Episode 243: Pregame - A Line in the Sand
Digest
This episode of Calm Down with Aaron and Karissa kicks off with a pre-game segment where Aaron and Karissa discuss their recent experiences with buying a house and moving in with a significant other. They also share their excitement for an upcoming Taylor Swift concert and discuss their favorite eras of her music. The episode then transitions into a Q&A session with listeners, covering topics such as favorite purchases, cigar smoking, and navigating relationships with stepchildren. Aaron shares his pride in buying his own wedding rings after his ex-wife requested them back, while Karissa offers advice on how to handle financial contributions when moving in with a partner. They also discuss the importance of open communication and setting expectations from the beginning. The episode concludes with a heartfelt discussion about a listener's experience with stepchildren who didn't acknowledge Mother's Day, offering empathy and advice on how to navigate such situations.
Outlines
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Pregame: House Hunting, Taylor Swift, and More
This Chapter begins with Aaron and Karissa discussing their recent experiences with buying a house and moving in with a significant other. They also share their excitement for an upcoming Taylor Swift concert and discuss their favorite eras of her music.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Listener Q&A: Favorite Purchases, Cigars, and Stepchildren
This Chapter features a Q&A session with listeners, covering topics such as favorite purchases, cigar smoking, and navigating relationships with stepchildren. Aaron shares his pride in buying his own wedding rings after his ex-wife requested them back, while Karissa offers advice on how to handle financial contributions when moving in with a partner. They also discuss the importance of open communication and setting expectations from the beginning.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Mother's Day Heartbreak and Advice
This Chapter concludes with a heartfelt discussion about a listener's experience with stepchildren who didn't acknowledge Mother's Day, offering empathy and advice on how to navigate such situations.
Keywords
Calm Down with Aaron and Karissa
A podcast hosted by Aaron and Karissa, known for their lighthearted and relatable conversations on various topics, including relationships, personal experiences, and listener questions.
Taylor Swift
An American singer-songwriter known for her pop and country music, her extensive discography, and her dedicated fan base.
Mother's Day
A holiday celebrated in many countries to honor mothers and motherhood, typically observed on the second Sunday of May.
Stepchildren
Children of a spouse or partner from a previous relationship.
Cigars
Rolled tobacco products typically smoked for pleasure, often associated with relaxation and social gatherings.
Wedding Rings
Rings worn on the ring finger of the left hand, symbolizing marriage and commitment.
Financial Contributions
The amount of money each person contributes to shared expenses, such as rent, utilities, and groceries, when living together.
Communication
The process of exchanging information, ideas, and feelings, crucial for healthy relationships and understanding.
Expectations
Beliefs about how things should be or how people should behave, important to establish clearly in relationships to avoid misunderstandings.
Q&A
What are some tips for handling financial contributions when moving in with a partner?
Karissa suggests paying for what you can afford, even if it's just small things like dog walking or dry cleaning. She also emphasizes the importance of open communication and setting expectations from the beginning, including writing down all expenses to ensure both parties are aware of the financial burden.
How can you deal with stepchildren who don't acknowledge Mother's Day?
Aaron and Karissa offer empathy and suggest that the listener's husband should address the situation with the children. They also advise against directly confronting the children, as it could come across as bitter or resentful.
What is Aaron's favorite thing he's ever bought for himself?
Aaron shares that his favorite purchase is his own wedding rings, which he bought after his ex-wife requested them back. He feels proud of his ability to buy them for himself and views them as a symbol of self-sufficiency.
What is Aaron's opinion on cigar smoking?
Aaron admits to still smoking cigars occasionally, but not regularly. He shares a tip for dealing with any potential side effects from smoking cigars: drinking root beer.
Show Notes
On this Pregame edition of the Calm Down podcast, find out what the favorite thing they ever bought for themselves is, what to offer to pay for when moving in with a significant other, if Charissa still smokes cigars, what era of Taylor Swift they are looking forward to hearing live, advice for a mom whose step-children didn't wish her a happy Mother's Day, and thought's on Erin's new piercing. Also, Erin will absolutely NOT be doing that!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.