A Matchmaker weighs in on what makes relationships last, the two kinds of people who get divorced (and the kind that regrets it) and the power of monogamy

Megan Birkel - a fan-favorite guest of mine and a fan-favorite in general - is used to asking her followers if they have any questions for her throughout the week. There's a reason for that: there's practically nothing this woman can't sell me, and following her has totally eliminated my need to spend hours scrolling through product reviews as Megan has proved herself as one of the most reliable sources for everything homegoods and homemaking (among many, many other things.) Her followers are used to watching her go through her day to day with fierce organization and that sort of magnetism that makes you search her profile just to see what she's up to if her stories aren't coming up first thing in your feed. Recently, there's been no doubt followers are watching and curious about one major change in Megan's life: she's stopped drinking alcohol. In this highly-anticipated podcast, I'm asking Megan all of the questions about her alcohol-free journey: what prompted her decision to put down the booze, how it's changed her day-to-day and what she wants other moms to know about stress and the way we carry it. We also get into a great conversation about Smut, "Romantasy" and all the books we can't stop reading. Don't miss this hour-plus long candid conversation that you won't want to end!

A few weeks ago, my mom got me one of the best presents I've ever received: an Oura Ring! If you don't know what the Oura Ring is, it's a smart ring that serves as a wellness tracker and helps you understand vital info about your sleep patterns, daily readiness, fertility + cycle, stress levels + more, and in this episode I'm talking about all of the ways in which mine has truly CHANGED MY LIFE! This episode is NOT sponsored (I just genuinely love this ring), but if you want to get one after listening, this is my affiliate link: https://amzn.to/47AIpX3

Tune into this episode for my thoughts on several AMAZING recent reads, including: Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica (Mystery) Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan (Romance, Mystery) The Things we Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros PLUS: I've read all 24 books written by Colleen Hoover. Tune into this episode for the five books you MUST read by her!

Yep, you read that right: I have three daughters, and each of them is in a different school. I spent a long time this summer thinking about how I would make it work, and this morning, I pulled off the first drop off succesfully and have so much to share with you on how I'm doing things differently this year. Links I mentioned: The Five Minute Journal (if you buy nothing else this year, buy this.) My episode on David Peck's podcast about the Justin Baldoni/Blake Lively Drama + Book Review of "Verity"

I've been waiting to see the movie adaptation of "It Ends With Us" starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni for what feels like forever and last night, I finally got to see it on the night it came out! In this episode, I'm sharing my completely candid and detailed review (spoiler alert!) as someone who has read all 24 of Colleen Hoover's books. Watch the movie, then listen to this episode and send me a DM with your thoughts - I would love to hear them!

It's a widespread millennial parenting hack: kids who won't sleep? Give them some melatonin. But is it good for them? Is it bad for them? Does anyone know the answers? In this week's episode of IJHTS, Dr. Josh Tal, a sleep psychologist, is weighing in on the role melatonin can play in our sleep cycle and habits, plus how to build healthy sleep habits for yourself and your family members. This episode was inspired by the article "Passed Out on Gummies" in The Cut. You can read the article here. Click here to visit Dr. Josh Tal online.

Parenting is full of pivotal moments that ask us to summon the highest version of ourselves (and all of our courage) without warning. From ushering his daughter through her first day of Kindergarten to giving the sex talk, Matt Brand, the author of "Nature and Nurture: one father's journey through the fog of parenting," is talking all about what it's been like to raise two daughters in a world of countless outside influences, and how he's made it through some of parenting's biggest challenges. Brand's recent book is a compilation of 15 years of stories he's written down as his parenting journey has unfolded, and each chapter speaks to a new and different milestone or pivotal moment that he learned from along the way. His wisdom and storytelling is funny, relatable and will warm the hearts of those least-likely to pick up a book on parenting. To pre-order "Nature & Nurture, A Journey Through the Fog of Parenting," click here.

Have you ever been to a psychic? Do you think it's all just a bunch of hocus pocus or are you a true believer? Either way, Psychic Julee is here to help you hone your own psychic abilities and really get what you want out of life (hint: it's not about "wanting.") In this episode, we discuss: How Julee sees the future How you can see your own How to really listen to your intuition and know how you feel about things How to get what you want out of life Auras and what they mean How we're really doing as a planet and society (it's not what you think!) DISCOUNT CODE exclusively for "I just have to say..." listeners! Use code LAURA10 at psychicjulee.com for 10% off of your session with Julee!

I originally shared this podcast on 5/23/24, and I'm re-broadcasting it so it's available on this feed as I switched feeds from the original about a month ago. Here's the original summary: This is my first official interview on this podcast and trust me, you don't want to miss it! Listen the whole way through to hear one of my most beloved podcast guests from my previous podcast, Look Ma' No Hands, weigh in on: Harrison Butker What she wishes she could tell her younger-mom self What she wants you to know about your kids getting older How it feels to be a Stay-At-Home-Mom after running a successful online business for over 10 years Her next project Two-Way Journaling - what it is and why it helps with anxiety (guys, you have to hear this - it's amazing!) How to calm the other voices so you can really hear your own There isn't a single minute of this podcast that I would skip over. I love chatting with Megan and her candor truly lends itself to so much laughter, healing and the feeling of "oh, thank goodness...I thought it was just me!" I hope you enjoy this episode. A few product links related to what we discussed (links go directly to Megan's Amazon Storefront where applicable): ⁠Missha BB Cream (I'm personally obsessed, and it's $10)⁠ ⁠Loreal Lumi Glotion (I called it "Sublime Bronze" on the podcast but that's a different product. This is what Megan shared that I use every day.⁠ ⁠Elf Halo Glow Blush - one of my all-time favorites from Megan's recs

I know I've said it before, but DO NOT MISS this one-of-a-kind episode of "I Just Have to Say with Laura Max." Matchmaker Gaby Aratow of Keeper Introduction Services (KIS) here in Aspen, Colorado isn't wasting one minute of our hour-long episode with boring conversation. In this densely-packed exchange, we discuss: What makes people a great match Why some great matches don't stay together Why some great matches do The power of monogamy and commitment The two types of people who choose to get divorced, and why one of those types often regrets it Ashley Madison and what the millions who've subscribed to it says about our society and culture The one kind of person she can't set up, even if she finds a great match for them Did I mention you DON'T want to miss this episode?! For more and to inquire about working with Gaby and getting on her database, visit her at keeperintros.com.