Hope & Humor Podcast

Co-parenting after divorce

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. 

Healing and Rebuilding After Divorce

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.

Parenting tips that actually help

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. 
 
 
 

Parenting Fails

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.
 

When Life Throws Crap Our Way

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.

Fun Family Traditions and the Importance of Creating Joy

Life can be hard, which is why the little things matter. In this episode, Kristina and her producer share fun family traditions that help create connection, bring laughter, and give the family something to look forward to. Kristina also shares creative traditions sent in by listeners, reminding us that joy can be found right in the middle of ordinary life.
 
 

Parenting Guilt

In this episode, Kristina talks about one of the heaviest things so many parents, especially moms, carry: guilt. The constant feeling that you’re not doing enough, not being enough, or completely screwing up. She unpacks how to tell the difference between guilt that can guide us and guilt that just drains us, why prioritizing ourselves is actually healthy for our kids, and how to start letting go of that suffocating guilt feeling. This is the conversation every "guilty" parent needs.

Supporting a Child with Mental Health Struggles

Supporting a child who is struggling with mental health can feel overwhelming, confusing, and at times, heartbreaking. In this episode, Kristina shares simple, everyday actions that helped her support her own son through depression, anxiety, and ADHD. From building trust to communicating in ways that help a child open up, this conversation offers practical, usable guidance.
 
She also explores how to navigate high-stress moments without escalating, communicate in ways that empower your child, and what it truly means to be a steady, safe presence when they need it most. If you’ve ever felt unsure what to say or do, this episode will help you feel more grounded, confident, and less alone.

Cougar Puberty! (a.k.a. Perimenopause/Menopause)

Kristina sits down with her friend Amy for an honest, unfiltered conversation about the things no one warns women about when it comes to perimenopause and menopause. From lesser-known (and rarely discussed) symptoms to the emotional and mental shifts that can feel confusing or isolating, they shine a light on what so many women experience but few openly talk about. With humor, candor, and compassion, they explore the importance of advocating for yourself, nand finding the right kind of support. This episode is about feeling seen, less alone, and more empowered to navigate this stage of life on your own terms.

Answering your questions!

Kristina answers questions listeners have sent in. Should teenagers earn or be gifted a car? Should we be taking our child's phone away as a consequence? How to help a child who worries a lot? How to best support a friend whose teen is struggling? Creative ideas for bonding with your teen, and more.