WORK, LIFE & PARENTING

PLUS DETAILED SHOW NOTES AND RECAPS FROM “ALL FIGURED OUT”

The Wilder way to gather: human connection, simple hosting, and starting before you’re “ready” (with Emily Shimwell)
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The Wilder way to gather: human connection, simple hosting, and starting before you’re “ready” (with Emily Shimwell)

If you’ve ever avoided hosting because the toys weren’t picked up or dinner felt overwhelming, this conversation will change your perspective. On All Figured Out, I sat down with Emily Shimwell, founder of Dine Wilder, who has hosted more than 540 guests at long-table dinners designed to make women feel seen and connected.

Emily’s approach? Hospitality isn’t about perfection—it’s about people. From ordering takeout and calling it a night, to giving kids small hosting jobs, she reminds us that connection matters more than menus or matching napkins.

Her advice for parents is especially freeing: try brunch to avoid bedtime chaos, light candles instead of overheads, and focus on the tiny details that make guests feel welcomed and known.

As Emily puts it: “Magic happens when curiosity meets connection.”

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How jealousy can lead to the life you actually want (with Elana Sures)
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How jealousy can lead to the life you actually want (with Elana Sures)

What if that wave of jealousy you felt wasn’t something to shame or shove away—but a breadcrumb toward the life you want? In this episode, therapist and clinic founder Elana Sures joins Andrea to unpack how envy can be a compass, why moms are so prone to it, and what to do when someone else’s life makes you question your own. From the career envy that nudged Elana out of public health to the tender topic of money jealousy, this conversation is a warm, validating reframe for anyone stuck in the scroll of comparison.

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Let the kids read: Why your child's bookshelf might be more powerful than you think
Blog Andrea Barr Blog Andrea Barr

Let the kids read: Why your child's bookshelf might be more powerful than you think

If you ever hid under the covers with a Judy Blume book, this episode will feel like home. In All Figured Out, Andrea Barr talks with author and cultural critic Rachelle Bergstein about the brilliance of Judy Blume, the rise of book bans, and why kids’ books are more powerful than we give them credit for. From self-censorship to feminism in children’s literature, Rachelle shows us how stories give kids a safe place to grow—and give parents a chance to connect in deeper ways.

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