Friendlier

New year's intentions, 2021We reflect on the year that was, set intentions for 2021, and share some of our favorites from 2020. Links we mentioned:Last year's intentions episode and our mid-year check-inSchitt's CreekThe Good PlaceMerge DragonsLife latelyAbby's building a chicken coop.Sarah has abandoned one holiday tradition and remembered how much she loves another.Reading latelyAbby listened to The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue and Sarah read the Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.Eating latelySarah made an alfredo sauce that didn't break apart and Abby enjoyed Budget Bytes' Dal Nirvana.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We take a look back at our reading life in 2020: our challenges, our wins, and of course, our favorite books. Highlights from the year:Fiction: The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay, Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, and Nothing to See Here by Kevin WilsonNon-fiction: The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, Boys and Sex by Peggy Orenstein, and Motherwit: An Alabama Midwife’s Story by Onnie Lee Logan as told to Katherine ClarkMost enjoyable: Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas on audio, One to Watch by Kate London-Stayman, and Bringing Down the Duke and A Rogue of One’s Own, both by Evie DunmoreMemoir: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb, Know My Name by Chanel Miller, and Sitting Pretty by Rebecca TaussigAudio: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, Know My Name by Chanel Miller, and Sitting Pretty by Rebecca TaussigRead aloud: The Wild Robot a

Celebrating 100 episodes + listen q&aWe reflect on the last four years of making the podcast, then answer listener questions. Thank you to everyone who submitted questions! We cover everything from how we knew our families were complete to whether we have a personal theme song. Listeners, we are so grateful to have you with us on this podcasting journey. Here's to the next hundred episodes!Graceful quittingHard timesBeauty and styleWhat a DayHome CookingPod Save AmericaJourney to MidwiferyHarry Potter and the Sacred TextHot and BotheredLet the River Run by Carly SimonLife latelyAbby gives a chick update.Sarah's family has started having weekly family meetings.Reading latelyAbby is listening to (and loving) Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Wisdom of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer, while Sarah finished Unfollow: A Journey From Hatred to Hope by Megan Phelps-Roper.Eating latelySarah made Swedish meatballs for the first time and Abby made Apple Dapple Cake (recipe below).3

The holidays are fast approaching. We share our plans for the season, including activities, food, gifts, how we plan to stay connected to loved ones, and what we are doing to take care of ourselves. Links we mentioned:In a Holidaze by Christina LaurenWinter Street series by Elin HilderbrandDecolonizing ThanksgivingBlueland holiday soap scentsLife latelySarah continued her gamble of painting rooms without getting samples and Abby shares a Craigslist victory.Reading latelyWe both read memoirs this week: Sarah finished Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Witaker and Abby listened to Sitting Pretty: The View From My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig.Eating latelyAbby continues her quest for homemade Indian food with chana saag (substituting chickpeas for the paneer).Sarah learned to make water kefir from a neighbor.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.

How we've changedWe each share three ways we've changed since adolescence, one way we've stayed the same, and an area we'd like to change going forward.Life latelyAbby's chicks have arrived!Sarah is dreaming about 2021 and bought a new planner (which she heard about from Sarah Hart Unger). Austin Channing Brown perfectly captured the essence of this purchase in her Instagram post last year.Reading latelyAbby listened to Kevin Wilson's Nothing to See Here and Sarah delighted in reading One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London.Eating latelySarah's enjoying tiny cans of soda and Abby attempted to recreate her favorite vegetable korma using this recipe.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Food quirksFrom melted cheese on a plate to raw sweet potatoes, we discuss what we ate as kids, what unusual preferences we still have, and any quirks of our partners and kids.Life latelyAbby has solved her backyard storage problems by finishing this cabinet and adding these feet.Sarah's had a rough start to the school year, but is hoping to reset by restoring some healthy habits.Reading latelyAbby read the YA novel Dear Martin by Nic Stone and Sarah read the (surprise!) thriller Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner.Eating latelySarah's went back to an old favorite: mung bean dal from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything Vegetarian (very similar to this version, but with carrots instead of apples).Abby wanted the ease of a sheet pan dinner, and gave Pinch of Yum's garlic ginger chicken a try.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out info

We share the details of our days from Tuesday, September 15th. We did a similar episode two years ago if you’d like to see how our days have changed. Things we mentioned:BlueyThe Penderwicks by Jeanne BirdsallCalm sleep stories (HP’s favorites are Wonder, the Night Train, and the Christmas Train)Blue light glassesLife latelySarah has creatures roaming her duct work and Abby is loving Blueland for plastic-free household cleaners and soaps.Reading latelySarah loved the ending of Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane and Abby listened to Augustus Burroughs’ memoir, Dry.Eating latelyAbby and her mom made homemade truffles.Sarah’s family enjoyed a Moroccan potato salad from Mark Bittman’s cookbook, VB6.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our work livesWe share our work-related history, what jobs we have now, and how those jobs are working for us. And here’s that beautiful essay about choices by Cheryl Strayed that Abby mentioned: The Ghost Ship That Didn’t Carry Us.Life latelyListening to romance novels on audio is really working for Sarah, and Abby hates sidewalk chalk.Reading latelySarah read The Antidote for Everything by Kimmery Martin, and Abby strongly recommends A Wicked Kind of Husband by Mia Vincy.Eating latelyAbby is obsessed with making pesto from basil she grew.Sarah is enjoying quinoa with roasted veggies—a dairy-free favorite.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We share strategies we've used to raise independent kids, independence wins and fails, and our favorite resources.Visible Child Facebook groupFree Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts With Worry) by Lenore SkenazyThe Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed by Jessica LaheySmall Animals: Parenthood in the Age of Fear by Kim BrooksLife latelyAndrew got Abby the perfect Mother's Day gift: a painting of Carrboro made by a dear college friend.Sarah's family has been reveling in all the outdoor time this summer.Reading latelyAbby reviews The Heir Affair, which is the must anticipated sequel to The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan.Sarah discusses All the Rage: Mothers, Fathers, and the Myth of Equal Partnership by Darcy Lockman.Eating latelySarah's family are enjoying an abundance of cucumbers dipped in yogurt sauce.Abby made her first burger using this black bean burger recipe.If you’d like to join in the conversation, pleas

We discuss our sleep needs, habits, and quirks, and reveal which of us snores and which of us talks in her sleep. Here are the links we mentioned in the show:Natural Calm supplementsCalm sleep storiesWhy We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew WalkerLife latelySarah shares about the start of online school and Abby recounts her recent secondhand wins.Reading LatelySarah read The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow and Abby finished the coming-of-age novel Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera.Eating latelyAbby found a butter chicken recipe that's almost as good as takeout, while Sarah's family has been devouring watermelon.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fall decisions in light of COVIDWe had a mid-year update six weeks ago, but given the ever-changing nature of the pandemic, we wanted to check-in again to talk about how we've made school decisions for the fall, what our work lives look like, and how we are thinking about opening (or not opening) our circles of social interaction.Life latelyWe share our thoughts on J.K. Rowling's anti-trans letter and how it will impact the way we consume her work. We recommend this video that breaks down the ways in which her statements are inaccurate, problematic, and hurtful to the trans community. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss this more.Reading latelyAbby listened to (and loved) Americanah by Chimanada Ngozi Adiche and Sarah flew through the Truly Devious trilogy by Maureen Johnson.Eating latelySarah is looking for the perfect banana bread recipe. Here's the recipe Abby has honed over the years:Mix together:1/2 cup white sugar1/2 cup brown sugar1/4 cup butter (almost melted)1 T flax seed meal in 2.5 T wa

We share our aspirations for our outdoor spaces alongside the reality of their current state. Let us know your favorite/least favorite yard work task so we can celebrate/commiserate with you.Life latelySarah's fixing up patio furniture and Abby is loving her kids' pediatrician.Reading LatelySarah read The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Abby discovered a new favorite author--Talia Hibbert--when she read Get a Life Chloe Brown.Eating latelyAbby's family enjoyed summer bowls featuring this BBQ tofu and Sarah found a new way to cook lentils.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We reflect back on music in our lives growing up, our musical aspirations, instruments we've played or hope to someday (can you guess which one of us considered taking up the sousaphone?), and the songs we love to listen to on repeat. Links to things we mentioned in the show:Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae JepsenDear Theodosia from HamiltonStand by Me by Ben E KingHey Delilah by the Plain White TeesInto the WoodsHamiltonThe Last Five YearsWickedLife latelyAbby did an internet deep dive into chickens. And spoiler--chickens are arriving at her house next week!Sarah's daydreaming about future home renovations.Reading latelyAbby read A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn, the first novel in the Veronica Speedwell mystery series while Sarah read Erin Morgenstern's latest novel, The Starless Sea.Eating latelySarah made homemade french onion dip following Alton Brown's tutorial. Abby made banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendli

There have been quite a few things we didn’t expect in the first half of 2020. We reflect on those, as well as on the intentions that we set in December and how they’re guiding us in this pandemic and election year.If you want to take part in the movement to dismantle white supremacy and systemic racism, we recommend donating to:National Bail OutBlack Mamas MatterFind your local bail fund in this directory or donate to multiple bail funds at once hereCrooked Media has compiled a list of organizations fighting for racial justice and made it easy to donate to them as a groupLife latelySarah has been playing a lot of Boggle With Friends on her phone, and Abby is doing all the gardening.Reading LatelySarah read The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary and Abby read the Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore.Eating latelyAbby enjoyed pastitsio made by her mom, and Sarah and her family tried out this cold peanut noodle salad from Budget Bytes.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show not

What's getting us throughWith stay-at-home orders and social distancing we have had more time at home than ever before. We share some of our favorite things that are bringing us joy and helping us through this unprecedented time. Here are the links to things we mentioned in the show:Home Cooking podcastPod Save AmericaGourmet MakesCall of the MidwifeDance MomsSchitt's CreekCosmic Kids YogaSesame StreetMagic School BusOK GoGolem and the Jinni by Helene WeckerDutch House by Ann PatchettBringing Down the Duke by Evie DunmoreWell Met by Jenn DeLucaRoxaboxen by Alice McLerran and Barbara Cooney (and here on YouTube)Baby Present by Rachel NeumannBarbara's cheese puffsDots pretzels (now available in many Kroger stores!)Orange Theory at home workoutsKindred Bravely Angelina nightgownPrismsDrawfulAlphabet Go FishBoggleLife latelyAbby is loving her houseplants and Sarah is connecting with friends the old fashioned way--through phone calls.Reading LatelyAbby read the Right Swipe by Alisha Rai and Sarah read Chanel Mille

Laundry and dishesWe review our laundry and dishes routines, product recommendations, what's working, and what's not. Links mentioned in the show:Planet 2x liquid laundry detergentDropps pods for laundry and dishwasherSkoy scrubsOxyclean spray stain removerBlue Dawn dish soap (for grease stains)If You Care sponge clothsLife latelyAbby shares about Storytime Durham with Amy Godfrey, which she affectionately refers to as Plum's new preschool.Sarah's family made a fire pit in the backyard and have been enjoying "Friday fires" together.Reading latelyAbby read No Apparent Distress: A Doctor's Coming of Age on the Front Lines of American Medicine by Rachel Pearson and Sarah read Ann Patchett's latest novel, The Dutch House.Eating latelySarah and her kids have been enjoying the ease of making Rice Krispies Treats together. Abby found an easy and delicious recipe for bean burritos.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @fr

The pandemic has changed a lot about how we shop for food and plan meals. We discuss what those changes look like, as well as the snacks we’re enjoying and the things we might want to take forward after things settle. And we come at this topic from a place of privilege. If, like us, you’re doing okay with food, check out Feeding America for ways to help others who are experiencing food insecurity.Life latelySarah upped her laundry game by investing in some new clothespins, and Abby is taking a daily walk and loving it.Reading latelySarah read Such a Fun Age, fiction that takes a hard look at racism and whie supremacy, by Kiley Reid. Abby read the historical fantasy novel The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker.Eating latelyAbby made a family favorite bean salad, and Sarah has been enjoying Instant Pot cheesecakes, particularly this key lime recipe.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlie

We all have things we’re proud of and things we’re not when it comes to parenting. We share some of our wins and fails, and we’d love to hear yours—parenting or otherwise.Life LatelySarah is using Epic to read with her kids while the library is closed, and Abby has been pulling a lot of weeds.Reading LatelySarah read Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. Abby finished all the books in the Brothers Sinister series by Courtney Milan. The Countess Conspiracy was her favorite.Eating LatelyAbby fancied up some instant ramen with veggies and soft-boiled eggs, and Sarah is loving fruit and yogurt smoothies.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Improving ourselvesWe discuss what we think of the self-improvement industry generally, our favorite self-help books and resources, and what does not work for us when trying to make changes. Here are the links we mentioned in the show:Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl StrayedDear Sugars podcastGlennon Doyle and her memoirs (Carry On, Warrior; Love Warrior; and Untamed)Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen KingstonThe Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie KondoYou Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap) by Tammy StrobelFrugalwoods blog and Meet the Frugalwoods by Elizabeth Willard ThamesThe Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing To Our Brains by Nicholas CarrBored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Creative and Productive Self by Manoush ZomorodiGretchen Rubin's podcast Happier and her books (The Happiness Project, Happier at Home, and Better Than Before)Deep Work and Digital Minimalism by Cal NewportBy the Book podcastHabitbull appCalm appPedometerLife latelyPepper has reached a new mileston

We discuss whether making decisions is generally easy or hard for us, analyze our results from this quiz, share decision making strategies, and think back on memorable past decisions.Life latelySarah enjoyed more structured workouts through the winter and Abby went on a family hiking adventure. Side note: we recorded this episode March 9, which is right before COVID-19 really impacted our communities. Reading latelySarah read the thriller Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison and Abby listened to Jonathan Van Ness’s memoir Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love.Eating latelyWe share the food highlights of Sarah’s birthday celebration weekend.If you’d like to join in the conversation, please leave us a comment on our show notes, email us at friendlierpodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Instagram @friendlierpodcast. Thanks for listening! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.