Have you ever thought about the ways you numb out of your own life? Kimi and Erica discuss our previous episode about Ambien addiction with Laura Cathcart Robbins, share their own addictive behaviors, and consider the root causes of unhealthy coping mechanisms. They discuss the most important first step in changing these habits.

Kimi and Erica discuss last week's episode with death doula Diane Button, which they can't stop thinking about! Both confess to having an endless fascination (ok, borderline obsession) with the wisdom and knowledge that people share when they know the end is near.

Diane's message is more about living well than dying well. Her dying clients are called "the wisdom keepers" and she shares their greatest joys and regrets. Simple moments bring joy – the quiet of the morning, conversations at the kitchen table, dog snuggles. The most precious moments in our lives will be found (and remembered) in the simplest of things.

We are committed to learning more about the crisis of people living without homes in our country following Anthony Brown's episode last week. Sharon Browning, Kimi's friend, neighbor, and changemaker, speaks with us about the current state of affairs and possible solutions. Sharon co- founded a volunteer-run organization in Los Angeles that has placed 177 people in permanent housing.

This week, Kimi and Erica are joined by "the horribly mean voices in their heads." In this episode, they discuss the negative stories they tell themselves about themselves and how they plan to stop them. Kimi talks about her critical voice about her body and intelligence. For the first time, Erica shares that she's never been in a female friend group and the negative stories she has attached to it.

We talk a lot about truth telling and talking about hard things in service of others on All The Wiser. Our goal is to illuminate, educate, and make people feel less alone. Normally, it would be our guests who take this leap, but this week it was the All The Wiser producers.

During the first episode of 2023, Kimi is joined by Tara Daigle, All The Wiser Associate Producer. As they discuss last week's episode on postpartum mental health, Kimi talks about her own experience with intrusive thoughts and the shame spiral that follows. Kimi and Tara were reminded of the importance of finding your people when going through hard times (postpartum health or anything else). Tara bravely shares that it was the trust and friendship of other women that gave her the courage and support to once leave an abusive relationship.

Christy interviews Kimi about her favorite moments and memories from Season 4 in this week's mini-episode. We dig into finding guests, key ingredients for a successful episode, and Kimi's dream for All The Wiser in 2023. Additionally, she shares how the stories on her show have changed her, helping her surrender what she can't control and take control of what she can.

Kimi and Christy talk about Yusuf Dahl's radical transformation from prison inmate to Ivy League scholar. They discuss what attributed to Yususf's ability to adapt and ultimately thrive - a clear internal vision, a sense of purpose, patience and the knowledge that he was loved.

Kimi is joined by Christy and her new puppy, Holly June Miller Peterson, to discuss vulnerability, how powerful it is, and how hard it can be to find courage. Christy opens up about her desire to share more vulnerably as well as her hesitation to do so.

Kimi is smitten with Meyli Chapin, “Terrorist Attack Girl”, and after listening to the interview from last week, Christy is too. Both appreciate Meyli’s authenticity and the raw emotion she brings to her story of terror and healing. It is a rare gift to share pain and hope in equal measure.

Christy gets a fancy microphone, and Kimi looks like she's working at a call center. They go behind the scenes of Pastor Jose Hernandez's interview and explain how he went from being a gang member in Watts to be a beacon of peace and hope.

In our first mini-episode of the new season, Kimi talks about why she was nervous interviewing Amanda Knox and how their conversation about ethical storytelling made her rethink dinner party gossip. Christy examines how stories add entertainment to our often mundane lives and that we often forget there is an (actual) human being behind the stories we consume. Kimi remembers a time in junior high when she discovered that people were gossiping and saying hurtful things about her. The two friends pledge to do better when consuming stories about other people.

In today’s episode of A Little Wiser, Christy and Kimi talk about high performance, excellence and asking the question when your teen, or someone you love, uses drugs or alcohol. The friends also reflect on Christy’s experience as podcast co-host this season and her shift toward celebrating growth over perfection. Last, get your questions in!! Today is the last day to ask Kimi about her experience with bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder. Christy asked her a good one during this episode and Kimi’s answer was funny, vulnerable, and honest. So get in on this!

Our brains are wired to make judgments about others so we can make sense of the world, and the vast amounts of information we are confronted with each day. But there is a cost to our assumptions. In today’s mini-episode, Kimi and Christy talk about their new favorite person Martin Lockett, who spent 17 years in prison for drunk driving and manslaughter. Martin’s story is a reminder of the power of redemption and the benefits of setting aside the judgmental mind: More connection, creativity, friendship, compassion and diversity! Christy also shares her experience as a public defender and her northstar borrowed from the brilliant Bryan Stevenson: “each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”

The topic of today's mini-episode is PURPOSE, and by purpose, we mean knowing your "why." We explore how we can discover our purpose in many ways, and in the case of Alex Lewis, simply by chance. Christy reminds us that purpose and getting clear on our "why" are powerful tools for building resilience. Purpose provides motivation and direction when the sh*t hits the fan.

Kimi and Christy discuss the idea that maybe, just maybe, these mini-episodes should simply be a podcast club. Why? Every time they listen to an episode separately and then talk about it, they have the best conversations. They get to see the story and wisdom from a whole new perspective. And it gets better. More meaningful. More learning.

In this mini-episode, Kimi and Christy talk resilience, persistence, growth mindset and the importance of hope in navigating adversity - all qualities Kimi’s guest Shabana Basij-Rasik embodies in her drive to provide Afghan girls with a rigorous education under Taliban rule. Christy and Kimi share their own stories of persistence and the role optimism has played in helping Christy (in particular) cultivate more resilience and wellbeing. The conversation ends with a simple but impactful strategy to try next time you are faced with a challenge: Reach out! People need people, now more than ever.

Christy and Kimi discuss mountain climber Aaron Rolston's realization that achieving the next "big thing" wasn't enough to make him happy. They discuss their own empty pursuits and the failed expectation that the next promotion or accomplishment would bring fulfillment. They also discuss the healthy side of achievement. According to Christy, achieving is NOT a dirty word. Striving to achieve is healthy and fulfilling when our goals (and the process of attaining them) are aligned with our personal values.

In this mini-episode, Kimi and Christy talk about Kimi’s experience interviewing Sheila Hamilton about her late husband David who had a diagnosis of bipolar, a diagnosis Kimi shares. Christy asks the question: why is Kimi “triggered” every time bipolar disorder comes up? The very important punchline is that Kimi is not Carrie from Homeland and she cannot control the narrative around bipolar or how people experience her. Instead, she can (and will) continue to talk about living with bipolar with openness and honesty because that is her truth. It’s liberating! They also share some simple strategies to use when you experience internal or external triggers. Breathe deep and take good care.

In the first episode of the year 2022, Kimi and Christy discuss the idea of "truly trusting yourself." Kimi pledges to rely more on her intuition in the new year, and they discuss all the things that get in the way of our inner knowing. Searching for answers in books, articles, podcasts, and friends and family (when we already know the answer). They challenge you to let this year be the one you finally listen to your quiet whispers and let them guide your life decisions, big and small.