditions for celebrating this February holiday, and then they chat about the early days of their relationships, as well as the ways they've celebrated love over the years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, Sarah and Laura open by sharing about their favorite and least favorite (and least favorite) things about the little kids years vs bigger kids years! Then, Sarah interviews Corinne Hammonds, CEO of a NYC charity and mother of 2 — one senior, and one college student all about how life has changed over her past decade of working motherhood.In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for advice — she is currently driving 4 hours daily in her commute to work and looking for advice on how to move forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episodes, Laura and Sarah discuss their own life updates -- Sarah is working one day a week at a different office, and Laura just got back from her big family trip to the Galapagos Islands -- she shares what her favorite moments were in addition to the biggest challenges.Following this, they delve into a discussion of various life skills -- from cooking to laundry to understanding finances -- how did THEY learn them, and how have they been teaching their kids?Finally, a listener writes in to ask about sleep needs and bedtime - how do the hosts manage this currently?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, both hosts share thoughts on Laura's recent Vanderhakcs post on her favorite habits to embrace for the new years, and add a twist -- the very best habits to AVOID!in the Q&A, a listener wonders about skiing as an adult - how hard is it to learn? Can one still have fun on a family ski vacation if they did not grow up skiing?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi made her name in reality television. More than a decade later she's still filming while building a business that includes multiple locations of The Snooki Shop, the Messy Mawma wine brand, and maybe pickles in 2026! She talks career reinvention, working motherhood, and laundry.In the intro, Laura and Sarah discuss their favorite Jersey shore towns.In the Q&A, a listener wonders about handling breaks when kids attend schools with different schedules.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah open up with some discussion of ringing in the 2026 New Year, and then Lauren Kurakto, an Episcopal Priest, joins Laura for a fascinating discussion about how she leads a meaningful and fun life while thriving in a career that is (by definition!) variable, unconventional, and often demanding.In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for Laura and Sarah's take on aptitude tests and categories, from the chronotype to Myers-Briggs to the Enneagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.