The Things We Know

In this episode of The Things We Know, Lisa and Kari sit down with filmmaker, actress, and creative entrepreneur Trinette Faint, fresh off her Best Actress win at the Berlin Indie Film Festival for her witty and deeply human short film Party Pants. Together they explore what it means to reinvent yourself in midlife, build community that's real instead of performative, and lead with creativity and connection. Trinette shares how her company Floor 51 Productions and her new venture Chez Faint are giving women spaces to collaborate, rest, and create with purpose—from Boston to Brooklyn to Rome. Watch Party Pants on YouTube here and learn more about Trinette's work and upcoming retreats at chezfaint.com. If you're ready for your own spark of creativity, connection and clarity, join us for our next Best Chapter Yet retreat: "Unstoppable, A Heroine's Journey"  in Palm Springs, February 27–March 1, 2026. Details and registration here! Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod  

What if the answers you keep searching for are already in you? In this episode, Kari and Lisa explore the idea of cumulative knowledge — the way life quietly teaches us through repetition, resilience, relationships, and the stories we carry. It's a conversation about the wisdom we forget we have, the old scripts we're still running, and the surprising ways our lived experience shapes what we do next. If you've ever underestimated what you already know, this one will feel like a deep exhale and an invitation to trust yourself more. If this conversation reminds you of all you already carry, imagine giving yourself a few days to honor it. Join us in Palm Springs, California, February 27 to March 1, 2026, for our next Best Chapter Yet weekend retreat. Learn more and register here. Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod  

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa talk honestly about movement and motivation in midlife. Not the glossy version, but the real one that includes shifting energy, caregiving, perimenopause, creaky joints, and the moments when even finding your sports bra feels like a workout. They unpack what it means to move through the world at this stage of life with strength, humor, and self-respect. The conversation explores how motivation looks different now, why reactivity gives way to resilience when we care for our bodies, and how movement can be simple, powerful, and deeply personal. It's not about perfection or performance. It's about staying connected to yourself and creating a life where movement feels like coming home. And if talking about movement has you picturing some sunshine and space to exhale, we've got the perfect idea. Join us in Palm Springs, California, February 27 to March 1, 2026 for our next Best Chapter Yet weekend retreat. Imagine warm desert air, wide open skies, and a few unforgettable days surrounded by dynamic women ready to move forward in their own lives with strength and joy. You can find all the details and the registration link here. Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa step into a conversation that has been simmering for a long time. Faith and Freedom explores how personal belief, public power, and democracy are colliding in ways that shape everyday life. They share personal stories about faith, talk openly about the rise of Christian nationalism, and name why the separation of church and state matters now more than ever. This is not a sermon or a debate. It is a real conversation about conviction, compassion, and protecting the space for difference — because how we live this out together will shape the kind of world we pass on. If conversations like this leave you craving space to breathe, reflect, and connect with women who care deeply about the world too, our next retreat might be the perfect place to do it. Join us in Palm Springs, California, February 27 to March 1, 2026 for our next Best Chapter Yet weekend retreat. Picture sun-soaked days, big conversations, and a circle of dynamic women who are ready to live their next chapter with intention and heart. You can find all the details and the registration link here. Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa lean into the question behind the title What to Feel (WTF) because lately both meanings apply. When the world keeps throwing curveballs, it is hard to know whether to rage, cry, laugh, or shut down entirely. Together they talk about the emotional whiplash of this past year, the grief beneath our anger, and how to keep hope alive when it feels like everything is unraveling. It is a conversation about empathy, resilience, and remembering that however you feel right now, it is okay.  You're not alone! After a year of holding so much, maybe what comes next is space to breathe again. Our next Best Chapter Yet weekend retreat in Palm Springs will offer just that—a chance to rest, reconnect, and rediscover your own momentum. Join us February 27 to March 1, 2026, for a few unforgettable days of clarity, courage, and connection. All the details and registration are here. Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

In this episode of The Things We Know, Lisa and Kari get real about power and the many ways it shows up in everyday life. They talk about the difference between power that controls, power that tries to help but sometimes misses the mark, and power that is shared and lifts everyone. Along the way they share what this looks like in their own lives, in coaching, and in community. They also name the quieter kinds of power that often go unseen, like supporting someone from behind or holding space so another voice can shine. This is an honest and practical conversation about rethinking power and noticing how our choices can open up more connection and possibility. Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa talk about the small but powerful difference between reacting and responding. They share where this shows up in their own lives as moms, caregivers, partners, and friends, and how easy it is to either blow up or shut down when emotions take over. They offer simple practices that help create a little space before we act, like naming what we are feeling, breathing, or even finding humor in the moment. This conversation is about being gentler with ourselves, showing up more clearly for the people we love, and remembering that even one pause can change the whole tone of a relationship. Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

Some stories are too powerful to stay untold. In this compelling conversation, Kari and Lisa are joined by memoir and business book ghostwriter Jenny Nesbit—a spiritual life coach and visionary who believes that when women tell the truth about their lives, they not only heal themselves but help others feel less alone. From surviving domestic abuse to helping others reclaim their voice, Jenny shares why storytelling is a radical act of sovereignty, connection, and transformation. Together, they explore the deep personal and professional power of writing your story, challenge the myth that some voices don't matter, and invite listeners to consider where their own truth is ready to be spoken. Where to find Jenny and learn more:   https://www.jennynesbit.com/ Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

What does it look like to face life's hardest battles twice—and still come out laughing, leading, and lifting others? In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa sit down with Amy Spence: mom, marathon runner, master transformation coach, and two-time breast cancer survivor. Amy shares her journey with raw honesty and humor, from the moments that tested her to the strategies that helped her rise up stronger. She talks about creating her Rise Up System, launching the Bad Boobie Club podcast, and finding joy in a new normal. This is a conversation about resilience, healing, and connection—and a reminder that none of us have to walk through challenges alone. Where to listen, contact, and find out more about Amy: https://www.amyspencecoaching.com/ https://www.amyspencecoaching.com/podcast   Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod  

Maya Angelou's challenge is simple but piercing: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa unpack what it really means to live by those words—in parenting, caregiving, politics, justice, and how we treat our planet. From unlearning old assumptions about children and loved ones, to confronting the gap between awareness and accountability in our culture, they explore how "knowing better" must push us past comfort into responsibility. Grace for the past matters, but so does courage for the present. This conversation is both a mirror and a call to action: where in your own life are you being asked to do better?   Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod   Ready to get Unstuck and become Unstoppable? Download our Masterclass; Unstuck and Unstoppable here! https://thethingsweknowpodcast.com  

Dehumanization has become the cheap currency of politics, media, and even casual talk—and it's leaving us more divided than ever. In this episode of The Things We Know, Lisa and Kari look at how words and labels strip people of dignity, whether it's whole communities cast as threats or the double standards baked into our justice and political systems. They don't shy away from naming the hard stuff—how fear gets manufactured and weaponized against immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, urban neighborhoods, even teachers and neighbors. But they don't stay stuck in outrage either. Instead, they point us back to something truer: at the end of the day, every human being wants safety, health, and belonging. Moving forward means refusing caricatures, rejecting fear-mongering, and daring to rehumanize one another.   Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod   Ready to get Unstuck and become Unstoppable? Download our Masterclass; Unstuck and Unstoppable here! https://thethingsweknowpodcast.com  

What holds women back from stepping fully into leadership isn't just the boardroom—it's the kitchen, the calendar, and the endless to-do list at home. In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa dive into Katty Kay and Claire Shipman's The Power Code and the chapter that made them stop in their tracks: "Pots and Pans and Power." They unpack how the unequal division of household labor—and the invisible mental load that comes with it—still limits women's opportunities, drains ambition, and shapes confidence. From the pandemic's toll on working mothers to the cultural undervaluing of domestic work, Kari and Lisa bring research, coaching insight, and personal stories to show why the balance must shift at home before real equality can take root anywhere else.   Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod   Ready to get Unstuck and become Unstoppable? Download our Masterclass; Unstuck and Unstoppable here! https://thethingsweknowpodcast.com    

 In headlines and hearings, we still see the same pattern play out: women brave enough to tell the truth are met with skepticism, hostility, or outright dismissal. That disbelief doesn't just silence—it revictimizes, forcing survivors through systems built to malign and exhaust them, while convictions remain rare. No wonder so many choose silence, carrying fear and shame instead of justice. In this episode of The Things We Know, Lisa and Kari dig into why our culture clings to doubt, and what must shift if women's voices are ever to be truly heard. Last Chance to join us for our Fall 2025 retreat:  JOIN Lisa and Kari for the Brave & Boundless Best Chapter Yet 2025 Fall Retreat at voco Downtown Chicago October 3-5, 2025 (typically a gorgeous time of year in Chi-town). You won't wanna miss the chance to gather with other women in an intimate retreat setting with the vibrant backdrop of downtown Chicago, combined with the levity and fun that you're craving more of in your life.  Register now!     Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod   Ready to get Unstuck and become Unstoppable? Download our Masterclass; Unstuck and Unstoppable here! https://thethingsweknowpodcast.com    

In this episode, Kari and Lisa take a closer look at the phrase "just be nice" and the cultural conditioning behind it—especially for women. They explore how niceness often masks self-silencing, emotional disconnection, and fear of conflict, while true kindness is rooted in clarity, courage, and respect. Drawing from the work of Glennon Doyle, Brené Brown, Harriet Lerner, and Resmaa Menakem—as well as research from TIME Magazine, the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, and the Newport Institute—they unpack the emotional and even physical toll of chronic niceness. With humor, honesty, and some serious fire, this conversation redefines what it means to be kind without abandoning yourself. They also reference Antoinette Griffin's video on the difference between nice and kind, and invite listeners to let go of performative likability in favor of deeper authenticity.   Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod   Ready to get Unstuck and become Unstoppable? Download our Masterclass; Unstuck and Unstoppable here! https://thethingsweknowpodcast.com  

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa get real about something most of us experience but rarely talk about: what it feels like to live in a body that's changing. From shifting energy and brain fog to the pressure to "age gracefully," they unpack how culture, comparison, and internalized expectations shape the way we see ourselves. With reflections from their own lives and insights from experts like Dr. Jen Gunter, Brené Brown, and Mary Pipher, they explore what it means to stay kind to yourself, release old narratives, and live well in the body you're in—today. They acknowledge what's hard, but also celebrate the gift of change—because aging, for all its challenges, still beats the alternative! If you're ready to honor the season you're in—and live more fully in the body you have now—join Kari and Lisa this October for the Brave & Boundless retreat in Chicago. It's a weekend for shedding old stories, deepening self-trust, and reconnecting with your power. Register now!    Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod   Ready to get Unstuck and become Unstoppable? Download our Masterclass; Unstuck and Unstoppable here! https://thethingsweknowpodcast.com    

In this episode, Kari and Lisa sit down with behavioral scientist and neuroscientist Dr. Amanda Wiggins to explore what's really happening in women's brains during midlife—and how to support clarity, creativity, and calm in a world that often demands the opposite. From the neurological effects of burnout to the hidden cost of masking exhaustion at work, they unpack why so many women feel foggy, irritable, or depleted—and what research-backed rituals can help. Amanda shares insights from her work at The cGP Lab and draws on years of experience helping high-performing women and global organizations design environments where well-being is sustainable and real. To learn more about Amanda connect with her on LinkedIn.   Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod   Ready to get Unstuck and become Unstoppable? Download our Masterclass; Unstuck and Unstoppable here! https://thethingsweknowpodcast.com    

In this episode of The Things We Know, Kari and Lisa unpack the difference between being a lighthouse—steady, grounded, and offering light—and being a lifeboat, jumping in to rescue others at their own expense. They explore how many women are praised for being selfless helpers, and how that conditioning can lead to overfunctioning in friendships, caregiving, and relationships. Through honest conversation and coaching wisdom, they share what it looks like to support others without losing yourself, why fixing isn't the same as helping, and how real connection requires reciprocity and vulnerability.   If you're ready to stop bailing water and start standing in your light, join Lisa and Kari this October in Chicago, for a weekend designed to help you come home to yourself, no rescuing required. Consider yourself invited to the Brave & Boundless Best Chapter Yet 2025 Fall Retreat at voco Downtown Chicago October 3-5, 2025 (typically a gorgeous time of year in Chi-town).  Register now!   Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

In this episode, Kari and Lisa dive into the discomfort—and the possibility—of life's "in-between" seasons. These liminal spaces, where we're no longer who we were but not yet who we're becoming, can feel quiet, confusing, and unsteady. They reflect on personal and collective in-between moments, from career shifts to cultural upheaval, and how this space of becoming is ripe with transformation if we let it be. They don't offer advice, but they do offer good questions—and a reminder that this season, strange as it may be, matters deeply.   Did you know a women's retreat might be the PERFECT way to face YOUR in-between season? JOIN Lisa and Kari for the Brave & Boundless Best Chapter Yet 2025 Fall Retreat at voco Downtown Chicago October 3-5, 2025 (typically a gorgeous time of year in Chi-town).  You won't wanna miss the chance to gather with other women in an intimate retreat setting with the vibrant backdrop of downtown Chicago, combined with the levity and fun that you're craving more of in your life.  Register now!   Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod

In this episode, Kari and Lisa talk with writer, producer, and GOLD Comedy founder Lynn Harris about the deeper power of humor—especially for women in midlife who are ready to take up more space. They explore how comedy builds confidence, shifts culture, and creates connection, and why being funny isn't about performing—it's about being bold, authentic, and fully yourself. Lynn shares stories from her work empowering women and nonbinary folks through GOLD Comedy, and reminds us that laughter isn't just medicine—it's a leadership tool. Learn more at goldcomedy.com and lynnharris.net, or connect with Lynn on LinkedIn. You know what's NOT funny?  Our Fall Retreat is nearly full!   JOIN Lisa and Kari for the Brave & Boundless Best Chapter Yet 2025 Fall Retreat at voco Downtown Chicago October 3-5, 2025 (typically a gorgeous time of year in Chi-town). You won't wanna miss the chance to gather with other women in an intimate retreat setting with the vibrant backdrop of downtown Chicago, combined with the levity and fun that you're craving more of in your life.  Register now!   Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod  

Recorded right after the budget bill was voted in, first Lisa and Kari have their feelings then they realize this episode is more important than ever.  They explore why play matters for adults—especially during times of stress and uncertainty. From spontaneous laughter to imaginative role-playing, play isn't just a luxury—it's vital for connection, healing, and mental health. Drawing on research from experts like Stuart Brown and the Blatners, they unpack why adults often resist play and how we can reconnect with our playful selves. With personal stories and thoughtful questions, they invite listeners to remember the kind of fun that once lit them up—and maybe still could.   Wanna connect with and PLAY  with other fun women like yourself? JOIN Lisa and Kari for the Brave & Boundless Best Chapter Yet 2025 Fall Retreat at voco Downtown Chicago October 3-5, 2025 (typically a gorgeous time of year in Chi-town).  You won't wanna miss the chance to gather with other women in an intimate retreat setting with the vibrant backdrop of downtown Chicago, combined with the levity and fun that you're craving more of in your life.  Register now!   Where to find Kari and Lisa: The Things We Know Podcast Homepage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThingWeKnowPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethingsweknowpod