Have you ever noticed how hard it is to open your door when you're waiting for everything to be perfect?"

In this episode, Emily Paulsen sits down with Chelsea Fagan, author of Having People Over: A Modern Guide to Gathering and co-founder of The Financial Diet. Chelsea believes that in a world that feels increasingly disconnected and transactional, opening your door and creating space for community might be one of the most important things we can do. She explores why hosting has become a dying art, how toxic self-care culture keeps us isolated, and what it takes to build meaningful connections through the simple act of having people over.

Together, Emily and Chelsea unpack the barriers that keep us from hosting, from perfectionism to exhaustion to the misconception that gathering requires money we don't have. They discuss the critical role of platonic friendships in a culture that overvalues romantic relationships, the practice of adult sleepovers as a way to deepen intimacy, and how being a good guest is just as important as being a good host. Chelsea also shares practical tips for creating ambiance through the five senses, choosing themes that feel loose and inspiring rather than rigid, and maximizing time with guests instead of hiding in the kitchen.

This episode is a reminder that connection doesn't require perfection. It requires presence, intention, and the willingness to let people see your home and your life as they are.

Key Takeaways:

• Hosting is about people, not performance: The most important thing when hosting is maximizing time with your guests, because they came to be with you.

• Toxic self-care keeps us isolated: Prioritizing short-term comfort over showing up for others damages relationships and ourselves in ways we underestimate, because wellbeing is fundamentally about connection and community.

• Platonic relationships deserve protection: Friendships are just as essential as romantic partnerships and shouldn't be devalued or treated as placeholders until something more important comes along.

• Money is rarely the barrier: Most people spend more on dining out and ordering in than it would cost to cook for friends at home, making hosting more accessible than we think.

• Being childfree creates space for community: Without children, there's both the capacity and responsibility to create experiences and moments for others.

Looking for something special this season? Emily’s created the Curious Life of a Childfree Woman Gift Guide, a curated collection of her favorite intentional gifts, wellness essentials, and treat-yourself picks. You can grab your free copy exclusively on Substack at curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.substack.com.

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Host Emily Paulsen is an accomplished entrepreneur and happily childfree woman shining a light on the often overshadowed childfree-by-choice perspective. Whether interviewing innovative experts or positioning leaders to scale through her Brand Studio, Electric Collab, Emily’s power lies in allowing people to feel seen and celebrated for who they are.

Learn more about Emily at:www.curiouslifeofachildfreewoman.com

Connect on Instagram: @curiouslifeofachildfreewoman

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The guest on this episode, Chelsea Fagan, is the author of Having People Over: A Modern Guide to Gathering and co-founder of The Financial Diet, a platform dedicated to helping people build better relationships with money and create lives aligned with their values. Chelsea's work centers on the belief that hosting and gathering are essential practices for building community in an increasingly disconnected world. Through her writing and speaking, she encourages people to embrace imperfection, prioritize connection over performance, and use their homes as spaces for meaningful relationships rather than just private retreats.

Get Chelsea's book Having People Over: A Modern Guide to Gathering

Follow The Financial Diet @thefinancialdiet

Connect on Instagram: @faganchelsea