Hope & Humor Podcast

Kristina explores the difference between healthy helping and anxiety-driven helping, the kind of over-involvement that soothes our worries but can accidentally rob our kids of opportunities to problem-solve, build confidence, and learn that they can handle hard things. How do we know when to step in and when to step back, when to resist the urge to rescue our kids from every disappointment, rejection, frustration, or sadness, and learn to tolerate our own anxiety long enough to let them experience discomfort and learn how to process their emotions?

Depression can be hard to explain to someone who’s never experienced it. In this episode, Kristina asked her audience to put depression into words, what it feels like and what they wish others understood. An honest conversation about breaking the stigma, knowing you’re not alone, and the importance of reaching out for help. This episode is for anyone struggling with depression, as well as anyone who loves and supports someone who is.

Part 2 with renowned sex and relationship therapist Dr. Laura Berman to answer questions listeners called in with. Kristina and Dr. Berman talk about worrying that your kids might walk in on you during sex, whether a marriage can survive (and even thrive) after infidelity, healing and reconnecting with your body after sexual trauma, and what happens when a miscarriage makes sex feel intertwined with grief. Dr. Berman also shares practical advice for couples who’ve been together for years and feel like their sex life has become dull and boring. Check out Dr. Berman's website for more information: https://drlauraberman.com/ and follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauraberman/

Kristina sits down with renowned sex and relationship therapist Dr. Laura Berman for an honest conversation about sex. They discuss why it’s so important to have open, age-appropriate conversations with our kids about sex, and Dr. Berman answers questions from listeners: Can sex still be fulfilling during menopause? What can cause sudden changes in erections and sexual function? And after experiencing sexual assault or trauma, is it possible to fully enjoy sex again? Check out Dr. Berman's website for more information: https://drlauraberman.com/ and follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauraberman/

If you're nervous about aging, this episode is for you. Kristina and her producer, Cat, have an honest, no-sugarcoating conversation about getting older, aging on our own terms, and share encouraging stories that prove we're never too old to pursue a new dream.

Kristina shares a hard-earned lesson from parenting her son through a difficult time: the more she tried to control the situation, the worse things became, not just for him, but for her and their relationship. In this episode, she talks honestly about the difference between helping and controlling, why our attempts to “fix” things can sometimes create more harm, and what she’s learned about letting go of control without letting go of our kids. If you’re a parent who struggles with control, this episode offers practical encouragement.

Kristina sits down with teen coach Carey Reilly to discuss how parents can help their kids discover their passions, find purpose, and use their unique gifts to make a positive impact in their community. Carey shares practical advice for encouraging confidence, curiosity, and meaningful growth in teens. She also offers valuable tips for students who are considering college, including ways to strengthen their applications and stand out in the admissions process. Carey is also the founder of badgermethod.com , which helps students build impact, leadership and a personal brand that opens doors.

Death is one of the few experiences every family will face, yet it's often one of the hardest subjects to talk about. In this episode, Kristina welcomes Amy Pickard, founder of Good To Go, for an honest conversation about end-of-life planning, talking to children about death, family communication, and why avoiding these discussions often creates more pain than having them. At the heart of Amy's work is The Departure File, a practical and compassionate resource designed to eliminate stress, guilt, and uncertainty for those left behind. As Amy says, the goal is to leave behind love instead of logistics.Learn more about Good To Go, order The Departure File, or find information about Good To Go Parties at https://goodtogopeace.org/ .

Do you ever feel like you're expected to do it all, be it all, and somehow make it look effortless? In this episode, Kristina and her producer dive into the reality of Superwoman Syndrome. They explore the pressures and societal expectations that women face, how these messages often teach us to put our own needs last, and what it takes to break free from the cycle of self-neglect and create a life that feels more fulfilling and sustainable.

Kristina is joined once again by Jacy Patt, founder of Mentionable Means Manageable Youth Advocacy and a dedicated advocate with more than 15 years of experience working with at-risk youth and their families. Through years of building trust with young people, Jacy has heard firsthand from kids who are struggling but don't feel comfortable opening up to their parents. She shares powerful insights and practical guidance for parents who want to strengthen their connection with their children. Learn more about Jacy's non-profit organization and its work supporting adolescents and families: mmmya.org

Kristina gets real about something she’s been working on for most of her life: overcoming chronic negativity. Calling herself a “recovering pessimist,” Kristina shares practical strategies that have helped her shift her mindset, and answers listener questions about dealing with negativity. Whether you’re a lifelong pessimist, an occasional overthinker, or simply someone trying to see the glass as half full more often, this episode offers encouragement and practical tools to help you along the way.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised. In this deeply personal and important episode, Kristina tackles the ongoing issue of sexual harassment and sexual assault, with a particular focus on the rise of online sexual harassment and the troubling ways it continues to be excused, normalized, and dismissed (even by some women). Kristina also shares her own experiences of being sexually assaulted, both as a child and as an adult, and encourages those who have gone through similar experiences to speak up. Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your dignity matters.

Family vacations can create lasting memories, but they can also come with a hefty price tag. Kristina sits down with Carey Reilly, a lifestyle TV contributor and writer, to share practical money-saving tips that can make family travel more affordable and less stressful.

In this powerful episode, Kristina sits down with Jacy, the remarkable woman she credits with helping save her son's life during one of the darkest periods of his mental health struggles. Through a raw and inspiring conversation, she shares her own journey from a childhood marked by severe trauma and abuse to dedicating her life to helping young people find hope and a path forward. Her story is a moving reminder that no matter how difficult your past, healing, hope, and transformation are possible. (Jacy now runs a non-profit organization that helps adolescents who are struggling: https://mmmya.org/

This episode explores what it takes to create healthy, thriving relationships at every stage of life. How do we set ourselves up to be healthy partners and choose the right partner for a thriving relationship? Whether you're single, have been with your partner for decades, or simply want guidance on what to teach your kids before they start dating, this episode offers practical insights.

Kristina talks about navigating co-parenting after divorce and what helped her create the healthiest possible environment for her kids. She shares the “formula” she came up with to keep herself accountable and not allow her ego to take over, lessons she learned about dating after divorce, and what it was like getting remarried as a single mom. Most importantly, she reminds single parents that loneliness is never a good reason to settle.

Kristina opens up about one of the hardest and most life-changing experiences of her life: divorce. She shares what helped her heal, rebuild herself, and slowly find peace and joy again. Kristina also answers two voicemails from listeners currently struggling through divorce, offering encouragement, insight, and hope for the road ahead.

Kristina shares some of the parenting tips, mindset shifts, creative tricks, and practical habits she’s learned over more than 20 years of raising kids, the kinds of tips that helped keep her (somewhat) sane and made parenting feel a little easier at times. From sibling rivalry to empowering kids to navigating various challenges, this episode is filled with ways to help reduce stress and strengthen connection with your children.

Let’s talk parenting fails. The ones you replay in your head and wish you could redo. Kristina and her producer share their own personal stories of moments they consider parenting fails, read listener submissions, and remind us all that messing up doesn’t make you a bad parent. It makes you human. With Mother’s Day approaching, this is your reminder that your child doesn’t need perfection. They just need you.

Life can surprise us in the worst ways: health scares, financial stress, grief and loss, relationship struggles, parenting challenges, mental health dips, and those seasons where everything feels uncertain all at once. How do we keep it from taking over everything? In this episode, Kristina shares what has helped her navigate unexpected chaos and hardships and reminds us not to allow the few things that are completely out of our control to control us completely.