Life On the Brink

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 138 and the Season Six finale of Life On the Brink! I am currently due with my second daughter any day now, and before I go on a postpartum hiatus I am taking this episode to share all the details of this pregnancy: what's different from last time, how I'm preparing for birth and postpartum, and reflecting on my parenting expectations from two years ago! It's a sweet little finale to round out not only this season of the podcast, but also the season of motherhood for me. Plus, this week's Little Joy is my third trimester summer breakfast fixation (trust me, it's so good), and I'm sharing Zoe's current favorite record. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 137 of Life On the Brink! It’s officially summertime once again, and this year I feel the potential for an absolutely magical season more than ever! From sunrise walks to poolside picnics and homemade ice cream, the possibilities really do feel endless. This is also the summer when I’m going to welcome my second baby girl, so before July ends and I enter another newborn phase, I’m really diving into making as much summertime magic as I can. If you’re as ready as I am, let’s go! Plus, this week’s Little Joy is an international cultural moment that has filled me with hope, and I'm sharing the ultimate playlist to last you all summer long. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 136 of Life On the Brink! Earlier this spring I had the opportunity to travel with Josh for my 30th birthday- to Paris! This has been a bucket-list destination for me for years and we finally did it! It was extraordinary and beautiful, and even though neither of us had ever been to Europe before, I was able to feel prepared and flexible. It can be overwhelming when researching for a trip, so in today’s episode I’m sharing my Top 10 tips for traveling to Paris, plus some personal highlights from this very special. Plus, this week’s Little Joy is a my favorite recipe of a beloved (and very American) dessert, and I'm sharing one of my favorite albums for Francophiles. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 135 of Life On the Brink! It’s finally springtime- the best time of year! We survived the winter and can now THRIVE in the beauty of this special and short-lived season. As with every spring, I’m reinvigorated and inspired to jump back into gardening, lots of springtime reads, new adventures and ways to celebrate. This year I’m also pregnant again, and am finding ways to be gentle with myself while still making sweet memories with my daughter. Plus, this week’s Little Joy is a perfect springtime recipe and I'm sharing a classic jazz duo that I've been playing on replay. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 134 of Life On the Brink! It’s been three years since Josh and I moved into our house, and slowly but surely we’ve been turning it into our beautiful family home. It’s been a while since I’ve recapped all our renovation progress, but with Baby #2 on the way a lot is changing! We’re in the final stretch now, and I’m so excited for the updates coming this spring. Plus, this week’s Little Joy is a happy reminder of warmer days to come, and I’m sharing an audiobook that brought many smiles to my face. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 133, a little mini episode in between the regular monthly episodes to bring you an exciting announcement! Much is changing, and I can't wait to share along the way. Also, Happy (early) Valentine's Day! I have always loved the holiday, thought it's changed a lot for me over the years. Today I'm detailing a bit of that, as well as some ways I'm looking to celebrate this year. * For the full blog post, click here* Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 132 of Life On the Brink! It’s time once again for one of my favorite episodes of the year, the always-beloved “favorite-books-i-read-last-year” episode. I was fortunate in encountering so many 5-star reads in 2025, and it seems no book on this list is like another- though I can’t recommend this list of books enough. After ending last year in a bit of a busy-season reading-slump, I’m so excited to get back into a new year of books. Now’s the perfect time to stack your TBR for the new year! Plus, this week's Little Joy is a strike against SAD and I have a groovy new playlist that works for any social occasion. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 131 of Life On the Brink! Happy Thanksgiving! No matter where you are, the holiday season is hereby upon us, and I couldn’t be more excited. This year I’m choosing to focus on streamlining my calendar of events and finding pockets of time to gather in a casual, meaningful way. Especially during the holidays, social gatherings can feel draining, but today I’m bringing some interesting resources and lots of creative ways to reinvent what gathering with loved ones can look like this Christmas season. Also, I’m sharing some new holiday teas, recipes, and a few extra goodies. Plus, this week's Little Joy is a wholesome Christmasy moment, and I'm sharing an album of unique carol arrangements. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 130 of Life On the Brink! October has gone by quickly and wonderfully, filled with so many autumnal moments and gatherings, as well as a few cozy hobbies that I’ve particularly been enjoying. Today I’m sharing all about my love of crocheting- how it began, why it’s THE BEST, and how to get started- along with how I’m prepping for the upcoming holiday season and adjusting to having a full-on toddler! A lot has changed since last fall, but with the challenges come new joys. It’s a very informal chat in this episode, so make yourself a cup of tea and let’s get into it. Plus, this week’s Little Joy is for those who, like me, are excited for the upcoming Christmas season, and I'm sharing Zoe's favorite jazz record of late. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 129 of Life On the Brink! Autumn is officially here and I couldn’t be more excited! This is such a short and sweet time of year and, especially as I now have a toddler on my hands. I’m determined to soak it up more than ever. Today’s episode includes my Fall TBR (a very cozy and lighthearted list), recipes I’m testing, crochet projects, and bucket list activities; life and routine can move fast, so I like to be intentional at the start of the season to envision what this autumn could look like. So grab a cup of something cinnamon-spiced and join me! Plus, this week’s Little Joy is a discovery I made on my morning walk, and I’m sharing Zoe’s new favorite bebop record For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 128 of Life On the Brink! Welcome to Season Six… I took a bit of a summer break to enjoy lots of time with my family and to keep up with my little girl (now a toddler, wild) but I am jumping right back into the sixth season of Life On the Brink! This has been a lovely summer so far, and in today’s episode I’m sharing a bit of a recap/companion to my summer bucket list, as well as some of my new favorite cookbooks. As we’re standing on the brink of cozy season, this is a time when I generally struggle to remain inspired in the kitchen and end up exploring some new texts! I’ve also become a bit of a collector of cookbooks, you might say. I’m sharing my absolute favorite books to work with in the kitchen this year, as well as some exciting new additions to the collection. Combining books and cooking– two of the best things! Also, this month's Little Joy is a bit of a fangirl moment, and I'm sharing my latest musical obsession. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 127 of Life On the Brink! It’s summer! After a long and wonderful spring season, the warm glow of summer is here at last. Today I’m sharing my (quite varied) book TBR, as well as some garden updates, beach vacation plans, and Bucket List items for this summer. Also, I’m recapping my sweet baby girl’s absolutely magical first birthday! Hint: the theme was adorable. This week’s little joy is a date-night story time and and I’m sharing a tropical playlist that is currently my summer soundtrack. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 126 of Life On the Brink! It has now been nearly one year since I became a mom and WOW what a year it has been. So much has changed in my life and I’ve definitely learned things about myself and my outlook on motherhood, life, self-perception, etc. and I’m sharing those lessons with you today. This is just a very candid chat about various parenting things, and though I touch on a few controversial topics, my hope is that this is an inspiring and, above all, encouraging talk. Also, Zoe adds her opinions here and there! Plus, I'm sharing the two items responsible for my summer glow-up, and a fun album of music that you might not have heard before! For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 125 of Life On the Brink! April is such a special month- in fact, today is my birthday! I’m celebrating by recapping what was perhaps the most FUN renovation project I’ve worked on in the past two years: the home library. From hunting down the perfect bookshelves to a literal painting party to creating so many cozy nooks, I’m so pleased with the finished product! I’ve also made today’s episode extra special by sharing some recipes and fun ideas inspired by my recent gatherings (Hint: a spring dinner party with herbs galore,) as well as some gardening updates and emotional retrospection. Plus, I'm sharing my new favorite recipe developer, and a cozy album of jazz standards that my baby loves. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 124 of Life On the Brink! I can’t believe I’m saying it, but spring has finally arrived. After what has felt like an eternally long and dreary winter, once again the change of season has come just in time. Spring is officially my favorite season, and it always reinvigorates me and revitalizes my creativity. Today I’m bringing some of that creativity to you! In this episode I’m sharing the books I hope to read, all this season’s garden plans (hint: honeysuckle), and all the crafts and activities on my bucket list for this spring. It’s my little girl’s first spring season, too, which is extra sweet! Plus, I'm sharing a magazine (ancient relics!) that has brought me so much joy, and a movie soundtrack that absolutely exudes spring. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 123 of Life On the Brink! I’m calling this episode a Part 2 as it sort of relates to one of the most popular episodes of the podcast: Episode 80 called “Taking Care of Yourself When You Feel Overwhelmed, Anxious or Burnt Out.” This is in a similar vein, but personally comes from a different headspace. Whereas Part 1 took place during a huge time of transition when I was moving into a new home, these days I’m in the midst of my first year of motherhood and am working through new stresses and, at times, sadness. Sometimes you need to sit with your sadness, but for the times when you want to cheer up, in this episode I'm simply sharing the things that have been comforting to me. Plus, I'm sharing a new favorite show that forces me to slow down, and a fun album from a beloved jazz band. For the complete show notes, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 122 of Life On the Brink! It’s time once again for one of my favorite episodes of the year, the always-beloved “favorite-books-i-read-last-year” episode, where I am sharing 6 of my favorite reads from 2024! Some are brand new, some are old classics, but all of them hold a special place in my heart and have my complete recommendation. I’m also recapping my season of reading while caring for a newborn, and sharing my reading goals for the coming year. Now’s the perfect time to stock up your TBR! Plus, this week's Little Joy a recent Christmas gift that has literally changed my daily life, and I'm sharing a superalbum of classical music that never fails- Zoe approved! For the complete show notes, click here! For full transcript, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 121 of Life On the Brink! Every Christmas is unique, but this year is so unlike any other. This year I’m a mom and it’s my little girl’s very first Christmas, which is so special! It also means that I have less time and less energy than most holiday seasons of the past. I usually do the absolute most during the Christmas season, and while I do love the hustle and bustle, it’s draining. So this year I’m doing what’s necessary, and letting the rest go. In the place of some of that hustle, I’m enjoying slower days, mostly at home with my little family, and today I’m sharing some of those days with you. Activities, crafts, recipes, music, all the things that are making this (very different) Christmas season more restful and beautiful. Plus, this week's Little Joy is a very popular joy right now, but nevertheless so inspiring and enjoyable, and I'm sharing the holiday album I've had on repeat this Christmas season. For the complete show notes, click here! For full transcript, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 120 of Life On the Brink! We're back again with another installment of the Movie Night series, this time in a celebration of cooking, food, and the gathering that happens around it. I'm once again joined by my sister Sarah as we discuss our favorite "foodie" movies and how a movie night can be an extension of the onscreen meals. So fun, and perfect for this time of year! We have quite a bit in common, mostly that we agree on a lot of our favorite movies and that we love a theme, so we always have a ton of fun when we have these chats. Plus, Sarah shares a fun new recipe and I've got a new playlist of music just for this episode. For the complete show notes, click here! For full transcript, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 119, a little mini episode with an update and links to episodes from the archive for this fine Halloween Thursday. As I'm continuing to adjust to motherhood, I'm making some space to soak up this time while still aiming for consistency in my pursuits. In this episode you'll hear my plan for all that, as well as some more cozy episodes from the Life On the Brink archives that you might enjoy during this season. Especially if you are in a time of transition or challenge like I am, these are for you! * For the full blog post, click here* For full transcript, click here! Site: lifeonthebrink.live Social: @anna_on_the_keys