Sisters Cracking Up

If you liked The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, you're going to love Gail Brenner Nastasia's memoir, The Fruit You'll Never See. Now a criminal defense attorney in Massachusetts, Nastasia grew up in the fishing town of Gloucester, Mass. where she was introduced at a very young age to the underbelly of adult addictions and perversions. Growing up in a family riddled by mental illness and drug addiction, Gail experienced her childhood trauma as "normal" -- as it was all she knew. In exquisitely honest detail, Gail shares her history of abuse without anger or blame. In fact, she refuses to see the people who subjected her to abuse as bad. They are, she believes, also the victims of their circumstances. Please take a listen to this episode, sisters. For one thing, it's a master class in forgiveness, hope, healing, and moving on. For another, it is, sadly, the very last episode of Sisters Cracking Up. We have spent the last 5 years joyfully interviewing the most incredible of guests who have taught us so much. And we will miss you, our wonderful sisters, who listened in and helped make Sisters Cracking Up the success it is. Thank you, thank you, thank you. A million times over.  Signing off with love,  Abby and Julie

Sisters, if you've ever wondered if you might be a perfectionist, chances are you may be. And, according to author Katherine Morgan Schafler, that's more than okay. Schafler, author of The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control: A Path ot Peace and Power, encourages us to look at perfectionism in a more positive light and to discard the pathologizing of it. You can be a perfectionist and, yes, you can be happy! Schafler explains there isn't just one way to be a perfectionist and identifies 5 different types: Intense, Classic, Parisian, Procrastinator, and Messy. (Both Abby and Julie admit to being the Messy Type!) In Schafler's own words, "Perfectionism invites a deep, unending exploration of who you are and what you most desire from this life." We couldn't agree more.

As the youngest daughter of crime boss Vincent "Chin" Gigante, Rita Gigante has a unique perspective on mob life. Her dad was the notorious leader of the Genovese crime clan and head of all five New York mob families for decades. Chin Gigante is often remembered for strolling the streets of New York City in his bathrobe, feigning mental illness in an attempt to distract the FBI from his underworld activities. In our interview, Rita (the author of The Godfather's Daughter: An Unlikely Story of Love, Healing, and Redemption), talks openly, painfully, and lovingly about growing up in a family steeped in secrets and lies. Whether you're interested in mafia life, organized crime, Vincent Gigante and his legacy, or simply in what it means to have grown up in a family like hers, our interview wtih Rita Gigante will not disappoint. This is, most importantly, Rita's story: how she went from a family of origin that lived in darkness to a healer who lives in the light of acceptance, redemption and forgiveness.       

Hey, Sisters. Ever wondered what it might be like to parent an Olympic gold medal champion?  On this episode, we interview Olympic mom Allison Douglass. Allison's daughter, swimmer Kate Douglass, won two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal in last summer's Paris Olympics. Allison talks frankly about their family's journey, culminating in Kate's impressive showing at the 2024 Summer Olympics.  If you're anything like us, you may believe that parents of elite athletes push their children mercilessly and sacrifice all to get them to the pinnacle of their sports careers. Allison and her husband chose a different path; allowing Kate to make the decisions and commitments necessary to reach such athletic heights -- while balancing their commitments to family stability and their other children. If you think you might be parenting a future elite athlete, or you're simply interested in how one family parented theirs, you won't want to miss this episode.  

Dr. Kerry McAvoy was a busy mom, wife, and psychologist when her world was devasted by the death of her first husand. When she was finally able to come up for air, she met a new man who was everything she wanted in a partner.  Just months after the wedding, she woke up to a text from a woman she didn't know: "I guess the joke is not just on me but on you, too. I've been dating your husband."  Her world was shattered. Still in love with her new husband, she chose not to leave. Instead, she spent the next two years fruitlessly and desperately trying to fix what was broken. Despite being a psychologist, Kerry had never heard the term "narcissistic abuse." She didn't realize she'd been love-bombed, and was now being manipulated and gaslighted. Married to a man whose personality vacillated between good guy and monster, Kerry was left strung out and confused. She became so desperate that she briefly considered ending her life.  When her son became ill, Kerry saw her chance to leave her marriage and escape the hellscape she'd been living in.  Kerry's goal now is to help others gain clarity and heal after narcissistic abuse. She wrote a book, Love You More, and took to TikTok where she created a 29-part video series on her experience of marriage to a malignant narcissist. This series, as well as her other videos about toxic relationships, have garnered over 18 million likes.

Sisters, let's talk booze. Most of us have some relationship with it whether it's front and center in our lives, on the periphery, or even in the rearview. But there's no escaping alcohol's prevalence in our society. Happy? Celebrating? Grab a glass or two or five. Sad? Grieving? Lonely? Do exactly the same. Shockingly, alcohol use disorder in women has increased 87% in the last 30 years. Yup, you read that right. And however you do the math, that's a concerning number. If nothing else, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in some countries, alcohol is the number one risk factor for breast cancer. Enter Sarah Rusbatch, author of Beyond Booze: How to Create a Life You Love, Alcohol-Free. Sarah, a multi-award winning health and well-being coach, focuses on women who struggle with "gray-area drinking" -- defined as those that are not yet dependent on or addicted to alcohol in a clinical sense, but whose drinking could become problematic if they don't do something about it. After developing what she describes as 'a dysfunctional relationship with alcohol', Sarah made the decision to remove alcohol from her life in early 2019 and has never looked back. She now works with thousands of women across the globe, guiding them into from feeling lost, stuck and out of control (something she fully understands herself), to a healthier and happier way of living. She's the host of the online community, The Women's Wellbeing Collective, which offers a safe space where women feel seen and understood. She equips women with the tools they need to break the cycle of unhealthy habits and coping mechanisms. Her experience, knowledge, and passion has transformed lives.       

Sisters, if you have any interest in Tarot, you've gotta take a listen to this episode. If you have any interest in Tarot explained by a witch, go no further. Why? Because we have Rebecca Auman on the show today and she's the GOAT.  In Rebecca's own words:  "For as long as I can remember, I've been able to read energy and vibration. Sometimes it was just a sparkle surrounding something to which I should pay extra attention. Other times I could see words come out of peoples' foreheads. I felt these were messages from the universe. Messages with meaning." Rebecca uses Tarot to answer the pressing questions we all ask ourselves: Am I making the right decisions? Am I going in the wrong direction? Am I swimming against the tide? Tarot helps you explore the messages you need to receive and helps you dig deeper. Tarot with Rebecca Auman is a special event because, as a witch, she brings her "extra" gifts to every reading. Rebecca's podcast, Voices in the River, helps women reclaim their power and become leaders of their own destiny. Need we say more? Abby and Julie open the episode discussing their witch-y mom and Abby's personal reading with Rebecca.  

Hey, Sisters. Seems wherever we turn these days, we're being told to cut ties with the people in our lives who no longer serve us in a healthy way. In some families, this means that adult children are choosing to cut off communcation with their parents. Sheri McGregor, author of Done With The Crying: Help and Healing for Mothers of Estranged Adult Children, is not only an expert on this topic, she is also one of millions of parents whose adult child made this painful and heartbreaking choice: When one of Sheri's sons was in his twenties, he made the decision to exclude her and the rest of their family from his life. As part of her own healing journey, Sheri made the decision to help other parents through this. Already a writer, she used her literary skills to interview thousands of parents affected by estrangement and to craft a book which would help other parents heal, accept, and ultimately create meaningful lives in the aftermath. With thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon, this book -- and Sheri's wisdom -- is invaluable in helping parents understand -- and live with -- this shattering decision. Abby and Julie open the episode discussing the the difficult task of cleaning out a parent's home and Abby's desire to start a TikTok channel which Julie will obviously manage.      

Hey, Sisters. Dangerous personalities like narcissists and sociopaths are all around us. Some estimates show that up to 5% of the population exhibits traits of these deviant disorders. That's 5 out of every 100 people, people! Luckily, we have FBI profiler Joe Navarro on the pod to shed more light on who these people are and how to identify them. Personally approached at the tender age of 23 to join the FBI, Joe Navarro became one of the youngest agents ever to join the renowned investigative agency. He went on to spend the next 25 years at the FBI, working both as an agent and supervisor in the areas of counterintelligence and counterterrorism. Through his work he was able to study, refine and apply the science of nonverbal communications. His acumen in this field and his success as a spy-catcher, led Joe to train FBI agents and the intelligence community. Retiring from the FBI in 2003, and meeting overwhelming demand for his notable insights into human behavior, Joe has dedicated himself to speaking and consulting with major corporations worldwide. Today Joe is recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on the application and use of nonverbal communications in business. Through his experience working with CEOs and senior leaders of major global organizations, he is highly sought out for his expertise on leadership, influence, and the behavioral qualities that drive more effective leaders and in turn happier, more productive workforces. Joe has been writing articles and books for the past 30 years. Today, he has 14 published books available in 29 languages. He has also written regular monthly columns for a variety of publications. Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Abby's experiences with saving a stranger's puppy and finding and returning another stranger's cell phone -- and the surprising ways in which these people reacted to her efforts.  ​

It's summah, Sisters! Time for some straight talk...and a good laugh or 20. Luckily, we've got veteran comic Jackie Kashian on the show to help with both. Jackie Kashian is a stand-up comedian who has been seen on After Midnight, Conan, Corden, HBO, Netflix, and Comedy Central. She's been heard on NPR and Audible. Touring 45 weeks a year, the tour is just called her career. Her 5 comedy albums and specials have been number one on Amazon and Apple and #3 on Billboard. In addition to two podcasts, "The Jackie and Laurie Show" and "The Dork Forest," you can also read her writing in "The Comedy Film Nerds Guide to Movies" and the comic book "Comics Comics Quarterly". Currently, she has a new TINY comedy special "LOOKING BACK" shot from the camera of a Mazda 6 in reverse. Abby and Julie open the episode celebrating/lamenting the self-care machinations, time, travel, and clothing purchases it takes to prepare for wedding season redux -- the time of life when your kids, nieces and nephews, and friends' kids start to get married. 

Happy Mother's Day, Sisters! We hope it will be a joyful one for you and your families. As we know well, our relationships with our moms can run the emotional gamut over the lifespan. We also know that some moms are made for mothering (or work really hard at it!), while some simply fall short because of circumstances they can't (or don't know how to) control.  In Liz Scheier's beautiful, honest memoir, Never Simple, she describes her difficult and complex relationship with her mother, Judith. As a result of Judith's borderline personality disorder (BPD), Liz's childhood was fraught with chaos and volatility. When Liz was 18 years old, her mother dropped two bombshells. One, that her mom had been married for most of the previous two decades to a man Liz had never heard of. And second, that everything she had told Liz about the man she'd claimed was Liz's dead father was entirely fictional. Never Simple is Liz's story about what happened next. We loved our illuminating and intimate conversation with Liz -- and you will, too. Never Simple has garnered praise from the New York Times, Publishers Weekly (starred review), Kirkus, Library Journal, Bookpage, Booklist, and bestselling authors Augusten Burroughs, Jenny Lawson, Isaac Mizrahi, Elissa Altman, Greer Hendricks, and Mira Bartók. It was chosen as a Best Book of March by Amazon and Apple Books, a People Picks by People Magazine, an Indie Next pick, a Barnes & Noble Top 10 Favorite Ebook of 2022, and was featured as one of "15 March Reads to Get You Through the Month" on Good Morning America. It was a finalist for a Lambda Award.  

We love Steven Petrow for many reasons: he's funny, he's smart, he's a kickass writer, and he's tirelessly devoted to his beloved family.  Sadly, Steven lost his younger sister, Julie Petrow Cohen, to ovarian cancer in June 2023. From all accounts, Julie led a life that priortized joy, professionalism, social justice, and family. In essence, she lived her life in full throttle. At the end of her life, Julie chose when to die, accessing a little-known right in her state of New Jersey to die with dignity -- also known as Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). (MAID is currently an option in 9 states and Washington, D.C.) Steven promised his beloved sister he would write about her experience and choice so that others may learn about and consider this option if needed. In a New York Times article entitled, "I Promised My Sister I Would Write About How She Chose to Die," Steven did just that. The article, not surprisingly, resonated with thousands. Listen in as Steven talks about losing his beloved sister, how their shared experiences and humor bonded them, and what he's learned about the grief journey. 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, "3 Ways to Practice Civility" has been viewed nearly two million times and translated into 16 languages.      

Hey, Sisters. If you're a believer in astrology or you're simply interested in what's behind the science of it, this is the episode for you. We've both experienced some pretty amazing insights since we found Omar Senior. What we absolutely love about his readings (and him!) is his vast knowledge of astrology and the science behind it. In other words, we're sold! Omar Senior is a dedicated astrologer who has immersed himself in the study of astrology for two decades. On a mission to share the profound insights of astrology with a global audience -- and a passion for making this ancient wisdom accessible to as many people as possible -- Omar is the visionary creator behind blackastrology.com. Through his work, he strives to equip others with the tools necessary to navigate life's journey and tap into the cosmic energies that shape our existence. You can also find him on his YouTube channel. Abby and Julie open the episode with their own thoughts about astrology and Abby's ongoing issues with other drivers who are clearly struggling with the rules of the road.

Hey, Sisters. We can't seem to take a breath these days without hearing some new thing about narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder. How 'bout you? Enter social media's The Nameless Narcissist, Jacob Skidmore. He's all over your feeds talking about his own diagnosis of NPD -- and helping millions of people in the process understand the narcissists in their lives. Our conversation with Jacob was honest, refreshing, and (at times) disturbing, as he unveiled the inner workings, thoughts, and motivations of a someone with a diagnosis of NPD. Cluster B personality disorders (of which NPD is one) will never fail to capture our imaginations, raise our ire, and make us scratch our heads. But so much of what we think we know about the people who suffer from these mental illnesses is rarely from the horse's mouth. Listen in as The Nameless Narcissist pulls back the curtain on how narcissists feel (or not), and why they behave the way they do -- even when they know they're hurting those they claim to love. Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Karens. Who are they? And what defines a Karen?

This is NOT your mother's menopause, Sisters! Yes, it is the time of life when you can no longer procreate (Hallelujah to that!), but it's also the time of life to start creating the life YOU want. Don't believe it? Our guest, Julie Gordon White, will surely change your mind.  Julie Gordon White is an award-winning entrepreneur focused on improving suppportive nutrition and building community for women in midlife and menopause. She is an expert on the intersections of nutritional science and menopause. Julie is the founder of MenoWell Energy Bars (Bossa Bars). These energy bars are made expressly for women in all stages of menopause to optimize the nutrition our bodies are craving as we go through "the change." They're also one of Oprah's selections as a Best Menopause Product. Julie is working to redefine and empower the experience of menopause and midlife for women and she herself is a glowing example of midlife reinvention. She believes in facing 50 head-on, pivoting, reinventing, and owning midlife as the best time in life. Abby and Julie open the podcast discussing why Abby is a little wary about her private psychotherapy clients discovering Sisters Cracking Up.    

Hey, Sisters, could this be YOU? (It's us, that's for sure!) Another day, another misdiagnosis of a disorder that plagues so many women. It's common for symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) to be overlooked or "explained away" by professionals as depression, anxiety, or overwhelm when it shows up in women.  Chances are, if you suspect you have this diagnosis, it's gone undiagnosed since you were little. And all the while you've beaten yourself up wondering why you simply can't be as organized or focused as you perceive others to be.  The good news is there's Sari Solden, M.S. And thankfully we have her on this episode of Sisters Cracking Up. Both of us have been dogged by the symptoms of ADD for years and we're just starting to recognize the impact it's had on our lives. If you suspect you may have this diagnosis as well, don't ignore it or wish it away -- there's practical, life-changing help! Psychotherapist Sari Solden specializes in working with men and women with ADHD and the mental health professionals who want to help them. She has been counseling adults and supporting neurodiverse women with ADHD for 35 years. Her areas of specialization include women's issues, inattentive ADHD, and the emotional consequences for adults who grew up with undiagnosed ADHD. Sari Solden has written three books on the topic: Women with Attention Deficit Disorder, Journeys Through ADDulthood, and A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD. Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Abby's superior driving skills and the importance of being prepared when returning packages. Spoiler alert: FFS, have your QR code ready, people!  

Hey, Sisters. Ever wonder what's actually going on in your body during menopause? And why we can have some really uncomfortable symptoms when we're going through it? Hot flashes, crankiness, and exhaustion are just some of the things you might experience. Did you know these are all caused by the hormonal changes that accompany this time of life? And that symptoms can show up as early as your 30s? Did you also know there are tried and true treatments for your symptoms that will help you manage through menopause? Kate Wells is our guest and she is an expert on all things menopause and hormones. Kate is the co-founder of Parlor Games LLC, a company that specializes in solutions for women's health around menopause and beyond. Women's health is complex -- the hormones that govern much of our lives from puberty to menopause have a huge impact in overall wellness. After menopause, instead of a balanced state, women are often in a state of hormone insufficiency which has a profound impact on their physical, mental, and emotional health. With a line of products supporting women's health and a focus on education, Parlor Games has already changed the lives of thousands of women with theircommitment to science, sisterhood, and solutions. Learn more at parlor-games.com Abby and Julie open the episode discussing what a mother-of-the-groom should wear, the fancy dresses of the 1980s, and hating music.

It's THAT time of life, Sisters. The time when we can choose to live truer to our own selves, or just slog through life telling ourselves the same, tired stories and never making the changes necessary to live more authentically. Enter Dr. Carolyn Kurle, author of The Guidance Groove: Escape Unproductive Habits, Trust Your Intuition, and Be True. Lucky for us, she has a lot of brilliance to share on what we can do to shift our thinking and behaviors. According to Dr. Kurle, there's a voice inside you that knows what to do every single time you are faced with a choice. And that voice is your authenticity and your truth. It is your Guidance Groove!  Listen in and learn how to reject your unproductive grooves -- inadequacy, obligation, scarcity, and unworthiness -- and live a life of honesty, truth, and self-respect. Dr. Carolyn Kurle is a tenured Biology Professor at the University of California, San Diego, and the author of numerous research articles aimed to improve conservation strategies for imperiled species and habitats. Her work teaching hundreds of outstanding students at UCSD, many of whom paradoxically struggle to find ease, motivated her to write this book for connecting with your guidance to increase personal authenticity and contentment. Abby and Julie open the episode discussing plastic surgery, baby showers, and channeling their mom.

It's time to talk about menopause, Sisters! And, yes, this means you. Whether you're 35 or 65, you're going to learn a lot about how to manage this inevitable life change with none other than the extraordinary Clarissa Kristjansson. We found Clarissa through her amazing, top-rated podcast, Thriving Through Menopause, and we knew we'd learn a thing or two about menopause from her. She's devoted her career to helping menopausal women thrive through the changes that menopause brings. Clarissa holds a doctorate in neuroscience and honors degrees in food and nutrition. She's a published mindfulness author, health and wellness coach, and experienced mindfulness and Qigong teacher. She practices an integrative approach to working with women to manage menopausal symptoms.  Abby and Julie open the episode with an in-depth discussion of the male equivalent of resting bitch face and why roasted marshmallows are indeed a delicacy.    

Yes, Sisters. It's already THAT time of the year. For some, back-to-school simply means the kiddos are heading back to the classroom. But for others, it may mean that your kid (or kiddos) is launching. Where they're headed (college, job, military, gap year, or simply moving out of the family home), isn't as important as the fact that your kid-centric life is now coming to a seemingly abrupt end. The empty nest can be an emotional time of reflection and significant change. We wonder if we can remain close to our kids as they start their new journeys. We may also have fears about our partnerships: Will they and can they survive without the children as the focal point of your lives? Celia Dodd, author of The Empty Nest: How to Survive and Stay Close to Your Adult Child, can help. Borne of her own experience of the empty nest, she set out to provide parents with a guidebook for better understanding this phase of parenting, and ways to manage the roller coaster of emotions that can come with it.  If you're facing the empty nest in a couple of days, weeks, or years, you don't want to miss this episode. Hint: Successfully planning ahead for this change is possible! Celia Dodd is a journalist and author who wrote regularly for The Times, the Independent and other national newspapers and magazines, focusing on relationships, family, life, health, and education. After 30 years as a journalist, she turned to writing books about parenting and major transitions in life, such as the empty nest and retirement.  Abby opens the episode by quizzing Julie on how well she knows the both of them as sisters. They also discuss what to do about gifts from your spouse you don't like.